Well first, let me address the one who said to buy a youth gun. In this case it just doesn't make sense. We don't hunt with rifles around here and this kids next trip will not be for a few years and I doubt it would fit him then. As far as the cost of an elk hunt, this is DIY and his tag is only $100, plus gas $500, plus food and camp $300, plus $200 for extras mabey. so for a $1100 hunt should he really go spend $500 to $700 on a youth rifle?

I see what everyone is saying and I am passing it on. I have killed only 2 elk and both with the 06. On my first one, I put a bad hit on him with the first shot and had to cut him off and put him down with and off handed shot on the 2nd. 2nd elk dropped on the spot with busted shoulders and had to finish him off. So I can see where both guns will work for him.

I guess mabey what I should do is have them both back out to shooting in a hunting situations. Off a bench is one thing but put him on sticks, shoot freehand some. All I know is that it is up to him and his father and at the end of the day it their elk hunt, I am just trying to help out.