Thanks, for the info everyone. All of you have re enforced my conviction on the .223 not being a deer gun. If I can find one for him I might get it as a step up from his .22LR and bridge the gap to the .243. I shoot a .454 casull now but I didn't start there and it might be good for him to shoot a light CF like the .223 to start with and then move on. If ican fnd a used youth NEF in .223 Ican get it rebarreled for him when he's ready.

I liked the ideas of him tagging along with me.

Thanks again everyone