My son carried a B-B gun with him on the last few hunts that we went on, before he took his first deer with his moms 243.

The 243 is a Ruger Compact SS Lam. Stock. Neat little rifle. I would have him practice with the muzzle brake on then when we took it to the stand I took the brake off and put the thread protector on. He never knew the differance.

By the way. My son is 9 years old and may weigh 58 pounds.

Just my two cents.
hunter338