NH123,

Great idea on th .410. I hope it works. I have one of those old singles and I think that it hurts like a MOFO when I shoot it. It's worse than shooting turkey loads out of my semiauto. It is so light and sharp kicking that I rarely shoot it. I think those old single shots are just like getting hit with a fence post.

I would look at the Savage Acutrigger .243 for the young lad. I belive that the trigger will help him be accurate. Buy the heaviest one that he can carry. It will greatly reduce the felt recoil and he will grow into it.

Then check out some low velocity ammo. Try to find a good 90gr load and don't worry about long shots over 150 yards. He may want to keep the range closer than that anyways.

Heavy rifle+lower power ammo+good but pad+practice= good shooting.

Merry Christmas!