I agree with the NEF recommendation. You should also look at Rossi. They have a tripple play that comes with 20 ga, 243 and .22 barrels. It was on sale at Cabela's in UT for @ $260 or so. It's on their website.

Spud

Nancy,
I agree with Knightia. A shotgun will most certainly kill deer, but it has limited range and will kick like the dickens with a slug. Compare this to a 243 with a very mild recoil, more accurate, and much longer effective range.
Of course as also stated you need to know if a shotgun is required by law in your state.

I love these threads. I have two boys, one4 and one 19 months. It's real early for them, but I don't mind planning for the future.

For your deer/turkey hunting concerns, I'd say buy a pump action shotgun with two barrels (rifled and smoothe bore), probably a 12 guage youth model. It may be useable into adulthood depending on the size of your child, and depending on how easy swapping out the stock might be.

I'd say it shouldn't have to be a magnum model. The kid prolly wouldn't want to shoot that anyway.

As far as the NEF's go, I like them. I'll prolly start my boys out plinking and small game hunting a little earlier than 12 yrs old. My thought has been a NEF .22lr, .410 combo, youth model. The older one can use it intil about 12 or so, then the younger one can have it. Buy then the older one will get something new...

Rossi has similar products, and cheaper too, but have you ever handled one? The barrel feels like copper tubing -- very light and thin.

In my book, NEF is a little better at only about 10% more in price, and in buying one, you'd be supporting an American company.

I do have an older Rossi .22lr pump -- looks like a Henry pump. It's the first gun I ever bought, and it feels solid and top quality. They just don't make them anymore (that I know of). Now, it's all cheap single shots and revolvers.

being about his age (14 years old) i would say get the mossberg 500 12 gauge bantam and buy him a limbsaver recoil pad for it. i got a remington 1100 12 gauge that i shoot sluggers with. it has the limbsaver pad on it and i cant feel recoil at all. i think the 870s are expensive. i like the mossbergs better.

I bought my 12 year old son a MOSSBERG 20 gauge pump YOUTH model. It comes from the factory with the shorter stock. It also comes with a coupon for the adult stock. Once he is big enough for the adult stock, you send in the coupon to Mossberg with (I think) $12 and you get the longer stock.

I personally do not recommend the 12 gauge.

Kev