If it was my kid, he'd be starting his hunting of big game with a .243, a .250 Savage or a .257 Roberts.

There's no reason to use more gun for deer size animals.....and as for deer running off after being shot.....I've seen it more with the .30-06 than any other cartridge.....it's related to placement and certainly not power.

The .243 and similar rifles have plenty of power and the kids will shoot them better due to the lower recoil.

243 is plenty of gun for deer, Ive used it for deer and moose. just place your shot well and you will be fine. the 308 will give you a little breathing room.

243 Win, 260 Rem, 7mm-08, 250 Savage, 257 Roberts

Another vote for 260 rem.

Why don't you just let him shoot a few different rifles of different cartridges. Who knows he might like shooting one of the larger cartridges like the 308 or 30-06 or he may really like the .243. Any of which is plenty enough for deer.

I got my first gun at 11, a 12 gague. I was shooting everything from light field loads to 3 inch buck shot loads. I killed my first deer soon after I got it still 11 years old. At 12 years old I got a 30-06. Neither of the two kicked too hard for me to shoot well.

My son is 11 years old this year. He loves to shoot my .270. The recoil does not bother him a bit. He was scared the first time he pulled the trigger then he looked at me with a big grin on his face and said "Can I shoot it qagain?".

Let him shoot a few if you can and he will tell you what he likes.

7mm-08 is probably the best caliber for young shooters to start on. Better power and sectional density than the .243. It is the caliber Craig Boddington chose for his daughter and her best friend to use on a hunt in Africa. Both girls were able to shoot it well, and took several large animals with it. You can also get ammo for it at any Wal Mart, or other stores that sell ammo just about anywhere. It is also an extremely versitile caliber, sufficient even for Elk at resonable ranges. I think it offers everything you need.

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I would pick one of these three and limit him to short range

.250-3000 savage
7.62x39( in the cz carbine) i
7-30 waters

I'd agree with Frizz on all points! .243 is a very good minimum deer caliber, with plenty of punch and low recoil too! Good for beginners and veterans alike!

243, 6mm, 250savage,257roberts, 260,7mm-08, any are fine the 243 is adequate for deer my dad dropped a moose w a 6mm. It went through both shoulders out the other side, ran approx 7ft. Use PREMIUM bullets, they really do make a difference.