243 all the way the hammer isnt good but i used a 30 30 starting at age 11 and took my first one at age 12 but letting the hammer down was hard for after i had shot the deer

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Oh well. Guess I need to read instructions and try again later.

My son just turned 12 last year. He went to the hunters safety course and the instructor had a 30-30 to let the kids practice with. The hammer was way too hard for most of the kids to operate. Try some of the reduced recoil ammunition. I cut down the stock on one of my 30-06 rifles and bought some of the Remington reduced recoil bullets and it worked pretty good. My son only weighs 100lbs soaking wet and he wasn't scared to shoot the gun. He would up killing a doe last year.

Go with the 243. If you want them to learn barrel sights then buy a243 with barrel sights. I know savage and remington make them.You can always add the scope to it later. Bolt actions are easier and safer for kids just because you don't have to mess around with the hammer if they choose not to shoot. 243's are more accurate, kick less, and are fun to shoot. I think ammo is probably a little bit cheaper to.

i shot my first 2 deer at age 12. i used a .270 on both of them.

I cant believe people still believe in the knock down power theory.
Sorry but theres no such thing as knock down power. Its all about how much tissue is destroyed by the bullet passing through it.
Go with the .243. At 1 yd or 300yds the .243 is a better gun.

I know when i was twelve i was a small kid and i was shooting a 30.30 and i found it to be just fine as long as i was shooting at an animal but at the range it hurt my shoulder cause i didnt have the adrenaline pumping so maybe the 243 would be better

.243 all day.
It wouldnt hurt to take him to do a little squirrel hunting before gun season either.

I started with a 243. Just make sure the gun fits the kid. I also like a scope. A scoped 22 and some bushytails to chase will be plenty of "scope" practice.