My son started with a 270WSM when he was 12. Tikka T3 and not a problem. 150NPT. He shot it excellent. I worked him up from smaller centerfires and he was used to the noise. I had a 25.06 around that would have worked also. I'm more concerned about the fit as that is a big part of the kick if the gun doesn't fit. 243, 7-08 or 308 will all work.
We finally settled on a rifle for my 10yr old son that he thinks fits him well. Savage mod 11 Trophy Hunter combo, youth, left hand, .308. Have to order it since its LH.
He shot an old clunky Winchester 88 lever with a solid but plate we have last week with factory ammo. He shot it repeatedly & said that he would be comfortable with the .308 & wanted to go that way.
He's paying (Alaska kids usually have more money than their folks from permanent fund dividend) a little over $500 for it and he can get an adult stock for it later if he wants.
Just looked one up that's a nice gun I bet he is thrilled!
So here's the next question. What scope? I was thinking a basic Leupold 3-9.....
Dave
The one it comes with is a Nikon 3-9 with their ballistic drop (or whatever they call it) reticle with 4 little circles below the crosshair. Seems to be a nicer scope than on most of the combos. We shall see.
Great advice on the muffs JP. I have him wear the cheap Caldwell electronics over soft plugs. Really helps & he can still hear range commands.
Small world. I used to haul logs into the mill at Anderson (98 was last year)! I think it was an SP mill. Had 2 sets of aunts & uncles that lived there
Keno is a neat place. Parts of Alaska are neater!