I started my son our with a Marlin 44 mag lever action (that was many years ago)and I started my grandson with a .243 (three years ago). Both were hunting areas with shots wll under 100 yds. However, I think the .243 is the better way to go.

A .243 with a good bullet in the lungs beats a 30 cal in the guts any day.

I started my son deer hunting with a songle shot 30-30, using handloaded 150 Nosler partitions at about 2100 fps. No deer ever moved after being shot. The single shot's butt stock was shaped to fit him, and a good recoil pad was installed. He later graduated to his grandfather's 270 Winchester.
There is nothing wrong with a 243. My dauter-in-law shoots 100 gr Noslers in hers. 9 deer with 9 shots. 2 buck deer made record book minimums.
My youngest granddaughter is 10 years old, and will hunt deer for the first time this year. She will use a 250 Sav in a stock that I shortened 3 inches.
Remember, it's not the cartridge nor the rifle that kills the deer, it is the bullet and it's placement.
WYLD

.243

Ruger Compact. Its available in 243, 6.8spc, 7-08, 7.62x39 and 308. Any one of those would make a good first gun, and when he starts growing its not really hard to find an adult sized stock that will fit on the same action cheap and readily.

I like the 6.8 as there is a good cross section of ammo available and its actually fair priced. Most commercial loads are in the 23-30$ per box range even for premium stuff like Barnes.

Depends on the kid. Some kids want something just like dad or gramps or uncle ted, some kids want something that is "theirs". Probably a reason I really don't like the 30-06, every one uses it, I like to be a bit different and both my grandfather, great uncle, uncle, father and brother all used the 30-06 primarily (bro now uses a 300 win) I wanted something that was specifically MINE, just as good, but unique.

Plus, if distance isn't going to be a factor, the 6.8 can always be handloaded later on with 130's, albeit at a slower pace then a .270 I think it'll do just fine. Need to stretch out the distance a bit more? Well a Barnes 110gr TSX will do just fine, or even a 95gr.

I was looking at the Weatherby website for a friend and I came across this... http://www.weatherby.com/produ...guard/syntheticyouth

I am kind of intrigued by the removable elongated spacer system to help fit a kid as he grows.

Anyone used or seen this gun in action?