My daughter has been target shooting my bolt action 30-06 now for almost 1 year. She will be 11 this April, is 5'5"tall and weighs 100lbs, and wants to take hunter education and get a license and hunt moose this fall with me. She can put every round on a 10 inch paper plate at 100yds and does better than 50/50 at 200yds. (Non-scoped rifle) It does not have a muzzle brake. In laymans terms a muzzle brake is a noise maker and is extremely annoying. In fact most rifle ranges I know do not allow them to be used on their ranges as it elevates the noise levels above the save barrier while wearing hearing protection. So your son should not have any problems with a 30-06.

I agree with you on the bolt action thing though. I think a bolt action or a single shot is the way to go when teaching a kid how to shoot. It took me quite some time to get it into my daughter skull that the action is open if you are not firing and closed only to fire. ( for safety) It makes it much easierand safer than relying on the safety button. She even asked how you keep dirt and junk out of the action when you are hunting if the bolt is open? Made me chuckle but to her it was a serious question. I am now teaching 2 of her friends how to shoot as well.

You should go with a 30-06 as the ammunition is cheap and easily aquired. I have seen it on sale for $12 a box. You can get it cheaper if you buy bulk. The other gun would be a 7.62x39 like an SKS or something. Mine cost $90 and ammo is just slightly more expensive than a 22LR. It has near zero recoil and my daughter was shooting it prior to the 30-06.

Here is a little advice my Granpa told me. "Shoot the largest caliber gun you can shoot with out flinching" (I have added and W/O a muzzle break) I also know many Big Game guides that will not take clients out who shoot a gun with a muzzle break. (because when its fired, they get blasted)

Good luck and safe shooting

SJ

 

I still like the .243 for a youth caliber. Shot placement is a key. I do not like the 7.62x39 for hunting deer. If you check the ballistics on both, the .243 has more energy.