I went the 270 route becasue you can buy the managed recoil loads and then when he grows up and wants to use whatever load he wants that he has the option. I bought him a Remmy Model 700 and also bought a youth stock for it. I have the regular stock on it now as I like using the gun as I retired my granddads ought6 as it has alot of sentimental value to me and I want my oldest to have it one day so I made it a safe queen. Its a Remmy 742 woodsmaster so being a semi auto I didnt want to shoot it too much. Plus it will give me an excuse for a new rifle when he takes the 270 on full time I didnt buy the youth model because I didnt want him to be stuck with the short barrel. I wanted his first "real" gun to be something he could give his kiddos if they chose to hunt. With all that said he will shoot my 22 golden boy until he has killed his fare share of rabbits and squirrels and is ready for the deer woods. I started with a 22mag, and will prolly get him one of those one day as well. Wish I still had mine, lost both my first shotgun and rifle when we moved to TX, long story but it stunk as I was about 12 and those were my babys. But when I took over my granddads arsenal it helped to have some sentimental guns again. Sorry to ramble and get off course! I say 22 and then 270!
Peace out

My son started at age 6 with a remington 700 heavy barrelled 6.8 Just have to bite the bullet and fit the stock to them or buy another stock. The 6.8 out of a heavy barrel with 110vmaxs has vitually no recoil and that makes it fun for them to shoot.

222 and a great set of ear protection... Keep your shots close

There is a Remington 600 in 243 in the clasified section this morning. These are great guns for both youth and adults! I own and hunt with one in 6mm and if I had the cash I would be buying this one.

I have an 8 year old and a 5 year old. Here is what I did/ am doing with good success.

I started them with a bb/pellet gun. It teaches them gun safety and how to use open sights. My boys have to learn to use open sights before moving up to a scope. How soon they move up to the .22 depends on how quick they master the bb gun.
Once moved up to the .22 they get to use the scope. Let them master the .22 at 50yds. It's fun, cheap and they have a good time. My 8 year old has his targets hung all over his room, he loves it. Once the .22 is mastered he gets to shoot the .222.
.222 he loves it. He will shoot that thing all day long and he is very good with it. Can shoot 50 rounds and keep them in a 4" circle at 50yds. His groups get wider at 100yds but they are shrinking. Here is his .222 targets at 50 yds.
Here is the gun he cant wait to shoot..
My 5 year old can hit anything he can see with a bb gun. He is better than my 8 year old as far as shooting the bb gun. He has no desire to shoot the "load gun" and is content with his bb gun. I am not rushing it, he will move up to the .22 when he is ready. It's there when he wants it, but for now he is content.

In my opinion you must let them decide what and when they want to shoot, if not you will scare them. Have seen other dads force their kids to shoot a .243 or a 30-30 and the kids have no desire to shoot, it hurt them the first time and they dont want to do it again. Start slow and easy and they will be begging you to take them to the range. Good luck!

.17 is a great starter gun. I started my son with one. For a couple reasons. One it is a scoped bolt action rifle just like the .223 he shoots now. Second no recoil from .17 to scare or make him close eyes or flinch when shooting. Then moved him up to .223. Worked for us.

Good luck

I'd gethim a Weatherby Mark V in .460 Weatherby...LOL J/K
.....seriously, a youth model .243 would be perfect.

go for a 22mag.

i agree with above statements about learning proper mechanics. 223 is still a little too much for most kiddos and will flinch. 22mag has plenty of killing power for small game. a friend of mine blasted right thru the shoulder of 100 pound hog at 60 yards dead right there. it has also killed a coyote, several rabbits, squirrels, crows, etc. amazing rifle.

bolt action is perfect.

coonsaw

Took both my daughter's to the range two months ago. My five yr old was shooting the bb gun. My ten yr old was shooting her single shot .22 (interchangeable to /410 bore barrel).

I really like the rossi combos, in particular the 17hmr/44mag/20ga.
My son is only 3 but when he gets to be about 5 I plan on buying him one, I just wish it came with a 223 or 243 in the combo instead of 44mag. oh and the tri combo is only like 279 I think.