First off welcome to BGH Foxhunter, As far as your question goes, I personally would recommend something in a junior model 7mm.08. Many will jump on and say a .243 which is an ok calibre. But it doesnt have the umf in the case of a kinna iffy shot that the 7mm.08 will have. VERY light recoil and in my opinion its one of the best white tail cartriges out there. Has excellent range and beautiful for hand loading. If my 5 year old daughter can handle the recoil (on a bench at the moment she aint ready for field positions) from my Pro Hunter 7mm.08 I dont see any reason your 12 year old son couldnt. Its got a good wollup for deer loaded with 139 grain hornady's. You could also load up a 120 grain Hornady softpoint and lay the smackdown on a deer as well. If you dont reload then I would say let him shoot up a box or 3 of 140 grainers and get used to it. Again..Its a very mild recoil but the 140 grain factory loads are a little stiffer for someone that is highly recoil shy. Its not bad at all but like I said.. He will have to get used to it a little so he wont flinch. Once he realizes it dont hurt he will be just dandy and be all hyped up and ready to go lay the smackdown on a deer! Good luck!

great info.. many thanks! 243 seems to be the big trend

The .243 is a great little rifle round but I would suggest anyone of the calibers in the 6mm class. Some great guns can be found in the .250-3000 Savage all the way up to the 257 Weatherby but the best couple are the .257 Roberts or the .25-06. They just pack a little bit more umph when that 200 yard shot shows up.

The 243 is an excellent choice as well as the 25-06 & the 257 roberts.

I'm a fan of the 7mm-08 as well, and bought my son when he was young a Browning Micro-hunter in that caliber. My wife uses that too, and I don't mind saying that I love the heck out of it myself. It is slightly smaller for youths/woman in stock and barrel lengths, weight, etc. reminding me of what they used to call mountain rifles, but also fine when he grows into an adult like my son is now (22).
They don't really out grow it, so it can be used for a lifetime. My son took an Elk with it as well a couple years ago, so it gets the job done. He loves it still!
Take care.

foxhunter4you,

I would choose a bolt action rifle that has a safety that at least locks the trigger and better yet the firing pin when the chamber is unloaded. The best type are the three position safeties as found on M70's, Kimbers and the newer Rugers.

Get a stock that can be cut now and spliced back together when he grows or replaced. For a cartridge it seems that the 243 is where to start. Later he can use that rifle for varmint hunting.

Good luck and good for you getting another new hunter among us.

I learned to shoot with a 30-06. I was twelve when I first started shooting center fire rifle and it has worked for me. At first it was a big gun but there are a few things that the others haven't mentioned. Not that the others are wrong but my opinion is young hunters need practice and goals to achieve to stay interested.

I like the 30-06 since it is a common caliber and inexpensive to shoot. Another reason is it is a great all around firearm. I've hunted antelope, deer, bear and elk with mine. I've been shooting it for 20+ years and have become quite good. I have other rifles but when it comes to take the shot the counts, I reach for my 30-06

I also suggest having the 12 year old shoot a 22 for practice. It is also inexpensive and fun. Thanks for taking the time to share our passion with a kid. They truly are the future of our sport.

30.06 + a small framed 12 year old thats never really shot is an EXTREAMLY bad combo. Unless its loaded WAY down you are looking at a kid that will not enjoy shooting. May have worked for you Scout but you are an oddity. Yeah its a fantastic round but as I said, unless its loaded way down its got some serious bite on the recoil side and would knock the peewater out of a small child.

Cam79conv,

That's a good point. I wasn't a small 12 year old so my experiences would be different. I love the picture of the hogs. Nice Work.

A couple of excellent calibers come to mind. First the tried and true .308, and then two of it's spin-offs the 7/08 (as already mentioned) and also the fine .260 Rem, which is a ballistic clone of the older 6.5x55 known to be a great caliber with light recoil. In all three of these calibers I'd first suggest you have your son begin shooting, and even hunting, with reduced recoil ammo.

It's available in all three of these fine calibers and is plenty powerful enough for shots out to 200 yds, which I'd imagine is farther than a youngish new hunter should generally be shooting, anyway. When your son grows a bit and is ready for full-tilt loads, all three of these calibers would make a fine CXP2 rifle for anyone.

Here's an example of what I'm referring to. Be sure to read the reviews as well.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=116133

So, a bit heavier caliber, able to be used for lots of hunting as your son matures, but first loaded with managed recoil ammo to prevent him from being overly bothered by recoil as he begins his big game hunting career!