Someone said earlier, and I agree, get him an encore, in both. I'd get him the mid caliber, like 243 or 25/06, serve all and let him have at it. But buy it as a pistol, with a 243 barrel or if you think a lot of varminting will be done with it, a 223, and if he small game hunts a 22 RF is cheap practice and always usable, the whatever rifle cal. he is wanting, adds about 250 buck's and he gets the best of both worlds!! A lot of options, let him set his own course! He will be more likely to explore other avenues this way. Just my 2 bits.