Exactly what are you hunting brown bear or elk...if you answered no then...if you are look at recoil charts you shouldn't be shooting either nor would I let my son "grow" in to a .338
Go get yourself a 7mm-08 and be happy your son will thank you
+10 on what George said. Right now you are long on theory and short on practicle reality, get the kid a 243/7-08 let him learn to shoot intelligently and kill some ORDINARY GAME like deer and antelope. After he has learned which way is up and doesn't have to be coached on bullet placement etc., then you can offer to get him a bigger rifle to beat the crap out of him with more than necessary recoil.Yes I am sure you didn't want to hear that but YOU needed to and you did ask. Magnum Man
