Let him hang out with all the cool kids--- 6.5 Creedmoor!
Ruger American Predator, just about perfect for starting out, plus has room to grow into and personalize. If the hearing protection act passes - just put a suppressor on it. No need to buy a new gun. Affordable, accurate... uber cool.
Not being a wisenheimer, just saying that there are several great things going for the 6.5--- one of them being affordable match grade ammo that is very accurate and builds confidence in shot placement. Plus its a sheer joy to shoot. Versatility , as others have mentioned 6.5 creedmoor can be used for a lot of different hunts. And final point, while nothing is wrong with either a 243 or 30-30, a love affair with a 6.5 creedmoor could turn him into a rifle looney like the rest of us nutcases on the fire.
I still have a 30-30, and several 243's. I can't tell you how many years it has been since either of them have been on a hunt. 6.5 creedmoor however, gets used all the time. Coyotes, deer, antelope, even took an elk with it.
