That would have not been my first choice but if he can handle the recoil without developing a flinch, more power to him. I started my grandson of with a .243 when he was 12. This year (age 15) he wanted a .30-06 after having shot my .308 some. He does fine with the .30-06, good groups and no flinching but 20 rounds at a time is his limit right now.