My 10 year old son is getting into deer hunting and we need to purchase a suitable rifle. We are currently hunting with an old single shot 20 gauge using slugs. It will certainly do the job, just not at distance.

I'm thinking hard about buying a lever 30-30 and making him learn on that. Maybe a Marlin 30-30? Other folks said a .243 would be the ticket. I'm sure they would both work, thoughts/opinions are welcome.