I built a 223 superlight for my son (9)
I liked the superlight because it had no iron sights and I was planning to use a scope on it.
I put a Nikon 2.5-7 shotgun scope on it because the paralax is set at 75 yards and it's a compact scope
I cut the synthetic stock down to match the length on his CZ Scout
I polished the bore with JB (
www.snipercountry.com/HotTips/Breakin.htm)
I got some 64g win sps and had it doing 1" groups at a yard yards right away
I got some Federal TRU 64sps at a local police supply shop for 9.50 a box! and it groups the same
this year will be his first deer hunt, I will leep him at 75 yards or less on a doe
where we will be hunting it won't be a problem getting him a doe in at 50 yards and he's going to be doing neck shots
I know from personal experience that those 64g sps will drop a deer in it's tracks with a neck shot and his groups shrink considerably when shooting at a smaller target.
This gun has a 1-12 twist and a surprisingly good trigger, nice, light and crisp, probably around 3lbs
not as light as my old Sako but that's fine of course for him
Just reporting on the gun and am not going to get in a debate on caliber choice.
We have shot tons of deer with a 223 and have never lost one
I think having him be able to train with a gun that isn't making him flinch and getting him comfortable and accurate is critical