first hunting gun for lefty son

[AZFamilyShooters]

My son is 9 years old and weighs about 60 lbs... In December I am taking him to hunter safety so next year he can hunt with me instead of just watching. I am a pistol fan, either my Thompson G2 .223 un-ported which he loves to shoot or Magnum Research Lone Eagle in 7mm-08 un-ported. It has way too much recoil for him. What are some thoughts on other contender or encore calipers, or does that seem way off base. With his size he needs a rest for the gun either way. I do hand load so odd balls are not completely out. Lookin' 4 feed back.

 

[longranger]

a T/C Contender with a 7X30 Waters 21" bull barrel.I like the Contender better for younguns.Easier for them to get hands around than the Encore.Easily converted to a pistol,lots of nice adequate cartridges.
Should this be in the "Art of the Rifle" ?

 

[smith357]

I like the Contender option as a first hunting gun. I really like the fact that it can grow with your son. As he gets bigger so can the gun. And with all the custom caliber options from .22lr to 375 JDJ it can pretty much hunt any game in the lower 48.