Here's my 2-cents worth of opinion,,,
I have no idea what is the best,,,
We all have our own likes and dislikes,,,
Here are my recommendations for your little guy.
I do have personal experience with all but the Savage.
If you are desire is to give your son an heirloom,,,
The
CZ-452 Scout is your rifle.
It's a extremely fine shooter,,,
And very pretty to boot.
If it is as precise a shooter as my 452 Trainer is,,,
It will be a long while before your son can outshoot the gun.
If American made functionality is your goal,,,
The
Henry Mini Bolt will satisfy that very nicely.
The rifle is stainless steel with front and rear Williams Fire Sights standard,,,
The polymer stock is very well proportioned for young-uns,,,
And it will accept optics on an
optional cantilever mount.
If it is as precise a shooter as my full size Accu-Bolt is,,,
You son wouldn't be outgunned by the CZ Scout.
The
Savage Rascal gives you the option of a wood or polymer stock,,,
That AccuTrigger might give this rifle an edge,,,
I personally like those peep sights it has.
I have a base-line Savage without the AccuTrigger,,,
It has more precision than my 63 year old eyes can utilize.
Then there is the lowly
Crickett,,,
I actually own one of these little shooters,,,
I bought it just so I would have something for young-uns.
It does not have the fit/finish of the other rifles,,,
But it's trigger is not bad and the peep sights are satisfactory.
Off of a cheap plastic rifle rest at 25 yards,,,
My co-workers 9-year old son can hit a 1" circle almost every shot.
Honestly, the Crickett would suit the needs of just about any kid out there,,,
But I can't argue with any justification used to buy one of the others.
Even knowing that his son shoots well with my Crickett,,,
My co-worker's son will receive a CZ-452 Scout on his next birthday.
Of the four I am personally drawn to the
Henry Mini Bolt,,,
I am partial to stainless steel and the Williams Fire Sights.
Anyways, that my 2-cents,,,
Have fun choosing your son's rifle.
Aarond
.