I was going to buy one for my son, but decided on the .270 just for bullet selection alone, Plus they make the reduced velocity loads for now, then he can move up to bigger as he grows. I woul dnot hesitate on the 7mm-08, goo round, i did alot of research on it before i changed my mind. If i was going to buy another rifle, other than the marlin i just bought i would get the weatherby vanguard youth rifle, it comes with a full length stock for later when they are bigger.