re: Youth hunting rifles. options/suggestions/opinions

Single shot vs. Bolt with detachable mag.
-Bolt action. If you only want him to have one shot, only load one bullet.

Open sights vs scope
-Scope. Leave the open sights for shotguns

Traditional scope vs red dot
-Traditional.

Mag pistol caliber vs traditional rifle caliber
-Traditional rifle caliber with managed recoil loads (.30-06, .308, or .270 IMO)

Muzzle brake vs stock barrel
-Stock barrel

Youth model with shortened composite or wood stock vs standard model wood stock cut down to fit.
-Standard wood cut to fit. That way, later on he can put a full-size on it and be good to go.

Anyone have experience with the Rossi 243/20 ?
-No personal experience but have heard bad things.

ETA: I would get him used to shooting something like an AR to see how he handles it, then move on to high powered rifles.