Wanting to get my son on a youth hunt but need to get him a rifle first. I am wanting to buy him a rifle that he can use for the rest of his life and will be treasured as my first gun that dad gave to me and so that it can become part of a memorable hunt. I want to get him something that he can hunt Whitetail, Exotics (Axis, blackbuck, fallow, hogs, etc.) Mule Deer and possibly Elk if he so chooses later in life. What would be a good all around caliber for this? Also, trying to stay away from something that he will not enjoy shooting from the recoil standpoint.

I am thinking .270, 30-06 or .308. Not sure what the legal minimum is for Elk is. I have never been Elk Hunting but had heard in some states you can only use .30 cal or higher.

Thanks for inputs.