I wouldn't go past 48 or 49lbs for a compound or recurve for that matter, regardless of age, but you may want something that you can easily change the draw length a few inches on. This will let him grow into the bow, while he can still hunt every state in the USA including Alaska with that poundage. I recommend a very very heavy arrow with high FOC and I prefer a standard broadhead, although I have used mechanical broadheads fine.

what type of target shooting will he be doing ?

indoor on paper like 300 leagues or just for fun ?

is he joining a youth league , field archery , possible hunting later ?

I know enough to spit out a bunch of questions answer by questions but not enough to tell you what equipment fits those any longer

I hung around indoor for a little while while taking my son to youth league a few years ago there were a lot of grown men who's hunting bows might be 50-70 pound draw weight who shot 25# 75-80% let off in league they were concerned about the 5 and X ring at exactly 20 yards , doing it 60 times in a row and nothing else.

It depends on what type of target shooting he is wanting to do, if he is interested in the National Archery in Schools Program he has to shoot a Matthews Genisis bow without sights. If he is interested in some other types of shooting, take a look at the Mission Archery Switch model, it is a bow he will never outgrow and is supported by Matthews Archery's lifetime warranty.

If he is wanting to shoot NASP at school he will be limited to the Genius aluminum arrows and no sights. If he is wanting to get into hunting and 3d I would go to the local bow shop with him and see what they recommend and get it set up for him. They will get the draw length correct peep sight installed ect... a good shop for support is like buying a tractor with good dealer service.

Mission by Matthew's is what I got for my son when he was 11. Adjusted to his growth and strength until he was 16 or 17 and had a longer reach. Very nice bow.

I will check in the morning as its in the garage and snowing like all get out here. My son shot 4H archery and I think he used a Matthews. I would recommend he get involved with some group. An archery shop could let you know where. It will make it much more fun and keep his interest longer.

Take him with to a reputable shop so they can set one up to fit him. That way they can get him set up right and he can have a good memory of spending time with grandpa. Be prepared to spend at least $350.00 that's about the minimum amount to get any kind of quality. They go up very quickly from there.

GreeneCountyPete is asking my questions as well:
Shooting NASP in school? the genesis yes
More serious or higher level desired for competition, if so genesis is out.
If the latter go shoot some as a qualified dealer.

4-H archery runs classes for everything from bare bow to freestyle , my son shot one aid for a bunch of years , really hard to compete here in freestyle with a hunting bow

I was scoring one fair shoot and the score was the same the difference was 48 vs 49 X between the top 2 kids in freestyle

if it is a youth league a lot of times they will have loaner equipment for first year

if your going for 3D archery leagues or field archery then it is more like hunting bow

not a bad idea to go spectate and see what everyone is using and ask questions

most people are like trappers with their equipment , they will tell you all about their stiff just don't ask where they trap

X10

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/original-genesis-compound-bow-kits?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQiA14WdBhD8ARIsANao07iWRL46l1gt7jBlcGQgrkNtlH7VA4YYxVNTyRAlr-5KDEtPJ1pEWZAaApxYEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Shooting targets in his back yard.

Mathews genesis is hard to beat

Paul the best advice I can give you is to take him down to First Flight Archery in Raleigh and see what fits him and what he can comfortably pull back. They also have a very nice indoor range.

then anything can work I started with a red fiberglass recurve and wooden arrows from the hardware store.

one of the ones that can grow and go from 11-70 pounds and 18-30 inch draw like the Mission Switch would be able to do nearly everything he could want to do without going specialized target.

from backyard targets , to field archery , to 3d shoots , to hunting unless he develops Ape arms like I did he shouldn't out grow it I think Ape arms start at a 32inch draw lenght which is where I am

that said you may be able to get a used bow for a bunch of money off lots of guys build the new hottest thing every few years , a good bow shop may have something they took on trade in that they could fit to your grandson.

In Ohio, my 11 year old nephew's school has all the kids shooting NASP Genesis compound bows during competition. My nephew tried out for and made the team a few months ago. His school has a pretty good archery program and has been making it to the state competitions every year.

Keith

the edge is a great bow he can grow with him and he will quickly go up in draw weight once muscle memory kicks in, I have helped several new shooters start out and have seen them quickly go from pulling 30 or 40 lbs to 50 or 60 which can be an issue if the box maxes out. I vote for the edge and upgrade the rest no whisker biscuit get a real rest like a rip cord and a good site.