First rifle was .22 Winchester Model 61 I was taught to shoot at an age so early most would not believe. On my 12th birthday I was allowed to buy a used H&R single shot 16ga, hunting license, box of shot shells (high brass duck and pheasant loads), deer and elk tags - total of $20 of my own money. Developed a nice flinch for a while being belted around by the 5 1/2lb 16ga but did manage to take quite a few birds and to fill both big game tags within 2 weeks using Dad's Model 94 .32 Win Special. Not an ideal shotgun for the average youngster to start on and most couldn't have cocked the hammer anyway. Twenty gauge Miroku Daly SxS with 3/4oz 1100fps loads works pretty well for my grandkids.