Ben,

People develop physically at very different ages.  My oldest daughter used my 12 gauge for turkey hunting a few years before my youngest daughter was ready.  

I’d focus on if gun fits the shooter?  Can they hold, shoulder, and reach the trigger safely and comfortably?  

The recoil can easily be adjusted by the type of shell used. Both my girls used dove loads to kill turkeys from a 12 gauge. This combo has way less recoil than a 3″ magnum load in a 20 gauge.  

I would strive to minimize recoil. No shooter, especially a new hunter, enjoys heavy recoil. Such experiences often cause folks to stop shooting or develop bad techniques due to dreading the recoil.  

Enjoy creation,

grant

November 11, 2015