I have eight year old twins, boy & girl. I just bought them the Savage youth W/Muzzle break in 7mm-08. The muzzle break can be switched on or off. Compaired to a 20ga slug gun its like shootinga 22mag. I take them out to the range one at a time. I started them out with a pellet rifle .177, then went to the .22 rifle, now they are using the 7mm-08 w/muzzle break open. When they are a little older I will close it, to reduce the noise. Right now I just want them to become confident in their ability to hit what they aim at.