My 16 yoa daughter at 120 lbs shoots my NEF .308 with no problem. I have a bushnell banner 4x12 on itand love it. Total cost, rifle $250, scope $100, rings $20, sling $20 = with tax a little over $400. Shoots 2 inch groups with cheap ammo at 100 yards. Never tried expensive ammo to try for tighter groups. Did a 6 point at 250 yards last month with Federal Classic 180 gr jacketed soft points that I bought from K-mart when they went under for $6 a box. I own 6 NEF / H&R and love them all. Slug gun will hurt you but most others are not bad. My 45-70 with remmington 405 gr are not bad but friends complain that Hornady 325 kick to much. Love the NEF / H&R so much, I have locked up my Remington 700, 7400 as well as my L1A1 all in .308.