Just thought i would chime in here. My son weighs about 70lbs and loves his .243. I would suggest that practice time be limited to a smaller gun followed by a few rounds of 243 at some good reactive target's like large bottles filled with water. The reaction and anticipation of the bottles going BOOM is very similar to hunting in that you hardly notice any recoil. I would also add that they make great long range targets for dads.