Starting kids

[Red leaf 67]

Over the years I always see & read articles on what type of shotgun to start kids/ young hunters on. I always see the .410 & 20 Ga. mentioned.  This would be for pheasant, Quail, grouse, rabbit etc.. I am not a fan of the .410, I don't think it belongs in the hands of beginners(good way to get frustrated) & I would never hunt pheasants with one. Any way this forum area is for muzzleloaders. Not long ago I posted a thread on turkey guns (thanks for the feedback!!!) I have this Traditions 12 Ga., & wanted input to work up a good system for Turkey. My 10 year old son has been wanting to shoot muzzleloaders with his Dad lately (me), so the weather is getting nice & after school we shot, patterned, & cleaned the shotgun today. It dawned on me, this would make a really good starter gun for upland game. My 10 year old can handle the recoil of this gun with no problem at all, it's a cylinder bore, so throws 1 1/8 oz. of shot in a good pattern, light,easy to handle, I can adjust the load without having to purchase cartridges . Only down side is the length of pull is a little long, but then I don't own any youth size shotguns any way  . We did some yard work, picked up sticks/branches that  blew  down over winter, put some in a hibachi & cooked supper outside! Today was a really good day.     Sorry the photo isn't great, it was getting dark!                                       

[Widgeondeke]

Not sure why you don't like the .410. 
I grew up hunting with one from 10-17. I used it for everything from quail to geese and killed many of pheasant with it.
The one concern nowadays tho is finding steel shot for them. That being said I would get a Mossberg 500. You can put a short buttstock on it and it will grow with the kid.
That's my thoughts.

[Red leaf 67]

  Didn't mean to ridicule the .410,  I do think it has it's place, & impressed you have had great success with it. I do know a lot of game has been taken with a .410. Guess I'm not that good of a wing shot, I grew up with a 20 Ga. & found I could get different loads/ammo to suit most any situation. The muzzleloader I have is just plain fun, & a pleasure to use/carry, + I don't need to buy cartridges. I may edit out that piece about the .410 (my not being a fan part).  I just really like Muzzleloaders   

[Lingcod]

My 9 year old nephew killed a turkey with his .410. Now I would never use one for turkey, grouse maybe. I enjoy .410's they are just a blast to shoot. Anyways they make great cheap break action 20ga like the Stevens. I like that you're starting your kid with a muzzleloader, makes them appreciate the skill of hunting and shooting. However it's good to have them start with a firearm that is comfortable to handle and shoot so they enjoy themselves more and will be more adapt to want to continue to go out with you. My suggestion would be a break action 20ga.