Options for kids first gun

[Igor]

I went a little different route when my sons started hunting.  I made the decision to start them with the rifle that would be their hunting rifle, and not change things up on them as they got older.  For both, the choice was a Browning A-Bolt in .30-'06.  I started them off at age 12 shooting reduced loads to minimize recoil.  From reduced loads to light loads to full loads was just a matter of a few years, and recoil was never an issue with either of them.

Both are now in their 40s, and they still have those Brownings as their deer rifles.

[Bob33]

Don't forget that flinching is caused not only by anticipation of recoil but also loud noise. Make sure to use quality hearing protection while practicing and even when hunting if possible. 

[greenhead_killer]

i bought both a 308 and a 6.5 creedmore for my daughter to try. ruger american predator. they shoot well and are easy to use. not very expensive. should be an easy way to get into the game and can sell down the road and upgrade if need be. id imagine she will go with the 308 as it has a mb but both are low recoil guns anyways. something inexpensive and functional is all she will need to get her foot in the door.