The recommendation above to use 7/8 oz. loads is a good one. I bought my son a standard 870 12 ga. when he was 15. He was small for his age then (now he is over 6 ft.), but I didn't want to buy the youth model and have him outgrow it in a year. I started him with 7/8 oz. loads, the same ones I load with #9 shot for 16 yard trap. I loaded some 3/1-1/8 oz./#6 loads that he used to kill 3 pheasants opening day. He also got 3 ducks opening day with Winchester factory 2-3/4" steel shot loads. By practicing with the light loads and just shooting the heavier stuff at game, he never noticed the recoil.