So we live in Iowa which until recently was a slug gun only deer state. I started at 12 with a 12gauge wingmaster, smooth bore dog barrrl and breaker slugs. Absolutely zero fun.
I had the same experience with a 243. I was a puny 11 year old. Rem 788, factory Federal 100gr fodder, hard buttplate, tank top in August, no hearing protection. Hated it, and my shooting suffered because of it.
