I started with a J C Higgins bolt action 16 gauge, my dad's favorite gauge, when I was 13 years old. We lived on a decent sized piece of land, and I could hunt 40 acres or so with it. I loved the gun, and when I reached 16 I got a new in the box Browning Sweet 16. I kept that gun 45 years. The 16 gauge is still my favorite. Oh, that's the last gun anyone bought for me other than me.