It is startling for sure. I've got a post in the kids rifle manifesto thread with video of my 14y/o shooting .223, 6ARC and 243AI and the difference between all three is substantial.I posted pretty early on this thread. I finally got my 6mm Creedmoor setup. It weighs about 8-8.5#. Had the kids shoot at 100yds and 400yds. Still think it’s to much gun for the 10y/o and for sure the 8 y/o. They shot well but it was crazy to see how much the recoil still moved them. My 15 y/o daughter shot it well. Wish I would have gone the howa mini 6mm arc route instead.