Youth Rifle Questions

Hey guys, I've been tasked with Teaching my godson how to shoot. I'm Pretty excited to be have of bestowed this responsibility, However I'm trying to figure out what a good rifle would be to start him off with. Was shooting a old remington pump action that i had, as well as a 10/22 and the pump was two heavy and long for him and the ruger was to large and i'd rather he wait a little while before he gets started with the semi-automatics.

He's Smaller for his age, (10 Years old) So ive been looking at various "youth" model rifles like the rascal, cricket, chipmunk, ect... After handling a few, and reading about some of the accuracy horror story's, along with the size of the rifle and how quickly it will be out grown very quickly.

I would like this to be able to last at least 2 or 3 years, What do you know of some middle ground between a youth rifle and a full size rifle. I was hoping for a magazine fed bolt action, I think a bolt action would be best for teaching him to slow down, aim, and be safe.

What do you guys think? Any experience with this narrow part of the market?

10/22 with a tapco adjustable stock, rossi break action, or bite the bullet and get a cricket for $125 new and sell it for $100 (in an hour or less on here) when he outgrows it

A semi is best for training. he doesnt have to reaquire sights, cheek weld, ecetera each shot. load one round if you must. 10-22 stocks are cheap on e-bay. buy one cut it to 11" LOP or use the trigger finger to elbow pit measure and use it with your 10-22 if you just want to train. The tapco stock is a good suggestion, he could extend it out as he grows with no hassles. Get him a stainless standard 10-22 if you want him to own a nice gun and put the tapco on it. I know this is hearsay but i would go with the straight tapco stock and put optics on it from the gitgo.

Go to rimfirecentral.com

Keep your eye out for any bolt action Marlin or older Remington. I have a Remington 514 single shot that makes probably the best first rifle for a new shooter.

If you are set on a semi, consider a Marlin 60 or 795. Both are less money than a 10/22, and will out shoot the 10/22 out of the box. If he sticks with it and outgrows that rifle, then you can enter the world of the CZ and Savage bolt rifles.

The best thing about starting with a .22lr is the cost of ammunition. Most kids can start out paying part of the cost of their ammunition. As most people who shoot will attest, the cost that never goes away is the cost of ammunition. Introduce it to him early and he will learn to appreciate each and every round and learn to make them count. It will also lead him into reloading or at least considering the cost of different weapons after considering the cost of ammunition.

Be safe.

My son grew out of a Cricket so fast it was stupid. I bought a 10/22 and put a Blackhawk Axiom stock on it. It will adjust all the way down to fit him and then all the way out to fit me. I'm 6'8", so it has a hell of a lot of adjustment.

Here's an off the beaten track suggestion: A Contender G2 or Encore Carbine and then as he grows, the calibers can grow with him.

Being a single shot (same thing rings true for a bolt that you're looking for) he'll learn to aim rather than spray and pray with something like a 10/22.

O2

I think using a bit larger rifle than he can handle will help strengthen him and as others have said they do outgrow things quickly. What''s wrong with repeating the rifle mount, cheek weld, sight picture, trigger control sequence over and over? Helps build muscle memory and discipline ... maybe consider joining a 4H club that does shooting sports with him.

Lever action .22!!!!!!! Just like me and you other old farts learned on.[Luck]

Marlin, Henry, etc...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pdr240

What's wrong with repeating the rifle mount, cheek weld, sight picture, trigger control sequence over and over? Helps build muscle memory and discipline.

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^This

Anyone who recommends a semi-auto as a first rifle does't remember what they were like as a young boy :)

O2

All Great Suggestions and Feedback. You have made good points and brought up things that i hadn't thought of yet. Thanks for the input.