Lever Action Man
Inactive
I'd like to get a rifle for my son's ninth birthday. Something substantial. I was thinking about a 6mm. Do you guys think this is too much for him? What are your thoughts.
Gun for nine year old?
- Thread starter Lever Action Man
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Fat White Boy
New member
Actually, I think that is too much, at his age. I gave my son the .22 rifle my dad had given me when he was 5 or 6 and used that to teach him how to handle a fire arm safely until he was mature enough to handle a larger caliber. A shotgun at this age is OK, IMHO. I had a 20 gauge that I let my son start shooting at that age for dove. You have to supervise them closely, muzzle discipline is the hardest thing for them to learn...
Fat White Boy
New member
Sounds like you can do it! Have fun and good hunting!
gun for 9 year old
I started a thread kind of like this. Most members response, was to start slow but if you believe your child is mature enough, go for it. I'm hoping to have my daughter, shooting something like a .223 or .243 by the time shes ten. She's built like her mom.....small.
Good luck and have fun.
I started a thread kind of like this. Most members response, was to start slow but if you believe your child is mature enough, go for it. I'm hoping to have my daughter, shooting something like a .223 or .243 by the time shes ten. She's built like her mom.....small.
Good luck and have fun.
My kids love to shoot. I started them out on the 22LR but they were slow to transition to larger calibers. Noise was more the concern than recoil. Once they got over that it was pretty easy living.
The guns in these pics are a Marlin single shot and the venerable Ruger 10/22.
The guns in these pics are a Marlin single shot and the venerable Ruger 10/22.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I'd recommend a .22 rimfire as a first learning-and-training rifle. More places in which to shoot is part of it. Less expense during the learning curve of sight picture and trigger control. don't forget the hearguards, even with a .22.
As for type of rifle, I'd stay away from a semi-auto, to eliminate the temptation to spray-and-pray. Self-discipline and concentration is very, very important in the beginning; it carries over to the future.
Art
As for type of rifle, I'd stay away from a semi-auto, to eliminate the temptation to spray-and-pray. Self-discipline and concentration is very, very important in the beginning; it carries over to the future.
Art
mrawesome22
New member
You don't explain if your boy has ever shot any gun in his life? If not, I'd recommend a air rifle. Then a .22LR, then go from there. To start out on a 6MMRem seems crazy to me. No matter your age.
AZGunLover
New member
Don't forget to teach your kid to wear safety glasses.
My dad bought me 20gauge for dove hunting when I was eight. The recoil wasn't a problem but it did get heavy for me in a pretty short amount of time.
My dad bought me 20gauge for dove hunting when I was eight. The recoil wasn't a problem but it did get heavy for me in a pretty short amount of time.
What ever rifle you buy make sure it's a youth model. Regular model dimensions will be to big for a 9 yr old. A proper fitting gun is very important to developing good shooting skills. I would start him out with a 22 or 17 rimfire. If your deadset on a center fire try a 204 ruger or 223. If you start him out on a hard kicking gun that does fit him. You might turn him off on shooting.
WeedWacker
New member
I went from a .22 to a .223 in the form of a CAR-15, but .223 was a good transition for me. I went from .223 to .30-30 to 20 ga to 7 mm mag STW to 12 ga. IMO that was perfect. Start with a .22 to give him a sense of what a gun is. .22 shorts are probably the best starter round for a rifle. But that's up to you. it is more expensive buying more guns but getting him used to guns and realizing that they are not toys is probably the best idea and I suppose that the only person who can decide how to do that would be you.
Encore
I recommend the T/C Enore. You can now get a rimfire bullet and a youth stock.
your child can learn every thing about shooting except flinching at recoil.
You can then add a .243/308/7mm-08 size cartridge in a 16" barrel.
Nice balance for a youth and a deer killing round.
When he gets bigger add a muzzle loader and an adult stock.
If he every desires he can move up to any caliber he desire and up to a 26" barrel. (7mm mag, .416 rigby etc..)
They even have shotgun barrels for turkey and squirrel hunt.
They will have only one gun and will know the weapon by heart. No forgetting the safety location.
I recommend the T/C Enore. You can now get a rimfire bullet and a youth stock.
your child can learn every thing about shooting except flinching at recoil.
You can then add a .243/308/7mm-08 size cartridge in a 16" barrel.
Nice balance for a youth and a deer killing round.
When he gets bigger add a muzzle loader and an adult stock.
If he every desires he can move up to any caliber he desire and up to a 26" barrel. (7mm mag, .416 rigby etc..)
They even have shotgun barrels for turkey and squirrel hunt.
They will have only one gun and will know the weapon by heart. No forgetting the safety location.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
I'm thinking pellet gun for 9-10 year old, .22 for 11-12 year old, and then .243 or .30-30 for 13-15 year old. Unless they're super-mature and responsible.
What sort of hunting are yall planning to do? Sometimes a youth model is tuff for a youngster to shoot. A really light little rifle will kick pretty hard and jump around. I wasn't ever really comfortable with a deer rifle until I started shooting something heavier. Maybe this was because I was growing up as well.I think the H&R topper model is an awesome candidate for any youngster. You can swap barrels from shotgun to rifle.
Check their website out. http://www.hr1871.com/
I'm sure these were around long before an encore, and I couldn't see spending that kind of money on a kids first rifle in the first place.
Check their website out. http://www.hr1871.com/
I'm sure these were around long before an encore, and I couldn't see spending that kind of money on a kids first rifle in the first place.
trooper3385
New member
I shot my first deer when I was 7 years old with a Remington Mohawk 243. Teach him how to properly shoot a rifle and I think it should work out fine. Although starting out with a 22 first might be a better option if he doesn't have any experience yet. I think it might be a better idea to go with the 243 instead of the 6mm. It is basically the same caliber but better availablity of ammo. It would be a gun he will probably have for a long time and even if you reload, he might not later down the line. Check into the Remington model 7.
auburnboattail
New member
First Gun
If you child has no experience, I would suggest first a safety instruction course. Then a air rifle with ample adult instruction in core shooting mechanics. A variety of target mediums including paper targets, Cans, Glass and small game to introduce hunting. Then a youth .22 again with instruction with progressive responsibility and freedom as behavior and maturity demonstrates.
Then introduce a 20 or 410 shotgun, or perhaps a handi-rifle combo with interchangable bbls.
Finally increasing calibers as dictates per your style, regions game, topography, regulations and budget.
If you child has no experience, I would suggest first a safety instruction course. Then a air rifle with ample adult instruction in core shooting mechanics. A variety of target mediums including paper targets, Cans, Glass and small game to introduce hunting. Then a youth .22 again with instruction with progressive responsibility and freedom as behavior and maturity demonstrates.
Then introduce a 20 or 410 shotgun, or perhaps a handi-rifle combo with interchangable bbls.
Finally increasing calibers as dictates per your style, regions game, topography, regulations and budget.
Nine-Pellet gun
Ten-.22
Twelve-.243
I had a year with a pellet gun before I moved up to the .22 and i think it was a good thing. Always go with a single shot for the pellet gun and the .22...think...carefully...squeeze (not pull) the trigger...reload. You learn so much more when every shot has to count. My .22 semi-auto gives me bad habits and i have to catch myself and get away from just blowing off rounds.
Ten-.22
Twelve-.243
I had a year with a pellet gun before I moved up to the .22 and i think it was a good thing. Always go with a single shot for the pellet gun and the .22...think...carefully...squeeze (not pull) the trigger...reload. You learn so much more when every shot has to count. My .22 semi-auto gives me bad habits and i have to catch myself and get away from just blowing off rounds.
I know you're looking for something "substantial", but I'd be more inclined to get him a quality .22 to start with. I'm with Art Eatman on this one,
My first rifle was a Marlin 39 .22, and I still shoot it to this day (I'm 54). I still have the original receipt for it, and I paid $68.50 for it. They're a bit more expensive now (!), but a great investment that, if taken care of, will last forever.
Everyone should have some quality .22s, rifle and handgun. Once the basics are well in place, then that's the time to start looking at something like a .243.
Believe me, he will be more than happy to have a .22 to begin with. Don't let your own desires about what would be the best gun for you get in the way.
My first rifle was a Marlin 39 .22, and I still shoot it to this day (I'm 54). I still have the original receipt for it, and I paid $68.50 for it. They're a bit more expensive now (!), but a great investment that, if taken care of, will last forever.
Everyone should have some quality .22s, rifle and handgun. Once the basics are well in place, then that's the time to start looking at something like a .243.
Believe me, he will be more than happy to have a .22 to begin with. Don't let your own desires about what would be the best gun for you get in the way.
.17hmr
The 17 HMR is a great gun, lots of fun, deadly on small game and cheap to shoot. I use mine on squirrels, rabbits, empty shotgun shells at 100 yards, and that sort of thing. I've helped a couple of my buddies get into shooting, and one of them got the wife's blessing on getting the kids into it as well - the first gun I helped him out with was the .17HMR , a Savage with a heavy barrel, a great gun for the money.
I can't wait til I have kids so I can buy more guns
The 17 HMR is a great gun, lots of fun, deadly on small game and cheap to shoot. I use mine on squirrels, rabbits, empty shotgun shells at 100 yards, and that sort of thing. I've helped a couple of my buddies get into shooting, and one of them got the wife's blessing on getting the kids into it as well - the first gun I helped him out with was the .17HMR , a Savage with a heavy barrel, a great gun for the money.
I can't wait til I have kids so I can buy more guns