What's next after a 22LR for a child?
- Thread starter Robk
- Start date
aarondhgraham
New member
A shotgun,,,
Nothing too fancy or costly,,,
You can enjoy tossing clay pigeons for him/her.
Pardner® Pump Compact
Click here and scroll down.
Just a thought,,,
Aarond
Nothing too fancy or costly,,,
You can enjoy tossing clay pigeons for him/her.
Pardner® Pump Compact
Click here and scroll down.
Just a thought,,,
Aarond
I all depends on intended use. If the child is just going to punch paper or hunt small game then something cheap to feed like a .223 bolt gun or pistol caliber lever gun. If the child wants to get into hunting deer then a .243 bolt gun or .30-30 lever gun. How about a 20 gauge shotgun or a .45 caliber Pennsylvania rifle.
Pistol Caliber Levers
Just my .02, but lever action pistol caliber - 38/357/44. Lever action, so its not just pull the trigger semi auto (no 9mm/40 carbines).
The recoil is going to be about pretty mild, but still some knock-down power at close range. And, with pistol rounds, wind/trajectory/etc really matter at ranges over 100 yards.
The best part is, once the child is old enough to step up to full power handguns, you're good to go. 2 rifles, 2 revolvers, 2 calibers, 4 (8?) times the fun!
Of course, if the father reloads, there's only one choice: 30-06 bolt gun. Download to "squibs" and move up gradually to full power.
And, quoting Forrest Gump: "that's all I've got to say about that."
Just my .02, but lever action pistol caliber - 38/357/44. Lever action, so its not just pull the trigger semi auto (no 9mm/40 carbines).
The recoil is going to be about pretty mild, but still some knock-down power at close range. And, with pistol rounds, wind/trajectory/etc really matter at ranges over 100 yards.
The best part is, once the child is old enough to step up to full power handguns, you're good to go. 2 rifles, 2 revolvers, 2 calibers, 4 (8?) times the fun!
Of course, if the father reloads, there's only one choice: 30-06 bolt gun. Download to "squibs" and move up gradually to full power.
And, quoting Forrest Gump: "that's all I've got to say about that."
I consider a good .22 as a commodity, simply one of those things that every good household should have in possession. Like a frying pan, a stove, and a refrigerator. A good .22 is that basic. If you live in the country or rural area, it should lean near the back door where it is handy.
And yes, the .22LR is a cartridge that a kid can shoot, whatever his age.
Marquezj16
New member
A bolt action .223, just enough to give that feeling of a larger caliber. That's what I did with my son. Just enough of a difference to build up the confidence.
mrawesome22
New member
Whatever it is, be sure the child has proper fitting hearing protection.
Nothing will turn a kid off to guns faster than the fear of ringing ears.
Nothing will turn a kid off to guns faster than the fear of ringing ears.
Cliffa friend of mine just got his daughter a .243 for Christmas, .243 is a great deer cartridge. I think of the .223 of more as a varmint gun, yeah it will kill a deer but not it's not the ideal cartridge
If you want a powder puff of a gun that is a tackdriver, a Howa, Tikka, or Savage in .204 Ruger is probably the one of the lightest kicking guns there is
If you want a powder puff of a gun that is a tackdriver, a Howa, Tikka, or Savage in .204 Ruger is probably the one of the lightest kicking guns there is
Achilles11B
New member
A 10 year old shooting a Garand...that's just awesome. 
I'm throwing my hat in for the .223. Ammo is plentiful, recoil is mild, and as long as they can safely handle the rifle, it will have no problems going to 100 yards or more, which will still allow you to teach trajectory and wind reading.
I'm throwing my hat in for the .223. Ammo is plentiful, recoil is mild, and as long as they can safely handle the rifle, it will have no problems going to 100 yards or more, which will still allow you to teach trajectory and wind reading.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I'm a long way from the decision, but I don't think I will be buying my kids anything beyond a 22 pistol and rifle and a 12 ga. They can borrow whatever I don't like if they need it for hunting or a little practice and if they won't need to OWN more until they are old enough to buy it. Realize they wouldn't technically own it in most cases, but I am not buying them more than the absolute basic. Maybe when i get the shotgun make it an H&R rifle receiver so barrels can be added cheap.
These on the other hand...
http://www.dharmatrading.com/rbb.html
http://www.continentalproducts.com/newspaperbags-polybags.html
Perfect gifts for a 10 year old.
These on the other hand...
http://www.dharmatrading.com/rbb.html
http://www.continentalproducts.com/newspaperbags-polybags.html
Perfect gifts for a 10 year old.
I was in the same quandary as your friend a year ago. My 9-year-old son was shooting a CZ-452 Scout (bolt-action .22 lr) and is a great shooter. He wanted to go deer hunting with me this year, so I was debating between .223, 6mm, .243, and .270.
I wanted him to hunt with the .270 because it's the gun I took my first deer with, and I would hand it down to him. My issue was I thought the recoil would be a little too much for him, and the stock was not a youth size. I found Hodgdon youth loads (reduced recoil) and tried them out - they work beautifully - so recoil was no longer an issue. I priced youth stocks, and the cheapest I could find for my Rem 700 was about $95 from cabelas. A friend of mine was selling a youth model rem 700 in .243 with a Nikon scope for $300 - I couldn't pass it up (heck, I'd use it antelope hunting if nothing else) - I thought the .243 would kick too hard for him too, so I made some of the Hodgdon youh loads for it too - I had him shoot both, and he preferred the youh loads, but the standard loads were fine for a few shots. He ended up taking a 130-class 10-point wih the .243 shooting factory loads. I asked him if he felt the recoil on the shot - he said no - he was too excited about the deer to even think about it.
- bottom line, there are lots of options available, go with what the kid is comfortable with, not what you think they'll be comfortable with - I over thought this for way too long.
I wanted him to hunt with the .270 because it's the gun I took my first deer with, and I would hand it down to him. My issue was I thought the recoil would be a little too much for him, and the stock was not a youth size. I found Hodgdon youth loads (reduced recoil) and tried them out - they work beautifully - so recoil was no longer an issue. I priced youth stocks, and the cheapest I could find for my Rem 700 was about $95 from cabelas. A friend of mine was selling a youth model rem 700 in .243 with a Nikon scope for $300 - I couldn't pass it up (heck, I'd use it antelope hunting if nothing else) - I thought the .243 would kick too hard for him too, so I made some of the Hodgdon youh loads for it too - I had him shoot both, and he preferred the youh loads, but the standard loads were fine for a few shots. He ended up taking a 130-class 10-point wih the .243 shooting factory loads. I asked him if he felt the recoil on the shot - he said no - he was too excited about the deer to even think about it.
- bottom line, there are lots of options available, go with what the kid is comfortable with, not what you think they'll be comfortable with - I over thought this for way too long.
To be honest, I don't think there's enough information to make an informed recommendation.
We really don't know the kid's abilities, or his sensitivity to recoil, only that Dad thinks it's time to "move up".
Since Dad is a hunter, why isn't he able to make this determination himself- just curious...
In any case, if this is to be his hunting rifle, it needs to be in a caliber capable for whatever game it is they're hunting, or it's a useless recommendation.
No reason an experienced 9 year old couldn't handle a .243, esp. in a short-barreled mountain rifle, or even a larger caliber if he's not recoil sensitive. I'm sure there are 9 year olds with the skills to handle a .308 properly.
Only Dad knows the answer to this one, I'm afraid.
We really don't know the kid's abilities, or his sensitivity to recoil, only that Dad thinks it's time to "move up".
Since Dad is a hunter, why isn't he able to make this determination himself- just curious...
In any case, if this is to be his hunting rifle, it needs to be in a caliber capable for whatever game it is they're hunting, or it's a useless recommendation.
No reason an experienced 9 year old couldn't handle a .243, esp. in a short-barreled mountain rifle, or even a larger caliber if he's not recoil sensitive. I'm sure there are 9 year olds with the skills to handle a .308 properly.
Only Dad knows the answer to this one, I'm afraid.
HALLAUSTIN
New member
Teaching my fiances 9 year old little brother to shoot. He has his own .22lr/.410 that swaps barrels. But i have stepped him up to my .243 and a pump 12gauge. I feel for shotguns the 12gauge is the starting point, but thats just me. He is also rather large, 4foot11inches and 115pounds. He shoots 3inch groups, so i would say the recoil is decently managable for a youngster.
If hunting is the main goal then practice with the caliber you would hunt with, and reinforce with a 22lr, it isn't too harsh on the wallet (he gets 10roundsof .243 a weekend and tries to make them count then plinks with the 22), and it is great training. But this is only the opinion of a 19 year old novice, based on only the calibers I own.
If hunting is the main goal then practice with the caliber you would hunt with, and reinforce with a 22lr, it isn't too harsh on the wallet (he gets 10roundsof .243 a weekend and tries to make them count then plinks with the 22), and it is great training. But this is only the opinion of a 19 year old novice, based on only the calibers I own.
I would get him into a .204 for sure, and just as the .223/5.56 except you can see what you hit, p-dogs,squirrels,coyotes, and any varmints of all sorts, as you know hearing protection is a must for the little one, the reason I would choose it is that there is less recoil like the .22 and it has bite and sound to prep him for larger rifles once dad shoots it will become his...lol
bamaranger
New member
strength
A post earlier from Rifleman1776 makes a good point, in that many grade schoolers 9-10-11, do not have the strength to handle a full size, or even youth size rifle from anything other than a support. Bamaboy, who was pretty wiry and active kid ( and is now taller and more able than his Daddy!) could not easliy manage a full size longgun till he was 11-12 yrs old. Till then he had to be content with a Cricket, and a bit of time on the 77/22. The sem- 10/22 was an option too, but he liked to make noise w/ a semi more than shoot well, so we had to limit its use!
At 11 we went to the Mini-Mauser .223 and shooting sticks.
I thought about pistol caliber carbines, and B-boy shot my Marlin .357, but single shot only, as the hammer and safely letting down same (no cross bolt on my rifles) was too tricky for him (or his Mom), requiring too much hand strength and understanding as a novice. Closely supervised, .38's in the Marlin were a nice step up, but the action was too much of a challenge.
He shot the Mini-Mauser .223 well, and graduated to a Rugerbolt 7.62x39 at age 13. This was a dandy youth combo and I recomend it to many, but there was not enough reach w/ the x39 for much of our ROW shooting, so .243 was next and he has shot same ever since. The x39 comes out now and again for woods hunts, but is largely a niche rifle for us now, despite my affection for it.
A post earlier from Rifleman1776 makes a good point, in that many grade schoolers 9-10-11, do not have the strength to handle a full size, or even youth size rifle from anything other than a support. Bamaboy, who was pretty wiry and active kid ( and is now taller and more able than his Daddy!) could not easliy manage a full size longgun till he was 11-12 yrs old. Till then he had to be content with a Cricket, and a bit of time on the 77/22. The sem- 10/22 was an option too, but he liked to make noise w/ a semi more than shoot well, so we had to limit its use!
At 11 we went to the Mini-Mauser .223 and shooting sticks.
I thought about pistol caliber carbines, and B-boy shot my Marlin .357, but single shot only, as the hammer and safely letting down same (no cross bolt on my rifles) was too tricky for him (or his Mom), requiring too much hand strength and understanding as a novice. Closely supervised, .38's in the Marlin were a nice step up, but the action was too much of a challenge.
He shot the Mini-Mauser .223 well, and graduated to a Rugerbolt 7.62x39 at age 13. This was a dandy youth combo and I recomend it to many, but there was not enough reach w/ the x39 for much of our ROW shooting, so .243 was next and he has shot same ever since. The x39 comes out now and again for woods hunts, but is largely a niche rifle for us now, despite my affection for it.