1st rifle bolt vs. lever

[bbq fan]

I am purchasing a rifle to train the eight year old nephew in the upcoming months. He loves seeing the collection every time he's over. I have been told he is noise sensitive so .22LR would be the caliber. How does a bolt action compare to a lever action? Any suggestions on what to buy? Thanks in advance...

bf

 

[K1500]

Traditional advice is a bold single shot, like a cricket or a Henry Mini Bolt. They are both significantly smaller than most lever action .22's, and they are easier to work properly. I have a MiniBolt and it is a good gun. Whatever you get, he will probably outgrow it in a couple of years and want a 10-22, but that's a good thing.

 

[19-3Ben]

Henry's youth .22 levergun has always struck me as a rather nice gun for a kid to learn on.

 

[Sam1911]

Hard to say. Personal preference is tough to gauge. If I was shopping for an 8 year old (again) I'd buy the Savage Cub-T (again). Just a terrific little rifle, with features far above the Cricket/Chipmunk rifles.

An 8 year old is probably still pretty small. There are "youth" sized rifles and then the very small type like the Cub, Mini-bolt, and the Crickets. For that age, for him to really be able to use and enjoy it, I'd stick with the smallest ones. The more common "youth" sizes are still quite a bit more than he's likely going to be able to support and manipulate well. My daughter is 9 now, and she's still not got the upper body strength to support the Cub for anything but rested and prone shooting. She's not a small kid for her age, but that rifle will fit her for the next 5 years at least, easily.

 

[HoosierQ]

Well for one thing, from what I can observe, the bolts are way less expensive than the levers. Plus they can be taken apart more easily, cleaned from the breach etc. Better gun to learn on.

I am 53 and while I will probably go the semi route, I too am drawn to the utter simplicity and ease of maintenance of the bolt action .22.

 

[snakeman]

pllet gun, then 22, then 243, then 20 gauge, then 30/30 lol

 

[dprice3844444]

bolt is easier for the kid to clean

 

[Matthew Courtney]

Rather than trying to guess at something that is the right size for him right now, why not consider something with an adjustible stock that can fit him well now and never be outgrown?

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

We taught my cousin on a single shot .22 . They are super super in-expensive wich is nice because like another poster said, he will outgrow it quickly.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

For both of my sons, I got Ruger 10/22s and cut the stock down with a chop saw. They were only allowed to shoot under *close* adult supervision until they completed hunters safety. When they got big enough, I put on aftermarket Hogue stocks. A lot of people think that bolt actions are safer, which I don't agree with. Neglecting the rules of safe gun handling will get someone hurt or killed regardless of the action type. Unsafe behavior with a single shot bolt action will kill someone just as dead as the same behavior with a semi auto.

 

[Googleplex]

I've had a full size henry lever action .22 since I was ten or eleven. It fit fine then and fits fine now, many many years later. I wasn't small for my age group, but particularly large either. Personally, I tend to lean the more economic route- you could buy a regular size .22 and set your kid up for life. Bench shooting oughta be just fine untill he has the upper arm strength to support the rifle.
At 14, I was far too large for a cricket. Doesn't it have about the same length of pull as a snake charmer .410?

 

[brnmuenchow]

Hard to say. Personal preference is tough to gauge.

Same here, I started out on a single-shot bolt action and learned to shoot that way. After that I think my first experience with a non-.22 was a lever action Marlin 336 in .30-30 Win. and had no problem with the transition on my own.

 

[bbq fan]

Thanks for the great replies. I will probably spend some time at Walmart next time I am there. Again thanks.

bf

 

[Panzercat]

Hard to say. Personal preference is tough to gauge. If I was shopping for an 8 year old (again) I'd buy the Savage Cub-T (again). Just a terrific little rifle, with features far above the Cricket/Chipmunk rifles.

Is that an actual peep sight on that thing? Crazy

 

[Sam1911]

Yes it is! Though, for the life of me, I can't get low enough to see through it. The kids can, but my head's too big or something. rolleyes

I put a cheap rimfire scope on it and use it as my groundhog gun.

 

[chris in va]

He'd outgrow a single shot in short order. I've seen it at the range many times, kid gets bored who the bolt gun and starts testing or fiddling with something.

I highly recommend a lever gun to keep them interested.

 

[Clipper]

A browning BL-22 is a superior heirloom-quality gun that still weighs only 5lbs, and is even available in a youth size, though the standard rifle is small enough for lots of smaller shooters, but big enough for an adult (I'm 6'2" and have no size issues with mine). Check one out in person...You'll throw rocks at other LAs. Kinda spendy, but worth it big time. 33* lever throw, amazing fit and finish, highly accurate, it will shoot with almost any bolt action. It's the only lever action I'd spend my hard-earned on, and I've checked 'em all.