getting started

[electrode1998]

My oldest daughter is getting a cricket .22 for her 10th birthday soon. I took her shooting a couple of weeks ago with a marlin 15yn I bought used and she shot GREAT but it was a little heavy for her. So we checked out a few guns and she liked the cricket. If she wants to start competition shooting how do I get her started? I don't have lots of money to spend on custom guns.
She picked the cricket due to its weight (she is smaller than her friends) and opperation and as an added bonus she picked the black composite stock not the ugly pink one.
What type of rifles do I look for her for competitions and what am I looking at spending? I do not shoot in competitions, I like to shoot at the local range and go hunting.

 

[bdutton]

Your local range may have a junior rifle program complete with good target rifles. If not, call around to local ranges or contact your state gun owners org or the NRA for local programs.

It is recommended that new shooters start with air rifle. They learn the basics of target shooting without learning bad habits due to recoil.

 

[Blackfork]

Louisiana Competitions.

10 is pretty young for competition, but not for shooting. I'd take her along every time and have her shoot balloons stapled to the backboard at 25 meters and shrink the size of them over time. Kids like reactive targets so she might like a gong somewhere or a coke can dangling on a string.

That said, in Texas we have the Future Farmers of America who shoot through the school system. There might be something like that over there.

I'd get her her own gun in her own case, teach her to shoot it safely and start finding the smallbore shooters. There is a big highpower range going in a Donaldsonville- I don't know how much help they would be. Might try her on an indoor range. I'm sure someone has one open to the public somewhere. I think you are the coach for a bit yet.

Plugs and muffs, her own rifle case with her name on it, her own gun. She'll probably be good to go.

Start trying to find the Louisiana state organization through the NRA or http://www.odcmp.com/

Louisiana used to have a HUGE presence at the National Matches. Not much these days, though that could change.

I'm the current Louisiana Highpower Rifle and Service Rifle Champ by the way, since you asked.

 

[electrode1998]

shooting

Thanks for the information. She has shot the pellet gun and I found she had a better since of responsibility when handling a .22 rather than a pellet gun. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.
I know about the range in Donaldsonville, just have not had the chance to check it out in person.