kid has outgrown his 22lr
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Stevenvalleyky
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West Ky. Where are you seeing that the ruger has a reputation for less than stellar accuracy? Granted I know nothing about the american ranch model but do have a couple regular ruger americans that were tack drivers right out of the box, particularly the 243. It was well under a MOA at 100 yards with remington corelocts and about .4 MOA with 87 grain hornady reloads. Is the rancher different from the regular american in a significant way. BTW, Im in KY too.
BrocLuno
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Ah KY, stationed at Knox back in the day ... 
Good shootin country. 243 would be a cool "boy round". 22 Hornet ... 22-250 if he wants to go slow and reach out... Woods and Ledge with creeks (?), I'd keep it closer and quicker. And at short ranges, a Ranch Rifle would work fine
But he needs to pick up and shoulder 25 rifles or so. Somewhere along that path, he'll go "I love this thing" and then it's off to the races ...
Good shootin country. 243 would be a cool "boy round". 22 Hornet ... 22-250 if he wants to go slow and reach out... Woods and Ledge with creeks (?), I'd keep it closer and quicker. And at short ranges, a Ranch Rifle would work fine
But he needs to pick up and shoulder 25 rifles or so. Somewhere along that path, he'll go "I love this thing" and then it's off to the races ...
Stevenvalleyky
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Ive killed a lot of deer with my bow on ft knox. The Brandenburg rd gate is 11 miles from my house so I went alot.Ah KY, stationed at Knox back in the day ...
Good shootin country. 243 would be a cool "boy round". 22 Hornet ... 22-250 if he wants to go slow and reach out... Woods and Ledge with creeks (?), I'd keep it closer and quicker. And at short ranges, a Ranch Rifle would work fine
But he needs to pick up and shoulder 25 rifles or so. Somewhere along that path, he'll go "I love this thing" and then it's off to the races ...
I agree on the 243. My kids started shooting a 243 when they were 9 or 10. My only complaint is the hellacious muzzle blast with short barrels, they really spout the fire being overbore.
Ah KY, stationed at Knox back in the day ...
Good shootin country. 243 would be a cool "boy round". 22 Hornet ... 22-250 if he wants to go slow and reach out... Woods and Ledge with creeks (?), I'd keep it closer and quicker. And at short ranges, a Ranch Rifle would work fine
But he needs to pick up and shoulder 25 rifles or so. Somewhere along that path, he'll go "I love this thing" and then it's off to the races ...
Good advice there. I have a ranch in 300aac. While i like it, couple of the guys i shoot with hate it, and theres other guns i own that i prefer. Its all personal preference, and fitment. Best to let him see what he likes and what fits.
BrocLuno
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You will soon ...
bannockburn
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BrocLuno
Good advice. I always let my kids pick out the gun they liked, not necessarily the one I thought was best for them. If I was asked for my input on a upscale move from .22LR I would go with a .223 or a .243 bolt action rifle.
Good advice. I always let my kids pick out the gun they liked, not necessarily the one I thought was best for them. If I was asked for my input on a upscale move from .22LR I would go with a .223 or a .243 bolt action rifle.
salt&battery
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when I was 15 my father let me pick any gun I wanted as long as I paid for it
My two bits....if you want to take him elk hunting a 223 would be a non starter in my book. So if you are looking down the road at that I think the 308 would be the best choice.
That said in 223 someone posted up a 527....all I can say is OMG I love this little rifle. I think I would do a savage before Ruger, but then I hate about everything ruger...so I do have a clear bias...but an Axis II with the good trigger in about any flavor is not very expensive and the savages are darn good bang for the buck.
That said in 223 someone posted up a 527....all I can say is OMG I love this little rifle. I think I would do a savage before Ruger, but then I hate about everything ruger...so I do have a clear bias...but an Axis II with the good trigger in about any flavor is not very expensive and the savages are darn good bang for the buck.
kBob
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My response to ".223 or .308" would be "yes."
If only for paper the .223 has a great deal going for it. For hunting though a .308 might be better for larger critters. As you say you can work up some accurate loads with lighter bullets or lower velocity for the .308.
You might consider going ahead and getting him that AR and just not letting him load but two rounds to a magazine. This would keep him shooting slow and give him LOTS of practice changing magazines and charging the rifle.
-kBob
If only for paper the .223 has a great deal going for it. For hunting though a .308 might be better for larger critters. As you say you can work up some accurate loads with lighter bullets or lower velocity for the .308.
You might consider going ahead and getting him that AR and just not letting him load but two rounds to a magazine. This would keep him shooting slow and give him LOTS of practice changing magazines and charging the rifle.
-kBob
Jo Jo;
Is he actually going to hunt, and if so, what is he going to hunt? I see you're in the northwest & so am I, so I've got at least some idea of the game available to hunt. But, I don't know if you two would be going after coastal deer, big mulies, elk, or bear.
Why not get another set of dies & open up your choices? It's not that expensive to get a set of dies, maybe a pound of powder & a box of bullets.
Then you could get a 6.5 Swede. That's what I did for my son & then got the itch to own one myself. And yes, I hunt elk with it, except in lousy weather, the stock's too nice for that. But beware, you may find yourself putting that .308 on somebody's used rack!
900F
Is he actually going to hunt, and if so, what is he going to hunt? I see you're in the northwest & so am I, so I've got at least some idea of the game available to hunt. But, I don't know if you two would be going after coastal deer, big mulies, elk, or bear.
Why not get another set of dies & open up your choices? It's not that expensive to get a set of dies, maybe a pound of powder & a box of bullets.
Then you could get a 6.5 Swede. That's what I did for my son & then got the itch to own one myself. And yes, I hunt elk with it, except in lousy weather, the stock's too nice for that. But beware, you may find yourself putting that .308 on somebody's used rack!
900F
no plans on hunting as of now just target/paper pouching he has an interest in accuracy / groups last time at the range he wanted to shoot at the 200 and 300 yard target distance and likes scopes,
he knows how to use irons well enough with his ruger 10/22 but is ready to step up a bit he does like the AR , was even thinking of a M&P sport and add a nikon p223 fixed x3 power or vortex 2 x7
the AR entry level rifle price is low nowadays , we looked around a bit yesterday he really likes the modern semi rifle way more then a bolt action if I let him pick ,
he knows how to use irons well enough with his ruger 10/22 but is ready to step up a bit he does like the AR , was even thinking of a M&P sport and add a nikon p223 fixed x3 power or vortex 2 x7
the AR entry level rifle price is low nowadays , we looked around a bit yesterday he really likes the modern semi rifle way more then a bolt action if I let him pick ,
splattergun
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I like this idea.
Also, IMO, one never outgrows a 22LR, except in actual gun size. When all I had was my Model 60 and got bored with plinking, but couldn't afford another gun, I decided to stretch my limits with the .22. I concentrated on extending my accurate range with that gun and learned to shoot it beyond 100 yards with Kentucky windage and elevation. What I learned for myself carried over to my bigger rifles when I was finally able to get "real" guns.
Jo Jo;
Given those circumstances, I'll suggest a decent bolt gun in .223, perhaps a Ruger American. If paper accuracy is going to be the name of the game, get a decent gun & then put the best glass on it you can. Also figure that sooner or later a good front rest is going to appear along with a proper bag for the rear.
But if you want to blow his mind just a little bit, see if you can borrow a CZ452 Trainer. Preferably one that the owner has done the requisite ammo testing for & is dead-nuts accurate. He won't believe the difference between the 10/22's open sights & the proper irons on a CZ. Itty-bitty groups at 50 yards. Smaller than a dime is perfectly possible. Go over to the CZ/BRNO forum at Rimfirecentral dot com & check out what people can do with one.
900F
Given those circumstances, I'll suggest a decent bolt gun in .223, perhaps a Ruger American. If paper accuracy is going to be the name of the game, get a decent gun & then put the best glass on it you can. Also figure that sooner or later a good front rest is going to appear along with a proper bag for the rear.
But if you want to blow his mind just a little bit, see if you can borrow a CZ452 Trainer. Preferably one that the owner has done the requisite ammo testing for & is dead-nuts accurate. He won't believe the difference between the 10/22's open sights & the proper irons on a CZ. Itty-bitty groups at 50 yards. Smaller than a dime is perfectly possible. Go over to the CZ/BRNO forum at Rimfirecentral dot com & check out what people can do with one.
900F
cdb1
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Give the OP a break. I think everyone knew what he meant about outgrowing a .22. You've all heard it many times.
I haven't heard of accuracy issues with the Ruger American Ranch. The Ruger Ranch Mini-14 and Mini-Thirty lack of accuracy is well documented though supposedly that has improved somewhat.
I haven't heard of accuracy issues with the Ruger American Ranch. The Ruger Ranch Mini-14 and Mini-Thirty lack of accuracy is well documented though supposedly that has improved somewhat.
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Kame B.
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No, there is no lack of accuracy for the Mini 14 of any era. They have always been noted as a 2to3MOA rifle. It has been well documented that most shooters usually dont know what they are doing.
"whats the opinion on the Ruger American Ranch 5.56"
1)Mine shoots about 1.25 MOA with handloads. I don't mean it shot one group that small; I mean it will shoot 5 shot 1.25 inch groups every time. This is in calm air, off bags or a bipod, 9X scope. These aren't fussy handloads - Lake City once fired, full length resized, etc. No neck turning etc. You might be able to do better with fussier reloading. The mag length keeps you from loading out to the lands.
2)Decent trigger.
3)It's a nice, handy rifle.
4)The fore end isn't very stiff. Using a tight sling for position shooting might be an issue. I had to trim a little off the barrel channel to free float the barrel.
5)The mag is cheesy and expensive.
6)It doesn't have the most reliable feeding. It's not an action that always feeds, whether you work the bolt fast or slow, in any position. I just plink with it, and it's fine for that. I wouldn't use it for dangerous game (even if it wasn't 223).
Overall, I think it's a great rifle for the price.
1)Mine shoots about 1.25 MOA with handloads. I don't mean it shot one group that small; I mean it will shoot 5 shot 1.25 inch groups every time. This is in calm air, off bags or a bipod, 9X scope. These aren't fussy handloads - Lake City once fired, full length resized, etc. No neck turning etc. You might be able to do better with fussier reloading. The mag length keeps you from loading out to the lands.
2)Decent trigger.
3)It's a nice, handy rifle.
4)The fore end isn't very stiff. Using a tight sling for position shooting might be an issue. I had to trim a little off the barrel channel to free float the barrel.
5)The mag is cheesy and expensive.
6)It doesn't have the most reliable feeding. It's not an action that always feeds, whether you work the bolt fast or slow, in any position. I just plink with it, and it's fine for that. I wouldn't use it for dangerous game (even if it wasn't 223
).Overall, I think it's a great rifle for the price.
azrocks
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You know if you let him pick out his own rifle he's going to pick an M-Forgery or some other high-capacity 'cool' rifle.
My father never gave me choices on my gun gifts. I got what I got and I enjoyed the heck out of it. At the time I was drooling over Valmets, Galils, and HK91s. I got a double-barreled shotgun instead. Does that mean it sat in the corner? Of course not.
If I were you, I'd stick with your original impulse. The bolt-action was a great idea, and will translate into him being a better shot with the 'cool' rifles down the road. Then when he spends his money on a new AR or something similar, he'll appreciate the skills investment all-the-more.
What I would NOT do, however, is buy a crappy bolt action with substandard accuracy and/or bad glass. The 'fun' in such a gun is putting a bunch of rounds in one hole (at least to me). So if I was buying a bolt, I'd make it one that would really allow him to shine. With a bolt you shouldn't have to spend a lot of money to get sub-moa potential.
My father never gave me choices on my gun gifts. I got what I got and I enjoyed the heck out of it. At the time I was drooling over Valmets, Galils, and HK91s. I got a double-barreled shotgun instead. Does that mean it sat in the corner? Of course not.
If I were you, I'd stick with your original impulse. The bolt-action was a great idea, and will translate into him being a better shot with the 'cool' rifles down the road. Then when he spends his money on a new AR or something similar, he'll appreciate the skills investment all-the-more.
What I would NOT do, however, is buy a crappy bolt action with substandard accuracy and/or bad glass. The 'fun' in such a gun is putting a bunch of rounds in one hole (at least to me). So if I was buying a bolt, I'd make it one that would really allow him to shine. With a bolt you shouldn't have to spend a lot of money to get sub-moa potential.
cdb1
Member
I agree with azrocks about buying a crappy rifle and scope, especially the scope for a kid. Something like a Fullfield II is great IMO.
My son wanted an AR for his first centerfire rifle and we hunt more than target shoot. I said you can have a bolt or a lever chambered in the cartridge I choose(he wanted a .338 WinMag). He finally chose lever and I got him a 336W 30-30. I'm sure I have the only kid that wanted a big boomer for his first deer rifle. Haha!
My son wanted an AR for his first centerfire rifle and we hunt more than target shoot. I said you can have a bolt or a lever chambered in the cartridge I choose(he wanted a .338 WinMag). He finally chose lever and I got him a 336W 30-30. I'm sure I have the only kid that wanted a big boomer for his first deer rifle. Haha!
You are correct and thats why I want him to lean marksmanship , anyone can toss lead down range with an AR , I see many folks at the range with the AR but cant shoot worth beans sure they look cool making noise and dust but their wasting ammo with very little good shots, thats why I want him to learn how to place his shots , AR's are fun and I have one or two that being said I feel there is value in learning to shoot correctly , I also see the Savage Trophy Hunter model 11 on sale often, He did like the Savage 10 Scout rifle in 308 on the rack
I think I will just let this play out a bit and see where it goes so many choices anymore It may take some time to find the wow factor for him at a price I like but its out there
Sistema1927
Member
How about a Ruger Scout Rifle in either .308 or 5.56? It comes with stock spacers that would allow the rifle to grow up with him. You also have the benefit of decent iron sights and several scope mounting options.
Acera
Member
Offer him a deal, he gets to pick his rifle (within set parameters) if he attends an Appleseed camp and earns a rifleman patch. Might be a great father son weekend.
https://appleseedinfo.org/
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