this is a long story, that is mostly me bragging on my boy. Thought I would share cause i am so proud of his decision making and his shooting... read on if interested, but be warned it is long and probably most interesting... to me
I posted a few weeks back about my son's search for a 223 bolt action. He had a certain amount of money to spend and it was not a bunch, although in a 14 year old's world it was a lot.
Well, we were not successful in finding a 223. While at the local gun shop, the owner was talking to him about ordering a new rifle so he could get exactly what he wanted. Good plan if you have the money, but my son was about 1/2 way short.
While they were talking I pulled a used Marlin 925M off the rack. This little Marlin 22 Magnum had a fixed 4 power scope on it and looked to be in good condition. Knowing he was really only interested in range work out to about 100 yds. In short he bought it for about 3/4 of the cash he had. That and a few hundred rounds and we were out the door for well under $200.
We took it to the range a few days later. Zeroing was going excellent until the trigger stopped working the way it was supposed to. We went home and I took the rifle apart and a screw was loose in the trigger assembly. tightened back up with a dab of lock tight and we were good to go.
Back to the range this past Sunday. A few shots to complete the zero and it was time to go to work. My son has been shooting for about 6 years since he was 8 but not very much. Almost all his long gun work has been from the bench, and not very serious about marksmanship. Only recently he has really started to try and learn to shoot well.
So I pulled him off the bench and began to teach him the good old USMC range firing positions. Well we got as far as prone anyway... Here comes the good part...
We were only shooting at 50 yards, but the boy was knocking out 1/2 - 3/4 inch 7 shot groups all day long. He had one or two groups that opened to about 1.5 inches because of a single flyer... He seems to have a fine grasp of natural point of aim, breathing and trigger control.
To wrap it all up, I am so very proud of him to:
1) Make the decision to get something he could afford and not ask for me to pick up any $.
2) Realize he can shoot the .22mag regularly for much less than even 223/556
3) Remain calm when the trigger issue happened. I asked if he wanted to bring it back and look for something else and he declined.
4) Take the time to learn about marksmanship, even though he is getting from an old Marine who is also his Dad.
5) Get off the bench!
6) Shoot so damn well!
OK, I am done. I am so glad that he and I have this to share.
Thanks for reading... guess you just proved you are an old sap just like me...
John
I posted a few weeks back about my son's search for a 223 bolt action. He had a certain amount of money to spend and it was not a bunch, although in a 14 year old's world it was a lot.
Well, we were not successful in finding a 223. While at the local gun shop, the owner was talking to him about ordering a new rifle so he could get exactly what he wanted. Good plan if you have the money, but my son was about 1/2 way short.
While they were talking I pulled a used Marlin 925M off the rack. This little Marlin 22 Magnum had a fixed 4 power scope on it and looked to be in good condition. Knowing he was really only interested in range work out to about 100 yds. In short he bought it for about 3/4 of the cash he had. That and a few hundred rounds and we were out the door for well under $200.
We took it to the range a few days later. Zeroing was going excellent until the trigger stopped working the way it was supposed to. We went home and I took the rifle apart and a screw was loose in the trigger assembly. tightened back up with a dab of lock tight and we were good to go.
Back to the range this past Sunday. A few shots to complete the zero and it was time to go to work. My son has been shooting for about 6 years since he was 8 but not very much. Almost all his long gun work has been from the bench, and not very serious about marksmanship. Only recently he has really started to try and learn to shoot well.
So I pulled him off the bench and began to teach him the good old USMC range firing positions. Well we got as far as prone anyway... Here comes the good part...
We were only shooting at 50 yards, but the boy was knocking out 1/2 - 3/4 inch 7 shot groups all day long. He had one or two groups that opened to about 1.5 inches because of a single flyer... He seems to have a fine grasp of natural point of aim, breathing and trigger control.
To wrap it all up, I am so very proud of him to:
1) Make the decision to get something he could afford and not ask for me to pick up any $.
2) Realize he can shoot the .22mag regularly for much less than even 223/556
3) Remain calm when the trigger issue happened. I asked if he wanted to bring it back and look for something else and he declined.
4) Take the time to learn about marksmanship, even though he is getting from an old Marine who is also his Dad.
5) Get off the bench!
6) Shoot so damn well!
OK, I am done. I am so glad that he and I have this to share.
Thanks for reading... guess you just proved you are an old sap just like me...
John
