Starting kids right?

[Calhoun321]

I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old. I need to get them started shooting, especially my 7 year old who wants to go hunting with me.

I need to purchase an appropriate gun since none of mine fit. I have looked at the Criket, Savage cub, NEF single shots, Rossi single shots, Henry single shots, and probably a few others. I originally wanted a break open .22/410 or 20 combo and was debating between NEF and Rossi. I figured to use the .22 for training the kids and the shotgun for training the wife in skeet. It would also allow me to start the kids with a shotgun a little later without another purchase.

Well, in fiting my 7 year old, I found that most youth models are still to big and heavy. The Cricket would fit best, but it is so small that it would have to be replaced with any growth of the 7 year old (of course the young one could still benefit for a while). The savage mini cub .22 bolt has some growing room but, I would lose any benefit for the wife (who I need to get on board too). I think she would like skeet if she ever tried it, but my shotguns are to large.

My budget is around $150. I need your thoughts and advice.

 

[Big Daddy K]

I guess the Rossi Matched Pair would be ok. The 20 would kick a bit though.

I just bought my 6 year old a Spartan 410 for squirrel hunting. My 10 year old is shooting a youth 870 20 and a 1100 20. He has a Rossi 243 for deer but prefers amy little Ruger 44 mag carbine.

I went with the 410 for my youngest because of the following. I wanted him to be able to hit a squirrel at say 25 yds. To me a 22 is fine for target shooting but could be dangerous due to it's range in the hands of a 7 year old. I choose the Spartan because it is hammerless so no de-cocking. Just have to be sure he keeps it on safe. Also the 410 2.5s in 7.5 have very little recoil. But he shoots the 3" shells as well without problem. He is to small for a 20 right now. Also the little gun set me back $92.00 bucks at walmart. He has already put about 5 boxes of shells through it 410s are a little pricy but it works for us right now.

 

[eliphalet]

I think it is Braztech (sp) that is making a three barrel break open gun in 22LR 20 gauge and 243. You can pick one up around $250 or maybe less. One of these might be good in a couple of years.

We have a Savage cub It came with a peep sight which I don't care for but can be changed, other than that is is a OK little gun.

I am a firm believer in a single shot for young or beginning shooters and hunters especially. I have seen how the kids that learn on a 10/22 shoot deer or other critters compared to the one's that have learned to hit what they aim at because they only have one shot to do it.
Good luck to you and yours

 

[fantacmet]

Hrm, I can definately see your point Eliphalet. Single shot, or a bolt action for the reasons stated above, would be my recommendation. Start them right on the fundementals of shooting.

 

[Master Blaster]

I started my son now 9 and my daughter now 11, at age 6/7 (my son wasnt ready at 6). I dont push them they tell me when they are ready to try different things. My son recently stried my ar-15 it was a little too much recoil for him, so we are not trying shotguns yet. My Daughter tried my Gold cup .45 recently but found that a bit much on recoil. They both like to shoot .22 rifles and pistols, and my anschutz .17 HMR rifle.
We have a Savage cub, to start out with, it was perfect size for them at ages 6,7,8. The peep sight is better than open irons, and it now wears a small rimfire scope. The best part about the cub is that its easy to cock and the bolt handle does the cocking, unlike other youth rifles which have a seperate cocking piece that can be hard to cock.

Now my son likes to shoot the custom 10/22 he helped me put together, and my Browning buckmark. My daughter likes to shoot the Taurus 94 4" .22 revolver, and the ruger as well.

In a couple years they will be ready for shotguns and centerfire rifles I think.
They will tell me when they are ready. The important thing is to teach them good safe gun handling skills and marksmanship fundamentals now, with guns they feel comfotable with and have fun shooting.

 

[DrDavidM]

I have one of the New England Firearms single shots. I don't know how it would fit a child (I think they also have a youth model). It is fairly light weight though. Something I really like about it is, it came with a 243 barrel, but you can add barrels. i have a 30-06 and a 45-70 for it. This was about 5 years ago, but I am sure it still applies. I think you could also get a 22 barrel. I'm not sure about that though. One down side is you had to send it to the factory for them to fit the barrels and it took several weeks. Good luck. Also, I cannot remember an age that I was not shooting Dad's 22 rifles. He might do better than you think