What do you do with a Savage MKII TR .22 LR?

[XD Fan]

I recently received my Masters degree from the University of Missouri. My wife did not buy me a watch, a fancy frame for my diploma, or a "dangerously-over-educated" coffee mug to commemorate the occasion. No, my wife bought me a Savage MKII TR .22LR (Awesome wife, I know.).

Now, what does one do with a .22 capable of sub half inch groups at 50 yards (I was only able to get a half-inch group, but I am sure it is limited but my inadequacies as a shooter.)?

My 12-year-old daughter and I decided we needed to go on an animal cracker Safari. We glue animal crackers to posterboard and "hunted" them from 50 yards out. Now that was a memory making morning. BIG smiles were had by all.

Next time we are going to glue them to index cards and place them in various distances in the woods. She has decided that we must also "hunt" gummy bears as well.

Just wanted to share our fun idea and point out a great reactive target for kids(and adults too).

 

[dodo bird]

Congratulation on your masters! Sounds like a wonderful family. Count your blessings

 

[zerobarrier]

Congrats on your masters. I will have to remember the animal cracker hunt for when my daughter is alittle older. She is only 3 1/2 so hopefully around 5 I can get her a pink cricket.

 

[lxd55]

didn't need a degree to know you shoot it. but your choices sound great, have fun and congrats.

 

[Field Tester]

That is too cool. Sounds like you have a smart and creative daughter on your hands.
How about setting up a hunt for her where she doesn't know the preset positions of the crackers. You can use Neon colored cards to stand out. That way she gets a better and more unexpected hunting experience.
Good luck on the next "hunt"!

 

[fiddleharp]

No trouble with feeding or extracting yet?
These rifles are notorious for their bad magazines and weak extractor springs.
If Savage would only listen to all the complaints and redesign a couple of things on the MK-II, they'd have a real winner. :banghead:
For inexpensive rifles, these things are amazingly accurate.

 

[tiamat]

Congratulation on your masters! Sounds like a wonderful family. Count your blessings

Exactly what I was thinking.

Animal cracker Safari - that's just great. I like the idea of going gummy bear hunting too (perhaps finally a good use for that 5lb bag of Haribo sugar-free gummy bears).

 

[JTHunter]

It sounds as if "brains" runs in the family.
Good for you on your degree and a "thumbs up" for your daughter's idea for cheap, fun targets!

 

[200Apples]

.

My 12-year-old daughter and I decided we needed to go on an animal cracker Safari.

hahaha... yea! funny stuff. I'm gonna have to try that, and soon.

Been reading a bit lately about the African hunt, so your timing is great. lol.

 

[WesM]

I love your idea of an animal cracker safari!

I recently picked up a Savage MKII (not the TR) bull barrel used at a pawn shop for $100.

I took off the craptastic 4X Bushnell that came on it and mounted my BSA Sweet 22 that had been on the Marlin 795 that I sold to pay for the MKII.

I sighted in the scope at 50 yds with Federal bulk ammo, and with an ammo can rest was getting about 3/4"-1" groups. I look forward to getting a bipod and match ammo to shrink those groups more.

I wanted to get the MKII so my boys, 9 and 7, could practice precision shooting. I think the Animal Cracker safari is a winner of an idea. Thanks!

 

[aarondhgraham]

This thread brought back a fond memory,,,

Several years ago,,,
I gave my friends 7 year old daughter,,,
The pink Daisy Cub BB rifle for her birthday present.

A week later I went to see them,,,
And took a pack of plastic animals along.

I set them out all over their large backyard,,,
Then she and I went on a Safari.

Imagine a 7 year old girl,,,
And a pot-bellied 58 year old man,,,
Crawling around the back yard hunting big game.

I was doing my best Crocodile Hunter voice,,,
And being her faithful gun-bearer.

My job was to cock the rifle,,,
Her job was to bag the dangerous game

It was one of the finest hours of my life,,,
She's 12 now and doesn't do safari's anymore,,,
But I saw her last year and she still remembers that outing.

Good on you for getting your daughter into plinking,,,
Great idea of gluing animal crackers onto a poster board.

Hope you get another nice rifle when you earn your Ph.D.

Aarond

.

 

[XD Fan]

How about setting up a hunt for her where she doesn't know the preset positions of the crackers. You can use Neon colored cards to stand out. That way she gets a better and more unexpected hunting experience.

It is funny that you said this because we talked about using colored card when we take it to the woods. Thanks for the idea of setting up an "unknown" hunt for her. We are going to do that next time we go out.

Imagine a 7 year old girl,,,
And a pot-bellied 58 year old man,,,
Crawling around the back yard hunting big game.

I was doing my best Crocodile Hunter voice,,,
And being her faithful gun-bearer.

I love this picture!

 

[aladdin]

Sounds like you figured out what to do with it.
I can't think of a better use.

 

[WC145]

No trouble with feeding or extracting yet?
These rifles are notorious for their bad magazines and weak extractor springs.
If Savage would only listen to all the complaints and redesign a couple of things on the MK-II, they'd have a real winner. :banghead:
For inexpensive rifles, these things are amazingly accurate.

Hmmm. Never a bit of trouble with my MKII BV.

OP - Congrats on your degree and the smart thinking to take your daughter on a cookie hunt, it's stuff like that they'll never forget.

 

[Field Tester]

It is funny that you said this because we talked about using colored card when we take it to the woods. Thanks for the idea of setting up an "unknown" hunt for her. We are going to do that next time we go out.



I love this picture!

Awesome!
Glad I could help!

 

[Ky Larry]

Some of my fondest memories involve a .22 rifle and a summer afternoon. You've made a memory. Years from now, all her cell phones and electronic junk will be gone and forgotten, but this memory will remain for her.