Rifle Scopes Need help with Christmas idea for kids

[George Collins]

I have seven kids. I want to buy four of them their first .22 rifle for Christmas presents.

Based on this thread, I was planning on buying four of these.

I would like to mount a scope with tactical turrets on each of the four so they will be able to dope their rifles to send rounds out to 200+ yards.

Since my expense will be multiplied by four, Nightforce optics will probably not pass muster with the treasurer who is currently directing all the daddy-funds to this

Anyone out there want to play an Elf to my Santa i.e. make a recommendation on what scope might both fit the bill and "fit the bill"?

 

[Papagallos]

Re: Need help with Christmas idea for kids

Any Mueller scope will do. They are reasonably priced and the optics aren't bad at all. I haven't had the experience with one, but I've read great things about them, especially when you compare them to other scope brands that fall within the $100-$200 price range.

Also, have you considered buying them a CZ 452 .22lr? An Uncle has one and it shoots lights out.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure they'll be happy either way.

-Pablo

 

[fdkay]

Re: Need help with Christmas idea for kids

I have a marlin 25 in .22 mag.

It shoots surprisingly well, the trigger is atrocious (rifle is probably 13 years old or so)

Look to the Mueller all purpose tactical (APT)

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Need help with Christmas idea for kids

Just my $0.02...

But I have been teaching Hunter Safety now for 28 years... and in 6 states. There aren't many things I've done that long, but teaching Hunter Safety every fall is one of them. So I have worked with quite a few kids and parents over that time.

Just my individual opinion, but I would recommend that you consider waiting before buying them scopes.

Teach them the fundamentals of iron sights. Good sight picture. Hitting with a post and notch. Once they master adjusting the 'stock' sights on the gun and can hit any target with post and blade... then they are ready for a scope.

The rifle you are considering is fine. Any quality .22 will be great. Mine was a Savage 29a pump that my grandfather bought new. I still have it and it's still mint after uncounted rounds and squirrel shoots. So buy quality, because it will be with your kids for a lifetime.

But instead of buying a scope, I would recommend spending the $ on brick after brick of ammo for them to shoot. The rounds downrange with iron sights will pay off a lot more than making them scope-dependant from day one.

Once they have mastered the iron sight, scopes will be no problem and they will be better marksman. You can get them scopes for a 'later' Christmas when it's time.

Whatever you decide to do... I still remember the Christmas when I got my first .22. So have a great time this Dec. 25th and whatever you do, the youngsters will have a Christmas they will never forget.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[George Collins]

Re: Need help with Christmas idea for kids

Sir,

Your $0.02 was well spent. I think I may go with your suggestion and defer the scope purchase.

Having said that, I start all of my kids out very young with disciplined practice. Each of the four that I'm intending to purchase a .22 for were started on a pellet gun with open sights then moved to a Chipmunk .22 with open sights. Even if/when I purchase scopes to sit atop their new .22s, there will be times at the range where they will be required to practice with open sights. Minimally, when I move them one day to an AR-15, open sights will again be mandatory.

I fired my first weapon at 9 years old: a 20-ga single shot that rattled my teeth. The old fellers there that day said, "Strap it on his little ass, it'll make a man out of'im."

BAM!!!!

Cussed in front of Daddy for the first time that day.

I resolved that after I resolved my flinch that my own kids would start out on pellet guns - no kick and no noise. Next came shooting with the Chipmunk with .22 shorts to increase the noise level marginally. Next came my 10/22 with standard velocity rounds and hearing protection.

They are now to the point of needing to take their next step and that next step involves handling their own gear, making dope corrections, sighting in, and all those other things that go along with maintaining and driving one's own weapon.

Once they can handle their weapons well enough, I will hopefully be with them and coach them through their first kill. Once that milestone is reached, the reins will again be loosened by degrees until they are fully independent hunters.

My oldest son who is now in college followed this same plan to the letter and he is a fine marksman.

But another year behind iron certainly wont hurt them none and maybe scopes can be added at each birthday thereby spreading the expense out over the year.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Need help with Christmas idea for kids

Your experience was like most... me included... "Here, son, have a 20 ga. single hammer gun" (the worst possible choice for a new shooter)

Boom. Ready for a lifetime of flinching!

We do a demonstration w. parents and kids in hunter safety to show how (especially w. the younger kids and even adults unfamiliar w. gun handling) how easy it is to accidentally discharge a hammer gun. We'll hand them a Model 94 or single shot break action hammer shotgun. Close the breech and cock the hammer, then have them 'lower' the hammer to half-cock. The number of "discharges" is amazing. Don't get me wrong, I love Model 94's and started w. one. And learned to handle it well. I still have a few and they are a great deer gun, especially here in the Northeast. But for a youngster or novice adult shooter, an exposed hammer gun is a very risky first choice!

I always remind parents that any gun is a single shot if you only load one round at a time... so starting youngsters deer hunting with a bolt rifle (like a Model 7, Ruger 77 Youth, Rem Model 600, etc) is great. They can grow into a gun and keep it for a lifetime. It's easy to manipulate. Has a positive safety. For shotguns, a Model 1100 in 12 ga (with light loads) is great. Cut the stock (or buy one to cut) and get a short barrel (barrels are cheap.) The gas action soaks up recoil and it's easy to load as a single shot. And the youth can put back the original stock as he or she grows... and keep that gun for a lifetime if they like. By sticking with a familiar gun, they will become expert with it. Again, just some observations from doing this a long time.

Starting w. pellet guns as you did is great. The time and coaching is even better. Sounds like you are doing all the right things! And the birthday idea is perfect!

Cheers,

sirhr