Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

[MAG00]

I am thinking about getting my 7 year old son his first rifle. Several thoughts on this:

1. Thought about getting a single shot .22LR that can accept other barrels for when he is ready to move up i.e. 223 or 243. Suggestions/recommendations on make model?
a. I like the Thompson Encores, but I am not sure that they make it small enough for him. I saw that they have a Hot Shot .22LR, but I am not sure it accepts other barrels.
b. I also looked at the Rossi that comes with three barrels .22LR, .243 and 20ga.

2. I also thought about going ahead and getting a bolt action .243 for deer. I am partial to remingtons but the savage with accutrigger doesn't sound bad either.

3. I have a Remington model 7 6mm that was my first rifle (given to me by my Dad) and I thought about passing it down to him. But I also thought about customizing it for me

All thoughts, suggestions and/or recoomendations are welcomed. Thanks.

 

[Handloader]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">"I also looked at the Rossi that comes with three barrels .22LR, .243 and 20ga"</span></span>I went this route, and I would say <span style="font-weight: bold">NO</span>....
1.The barrels are VERY sensitive to how much pressure you put on the forearm bolt. Impact change is a nightmare when switching barrels.
2. The twist on the 243 is really slow, and 85g is about the max weight of a bullet before the gun turns into a shot gun (that said, with 85g Sierra GK my son took a doe at 239 yards. First shot dropped her, then she jumped up and he hit her on the run. Swecond shot was the final drop shot).
3. The 20g is light, and kicks worse than a 12ga pump.

 

[Alaskaman11]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

this is what I did for my little girl when she was 8, she is now 11 and bang with the best of them.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

My children have all started w/ a Chipmunk, and then went on to AR’s. With your son being 7, he’s probably ready for something larger/nicer. I have an 8 yr old son that’s becoming pretty proficient with an AR. Adjustable stocks makes fitting it to a little guy easy. I started my kids out with singles in the mag; you could get a single load sled if that made you feel more comfortable.

Savage makes a neat little youth model bolt gun in 22lr; may be worth looking at.

IMHO, .243 is a little too stout for a small kid to learn on and feeding it will be a lot more expensive than .22 and .223.

Edit: One of my sons at 5 y/o.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

10/22 is a no brainier. It's a classic and eventually everybody gets one so why not start with that.

 

[MontanaKid]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

I started out with a single shot .22lr. It's a great way to teach kids that every shot counts and the importance of accuracy. The single shots are also a little more safe, you fire your one shot and you're done.
Good luck.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">10/22 is a no brainier. It's a classic and eventually everybody gets one so why not start with that. </div></div>

Good choic. Do they still make the Remington 22's with nylon stocks? If so Id look at tose as well.

 

[MAG00]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Handloader</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">"I also looked at the Rossi that comes with three barrels .22LR, .243 and 20ga"</span></span>I went this route, and I would say <span style="font-weight: bold">NO</span>....
1.The barrels are VERY sensitive to how much pressure you put on the forearm bolt. Impact change is a nightmare when switching barrels.
2. The twist on the 243 is really slow, and 85g is about the max weight of a bullet before the gun turns into a shot gun (that said, with 85g Sierra GK my son took a doe at 239 yards. First shot dropped her, then she jumped up and he hit her on the run. Swecond shot was the final drop shot).
3. The 20g is light, and kicks worse than a 12ga pump.</div></div>

Yea, your comments are what I thought maybe an issue with that particular rifle. Neat concept but I don't want to spend my money on something I don't think is quality. You just never seem satisifed when you do.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Son's first rifle - Thoughts / Recommendations

I started my son out on a Cricket single shot EX17HMR, its got all the simplicity and features of the crickets, but it also is a scoped 17HMR and is a great little rifle to learn on. It will be a small step for him to move up to a short .260 or something when he gets a bit bigger.