What age is appropriate to start shooting

Jafo67

Jafo67

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How old were your children when they started to shoot? Our daughters (12 and 10) have expressed great interest in learning to shoot. They are mature for their ages.

We have to find out the rules for our club, Silverdale, regarding children on the range.

Thoughts, comments and suggestions?
 
Any age that they show interest and willingness to learn, have the capacity to follow instructions and can hold said firearm... I've had my girls shooting a Rem 597 VTR just before Christmas; they are 5 and 7, and want to shoot more! The Rem is a little heavy for them, I was giving them my hand as a front rest (forgot sandbags), so I'm getting them a Savage Rascal- pink, of course! My 7 year old, without any prior shooting practice, put 18/20 rounds on a 10" piece of paper at 15 yards. I've instructed people that shoot worse!

If your club has a family rate, the age of the children shouldn't matter provided a licensed adult is with them... but of course, some ranges and clubs have funny ideas about some things!
 
NorthernCX said:
Any age that they show interest and willingness to learn, have the capacity to follow instructions and can hold said firearm... I've had my girls shooting a Rem 597 VTR just before Christmas; they are 5 and 7, and want to shoot more! The Rem is a little heavy for them, I was giving them my hand as a front rest (forgot sandbags), so I'm getting them a Savage Rascal- pink, of course! My 7 year old, without any prior shooting practice, put 18/20 rounds on a 10" piece of paper at 15 yards. I've instructed people that shoot worse!

If your club has a family rate, the age of the children shouldn't matter provided a licensed adult is with them... but of course, some ranges and clubs have funny ideas about some things!
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Well said. My kids started about 6/7, when they first showed an interest. Slingshots and BB guns first (it's what I let them see first) and eye protection, and safe shooting practices taught from the get go. By the time they reached about 9/10, they wanted-in on the .22lr game but even my smallest guns (Norinco Backpacker, Anschutz) were still too heavy. They struggled with them anyway off of a bench, my youngest lost interest altogether. That left my daughter, 11 now, so I bought her a Savage Rascal last year. She's very strong, but small-framed...and boy does that rifle suit her. So small, so light, it really is a gun made to suit someone of small stature and to be 100% honest, I think it gives kids a real feeling of confidence since they really have a sense of control over something so light. My daughter is intent on getting here hunting license (apprentice) when she turns 12, and wants to hunt grouse with the gun. Judging on how she shoots that Rascal, they don't stand a chance!
 
Only those that know the child can decide if they're ready or not. I might say no to kid who is 10, but yes to another kid who is 5. It's depends on the personality - self discipline, obedience & competence of the kid or person, not the age.
 
When i was a lad i started with my dads 22 magnum rifle when i was 6 or 7, got my first gun, which was a 20ga single shot at 8 and have been shooting ever since.
I consider myself to have been a responsible kid, so it depends alot of temperment and attitude, but as long as it's supervised and taught the right way from the beginning i think it's a great experience
 
Supervision is the key - I started when I was 5 and there were rifles accessible so teaching us the basics at a young age was a necessity. We were off on our own hunting by age 6/7ish.

I started my oldest daughter out with a BB gun at age 4 (VERY close supervision) and started her on .22 (both rifles and pistol) at 5, again very very close watching. Patience, make it fun (steel reactive targets) and constant safety talks but not screaming at 'em. Calm and serious. That way they have fun and learn.

I find my daughter preferred the pistol because of the weight issues - trying to find her a relatively light and short rifle, even my old Lakefield single shot is too front heavy for her. Nylon 66 is manageable but I'd much prefer her to be practicing with a single shot bolt...just the way I was taught there is all, YMMV
 
promac said:
Only those that know the child can decide if they're ready or not. I might say no to kid who is 10, but yes to another kid who is 5. It's depends on the personality - self discipline, obedience & competence of the kid or person, not the age.
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Yep. I was hunting groundhogs with a 22, alone, and when I was 6. Safety was drilled into me, and I even knew to look beyond the direction I was shooting.

My kids started about the same time, but didn't get into shooting a lot until a little older. And they weren't hunting alone until older.

I have started nieces and nephews around 5 to 6 because they are smart and disciplined. However one other nephew is going to be a real challenge because of a 2 second attention span.....

Close supervision is key.

One thing that helps tremendously is simply having them handle and carry a BB gun around. It helps them become familiar with how to hold it, and muzzle awareness. Go for a walk in the bush, have the kids carry a BB gun, and they can practice aiming at things.

I like having kids shoot at floating jugs (filled with foam and anchored). They can see where they are shooting. Of course this is done in a safe area/location.
 
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SandRoad said:
I like having kids shoot at floating jugs (filled with foam and anchored). They can see where they are shooting. Of course this is done in a safe area/location.
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Yup they need to be engaged with it. I find they get bored too fast shooting paper...IPSC plates and swingers usually gets them into it, same with milk jugs etc of course except easier to reset :)
 
Jafo67 said:
Ok, then our daughters should be ok for a .22 rifle. I think something simple and used. Suggestions?
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Problem with most single shot rifles is kids don't have the strength to #### the bolt. Look for something that cocks on raising the bolt handle.

New guns, I am looking at a Savage Rascal. It has a longer, straight bolt to make it easier to #### on open. The old gun I started on, and my father started on, was a Savage Model 3 with a peep sight. But it can be a bit heavy for younger girls.
 
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SandRoad said:
Problem with most single shot rifles is kids don't have the strength to caulk the bolt. Look for something that cocks on raising the bolt handle.

New guns, I am looking at a Savage Rascal. It has a longer, straight bolt to make it easier to #### on open. The old gun I started on, and my father started on, was a Savage Model 3 with a peep sight. But it can be a bit heavy for younger girls.
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This is exactly the issue I've got with my oldest daughter. Like I say, even my old Lakefield MK 1 she complains is too front heavy. Also I notice that even that shorter stock seems an inch or more too long, causes her an awkward grip.

Rascal sounds like something to look at

Maybe the OP will also be looking for pink .22s so anyone's thoughts on THAT ....off the shelf?
 
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