Getting Kids started

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digital

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I am looking for advice on getting my son started. He is 14 and already 5'8" so a regular sized rifle should be ok. He wants to focus on rifle shooting.

I have different rifles .223 and .308 but thought it would be good to get him into competition 22lr or maybe air rifle. He likes using Olympic style iron sights but I only have a .308 Palma style rifle.

Trigger time with a .308 is expensive and .223 both leaves more work for me to make ammo. 22lr or air rifle is an easy out. Olympic shooting and equipment would be interesting. He has potential.

I am in the Vancouver area.

thanks
 
I would suggest starting with 22lr. This gives a good, cheap and less reload time consuming bang for the buck. Great way to learn the fundamentals.

Another suggestion is show him reloading, teach him slowly, one step at a time, eventually letting him take over the steps, like an old time apprenticeship.

Once he learns how much work it is for every shot, he will be shure to make every shot count, and have pride in shooting ammo he made.
 
I'd get him the best 22lr you can find. center fire is a nice novelty but he wont learn much compared to what a 200 yard target and a 22lr will teach him.
 
get a good 22 bolt, let him have at that for a while, then look at a 223 for him in a year or so....by the time he's 18 he'll be worked up to a 338 and shooting out to 1000 yrds.....
 
If high end rifle shooting is the goal, then the gear to get competitive 22lr and ammo is frightfully expensive.

Expect your ammo cost to be equal to or more then match handloaded 223. Eley, Lapua, and Fiocchi is pricey stuff.

If the goal is Oly type shooting, then there are clubs in the lower mainland and on the island that focus on this form of shooting. They have a junior program and I can put you in contact with someone who's kids are shooting this now.

If the goal is rifle shooting like F class or Palma/TR, then the 223 still is a great choice. Each sport has divisions set up for 223 and 308 so there is training with every pull of the trigger.

Yes, it will be more work but maybe he can help with the loading chores - brass prep, priming, seating. Leaving you to handle the powder duties.

I used to shoot rimfire silhouette and to get top gear was more expensive then center fire in some respects.

contact BCRA and they should have more info on junior programs you and your son can enjoy together.

I shoot Fclass and can offer more info if this is the direction you choose.

Great that you are helping your kid get shooting.

Jerry
 
You should get in touch with Dave Adams at the Mission Rod and Gun Club. He has a Junior Fullbore program including and supplies the rifles. This is Palma/TR shooting and Dave is one of the best in Canada.

Speak with him because very likely he can get him into the shooting without you having to make a commitment as to what gun, what discipline etc. Dave is an expert at helping you find a practical cheap and fun way for him to start shooting. Once he has his foot in the door, chances are you and your son will have a pretty darned good idea what direction you want to go, and you will have access to a huge network of new and used equipment to get him started RIGHT.

Another alternative is to get him involved with Cadets. They have rimfire and air rifle programs, although they do not shoot all that regularly. Definitely get a hold of Dave.

If you email me, I will give you Dave's contact info.

Regards,

Ian
 
Kids can start quite young. My sons and grandson started 22 at age 4. By age 6 they were shooting handgun and re-loading their own handgun ammo (supervised). By age 10 they were target shooting a 308 back to 600 yards. Their mild loads would not shoot any farther.

A 14 year old would do well with a 223.
 
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