New folks - should they start with a scope?

1899

1899

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
34   0   0
Location
West
As you know, many of the rimfire rifles designed for youngsters getting into the sport are single shot bolt actions. These little rifles invariable have open sights.

What are your views about starting kids off with open sights? What are the pros and cons when compared to telescopic sights? My little one started off with a single shot and open sights and then moved to a good quality scope. When I was a kid I started off with open sights on my air rifle and then Winchester 94 and the Browning BAR in .270 Win.

How did you start? How did/will you start your little ones? What about new adult shooters?
 
I think if the child has good eye sight open sights, are the way to go but a lot of children at a young age require glasses. If they require glasses an optic of some type may make the shooting experience more enjoyable for them....every child is different and requires individual assessment.
I had a friend that got glasses at around 8 years old and he kept saying over and over again that he didn't know a person should be able to see a robin on the other side of the street.
When I had my vision tested that same year I found that I had 20/10 vision, giving me better than average vision...and I was saying I thought everyone could see that robin at the end of the next block.
So I'll say each child may require different set ups to have equal enjoyment :)
 
Last edited:
I think all new shooters, with a few exceptions, should start with open sights, then move to peep sights, then finally scopes. Scopes have become too much of a crutch in the last couple of decades, and most don't realize what good shooting can be done with iron sights when you learn to use them properly. Learning to use irons properly will make them a better all round rifle shot in the end.

I started wearing glasses in grade 4, I can't legally drive without them, and I think I'm still a better than average shot with open sights. That's all we ever had around the house when I was growing up, and I didn't have a scope sighted rifle till I was nearly 30. Now, past the half century mark, I'm having trouble focussing on the front sight of some of my shorter barreled rifles, so I can see the day coming when I'll have to use a scope if I want to do any shooting at all.
 
I definitely think irons then scope. Learning a proper sight picture is a basic step of marksmanship, and I think someone who has only shot with a scope is handicapped by their limited options. If the scope breaks/fails, the shooter needs ability with irons to make a shot.
 
I could never shoot with iron sights worth chit...Once I started using a scope I had no issues at all, and only got better.. Far easier to use than irons, with only two focus points rather than three..A red dot is also a good starting point for a new shooter..
 
Kids these days for the most part need instant gratifacation. If shooting irons is a whole lot less fun than using a scope, kids will want to use a scope. now if there is a youth shooting club in your area all of their training is with iron sights. FS
 
I think it doesn't matter. Whatever gets the person hooked. They will gravitate to iron sights on their own eventually if they wish to.
 
as long as your eyes are good i think we should all start with irons learn the ways, graduate as you need to though the years as i have irons, peep, just last year got a scope for the old marlin, i must say the williams peep on my winchester is what like like best, i always liked using irons on my levers but i find proper alignment between front and rear difficult now.
 
My girls early Easter present. Just put the red dot on. She is so excited :)

bge9b2xc.jpg

sxp9e7pw.jpg
 
My kids started with irons on there 22s. But when it came time for deer hunting they started with some of my rifles that where all scoped. Only because once I have them zeroed I hate to disturb them. Now that they have bought there own rifles they are scoped too (by there choice).
 
I started on an open sighted air rifle. Then I got a 22 that I shot for a year or 2 with open sights then got a scope. Man hitting things was easy with the scope! I shot that 22 until it was so worn out that it literally wouldn't shoot anymore.

Probably best to give them open sights first. It makes that scope seem so much sweeter later on.
 
No open sights on that one. By the time he's shooting the 250 I am sure he will be good with the open sights on the little 22 Grandpa bought him, and the peep on the Chippa Little Badger I got for him. Then there is whole 223 phase in between there somewhere too I hope.
 
Republic of Alberta said:
No open sights on that one. By the time he's shooting the 250 I am sure he will be good with the open sights on the little 22 Grandpa bought him, and the peep on the Chippa Little Badger I got for him. Then there is whole 223 phase in between there somewhere too I hope.
Click to expand...

I think there should be a .22 Hornet before the .223, and something between the .223 and .250/3000....you know, just to be fair to the little fellow.
 
Gatehouse said:
Red dot makes the most sense to me. Lots of time to teach other ways, the important thing is getting them hooked
Click to expand...

Both of my kids started out with a red dot on their .22's. I think it's the simplest thing to learn on and easy to make hits right off the start which makes it more fun for the youngsters. If they're out there shooting and not hitting anything they can become frustrated quickly and lose interest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom