Rifle for kids at the range?

[Todd33]

I want to buy a simple rifle that my kids and I can shoot at the range. I don't want to get some borring .22 though.

Can a kid age 8-10 shoot a compact .223? I was looking at a bolt action 18" barrel 6lb Ruger, but the guy at the store said 12+. A kids .22 I was looking was a 20" barrel and also 6lbs, so it just the kick that makes the .223 a bad choice for a kid?

Thank for any answer gun nuts!

 

[BlitzPuppet]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

I'd think a kid could handle a .223 in a semi auto. Such a pansy round . Just don't get them in the .270cal+ ballgame and you'll be fine.

 

[highland145]

ruger 10/22..tricked out.

Ex:

 

[MixMasterTang]

When my son was 7 or 8 he could shoot my AR-15 just fine as long as there was a rifle rest.

 

[gorcorps]

.223 is fine

There's obviously more kick than a 22, but it's not bad.

Why do you think the 22 is boring though? I have more fun shooting that than my 223 AR. You're punching holes in paper, not hunting. Only problem currently is finding 22 ammo.

 

[madoka]

My kids LOVE shooting the S&W M&P 15-22. Looks like an AR, same controls as an AR, and I don't feel like they're mag dumping $12 worth of ammo each time they go nuts on it.

 

[MegaFlop]

I just thought I would throw in my recommendation for .17 HMR. It is great fun.

.223 is probably fine as well. Maybe a 9mm carbine?

 

[Todd33]

I was looking at .223 for cheap ammo and low kick. Is this not correct?

 

[corwin]

.223 should be fine for that age range, collapsible stock on an AR should make it easy to hold too...ammo is a bit more pricey than .22 but you're more likely to be able to find it right now.

 

[corwin]

I was looking at .223 for cheap ammo and low kick. Is this not correct?

Cheapest .223 around me is $5.79/20, and that's steel cased Tula...$8-10/20 for brass, .22 is cheaper by far even at the inflated prices right now, if you can find it

Recoil is pretty low though, more than a .22 but nothing to write home about

 

[jidery]

.22 is PERFECT for a kid. Just because you think its boring, doesn't mean a kid will. At 10-12 I was playing with a pellet gun and I still found it fun.

 

[shortylickens]

I was looking at .223 for cheap ammo and low kick. Is this not correct?

22 is even cheaper and even less kick.

I would say for beginning shooters its the next step up after they learn how to handle a basic 22.


I think a bolt action Youth 22 is best for kids. Ideally 200 dollars or less. Plenty of brands make them.

 

[Ruptga]

I remember shooting dad's 30-06 when I was 14ish, I did fine even if the barrel did jump about forty degrees after each shot. Still, for learning and screwing around, it doesn't get better than .22. The negligible recoil teaches them to not be afraid of pulling the trigger, and ammo is quite cheap even if it's harder to find than it used to be.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.crickett.com/crickett_22_LR.php

Good times had by all.

 

[madoka]

 

[Todd33]

.22 is PERFECT for a kid. Just because you think its boring, doesn't mean a kid will. At 10-12 I was playing with a pellet gun and I still found it fun.

Well I want to buy one gun that we can all use, not one for each of us. I don't really want to shoot a .22. That AR looking one is cool though. I also was looking for something cheap since it is just for fun and not a necessity for our life.

 

[gorcorps]

I was looking at .223 for cheap ammo and low kick. Is this not correct?

If you consider losing ~$0.40 every time your kid pulls the trigger cheap, then sure...

A 30 round mag can last ~30 seconds - 1 minute (which is firing pretty slow) and that will cost you $12 in ammo. The best prices I've seen were close to $0.25 for junk steel ammo, but I haven't seen prices get down that low. So even at that price each magazine is $7.50... that's a chipotle burrito every time you reload FFS!

IMO 223 isn't worth it. I have one and haven't touched in a long time.

 

[Broheim]

I'd personally feel most comfortable handing a kid a .22, if shit were to go wrong it's a considerably less dangerous round.

 

[techs]

I read this as "rifle for kids at the rage"

nm

 

[glenn1]

I want to buy a simple rifle that my kids and I can shoot at the range. I don't want to get some borring .22 though.

Can a kid age 8-10 shoot a compact .223? I was looking at a bolt action 18" barrel 6lb Ruger, but the guy at the store said 12+. A kids .22 I was looking was a 20" barrel and also 6lbs, so it just the kick that makes the .223 a bad choice for a kid?

Thank for any answer gun nuts!

Start them with a .22LR or even pellet gun until they memorize firearms safety rules and good trigger and breath control. Then ease them up into higher calibers as they are ready for them, and *if* they show the interest in continuing.

 

[Todd33]

My kids LOVE shooting the S&W M&P 15-22. Looks like an AR, same controls as an AR, and I don't feel like they're mag dumping $12 worth of ammo each time they go nuts on it.

Ok, I admit this looks fun. How do you buy it in CA if they only allow 10 round clips? Does the dealer just swap it out?

 

[classy]

I grew up around lots of firearms. But my dad played baseball with me when I was 8,

 

[corwin]

Ok, I admit this looks fun. How do you buy it in CA if they only allow 10 round clips? Does the dealer just swap it out?

Missed that you were in Kalifornia, you've got a lot more to worry about than magazine capacity...better just get an air rifle

 

[corwin]

that's a chipotle burrito every time you reload FFS!

Huh...hadn't done the math like that before...of course I take mine out often and I have over 3k rounds in my safe...and I can still afford to get a Chipotle burrito when I'm done shooting

 

[Todd33]

Missed that you were in Kalifornia, you've got a lot more to worry about than magazine capacity...better just get an air rifle

Ya, but I just realized the "Compliant" means 10 rounds (and cost more). There are a ton of dealers in my area. This may be the gun I get.

Thanks for the feedback guys.