Most fun day at the range and only fired 5 rounds

Tylden · September 7, 2005, 06:57 PM

I think I had the most fun I've ever had at the range today, and I only fired 5 shots ! My son turned 11 yesterday and received his first rifle ( a CZ 452 Scout .22LR bolt action). After a quick refresher on the safety rules (he knows this from shooting a bb gun) I started him out shooting at milk jugs full of water at 25 yards....I know, not very dramatic with a .22, but he loved hearing the "plunk" when he hit one and seeing the streams of water draining out of the holes. I thought it was a good idea to give him something bigger than a soda can to shoot at too in order to build his confidence. He found the soda cans a little harder to hit

Once he relaxed a little bit and got in the groove, he turned those jugs into swiss cheese

He was particularly pleased when he shot the lid off one of the jugs....the huge smile on his face said it all !!! He's hooked !!! He did most of his shooting today on one knee in a prone position, or leaning across the bench without using the rest. (he said it was a lot more fun to "hold it himself") I think we have a shooter on our hands here ! He already told me tomorrow after school he wants to go back and shoot some more

Tomorrow I'll have target dots on the milk jugs (aim small miss small), water balloons hanging by the saw horses on string, and some exploding targets hidden behind the bullseyes on some paper targets....just to keep it FUN !
Oh yeah....my five shots ? I couldn't resist taking out the Marlin .30-30 I brought home over the weekend. My son was in total awe when he saw what a .30-30 does to water filled milk jugs at 25 yards ....definately a lasting impression

Tonight we'll have our first father/son cleaning session and I'll teach him how to care for his new rifle. Life is good folks....my son is one happy camper, and I have the best shooting partner a man could ever ask for !

Dave Haven · September 7, 2005, 09:58 PM

Sounds like a great time.

I've had lots of good times shooting with my Dad since he gave me my first rifle for my 6th birthday. (Mauser Deutsches Sportmodell 34, Kal. .22 lang für buchsen) The first time he took me out to shoot it, I think he enjoyed the day at least as much as I did.

Treasure those memories. I'm sure he will, as I treasure the memories of shooting with my Dad over the last 40+ years.

(And we're not through shooting together, yet.)

shortround60 · September 7, 2005, 10:11 PM

You, my friend, are now in the running for father of the year in a certain young man's eyes. That's how I felt when my father took me out for our first shooting session. I am a father myself and my six year old daughter is being taught the safety fundamentals so that this November, when our birthdays come, we will have our first shooting session. I commend you for passing along the greatest of american past times.

TennesseeMedic · September 8, 2005, 02:22 AM

What an inspiring post. You have given him a day he will remember forever. Good luck and may you have many more good range days to come.

Doc

Cpl Punishment · September 8, 2005, 05:00 AM

Good job raising the next generation.

Clayfish · September 8, 2005, 08:17 AM

Thank God for fathers who are still willing to spend time with their sons.

mathman · September 8, 2005, 08:18 AM

What is a good age for a child to start shooting? I think I started when I was 7, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Any widely accepted age on this? I want to take my daughter out, but she will only be 6 next month. Thanks.

Cpl Punishment · September 8, 2005, 05:20 PM

I started when I was 4 -- with a BB gun.
Dad bought me my first rifle -- .22 -- when I was 6.

Cowled_Wolfe · September 8, 2005, 06:29 PM

When you feel your child is ready to handle the responsability, and be safe.

ConRich · September 8, 2005, 07:33 PM

Clayfish beat me to it. Teach him all you can for as long as you can. You'l only get one shot at it.

RIch

Ichiro · September 9, 2005, 09:06 PM

Very nice!

~Ichiro

TPAW · September 9, 2005, 09:34 PM

TYLDEN

Quote:

....my son is one happy camper, and I have the best shooting partner a man could ever ask for !

What a GREAT story! I tip my hat to you! It reminded me of years gone buy when I gave my son his first pellet rifle. Many moons later and many calibers larger, we still shoot together and enjoy every moment of it! I even gave the bug to my daughter who loves to shoot her Ruger 10/22.
Thanks for sharing your story!

EricN · September 11, 2005, 04:43 PM

Tylden,

What a great story! Those are experiences your son will cherish forever. I have a nephew due at the end of the month and unbeknown to his parents he already has a 10/22 in my safe.

Good Shooting

EricN

September 7, 2005, 06:57 PM	#1
Tylden Member Join Date: July 25, 2005 Posts: 57	Most fun day at the range and only fired 5 rounds I think I had the most fun I've ever had at the range today, and I only fired 5 shots ! My son turned 11 yesterday and received his first rifle ( a CZ 452 Scout .22LR bolt action). After a quick refresher on the safety rules (he knows this from shooting a bb gun) I started him out shooting at milk jugs full of water at 25 yards....I know, not very dramatic with a .22, but he loved hearing the "plunk" when he hit one and seeing the streams of water draining out of the holes. I thought it was a good idea to give him something bigger than a soda can to shoot at too in order to build his confidence. He found the soda cans a little harder to hit Once he relaxed a little bit and got in the groove, he turned those jugs into swiss cheese He was particularly pleased when he shot the lid off one of the jugs....the huge smile on his face said it all !!! He's hooked !!! He did most of his shooting today on one knee in a prone position, or leaning across the bench without using the rest. (he said it was a lot more fun to "hold it himself") I think we have a shooter on our hands here ! He already told me tomorrow after school he wants to go back and shoot some more Tomorrow I'll have target dots on the milk jugs (aim small miss small), water balloons hanging by the saw horses on string, and some exploding targets hidden behind the bullseyes on some paper targets....just to keep it FUN ! Oh yeah....my five shots ? I couldn't resist taking out the Marlin .30-30 I brought home over the weekend. My son was in total awe when he saw what a .30-30 does to water filled milk jugs at 25 yards ....definately a lasting impression Tonight we'll have our first father/son cleaning session and I'll teach him how to care for his new rifle. Life is good folks....my son is one happy camper, and I have the best shooting partner a man could ever ask for !

September 7, 2005, 09:58 PM	#2
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	Sounds like a great time. I've had lots of good times shooting with my Dad since he gave me my first rifle for my 6th birthday. (Mauser Deutsches Sportmodell 34, Kal. .22 lang für buchsen) The first time he took me out to shoot it, I think he enjoyed the day at least as much as I did. Treasure those memories. I'm sure he will, as I treasure the memories of shooting with my Dad over the last 40+ years. (And we're not through shooting together, yet.) __________________ NRA Endowment Member FCSA Life Member Subs are cool, but belt-feds RULE! Last edited by Dave Haven; September 8, 2005 at 08:49 PM.

September 7, 2005, 10:11 PM	#3
shortround60 Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: Northern, VA (Formerly Northeast, SC) Posts: 98	Father of the year You, my friend, are now in the running for father of the year in a certain young man's eyes. That's how I felt when my father took me out for our first shooting session. I am a father myself and my six year old daughter is being taught the safety fundamentals so that this November, when our birthdays come, we will have our first shooting session. I commend you for passing along the greatest of american past times. __________________ "No Bullets, No Bang", the unofficial Ordnance Corp Motto.

September 8, 2005, 02:22 AM	#4
TennesseeMedic Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Tennessee. Posts: 91	Awesome! What an inspiring post. You have given him a day he will remember forever. Good luck and may you have many more good range days to come. Doc __________________ "If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." Thomas Paine "When you see a rattle snake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck before you crush him." Franklin D. Roosevelt :cool Last edited by TennesseeMedic; September 8, 2005 at 07:02 AM.

September 8, 2005, 08:18 AM	#7
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	Question related to the thread... What is a good age for a child to start shooting? I think I started when I was 7, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Any widely accepted age on this? I want to take my daughter out, but she will only be 6 next month. Thanks.

September 8, 2005, 05:00 AM	#5
Cpl Punishment Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2005 Posts: 179	Good job raising the next generation.

September 8, 2005, 08:17 AM	#6
Clayfish Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 953	Thank God for fathers who are still willing to spend time with their sons.

September 8, 2005, 05:20 PM	#8
Cpl Punishment Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2005 Posts: 179	I started when I was 4 -- with a BB gun. Dad bought me my first rifle -- .22 -- when I was 6.

September 8, 2005, 06:29 PM	#9
Cowled_Wolfe Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Washington... Land of the apple, and the apple maggot! Posts: 803	Mathman... When you feel your child is ready to handle the responsability, and be safe. __________________ [Your ad could be here! Call 555-0122 for details.] (\__/) (='.'=)This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into (")_(")your signature to help him gain world domination.

September 8, 2005, 07:33 PM	#10
ConRich Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 299	Clayfish beat me to it. Teach him all you can for as long as you can. You'l only get one shot at it. RIch

September 9, 2005, 09:06 PM	#11
Ichiro Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 888	Very nice! ~Ichiro

September 11, 2005, 04:43 PM	#13
EricN Member Join Date: October 1, 2004 Posts: 98	what a great story... Tylden, What a great story! Those are experiences your son will cherish forever. I have a nephew due at the end of the month and unbeknown to his parents he already has a 10/22 in my safe. Good Shooting EricN