Rifle for a great grand daughter

[butchlambert]

Finally took my 10 year old great grand daughter out to the range. The report from a weapon really bothers her. I had some good hearing protection and we went to the pistol range. My grandson is very patient with her and let her have her mother's 9mm. Took quite a while for her to shoot a round. She then shot a 5 shot burst. Had a nice smile on her face and then she took her dad's 40 cal and shot a full magazine. She was very happy and loved it. Next he wanted her to shoot his Henry lever gun in 45-70. I cautioned him that it may not be a good idea and yeah it has a metal butt plate. She finally put one down range and said she could feel it on her shoulder but wanted to know how to load it and shoot another. She shot another round.
D@mn I'm proud of her!
I don't know if I should let her shoot my wife's 10-22 or maybe an older pump 22. Yes, I have several wood stocked 22RF, but they are a little heavy and the length of pull is too long.

 

[rwj]

That sounds like it was a great experience! Glad that they’re some youngsters being exposed to shooting sports. Can’t get my grandchildren interested... yet.

 

[Dud]

I got a Ruger Bearcat to shoot with my niece.

It's little girl sized and not much kick.

I think she'll like it and after a while graduate to centerfire rifles and pistols.

I also have a few .22 rifles that she can use.

 

[AJC]

A 357 lever gun would be very low recoil, easy to load for and have enough power to be fun.

 

[garandman]

22 rf AR- style rifle with collapsible stock. With suppressor.

 

[garandman]

Or suppressed 9mms...

 

[muleystalker]

Build her a bolt gun in 6x45, it is a joy to shoot, lots of .223 brass around. Its a strait neck up to 6mm and cheep to shoot. put a light palma barrel or Rem varmint contour barrel and she wont even feel it, she will just smile and laugh. And if she is so inclined it will take deer sized game with ease.

 

[krummarine]

+1 on the 6x45. I'm getting mine ready for the '19 deer season now. Had it built a few years ago. It's taken two deer so far; 85 gr Partition knocks those corn fed ND deer right down. Recoil is next to nothing even with a sporter barrel. Get ready to build two cause once you shoot hers, you will probably want one.

 

[butchlambert]

Thanks for the good suggestions. She has taken the decision out of my hands. She wants a lever rifle like her Dad's. A 22RF lever gun it will be. I need to let her shoot my 220- Beggs hunting rifle.

 

[cjames]

Wow! What an experience. That is a memory I doubt none of you will ever forget. I'd give anything to have another day with my grandfather. I am now running the company he started in 1961 and am the third generation to do so. I cherish the memories I have with him and his brother and miss them deeply. You are very fortunate to be able to spend time with your great granddaughter. I wish my grandfather could have met my son, which I named after him. I never had the opportunity to meed either of my great grandfathers, I sure would have liked to.

 

[hogpatrol]

If able, set up a bunch of clay birds at 50 and 100 and let her shoot at them. I did that with my grandson shooting a bolt action .22RF last weekend and he really enjoyed it. Also gave him some insight to what a bullet does.

 

[butchlambert]

Wow! What an experience. That is a memory I doubt none of you will ever forget. I'd give anything to have another day with my grandfather. I am now running the company he started in 1961 and am the third generation to do so. I cherish the memories I have with him and his brother and miss them deeply. You are very fortunate to be able to spend time with your great granddaughter. I wish my grandfather could have met my son, which I named after him. I never had the opportunity to meed either of my great grandfathers, I sure would have liked to.

I was able to spend quality time with both of my Grandfathers, but not enough time. One Grandfather was a government meat inspector. Pa took me with him to the packing plants with him when I was 4 or 5. He would set me on the fence while visiting with the employees. When we went for coffee, he treated me as an adult and mixed my coffee milk. He made it a point to include me in his conversation with his buddies as we drank our coffee. Pa did take me squirrel hunting with him also. Quite a deal for a 4 or 5 yr old. My other Grandfather was an Oil Field pumper. Grand Dad carried me with him when he made his rounds morning and evening doing whatever maintenance and repair that was necessary. He allowed me to shoot his old pump 22rf. Grand Dad was an avid fisherman and I loved the fishing trips. I really treasure these times!

 

[dellet]

She also might be a good fit behind that 32-20 project.

Then again, I’ve seen kids test the output capacity their uncle’s ammo manufacturing capabilities with a single shot before

 

[jds holler]

a Harris Bi-pod was my solution for getting my shrimp to be able to shoot a longer heavier gun. She is a little one, and didn't have the strength or the length to stand and hold most of the 22's that I have.

We've since fixed the problem, both with her growing some, and with the acquisition of more kid friendly rifles. This was probably the first time that she was able to really whack a target though. There is no substitute for getting them to connect with sights or scope and the obvious success down range. jd

 

[butchlambert]

She also might be a good fit behind that 32-20 project.

Then again, I’ve seen kids test the output capacity their uncle’s ammo manufacturing capabilities with a single shot before

If and when it is completed, she will be encouraged to shoot it. Waiting on the barrel reline now. Will need to bush the firing pin face on the rolling block and make a new firing pin. Dennis Erhardt has it in his hands. Hunting season ain't the time to rush a very good gunsmith.

 

[Twicepop]

Just my opinion (yes I know what they say about opinions) a wood stocked .22 LR bolt action with a peep sight, a scope can be added later. Something like a Marlin or a Savage that won't break the bank. The wood stock can be trimmed to fit her length of pull and spacers can be added when she grows. Also a bolt that cocks with either the upstroke or downstroke of the bolt. I/we had a Chipmunk back when my girls were small and they didn't have the necessary upper body strength to cock the action with the gun at their shoulder. A bolt action so the tendency/desire to burn through bunches of ammo isn't there. A bolt action to teach aim and shoot rather than point and blast.

 

[lawman29]

She wants a lever rifle like her Dad's. A 22RF lever gun it will be.

How about something special; Marlin Model 39, I added a period correct tang sight, lop works for them and makes a great keepsake...just no high velocity ammo

 

[butchlambert]

How about something special; Marlin Model 39, I added a period correct tang sight, lop works for them and makes a great keepsake...just no high velocity ammo
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I sure like it!
I happen to have 10-15 bricks of low velocity competition 22rf ammo. Some cheap, but good and some of the high priced good stuff. We have no need for Hi Velocity here.

 

[lawman29]

I sure like it!
I happen to have 10-15 bricks of low velocity competition 22rf ammo. Some cheap, but good and some of the high priced good stuff. We have no need for Hi Velocity here.

She's a lefty and it was an easy choice (my safe is starting to empty as kids/grandkids come by...) She's turning 13 now, so my son picked up one of the left handed bolt Savage's with sort of an adjustable lop in .243?
I know all about that expensive .22 ammo, I have a 40X that only likes Midas at 50 and RWS 100 from a 100 and out...

 

[pirate ammo]

Thanks for the good suggestions. She has taken the decision out of my hands. She wants a lever rifle like her Dad's. A 22RF lever gun it will be. I need to let her shoot my 220- Beggs hunting rifle.

Be careful what you let her shoot, you just might lose it.