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Need Advice competitive son.

Paula Marie Hamilton

Two years ago my son failed to make baseball all Stars so 1 parent said they were starting a air rifle team. My son joined and took off like a rocket. I sold my stocks to get him a intro gun & gear 4 precision. In 3p precision he is 280-290/300, International standing 570s/600. He still shoots sporter 3p with 269/300 going to Camp Perry regionals. Only 2 years into this, but he is a JR in HS & needs small bore. He is using a right handed (he is a lefty) bolt action sporter gun for small bore precision and can score in 540s, but he needs a real sm bore. I can't find anything below 2grand. We live on a dairy farm, 2 grand doesn't just float around . Can you guys point me in a direction where I could find used small bores. I think my son has a gift, but we were late finding competitive shooting. I would love to see him shoot with a gun that fits. No telling how far he could go.img1528234362241.jpg
 
I've seen old anschutz model 54 super match rifles with hooks and palm rests (and maybe sights) for a grand. Try the rimfire central website.
 
I would also check out targettalk.org. A great source of info for both smallbore and airgun competition. There might be somebody on the forums that can help you find what you need for your son's shooting program. Good luck!

Mike
 
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I second the targettalk website. If you don’t see anything you want, put it out there what you’re looking for. Chances are somebody will know something.

https://www.targettalk.org/viewforum.php?f=7

You mention that your son is a lefty shooting a right-handed rifle. I assume you are looking for a left-handed smallbore?

There was a program initiated a few years ago to help kids get into precision shooting. You could pay it off over 4 years, but either had zero interest charges, or it was extremely low. I can find out if that’s still running, if you wish. PM me if you think this could be an option. I know the people that were administering it.

Keep in mind that there’s about 25 Division 1 schools that have rifle programs and a handful of D-2 and/or D3, plus the military academies. He’s at the age where he’d need to get his name out there for coaches to see, if that’s an avenue he’d like to pursue. Ohio St. and Akron are just two that are closer to you. Try to find as many NRA Sectional matches in your area that he can shoot and also try to get him to some USA Shooting National matches. The NRA Smallbore Outdoor Nationals are held in Bristol(?), IN. College coaches monitor most, or all of those events. If they don’t, at least you have shoulder to shoulder scores to show them. I’ve seen college coaches at the CMP/USAS 3P Precision Air Nationals in Camp Perry too. Most of the kids that work that event are college shooters themselves that work for the CMP in the Summer. The CMP also puts on clinics throughout the Summer. Contact them for a schedule and try to get your son to one. It seems overwhelming at first, but everyone is very helpful so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck!!
 
I'm not sure where you are located, but see if you can get in touch with a junior team or maybe a state association. A lot of them have rifles that they are willing to lend out.

Also, I go to the University of Akron and shoot for the club rifle team (we also have an NCAA team), and I don't know if you're thinking about him shooting in college or not, but I know the head coach of the NCAA team here brings in kids and has rifles he lets them use. The club team also has some rifles we left team members use, so I guess what I'm saying is it's not the end of the world if he does not have one right now. With the air rifle scores, and the smallbore scores with a rifle that doesn't fit he's not in bad shape, at least in my opinion. Those scores would probably put him on the counting team for our club team most of the time, and we are one of if not the top club team in the country. If you have any questions I'd be more than willing to help.
 
I would also give champions shooters supply a call or visit (they are in Ohio) and see what they have on the used rack or if they know of any junior assistance.

A good competitive smallbore rifle in an adjustable stock isn’t going to be inexpensive any way you look at it. Especially with sights on it.

A new 1903 is about $1600 without sights. That is about the bare minimum he is going to want / need.
 
TZaun said:
I second the targettalk website. If you don’t see anything you want, put it out there what you’re looking for. Chances are somebody will know something.

https://www.targettalk.org/viewforum.php?f=7

You mention that your son is a lefty shooting a right-handed rifle. I assume you are looking for a left-handed smallbore?

There was a program initiated a few years ago to help kids get into precision shooting. You could pay it off over 4 years, but either had zero interest charges, or it was extremely low. I can find out if that’s still running, if you wish. PM me if you think this could be an option. I know the people that were administering it.

Keep in mind that there’s about 25 Division 1 schools that have rifle programs and a handful of D-2 and/or D3, plus the military academies. He’s at the age where he’d need to get his name out there for coaches to see, if that’s an avenue he’d like to pursue. Ohio St. and Akron are just two that are closer to you. Try to find as many NRA Sectional matches in your area that he can shoot and also try to get him to some USA Shooting National matches. The NRA Smallbore Outdoor Nationals are held in Bristol(?), IN. College coaches monitor most, or all of those events. If they don’t, at least you have shoulder to shoulder scores to show them. I’ve seen college coaches at the CMP/USAS 3P Precision Air Nationals in Camp Perry too. Most of the kids that work that event are college shooters themselves that work for the CMP in the Summer. The CMP also puts on clinics throughout the Summer. Contact them for a schedule and try to get your son to one. It seems overwhelming at first, but everyone is very helpful so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck!!
Click to expand...
Great advice!!!
 
High quality used left hand rifles are fairly scarce. The very reasonably priced older Anschutz (and other makes) are from an era when true left hand rifles were not made. With Anschutz, you have to move into the 1800 series rifles to find a left hander. You can find them under 2K, but they won't be at a grand or less like the older ones. Anschutz did make some of the older ones with a LH stock and right hand actions and these will be more reasonable. The newer the rifles, the better the stocks are designed. With new 1907 rifles starting at about 3K with sights, 2K for a good late model one is in the ballpark. Anschutz does make a 1903 model for juniors -- a rifle made on a lighter action, but with adjustable stock and good trigger. Champions Choice (champchoice.com) currently has new left hand 1903 rifles for $1450.
 
You might call Dan Killough at Killough Shooting sports. https://www.killoughshootingsports.com/ Dan has the only Eley ammo test center in the USA.
Jon Hammond is a friend and is coach of the West Virginia University rifle team. I'll ask if he has some good ideas.
Tzaun's daughter is one of, if not the best young rifle, air rifle shooter in the USA.
 
If your son is a part of an organized group like 4-H or similar, the group can put in a grant with your state Friends of NRA/NRA Foundation. They have everything from Anshutz rifles down to basic beginner stuff. Air rifles, 22's, shotguns, even handguns. Ammo, safety gear and more. 70-85% of the funds they raise through the Friends of NRA banquets goes to support youth shooting sports. The rest goes to law enforcement, firearms training and safety, hunter education, range improvements and more.
http://www.friendsofnra.org
http://www.nrafoundation.org

Donations to the NRA Foundation are tax deductible as well.
 
Email from Jon Hammond.

Butch,



The only place I can think for her to look is www.targettalk.org but maybe that’s the forum you are meaning also.



If she is talking new rifle, the new Walther KK500 is actually ambidextrous so it can be a left hand or right hand, as the bolt can switch over and then the grip swapped out. I think Neal Stepp in Texas sells them, also Janet Rabb with Umarex is the Walther importer, so she will know all the retailers.



Sorry that’s about all I can suggest!



Thanks,

Jon


I'm in for $100 on this.
 
Paula Marie Hamilton said:
Two years ago my son failed to make baseball all Stars so 1 parent said they were starting a air rifle team. My son joined and took off like a rocket. I sold my stocks to get him a intro gun & gear 4 precision. In 3p precision he is 280-290/300, International standing 570s/600. He still shoots sporter 3p with 269/300 going to Camp Perry regionals. Only 2 years into this, but he is a JR in HS & needs small bore. He is using a right handed (he is a lefty) bolt action sporter gun for small bore precision and can score in 540s, but he needs a real sm bore. I can't find anything below 2grand. We live on a dairy farm, 2 grand doesn't just float around . Can you guys point me in a direction where I could find used small bores. I think my son has a gift, but we were late finding competitive shooting. I would love to see him shoot with a gun that fits. No telling how far he could go.View attachment 1088561
Click to expand...



Mrs. Hamilton,
I just talked to Neal Stepp, http://www.iss-internationalshootersservice.com/ Neal said call him and fill him in and he will be a good person to deal with. If Jon Hammond of WVU recommends Neal, you will be good to go. I think he has been doing this for over 40yrs.
PM am address and we will help with funds.
 
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