I signed my kids up for 4-H shooting sports. They are 9 & 11 years old. They are shooting .22 cal single shot rifles. The rifle doesn't have to be a single shot but the shooter can only load 1 round at a time. Does anyone know of a good rifle for a kid that fits the bill? Anyone have any experience with the Cricket rifles. I would like to keep the price below $200. The kids will be shooting metal silhouettes and paper targets from kneeling, standing, and prone positions.

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Loubob608

I am familiar with the 4H shooting Sports, having scored targets at MO and National match's. I would recommend a good quality rifle, as those such as the cricket are not very accurate, and too light to hold steady. Depending on the age of the child, and size, I would recommend a CZ 452, or Ruger 77/22 bolt gun. They will both shoot all the way into the Precision match. When you get into the Precision match, you will find shooters (Seniors), using Anschutz match rifles in the $2000+ range.

Picking up a used Marlin (blue) target rifle is possible, believe they have been discontinued. Good shooters and an adjustable LOP stock.

If your shooter is just starting, and small, you may look around for a good buy on an old Winchester or Remington. They made a lot of them that used may fall into the under $100 range. Talk to the other fathers and see what they have used. You may be able to pick up a good one from one of them that is no longer shooting.

Good luck. It's a great sport to get youngsters into. Yes, there are College Scholarships for shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If you need something sized for a kid, the Marlin 915Y is hard to beat. Started my boys out on an older Model 15Y and they are surprisingly accurate. I still have it and do shoot it occasionally.

Both my kids learned on a Winchester 67, but that was because it belonged to my Great Grandfather and learning on that rifle was kind of a tradition. However if I was buying either a new 22 I'd see how the wood stocked Savage bolt guns fit them.

If you can find an Anschutz Kadet rifle, get it. The gun is designed for youngsters learning to shoot.

You might try here. Unknown as to what they really have in stock or not. CMP program

Commercial .22 Target Rifles

I ended up getting one of the new .22 Stevens Favorite rifles that Savage makes now. Dead ringer for the original. I bought it for my son (who should be here any day now). This is good because if he is either left or right handed, it won't matter.

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Vaya con Dios

Here are a couple of guys who really, REALLY like their Crickets. I have to agree with them. The Crickets are great rifles, if somewhat small.

The problem with Cricket rifles is the dang kids have this annoying tendency of growing up and "out" of the cute li'l guns.

IMO and experience, it is best to invest in a couple of larger boltguns with detachable box magazines (not tubular mags), rather than spend $135 ea for two Crickets now, and then more $$$ in a couple-few years for "full-size" 22 rifles.

I first fired a gun at age 5, and it was a bolt-action Stevens-Springfield with a five-shot detachable mag. Dad would not let me load more than one round for several years. It was safe, and taught accuracy and fire discipline. Point is, that was a full-size 22 rifle, and although I fired it from a bench or kneeling until I was almost 8, I had no problem holding it in any position after that.

Noah

I think giving a child a gun too large for him/her to handle and then expecting him/her to enjoy shooting is like giving them boots 4 sizes too large and expecting them to enjoy hiking.

Same logic - they'll "grow into them."

I'd suggest either a Mossberg 702 or 802 Plinkster.

CZ Scout. Comes with a single shot adapter. You can buy them a magazine as they grow up. Has a 12" LOP. You won't find a more accurate youth rifle.

You just may find yourself hauling it into the squirrel woods yourself.


Target was at 25 yards.
The first Win 333 group was from a cold, spanking clean barrel.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

I'd go with a rifle that's no longer made - the Winchester Model 69A bolt action, clip fed, 5 or 10-shot repeater. Gun Tests recently pitted it against more modern guns, and it outshot them handily. They have very crisp triggers, adjustable for pull weight, and extremely fast lock times. Here's a pic of me with mine at age 15. I got the gun at age 11 and never had trouble shooting it.



Here's another pic - same model, but dolled up into a deluxe sporter with a Fajen stock. I think it turned out kinda neat.



The 69As can be had at gun shows for as little as $150 or as much as $400, depending on condition and whether or not the rifle's receiver is grooved for a scope.

These were made from 1937 through 1964, so there a lot of them still out there, and they can usually be picked up at the larger gun shows. I think these old-timers are among the best training rifles for youngsters, and still great for adults. I've bestowed some of them, complete with scopes, on my grandkids. They love 'em!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

+1 for the Marlin Model 915Y.

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Misty

+1 on the CZ452 Scout. I keep one on hand for when the granddaughters come to visit. You might want to Google "Eric Brooks". He sells a trigger kit for CZ rifles that includes several replacement springs for lightening the trigger pull.

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Quoth the raven:
"Nevermore"

I'd have to do an "Amen" on the CZ "Scout" rifle. There are several juniors in our club that compete against adults with thier CZ Scout rifles. There is one particularly talented 10 year old girl in our club that beat several seasoned adults in a bench rest competition with her scoped CZ. The number two guy was shooting a $1000 Anschutz, I think her rifle cost a little over $200....

have ya considered one of these?

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Festina lente - A. Caesar

Not me; I was too tickled to be shooting a "real gun" to notice that it was "too big" for me. I didn't know any better, but Dad did. That's why he insisted on me keeping the 22 rlfe on the bench bags for the first three years of shooting, so holding the "too large" rifle would not be an issue. I concentrated on trigger and breath control and it paid off. In 1972 I qualified Expert with a 246 at Parris Island.

Thanks, Dad.

Noah

I recommend a regular 22-a Marlin 25N, e.g.-with a cut down stock for younger shooters. I prefer a bolt action, I think they're safer for younger shooters. I prefer an "adult" rifle, I think younger shooters must have safety drilled into them until it's second nature, that includes making the rifle "safe" when they hear a "cease fire", e.g.

How about a youth stocked Henry .22 lever gun?

Well I deffinatly second the motion of the marlin bolt action. That was my first gun when I was 9 and I still have it and shoot it all the time. Ive got several rugers in .22lr and 22mag but I still really like my marlin. I was a great gun to learn on with the ol iron sites.

Good choice. The ideal one would be the old Ithaca Saddle Gun, a Winchester-styled Martini action in a kid size. It was my first gun and I kept it over 40 years - until I gave it to my goddaughter so she could learn.

Bolt guns gonna be much better for that...

Check out the Remington Model 5 Youth. Ed loves his. Got it for Christmas last year. Nice clear fixed sights and slotted for a scope.

Comes with a single and five shot magazine.