The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular .22 rifle in America for many reasons. If you want it to work like a bolt action instead of a semi-auto just buy the very low powered ammo like CCI CB caps or Aguila Colibri .22 ammunition. They don't have enough power to work the action so you have to do it manually after every shot. The ammo is also very quiet and about like shooting a pellet rifle. A lot of the small bolt action .22 rifles have terrible trigger pulls which is really discouraging to a new shooter and a 10/22 has an incredible amount of aftermarket parts that allow a lot of flexibility and it can be configured almost any way you want for a fairly reasonable price.
Want a rimfire rifle for grandkids...which one?
- Thread starter DeplorabusUnum
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Ruger makes a single shot mag for a 10/22 or as others have said single load your mags. If you use a 10/22 have several mags made up with only one round in each.
If you're set on a bolt action, I would look for an old one in good shape. Winchester, Remington, etc. But I have to say, the 10/22 would be my choice, hands down. As has been said, there are mags and ammo that can make it function like a single shot bolt, but it's scalable. As they get older a single shot bolt will get old. The 10/22 can be, thanks to the plethora of aftermarket pieces, upgraded almost endlessly. They are reliable accurate guns that won't break the bank. And with the broad range of ages you have to deal with, quickly swapping the original parts back is easy. Depends on who's shooting that weekend. JMHO.
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
About 40 years ago I bought a Marlin 15Y to teach my girls to shoot. The scope that came on it was ****, so I put a Weaver K2.5 on it.. They used it until they outgrew it, & it became my truck gun. Then came the grandkids, & I taught them to shoot with it. It retired to the safe until recently when my medically discharged from the USMC grand daughter asked for it...after I'd already given her the Ruger Mini-14 she'd claimed at age 14 & a S&W Model 642-2 that had been one of my backup guns on duty.
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DeplorabusUnum
Member
I love this forum.
Thanks so much for all the replies. You've all given me a lot to chew on. This forum always comes through, and that's what I truly love about this community.
I have been thinking about getting two, one for the smaller kids, and possibly a 10/22 for when they get bigger. Our 12 y/o grandson is probably already large enough to handle it.
I'll check out some of the other recommendations as well. Sounds like you've all had great experiences teaching your kids and grandkids how to shoot. I can hardly wait.
Thanks so much for all the replies. You've all given me a lot to chew on. This forum always comes through, and that's what I truly love about this community.
I have been thinking about getting two, one for the smaller kids, and possibly a 10/22 for when they get bigger. Our 12 y/o grandson is probably already large enough to handle it.
I'll check out some of the other recommendations as well. Sounds like you've all had great experiences teaching your kids and grandkids how to shoot. I can hardly wait.
OP
DeplorabusUnum
Member
Absolutely single-shot bolt! But Anschütz or Walther?
Don't worry, they'll grow into it...
Do they come in pink for the girls???
Absolutely single-shot bolt! But Anschütz or Walther?
Don't worry, they'll grow into it...
I like the anschutz part
I dont think it has to be a single shot though.
A bolt with magazine or tube feed is simple and safe to learn with.
This is what I use.....and yes it's anschutz right down to a tack driver.
The model was called a woodchucker.
An 8 year old I've worked with shoots bug holes with it.
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I would rather get a young person a bolt gun than semi. To easy to forget in the excitement of making a shot that the gun reloaded itself.
Those little cut down bolt guns they are making now are a good choice for the small kids. Stock fit and weight of them helps out. A poor fitting stock isn't a good way to go.
I regular see older Remington, Winchester, Marline and what have you magazine bolt 22s in Gun and pawn shops. I have bought several. Trimmed the barrel a bit, cleaned them up, mounted scopes on them and passed them on be enjoyed. Always keep one in the safe for some young person to use.
Those little cut down bolt guns they are making now are a good choice for the small kids. Stock fit and weight of them helps out. A poor fitting stock isn't a good way to go.
I regular see older Remington, Winchester, Marline and what have you magazine bolt 22s in Gun and pawn shops. I have bought several. Trimmed the barrel a bit, cleaned them up, mounted scopes on them and passed them on be enjoyed. Always keep one in the safe for some young person to use.
double-dipper
Member
Ruger Percision Rimfire.
The Pro's: Not too expensive, very accurate, adjustable buttstock, highly customizable if one takes up NRL22 or other precision rimfire shooting sports.
The Con's: Its heavy! so they will need to shoot it off a bench or bipods.
The Pro's: Not too expensive, very accurate, adjustable buttstock, highly customizable if one takes up NRL22 or other precision rimfire shooting sports.
The Con's: Its heavy! so they will need to shoot it off a bench or bipods.
sipowicz
Member
My kid started on a cricket but he graduated fast to my Nylon 66. If you are set on a bolt, I suggest a magazine fed model and simple v notch sights. My kid had a little trouble with the tiny peep sight.
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By chance one has taught quite a few young ones safe firearms usage you would know some work better with air/ spring BB guns. Some easily adapt to actual firearms. The BB gun suggestion is just an Option. One easily picks up on kids or adults ability and comfort with firearms.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
I went with a Henry lever action youth model for my granddaughters first gun. They seemed to enjoy shooting the Daisy Red Ryder. But they are a bit older now, 13 and 14.
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I happened to come across an old Remington Model 514 with a scope for under $200 OTD. .22 Short, Long, & Long Rifle single shot bolt action. No ser. no. but the date code puts born in March 1966. It has my grandson's name all over it since I've cleaned it up. Doesn't seem like much to go wrong with it besides maybe springs or something. If he gets into it like I hope, he'll have a new Henry or something compatible in his future for his "forever" .22 rifle. So far I only have 2 grandchildren to play with. He's 14, so way over-due to learn the joys I had as a kid.
Anyhow, hope your kids enjoy whatever you pick for them.
Anyhow, hope your kids enjoy whatever you pick for them.
ironhead7544
Member
This^!! Look for one. Your grandkids can teach their grandkids with it.
BillBro
Member
I dont know which one but get them a nice bolt action or lever action and let them really enjoy the sport. Sometuing about working the action yourself that forms a deeper connection with the firearm. Just how I see it.
black88is
Member
I have six Grandsons from 1 year to 10 year,
Each received a new Henry youth model lever for their 1st Birthday.
Each received a new Henry youth model lever for their 1st Birthday.
A few years back I picked up a couple of gently used Ithaca 49 Saddle guns at a local gun show for my Grandsons. They cleaned up nice, a little cold blue in a few spots, and refinished the stocks and forearms. The boys received them as a Christmas present this year along with a brick of Winchester standard velocity 22 lr. My SIL and I both like the idea that you have to cock the hammer back manually before you fire. The boys are 10 and 12 and both took late season squirrels with their rifles. Good to have two more hunters in the family.
Birdhunter6
Member
I learned on a '50s vintage single shot Remington bolt. I remember the full length stock was awkward. I still have it.
When my boys were 6 and 3, I saw an identical rifle at a gun show, bought it for $40 and shortened the stock. When the eldest son was 8 he started with .22 shorts shooting balloons at 10 yards. Big fun. I emphasized safety, made it fun and didn't push for long or frequent range sessions.
A year later he was shooting charcoal briquets off golf tees with my Nylon 66. Stock was too long but he made it work.
These days you have many choices in youth single shot bolts. Honestly though, the 10-22 with single loaded magazines makes a lot of sense. I started the boys on shotguns with a 20 ga youth 870 and 1 shell.
When my boys were 6 and 3, I saw an identical rifle at a gun show, bought it for $40 and shortened the stock. When the eldest son was 8 he started with .22 shorts shooting balloons at 10 yards. Big fun. I emphasized safety, made it fun and didn't push for long or frequent range sessions.
A year later he was shooting charcoal briquets off golf tees with my Nylon 66. Stock was too long but he made it work.
These days you have many choices in youth single shot bolts. Honestly though, the 10-22 with single loaded magazines makes a lot of sense. I started the boys on shotguns with a 20 ga youth 870 and 1 shell.
As kids, we grew up with a BB gun then moved up to a single shot Remington bolt action.
It was easy to load and you learned the art of shooting and not just putting another round in the chamber, if you missed,
if you had a rifle that held more than one round.
You learned to take your time and make that one and only shot work.
After we leared to shoot well, and my fater approved.........
we were introduced to a Winchester M61 pump.
Safety glasses are a good idea but we never had to use ear protection.
It was easy to load and you learned the art of shooting and not just putting another round in the chamber, if you missed,
if you had a rifle that held more than one round.
You learned to take your time and make that one and only shot work.
After we leared to shoot well, and my fater approved.........
we were introduced to a Winchester M61 pump.
Safety glasses are a good idea but we never had to use ear protection.
2005 I bought a savage cub later called rascal, for my 5year old grandson wanted him to learn on a gun that fit him then, opposed to shooting a full sized 10-22 or any of my full length stocked 22s, kids shooting with the stock slipped under their arm pit to cheek a 13in stock of a gun fit for an adult, just because you learned that way is not fair to these young kids my grand son out grew the little savage at 8 and is a better marksman for it.
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