The Oregonian
Well-Known Member
My son just turned 9 a few weeks ago and he shot a centerfire for the first time this summer. He is using a braked 6.5cr with a shorter LOP, 24" barrel. I used earplugs and electronic muffs, and told him it would kick and shoved his shoulder a few times to let him know what it would feel like -not a perfect representation by any means but I didn't want him to react negatively on the first shot.
The first day he was nailing the 100and was shooting 1MOA groups. I was shooting longer range and he wanted to, so I let him go out to 200, 300, then 500. He did well at all ranges. Hitting steel was fun for him bc he could see it and hear it. I checked a couple of times for recoil by not loading a cartridge and he wasn't flinching at all. This was with a bipod and rear sand bag.
Keep it fun, and use tons of ear protection...the blast can be worse than the recoil.
The first day he was nailing the 100and was shooting 1MOA groups. I was shooting longer range and he wanted to, so I let him go out to 200, 300, then 500. He did well at all ranges. Hitting steel was fun for him bc he could see it and hear it. I checked a couple of times for recoil by not loading a cartridge and he wasn't flinching at all. This was with a bipod and rear sand bag.
Keep it fun, and use tons of ear protection...the blast can be worse than the recoil.
