IronicEnigma
Active Member
Looking to buy a rifle for my son for his 6th birthday in April and while I am heavily leaning towards the 22LR model, I was curious what other's experiences were in shooting the 22 WMR or 17 HMR?
22LR, 22 WMR, or 17 HMR?
- Thread starter IronicEnigma
- Start date
The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast
Member Benefits:
No ad networks! Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership Discuss anti-gun legislation Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses Discover free outdoor shooting areas View up to date on firearm-related events Share photos & video with other members ...and so much more!
Member Benefits:
JeepDriver
Self confessed gun snob
22LR
Cost of ammo alone would be the deciding factor for me.
Plus you can turn a 10/22 into one fun little gun and have fun while doing it!
Cost of ammo alone would be the deciding factor for me.
Plus you can turn a 10/22 into one fun little gun and have fun while doing it!
i'd get a .22lr since its so damn cheap to shoot and usually a better size for a smaller kid
.22 mags are cool but kinda expensive to shoot if your just plinking ($7 a box of 50rds usually) and 17 is the same way but more power. all are recoil friendly and he should have no problem shooting either but i would more towards a bolt action .22LR
.22 mags are cool but kinda expensive to shoot if your just plinking ($7 a box of 50rds usually) and 17 is the same way but more power. all are recoil friendly and he should have no problem shooting either but i would more towards a bolt action .22LR
slayr15
Avtomat Klashnikov Member
22lr i bought one for my 5 yr old daughter for her birthday last nov . cheep ammo - more shooting - more fun!
Definitely 22LR for a first rifle. 17 HMR is a good rimfire round, but costs closer to centerfire handgun rounds from what others have said.
fivepointstar
Thank you MD-Goodbye
Get the 22lr. Dick's in Bel Air has the Mossberg 702 for $129 last week on sale. I got the 802 Plinkster last week for cheaper, it was still in the box
ThePhantomPatriot
Politically Incorrect
.22 is a great rifle for anyone of any age. as stated above the cost of ammo is one of the main reasons. .22 magnum and .17 you don't get as much bang for your buck, and the round have more recoil, which isn't what you'd want for a young child.
h2u
Village Idiot
22lr hands down. Any of the smaller carbines supported on a sandbag will be just fine and it will be something he can grow into and shoot for a lifetime. 22mag and 17HMR are LOUD. Like SkItZiAnIsT mentioned, not something to start shooting with.
IronicEnigma
Active Member
Thanks for the input all, I think I will just get the 22lr.
Noise isn't much of an issue, or recoil since my son popped a few rounds off my Sig 556 and loved it.
Now...the wait for the Virginia gun show...ooof...
Noise isn't much of an issue, or recoil since my son popped a few rounds off my Sig 556 and loved it.
Now...the wait for the Virginia gun show...ooof...
gunconnection
Ultimate Member
- Jan 17, 2008
- 4,551
My son has both a Rem.597 22LR & a Rem.504T LSHB in 17HMR. He & I love them both. The Rem.597 has had some stock work & a Volquartsen custom trigger installed. The 597 is Remington's best kept secret. With a little bit of work those things shoot fantastic. 1/2 @ 50 yards. I thought I had a fluke until I bought one for myself and found it to be just as accurate. He is still growing into the 504T 17HMR. I didn't want to cut the stock.
IronicEnigma
Active Member
Interesting you mention the 597 as I am currently reading up on them and trying to determine what would be better for my son (in terms of a 10/22).
gunconnection
Ultimate Member
- Jan 17, 2008
- 4,551
I won't say one is any better than the other. The aftermarket is starting to catch on to the 597 although it is still relatively new. The 10/22, on the other hand, has been around for a very long time and has tons of aftermarket accessories available for it, if that matters to you.
I can't say enough good about the Rem.597, if you buy one you won't be sorry. They shoot great!!!
I keep several different accessories in stock for the 597.
get him one of these and dont look back.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/BoltAction22/925.asp
it was my first .22 and its goin strong after many many many rounds.
everyone is suggesting a semi auto .22 for his first gun but i wouldn't get him a semi its more complicated to clean and there alot more moving parts.. i would recomend a bolt action since they are simple and easy to use plus they arent picky on ammo.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/BoltAction22/925.asp
it was my first .22 and its goin strong after many many many rounds.
everyone is suggesting a semi auto .22 for his first gun but i wouldn't get him a semi its more complicated to clean and there alot more moving parts.. i would recomend a bolt action since they are simple and easy to use plus they arent picky on ammo.
nighthawk2099
Ultimate Member
Just my opinion, but you might look at a bolt action .22. It will help to reinforce slower shooting and making sure that each shot is on target.
With my semi-auto, my boys just pulled the trigger and were happy they hit the target, the bolt action forced them to take their time and make each shot count.
My semi-auto is a Rem 597 and the bolt action I got my boys was the Moss 802. They are both excellent shooters for a reasonable price. If things go well, then you could always get the 10/22 later and trick it out.
$.02
With my semi-auto, my boys just pulled the trigger and were happy they hit the target, the bolt action forced them to take their time and make each shot count.
My semi-auto is a Rem 597 and the bolt action I got my boys was the Moss 802. They are both excellent shooters for a reasonable price. If things go well, then you could always get the 10/22 later and trick it out.
$.02
IronicEnigma
Active Member
I agree whole heartedly and have decided on the bolt action for exactly what you said. I want to start teaching him and ingraining skills that he will need when I finally take him hunting.
I do like the Marlin, the Remington and the CZ models...just have to convince myself on which one to buy...it's like being a kid in a candy store with a c-note.
Redneck
Ultimate Member
Start with a 10/22, shoot the hell out of it. Trick it out if you want to make it a tack driver, but eventually consider the .17HMR. Once you shoot it, you will love it.
DZ
Ultimate Member
.22LR, its just the way it should be. Id like to get a little .22LR bolt action to add to my collection.
I love my CZ-452/3, but it might be too heavy for a kid. I still get fatigued with mine after a bit of shooting. A big reason I picked up a 10/22 was to have something lighter that wouldn't wear me out. After a while, the sore arm tends to negate the better accuracy of the CZ.
Lostfantum
Ultimate Member
Hey Dan shoot me a PM with the accessories that you carry for the 597, please. Thank You.
