Upgrade suggestions for kid learning to shoot

[tmd99]

So my 11-year-old is outgrowing his Keystone Cricket .22 with iron sights. Been teaching him how to shoot for last 1 1/2 yrs. Mainly 25-50 yds at paper targets (max has been 80 & 100 yds). Just taught him fundamentals of safety, body positions, sight picture, trigger pull, breath/relax/aim/squeeze, etc... and Cricket has been great but it is getting a little small for him. Was thinking of upgrading to full-size .22 this year and introducing him to optics. But then thought maybe a slightly higher caliber rifle would be more practical for the future. Just wondering y'all's thoughts on this. Do i keep him training on larger .22, or was thinking maybe .243 or similar caliber to give him more options/flexibility in the future. What are your thoughts on caliber / rifle for next steps?

 

[Mark75H]

10-22. He will never have money for drugs or alcohol.

 

[parttimer]

15-22 would be a good .22 option. It has an adjustable stock and a picatiny rail so your mounting options are unlimited for optics on the future. Also you can replace the trigger with just about any aftermarket ar-15 trigger and other add on parts.
You never outgrow a .22. You may leave them for a while for larger calibers but you always come back to them.

 

[thumbert]

.410 shotgun and take him squirrel hunting

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Get him a magazine fed bolt gun in .22LR.

It's a nice upgrade, and he can still be a part of the rifle's functioning. And he can build on his discipline.

Instead of sending round after round down range without aiming. AKA Magdumper.

 

[j_h_smith]

If he's still a little guy and a 10/22 stock may be a little too long, I would definitely suggest the CZ 452 Scout. Bolt action with external mag. Also has the ability to use a single shot sled. My youngest had one, once he outgrew it, I sold it to a member here and his daughter is using it. They are a great long gun for that age where the cricket is too small and an adult rifle is just too big.

I would highly recommend this rifle.

 

[Texas]

Go with Ruger and the 10/22. My son loves his.

 

[HordesOfKailas]

I would vote a full size 22LR. I have a 10/22 with a rail. I have the 50th anniversary collector's 2nd edition. I love the iron sights but it lets you mount a scope real easily. Pair it with a rimfire scope like a BSA Sweet 22 and you're in business for <$320.

 

[tmd99]

thanks for the input. my initial thought was to stay with .22 and it sounds like it is the majority opinion here as well. was thinking ruger 10/22 although wouldnt be opposed to something like marlin model 60. thanks for the input on this.

 

[Mack C-85]

Ruger American Rimfire .22 Compact Bolt action. It will still fit him. It uses 10/22 mags...single shot, five, and 10s available. When he gets bigger for about $20, you can swap out the stock module for full size. To swap modules, you unscrew the sling stud and pop off the module. Great little rifle, my wife and I both have them. Used for Scouts with great results.

FYI - we both have 10/22s, but semis are no-nos for Scouts.

Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk

 

[Melnic]

As long as you already have him shooting offhand, what you get can't be too heavy for home to hold.
Wait, you don't already own a 10/22 for him to try?Shame on you

My older boys started on a marlin XT22 bolt in a synthetic stock. But added Williams fire sights to it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bkuether]

My daughter did well with her Savage Youth bolt action.

Same deal, you can swap the stock later on......

It is her gun when she tuns 18.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Boy will outgrow the Cricket.

With luck he'll never outgrow a good .22 for the options and flexibility inherent to this little cartridge.

Get him a good bolt action, and a couple of different sizes of 3/16" thick .22 LR only steel gongs.

Let him learn how to make them sing.

Much to learn about trajectory and wind doping to keep him both interested and progressing.

 

[tmd99]

As long as you already have him shooting offhand, what you get can't be too heavy for home to hold.
Wait, you don't already own a 10/22 for him to try?Shame on you

My older boys started on a marlin XT22 bolt in a synthetic stock. But added Williams fire sights to it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was thinking Marlin XT22TR also or possibly Model 981T. I like the bolt action tube fed mag that can shoot shorts or LR. I wish they made it with wood stock because it would have that classic look and feel. Thanks for all your feedback everyone.

 

[dwsjr]

20 or 12 gauge. Like a right of passage growing up. May be a little big for him at the moment but he will quickly grow into it. If sticking to rifle, 223, 30-30, 308

 

[JoeRinMD]

If he's still a little guy and a 10/22 stock may be a little too long, I would definitely suggest the CZ 452 Scout. Bolt action with external mag. Also has the ability to use a single shot sled. My youngest had one, once he outgrew it, I sold it to a member here and his daughter is using it. They are a great long gun for that age where the cricket is too small and an adult rifle is just too big.

I would highly recommend this rifle.

I second the recommendation for the CZ-452 Scout. My son started NRA Smallbore at 11 yrs old at AAF&G. I bought him the Scout, then modified it to be more of a 3-position rifle by adding an aperture sights, front and rear, and also swivels for a sling. As noted above, one of the big advantages is that the Scout comes with a single shot sled, but any CZ mags will fit, so the rifle can be used either as a single shot or a repeater. The best characteristic of the Scout is that it's a high quality firearm, made with steel and a wood stock. The only piece of plastic in the action is the magazine well liner. Other than that it's all steel. He can keep it forever if he wants. Some adults on the Rimfire Central forum bought Scouts, then swapped the barreled action into a full-size stock for a perfect light, handy squirrel rifle for toting in the woods.

My son used the 452 Scout for a couple years until he outgrew it, when he started using a Russian Izhmash CM-2 Cadet He shot in the AAF&G program through high school, ultimately moving up to a used Anschutz 1407. Although the Anschutz was made it 1976 (IIRC), it's still an absolute tack-driver, with a trigger that defines the phrase "match trigger." I've heard lots of folks use that term freely, but they don't know a true match trigger until they've tried one like the Anschutz or the old Winchester Micro-Motion trigger on the Model 52.

BTW - although he no longer shoots competitively, he still likes taking out the Anschutz periodically. In fact, last weekend he did exactly that. With Wolf Match Target ammo, he put 5 shots into a group that could be covered with a dime from the prone position.

JoeR

 

[Kman]

Ruger American Rimfire .22 Compact Bolt action. It will still fit him. It uses 10/22 mags...single shot, five, and 10s available. When he gets bigger for about $20, you can swap out the stock module for full size. To swap modules, you unscrew the sling stud and pop off the module. Great little rifle, my wife and I both have them. Used for Scouts with great results.

FYI - we both have 10/22s, but semis are no-nos for Scouts.

Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk

Agreed.

We have 2 of the compacts and they are great and very versatile for different shooters.

 

[Minuteman]

.22LR lever action rifle; what kid doesn't like cowboy movies?

All good choices, but consider: He's already had the experience of a bolt gun, so another bolt would be kinda boring. A semi auto is good, but without disclipline may have a tendency to overshoot his ability (rapid fire just for fun), and 11 is still a bit young for optics or super fancy, cry when you drop it rifle, so I'm recommend you lean him toward a cowboy gun, of the lever variety.

 

[jimbobborg]

Get him a HBAR carbine with the .22 conversion kit. Get an adjustable rear sight. Keep the gas tube clean. That gives him the option later of running a centerfire cartridge.

 

[Melnic]

.22LR lever action rifle; what kid doesn't like cowboy movies?

All good choices, but consider: He's already had the experience of a bolt gun, so another bolt would be kinda boring. A semi auto is good, but without disclipline may have a tendency to overshoot his ability (rapid fire just for fun), and 11 is still a bit young for optics or super fancy, cry when you drop it rifle, so I'm recommend you lean him toward a cowboy gun, of the lever variety.

This is a very good idea The basic Henry 22 is tube fed and has a 3/8" dovetail on the top for a scope if you want later.
Price is reasonable.
I still have the stock sights on mine as they are just fine.
Its not that heavy either.