Yesterday was a very good day..I traded for my youngest son for a new Remington Model 7 Youth in 223 and put my Leupold 3x9 Tactical scope on it,and we went to the club to try it out...The winds were shifting every which way..but the temp was mild and the humidity was very low which made it extremely pleasant for this time of year here in Missouri..I had cleaned it real good and bore sighted it at home and went to the 50 yard range first so I could make sure it was on paper for him..I completely forgot they have the benches set up for adults..and had to let him shoot off of my equipment case on top of their wood stools...not a very good seating arraignment but adequate for this first outing..
I shot the first 3 shots and adjusted the scope to hit a little low...and here's his first 3 shots...
Not bad for a beginner..We shot there for about an hour while he got use to the rifle..then we packed up and drove over to the 100 yard range.. I brought along 3 different factory loads this time they were Federal TRU 40 grain HP...Black Hills 40 grain V-max...and Federals American Eagle 63 grain soft point...
When we got his 100 yard targets set up...the winds started really switching around...they would come in from the 12 o'clock position move around to the 10 o'clock position then switch over to the 2 o'clock position ...This really played havoc with the light weight bullets and a new shooter...but he still did real good over all...The Black Hills was all over the place and never really shot good at all...even when the winds would die down and be steady...The TRU's did ok at 50...but with the wind shifting..he was having some problems.also..by this time he was getting real uncomfortable with the seating arraignment so...between shoot it and the heavier bullets...I switched him around and let him sit lower and shoot off my rear dog ear bag for the front and a small rear bag on the butt stock...he did much much better...and was very happy.....The American Eagle...well it did the best...and he shot a group most of us would love to shoot...so...here's the TRU's of Federal...I again took 3 shots to get him sighted in...then he shot the rest...His first shot at 100 he had his eyes closed...his second shot he flinched on it...I calmed him down a bit ask him what was wrong...and he said it was louder...well...his ear plug had worked almost out...and I let him take a break...and get a drink...and got him a different pair of ear plugs to use...He was happy after that.....and shot the next 3 shot with out flinching or having his eyes closed...
Here's the Black Hills 40 gr. and the American Eagle 63 grain SP... T I shot 3 at 100 and adjusted the scope up...we had only 4 shots left...and he took them...mine has the line going to the hole closest to the cross...his went basically into 1 ragged hole
His 4 shots together (ran out of ammo
) measures .275" center to center...I am simply amazed...He was showing everyone there his target when we pulled it down...He was having a ball...Needless to say...I am one proud Dad too
If your looking for a nice bolt gun to start your kids out on...this little Model 7 is just about perfect...
Mac
