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Author Topic: Scope or no scope?  (Read 883 times)

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Offline encoreshooter

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Scope or no scope?
« on: August 22, 2004, 04:27:34 PM »
Need some help guys.  I just purchased a Savage Cub single shot for my 8-year old stepson.  I also have a red-dot scope to go on it.  My question is; Do I start him out with the scope or with open sights???  I want him to be able to use open sights, but I also know it will be easier for him to hit what he wants with the scope.  I don't want him to get discouraged and quit shooting.  He's excited about squirrel hunting this fall, and I'm not sure about how to start him.  Any and all advice is certainly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
encoreshooter
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Offline TC Shooter

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Scope or no scope?
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2004, 07:19:53 PM »
My own opinion is that everyone needs to learn to shoot open sights when starting their shooting experience. Optics can come later when they become proficient with the open sights.
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Offline Prof. Fuller Bullspit

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Scope or no scope?
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2004, 07:27:01 PM »
That's a tough question! I think starting with iron sights is important. It is much easier to go from iron sights to a scope than vice versa!

Keep the targets big, close and reactive if possible. I like to start new shooters off on balloons. Blow them up nice and big, staple or thumb tack them to a 2 X 4 and put it against a safe bullet stopping dirt bank. I've been known to sneak a load of snakeshot in a chamber (pistol) if the shooter is having trouble hitting just to give them the satisfaction of breaking a balloon.

Shoot paper for 5 shots or so and then back to balloons. Some other things I've found, end the shooting before they get tired of it. If possible don't do any shooting yourself. Concentrate on the learner. You don't want to bore them having them wait for you to get done.

A bb gun is also a great way to help a kid learn the fundamentals of shooting. Again, keep the targets close and reactive if possible. The nice thing about the bb gun is that you can often see the bb in the air. This helps the shooter learn how to line up sights and make that bb go where they aim.

Good on you for teaching a kid to shoot!
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Offline wolfie6929

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Scope or no scope?
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2004, 04:25:31 AM »
i agree that every one should learn to shoot with open sights,but some kids don't grab the idea a quick as others and can loose interest quick if they are not hitting something.
with a red dot it is very easy for them to hit with and see results and get them hooked on shooting,you can always go back and teach a kid open sights later after they have learned to hold the rifle correctly and not jerk the trigger.
the ballons are a good idea.i also use clays in holders from bell and carson my boys love to see them shatter when hit.
good shooting.
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Offline BillP

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Scope can be problem for child
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2004, 05:30:17 PM »
You may find that your boy has trouble centering his eye on the scope.  This is less of a problem with low power scopes and really no problem with red dot sights.  It's true that not being able to get hits will cool a childs interest quickly but the answer is larger targets not the sights.  Glass bottles are no longer acceptable but the balloons and clay disks make good targets.  When he gets a little practice try Necco Wafer candys.
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Offline Plainsman

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Open sights and BIG targets!
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2004, 05:44:21 PM »
I have been having my son, almost 5yo, out shooting a .22 since March and he is using the peep and post sight.  We started up close and a HUGE backstop, so he can see/hear the hits.

We have now moved back to about 20 yards and use a dirt hill as a back drop so he can SEE how close he is to the various targets.  I like big COLORED chunks of plastic, i.e. old bowls, pieces of plastic toys, etc.  If he hits one, they go flying, etc.   (We shoot at a dumping ground which helps in the selection of targets!)

If my 'almost 5 yo' can get a hang of it, then an 8yo should be ok as well!

Good luck!
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Plainsman :)

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Offline encoreshooter

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Scope or no scope?
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2004, 11:02:22 AM »
Update-  Took the boy shooting yesterday after school.  Decided to mount the red-dot on the rifle.  We had a blast.  Had a box of clay targets, and set them up at about 20 yards.  He was hitting them on the first shot, and commenced to tearing them up.  After 100 rounds or so, I asked if he wanted to shoot my 22/45 target pistol (open sights) and he said "sure".  The little varmint then started busting clays with a pistol he could barely hold up!!  I guess I don't have to worry much about him shooting open sights or scopes after all.  Hope he doesn't make me look too bad in the future.  Thanks for all the input, I really enjoy hearing from the folks at gb.  Small groups and full freezers for all!!!!!

encoreshooter
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Offline wolfie6929

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Scope or no scope?
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2004, 08:31:45 AM »
good to hear he had a good time he should be hooked now :grin:
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