223 super light youth range report

[gould]

I got this for my 9 year old little girl and I have to say it is a shooter right out of the box with 60 grain nosler partitions factory loaded by black hills. The groups were about 1 1/2 to 2" at sixty yards but that was with a red dot sight not a scope I think that pretty good. She shots a really well and there is really no recoil at all. I will get a picture up tomorrow it looks really nice and shoots great. I may have to get one for me soon

[MSP Ret]

That's great to hear buddy, I just bought a .223 super light weight youth barrel and was thinking of using it to make up a light weight, short, and compact gun to keep in the truck for coyotes while traveling through Maine. I do have a similar barrel in .22-250 but the .223 ammo was (and hope will be again) much cheaper than the .22-250. I could not afford to buy much .22-250 and would have to reload all of my ammo for it but in the past .223 ammo was cheap enough to buy, especially when you found a good sale. Best of luck to you and your daughter, it sounds as she is getting a great start, keep it up.l...<><....

[Jimbo47]

Way to go Dad.

Always good to hear a range report like that!

[gould]

http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q293/gould_02/?action=view&current=canonxti088-1.jpg
Here is a picture of my daughters set up I really like it. I think I need a 45/70 with the red dot sight.

[PeterCartwright]

Great to hear, Gould.  I just ordered the same rifle last week.  I wanted a VERY low recoil gun as a tool to use with young hunters.  I have a Handi in .30-30 (equipped with a youth stock).  I 've used this with the young (often NEW) hunters our Wildlife Unlimited sponsors for Michigan's Youth Hunt weekend.  This year, for the first time, I had a younger hunter who actually complained about pain from the .30-30.  Of course, the rifle wasn't really hurting him, but he THOUGHT it was hurting him, so the effect on his shooting was, well, not good.

I'm not planning to get rid of my .30-30 (in part, because it is so well behaved and completely dependable!).  In fact, two different  young hunters used it on Saturday to take a deer.   However, I intend to be equipped with a Superlight Youth Rifle in .223 for next year...or even maybe for the regular season. Hope mine behaves well also.

[MTGlass]

Good job Dad!

Do whatever it takes to keep her shooting.  Try busting clay targets at that range for a fun reactive target.  Anything to keep her wanting to come back for more.

[Mac11700]

Gould...

Way to go...it's nice when you get to share time hunting & shooting with you kids...It will stay with them forever...

This year, for the first time, I had a younger hunter who actually complained about pain from the .30-30.  Of course, the rifle wasn't really hurting him, but he THOUGHT it was hurting him, so the effect on his shooting was, well, not good.

No offense here...but why in the world would you say this...? Just because you don't think so...doesn't really mean it isn't hurting him...different nerve endings..different bone structure..bad teeth...head aches...No 2 people are built exactly the same...and there are a number of reasons this rifle might have been hurting him...physically or mentally...Children come in all shapes & sizes...so a 1 size fits all stock sett  doesn't always work for every one...  My youngest couldn't tolerate reduced loads in a youth 243...and I switched rifles and calibers to one that actually did fit him...and kicked even less..I switched him to  a youth  Remington model 7 in 223...Now he is isn't complaining about it hurting and is shooting great...so he is actually enjoying...not just trying to please Dad...That's something to remember...A lot of parents push their kids into the sport...when they don't really want to or are afraid...and if the rifle hurts them or they are afraid of it...it will increase the perceived recoil...so...it may actually have been hurting him...I know my sons was...

Mac

[PeterCartwright]

Point taken, Mac.  Your reminder is timely and appropriate.  Thanks. 

The absence of a bruise doesn't necessarily mean the absence of pain, does it.  In any case, it was my little friend's reaction (and the reported reaction of a young girl who also hunted last weekend) that prompted me to bite the bullet (so to speak) and order the Superlight .223.  I'm really hoping that little rifle fills a niche with these more recoil sensitive kids.  After all, it's supposed to be fun, right!

[myarmor]

Sounds like a good little 223, especially with a RedDot on it. Cool looking package, not exactly what I would have put on it, but to each his own.  And kudos for teaching the little ones to shoot. Try some water balloons tied to a tree, or busting some eggs at those ranges will really focus her skills. Shoot, at this time of year some old Squash and other non useables from the garden...might as well put them to some use -blowing them up counts




-Aaron

[gould]

Well today was youth day and the little 223 got the job done and made my little girl very very happy and me very proud. The deer was a doe not very big but its her first I do have pics but not uploaded yet. But these Handis did all right by us and I will buy another or a few I should say.

Thank you to everyone on this sight for me getting this little gun, Jason

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Congrats to your daughter!

Can't wait to see the picture with the big smile on her face.

A pat on the back for dad too!

Bill