Range Day with nephew
He's 12, lives eight hours away and we usually get to shoot about once a year. He's spending the summer with my father this year, so I thought I'd give Pop a break for a day. Man, that boy was on today.
First, when we got to the range. (Big, outdoor, unattended and we were the only ones there) I asked him what he thought the two most important things in gun handling were. Without hesitation, he said, "Never point the muzzle at anybody and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot" I asked him about unloaded guns, he snapped, "All guns are always loaded, period"
Good start. God bless his dad.
We had trouble getting my little Marlin 7000 zeroed so we could plink at 50 yards. But we managed, and he took his time between every shot, making them count and adjusting as he needed. Absolutely no hint of spray and pray. (I found out when I got home that the scope mount screw was missing. That'll do it every time.)
We switched to my 28-2. I thought, this'll give the boy a thrill, so I set up some 25-yard pop cans. With mild target loads, the boy was pretty good. Just a little flinch, which I gave him some pointers on.
Then I told him to get a grip, I was gonna give him some full-house loads and toss out another can. He walked that pop can out from 15 yards to about 40 in six rounds. Four of which were direct hits, one of which was a little low, but still made it jump and one miss.
Just before we got ready to go I asked him if he wanted a "mad minute" with the Marlin. He did, but it wasn't like he just opened up on the hillside, he was trying to hit a "swinger" target at 50 yards. He did manage about five hits out of twenty.
That was one very happy young man, and one very proud uncle at the end of the day.
Thought I'd share.
First, when we got to the range. (Big, outdoor, unattended and we were the only ones there) I asked him what he thought the two most important things in gun handling were. Without hesitation, he said, "Never point the muzzle at anybody and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot" I asked him about unloaded guns, he snapped, "All guns are always loaded, period"
Good start. God bless his dad.
We had trouble getting my little Marlin 7000 zeroed so we could plink at 50 yards. But we managed, and he took his time between every shot, making them count and adjusting as he needed. Absolutely no hint of spray and pray. (I found out when I got home that the scope mount screw was missing. That'll do it every time.)
We switched to my 28-2. I thought, this'll give the boy a thrill, so I set up some 25-yard pop cans. With mild target loads, the boy was pretty good. Just a little flinch, which I gave him some pointers on.
Then I told him to get a grip, I was gonna give him some full-house loads and toss out another can. He walked that pop can out from 15 yards to about 40 in six rounds. Four of which were direct hits, one of which was a little low, but still made it jump and one miss.
Just before we got ready to go I asked him if he wanted a "mad minute" with the Marlin. He did, but it wasn't like he just opened up on the hillside, he was trying to hit a "swinger" target at 50 yards. He did manage about five hits out of twenty.
That was one very happy young man, and one very proud uncle at the end of the day.
Thought I'd share.
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WTG Colonel, thats what it is all about. Passin' on the love of firearms.
Reminds me of a story. I have always taught my boys, now 12 and 8 to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. I've always told them this is rule #1 in firearm safety. Well, one time when the 8 yr old was 4, I was braggin' on 'em a little, was tellin' a friend of mine that I bet my boy knew what #1 rule was. I called him over and asked him, "Whats the #1 rule with firearms?" Quick as a wink he pops off with "Don't shoot 'em in the house!"[:0][B)]
Here is a pic of him when he won a giveaway here on GB awhile back.
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nice! 0 -
I do that with my cousin some times, take him out shooting, I've turned him into a gun nut at only 8 0 -
quote:Originally posted by matwor
WTG Colonel, thats what it is all about. Passin' on the love of firearms.
Reminds me of a story. I have always taught my boys, now 12 and 8 to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. I've always told them this is rule #1 in firearm safety. Well, one time when the 8 yr old was 4, I was braggin' on 'em a little, was tellin' a friend of mine that I bet my boy knew what #1 rule was. I called him over and asked him, "Whats the #1 rule with firearms?" Quick as a wink he pops off with "Don't shoot 'em in the house!"[:0][B)]
I laughed out loud, literally.
I can hear it, clear as day.0
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