.22 for Seven year old?

[GoodahSP]

Any suggestions on getting kids used to the noise at the range? It's tough w so many people shooting higher caliber stuff.

Make sure their muffs are securely on their heads. Make sure the eye pro doesn't break the seal of the earmuff over their ears. Double up on the ear pro if that doesn't work. If that doesn't work, we wait until no ones shooting something to loud for him if thats not possible, then we go do something else besides shoot. When kids say its too loud or their ears hurt they mean it specially when they like to shoot. My little boys hearing is more valuable to me than a range fee already spent. Money and time can be recovered our kids' hearing cannot.

[SLO1911Fan]

Definitely double up on the ear protection. I have seen ear muffs specifically designed for children, those might be a good investment.

As for the rifle I would go with a slightly nicer rifle than the rascal or the cricket. If the circumstances are right for it.

IF there are benches available I would get the CZ scout.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-scout/

It's a compact rifle, designed for children. Single shot bolt action, with the ability to accept magazines later. They can grow into it, and trade up years down the road when it's too small. You might even be able to find one of the pink ones they used to make.

If benches aren't available, I would find the lightest rifle I could for now. Then think about upgrading once she's a little bigger.

[dwh100]

+1,000,000
CZ Scout!!!

[ColdDeadHands1]

My 8yo daughter can nail a 6" steel plate at 25 yards over and over with her Crickett .22, offhand with no rest. I fill her pocket with ammo and she cycles through it like a machine. It is so awesome to watch how she focuses and concentrates on it.

[as_rocketman]

We frequently get families with small children (say 6 to 10) at Appleseed. Crickets and Rascals work well, though most can also handle a 10/22 or Marlin 795. However we generally leave them in prone, resting the forestock on a shooting bag, and keep them closely supervised.

Test your eye and ear pro ahead of time. It needs to be snug and comfortable enough that he or she won't fuss with them.

I would try to keep them away from centerfires if possible. The noise is one thing, flying brass is another. Long sleeves and collars or even hooded sweatshirts are a good idea.

But, done right, they all have a good time. Some kids are even amazingly good shots!

[Greg CA]

I started shooting with my grandpa around age 6 or 7 it was a S&W 455. I started my kids in a Ruger SR 22 and 10/22. And they love it.

[midlife]

We frequently get families with small children (say 6 to 10) at Appleseed. Crickets and Rascals work well, though most can also handle a 10/22 or Marlin 795. However we generally leave them in prone, resting the forestock on a shooting bag, and keep them closely supervised.

Test your eye and ear pro ahead of time. It needs to be snug and comfortable enough that he or she won't fuss with them.

I would try to keep them away from centerfires if possible. The noise is one thing, flying brass is another. Long sleeves and collars or even hooded sweatshirts are a good idea.

But, done right, they all have a good time. Some kids are even amazingly good shots!

Looking forward to my first Appleseed on sept 28 in dulzura. Wll u be there.

[OUC]

Crickett

My two daughters started at the age of 5. I bought a cricket with a pink laminated stock. My girls are now 6 and 9. They still use the Cricket, bolt action rifle and it has the right length of pull for them. Even the Ruger Compact .22LR has too large a length of pull. Currently they still use the Cricket. I will probably add another bolt action this year with a larger length of pull.

I teach them safety and especially keeping their finger off the trigger until they are ready to fire. You can see this in the old video link below using the Cricket. No scope yet as they need to learn iron sights first.

I also make them recite, Stop, Don't touch, leave the room, tell an adult, when encountering a firearm somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6PniLq41oE

[OUC]

Any suggestions on getting kids used to the noise at the range? It's tough w so many people shooting higher caliber stuff.

For my daughters, they use first wax ears plugs and the muffs over that. My younger daughter is especially sensitive to loud noise and she has tubes in her ears currently due to the ear canal being under developed. The wax plugs are the same one's sold in stores in the swim department. They are like clay and perfectly mold to any size and shape you wan't. This goes along way to keep them scared of the loud gun fire. The loud gun fire is something that surely scares kids and may make them hate the experience.

One thing also I found helpful is that on range day with them, I don't fire. It's all about them and I let them control the amount of time we are there, so I don't force them to go longer then they want. I make all attempts to not let them hate the experience. I think that is key. Today, they are now used to loud gun fire and enjoy the experience.

[jonc]

cant wait til i take my boys to the range!!

[em9sredbeam]

I had my little brother shooting my XD40 at 8.... It probably stems from my starting firearm as shooting assisted with an AR at 4. With that said, the Cricket seems like a good idea. I love taking my little brother, but with an 18 round tube fed semi, he really goes through ammo, and with current prices, it gets difficult, so a bolt action seems like a good idea, and safe as rapid fire is difficult.

[russ209]

I think I am going to give a cricket a look see how they feel. I just need to find a lgs that sells them.

[Ron-Solo]

There are three Cricketts in my safe. Soon to be adding another granddaughter, so she will need a rifle.

Here are some photos from another thread about kids and .22 rifles.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=585570

[joe47]

I would recommend a CZ scout. They are built the same as the full size CZ as far as quality. just smaller. When the young one grows up the Scout stock can be replaced with a full sized stock.

[JaMail]

if shes at all girly, get her the pink crickett, just pushes the point its ok to be a girl and shoot and it stands out as something that is hers. not just borrowing from the boys.

double up on the ear protection, use the silicone swimmers plugs, you can get 15 packs for like 3.00 at any drug store, tear one in half and its easy to mold them to the ears, then put the regular muff's on over it.

i used to use the silicone ear plugs when i worked security and i could stand right in front of a speaker all night while multiple bands were up on stage wailing away and they saved me.