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My 10 year old loves to shoot. He loves his CZ scout and Ruger MKII, but he thinks my M1 carbine kicks a bit. He expressed an interest in shooting clays. I really don't want to start him out with my 12g 870, as I'm sure he'd be discouraged. What shotgun would be best to start with? I'm guessing a dedicated youth model, but which one? He weighs about 85 lbs, and is a skinny 4'8".
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Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
- Ptolemy, c.150 AD -
20ga autoloader, probably a Benelli or Beretta would have the least amount of recoil.
People will suggest a .410, but I'd say no. I bought a .410 to shoot clays because getting a 25/25 with a 12ga got boring, and the .410 provides quite the challenge."If a man hasn't found something worth dying for, he isn't fit to live." - Martin Luther King Jr.
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How about a 28 Gauge mossberg Silver reserve? And if he grows out of it, you can sell it to me! haha
If you're into over/unders, check out maybe a 20 gauge as they are generally built on a smaller frameComment
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I suggest a 20g as well. I've watched a 10 year old girl shoot a 200 round ATA match with a 20g. When I was talking with her coach, she (the coach) told ma about a six year old she was working with who was consistantly shooting 16-18/25 with a 28g so, if your little one is extra small the 28g might be the ticket. I like the challenge of a .410 but, I would not suggest it as a beginner's gun.NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun and Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor
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KM6WLVComment
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20 gauge single shot.
then later get him something bigger like a 12gauge pumpComment
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CZ made a 20 gauge autoloader a few years back. Think its a 720 model. Bought one for my daughter. She loves it. I've shot it and its smooth. Reasonably priced, Catch is, finding one.Comment
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For an 85 pound 10 year old, who will certainly be growing some but not knowing how much, a 20 gauge is probably a good choice. It's certainly a heavy enough charge to be used more seriously as he grows.
A .410, generally, is going to require some skill before it is used for clays and it would be potentially discouraging to struggle with a .410 that won't quite reach the distant targets, IMO.
-- Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun
Not a lawyer, just a former LEO proud to have served.
Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. -- James MadisonComment
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Started my son (also a thin kid and about 80 lbs or so at that age) with a Mossberg 20 gauge pump youth model at 11 years of age. He is 13 now and almost ready for full size shotgun.Comment
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My 10 year old shoots my Beretta 20ga. AL-2 with virtually no recoil."You can't handle the truth"Comment
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dude break him in the way my dad did 12 guage 870 with turkey loadsSome say that he once mooned two prostitutes just for a round of drinks, but wasn't surprised by the reply......They call him, the Hutch
Some say that he rode a dirtbike 7k miles across the country and that he once applied Bengay to his own testicles for a mere $50............They call him, the Hutch -Top Gear
http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/...CCAB7CE8D70F60Comment
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-- Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun
Not a lawyer, just a former LEO proud to have served.
Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. -- James MadisonComment
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Any good 20ga would probably fit him just fine.Comment
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Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
- Ptolemy, c.150 ADComment
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