We are members of a gun range and have been for years. Even though we could shoot on our property , we find that out of respect for our neighbors it is still better to go to the range. The boys have been shooting since probably 5, started out with the air rifle/bb guns, and after a few years progressed and even saved up for their own .22 rifles. Every boy should have his own .22 rifle. We started out with the foundation of shooting being safety, and have tried to get that ingrained into them at a young age. The four laws of firearm safety cannot be practiced enough:
1) Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
2) Dont aim your weapon at anything you do not intend to destroy.
3) Know your target and what is beyond it.
4) Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire.
Over the years we have all grown in our comfort and abilities, and recently the boys and I went to the range for some shooting. They both enjoy shooting the larger .223 rounds now, and have both become quite proficient both in their accuracy, but also in their maturity and safety with regards to firearms.
Here is Nicholas shooting the Ruger Mini-14. This is the first rifle I purchased back in 1992. It is not the most accurate rifle, but it is a lot of fun to shoot. If you are doing your part (trigger control, breathing, sight alignment/picture) the best this gun will shoot at 100 yards is about a 6″ group. I think Nicholas and I both really like shooting it because it is similar to the military M14, or earlier M1 Garand, only a smaller caliber.
Next up was Joshua shooting the AR15. Oh no, Joshua is shooting an “assualt rifle”! This is actually Karen’s rifle (a whole other story behind that) and is very accurate out to a couple hundred yards or more. It shoots the same 223/5.56 round as the Mini-14 and is the militaries current weapon of choice. But some might argue that it doesn’t have the same fun factor as other rifles, that it is generic and boring. But, if you had to pick only one rifle for everything, this would be a very good choice.
And here are couple pictures of their targets. Nicholas was shooting open iron sights at a target 50 yards away. Joshua had a magnified scope on the AR15 and was shooting at 100 yards.
Nicholas’ target Joshuas’ target
Both should be very pleased not only with their results, but also that they both can comfortably and safely handle these firearms.
Good job boys, you make your Dad proud!
Michael
Nice job boys!
They sure make it look easy! Good to hear from you Lonnie.
Nice shooting, boys. Your daddy must be really proud of you.
My new next favorite is going to be a .243. Can you imagine, it’s just a bit wider than .22 and it makes it a deer rifle! This rifle is so fast that it has almost no drop, flat shooting. Which means, you can hit a coyote at 900 paces. Am I having a Quigley Down Under daja vu?
I want a Browning .243. It’s fast, precise, and no recoil. I am sure your boys will enjoy something like that.
Kimberly
You know your firearms Kimberly, the .243 is an awesome cartridge. I believe it is winning most of the long-distance (600/1000m)competitions nowadays, only as the 6mm Rem, where the .223 and .308 used to dominate. When I was growing up My uncle had one for coyotes and gray diggers, that was a sweet shooter.
Thank God for raising up children in the way they should go. May the be future leaders of this country, and turn the tide. Many blessings ….
I second that AMEN, thanks for following Saundra.
Whoops! May THEY be future leaders of this country …
Amen!
Husbands are great for so many things. I had never shot a gun before (my first time I cried it scared me so much) and now it is no problem.
I think kids that are taught from a young age to shoot and the proper way to do it have an advantage. Our kids are very safe with their guns and hold their friends to the same level.
It is a great skill to have for many reasons. I’m glad your boy is doing well and likes it. I’m sure your girls will like it too.
Enjoy the day,
Karen
Awesome shooting boys!
This is late cuz of computer stuff, but I had to say kudos to my son and my grands. The beauty of hunting for meat is a God-given, man-thing. Men are hunters, conquers, providers. They love the challenge. Michael and Brian came from a family on my side and Danny’s side who were hunters, took days to go elk hunting in the Wallowas and many other places. It was their vacation to just be with the guys, the challenge of the hunt and most of all, bring a prize home to present to their families and share with others. It is a time to be in God’s Creation for all our men who have all been hard-working providers.
Finally, they have all known how to be safe with a gun. Michael passes that on.
Love you, Michael, Joshua, Nicholas(and Karen, the queen of the pack!!)