Junior Rifle

wildtapholer

wildtapholer

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Hi all what would you recommend for my 11yr old grandson. He keeps asking when he can come with us to the rifle range and his dad keeps telling him when you can cock that springer in the garage you can, it's an Aqua 8 and it's awful, as a starter it would put anyone off, absolutely horrendous to shoot and his dad can't shoot it either, what a waste of money. Anyway back to the question of what you would recommend, at 11yrs old he no Arnold Schwarzenegger and I've seen more fat on a chip, plus I would be more than a bit worried about him not cocking a springer properly(his mum would never forgive me). I know it's not ideal to start someone off with a PCP and would he be willing to go back to a springer when stronger, I don't think so, so as a starter rifle what would you recommend.;
 
wildtapholer said:
I know it's not ideal to start someone off with a PCP
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Why not? Better he learns to shoot with a neutral feeling PCP than a twangy springer. My suggestion is whatever fits him and what you can afford. Being able to reach the trigger first and work back. :cool:

Good for your granddad! 😀
 
He'll pick the first gun he see's so I won't know what fits him or suits him, perhaps the range I go to would suggest something or explain how I would know it fits.
 
To start shooting I do think a small break barrel springer with open sights will be best way to learn. Then move to scope.

If going pcp route then I dunno, like the bsa ultra junior thingy maybe.
 
look for an old HW25 in 177 old but small , got one not long ago , grand kid only 2 at mo so still a few years to go , but got one ready and waiting
 
bear1 said:
look for an old HW25 in 177 old but small , got one not long ago , grand kid only 2 at mo so still a few years to go , but got one ready and waiting
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Fun little rifle, easily junior sized. Have a soft spot for mine. Trigger is firm and do struggle to get great results at longer ranges.
 
We use a couple of different 6 ft lb break barrel springers with our Scouts - Gamo Hunter Juniors and Gamo Fox GT Whispers. They're cheap, but do fairly well for an introduction. The Foxes are slightly larger, but much easier to cock, and have a built in moderator (though the Hunters aren't really any louder), and are generally preferred by most of the Scouts.
 
wildtapholer said:
Hi all what would you recommend for my 11yr old grandson. He keeps asking when he can come with us to the rifle range and his dad keeps telling him when you can cock that springer in the garage you can, it's an Aqua 8 and it's awful, as a starter it would put anyone off, absolutely horrendous to shoot and his dad can't shoot it either, what a waste of money. Anyway back to the question of what you would recommend, at 11yrs old he no Arnold Schwarzenegger and I've seen more fat on a chip, plus I would be more than a bit worried about him not cocking a springer properly(his mum would never forgive me). I know it's not ideal to start someone off with a PCP and would he be willing to go back to a springer when stronger, I don't think so, so as a starter rifle what would you recommend.;
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HW30s, pick a calibre.😊👍 Careful though, they're addictive, you'll likely need 1 for you too !
 
Once upon a time I was a Cub Scout Leader, and I bought six ancient BSA Meteors for the princely sum of fifty quid (for the lot) for my Cub pack.

I then detuned them by fitting a soft spring so an 8-year-old could cock them without struggling.
From memory, they were running at about 4ft/lbs.
The guns were fairly shabby to look at, so it didn't really matter when a couple of of inches was also cut off the stock at the shoulder end to accommodate the smaller sizes the youngsters.
The guns worked, they were simple and reliable and the kids were thrilled to use them.

If going with the PCP route, try to find an Air Arms S200.
Sadly they are becoming more expensive nowadays but a good one will be a joy to own, and an 11-year-old should fit around it quite comfortably.
 
Considering its a first rifle and not knowing if he is going to really get into it I would go with something cheap and cheerful but will also allow for growing room. Depending on his size may also make a difference.

Having just purchased a PR900W I would have to say for the money it may well be worth looking at.
Light weight, small enough to use now but can grow with him. Not the largest shot count in standard form but also would not be hard to fill with a cheap pump. These also come with open sights so may be an option to get him started however something like a 3-9x40 would sit on it very nicely.

Next up would be something like a Gamo Coyote or GX40. Slightly higher price, slightly larger overall in regards stock etc... but with more adjustment however it is nearly twice as heavy.
Larger shot count but still able to be filled with a pump. A very nice rifle and I would say you get a lot more than what you pay for the rifle. In general a step up in standard form compared to the PR900W. No open sights and easily takes smaller scope as well as larger ones.
 
All due respect, you wanna teach a youngster to shoot - start 'em on the basics...If they wanna cry ' bout it ...It's a good life lesson - nothin' worthwhile comes easy, & the reward much sweeter.
 
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I began as an 11 year old similar stature ,to your boy,,,with a lovely new BSA Cadet.
Easy to cock and a very accurate little shooter. Cheap enough to buy. Though more than the
three pounds seven and sixpence ,that mine cost 67 years since!!
 
Have a look at the PP700 pistol, if you can find a second hand one fitted with a stock I'm pretty sure your Grandson would be more than happy.
 
chouchin66 said:
HW30s, pick a calibre.😊👍 Careful though, they're addictive, you'll likely need 1 for you too !
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Met a guy the other day, he had an old meteor, he was using it for rats with 21g H&Ns 🤔
I stuck a tin of .22 Hobbys in the car for the next time I saw him
I think it was a bit of an eye opener for him when using the Hobbys, he let me have a go, I was really impressed with the meteor, way better then I thought it would be, very relaxed smooth shoot, was thinking that the HW30 could be a very similar experience, and iron sites, what's not to like 🤗
 
I'd probably get a crosman 2240 or 2250 and fit a shorter stock if needed. They're lightweight so easy to shoulder and the CO2 allows for as long a shooting session as wanted with a pocket full of cannisters.

Springers require a different approach than CO2 or PCP- I don't see it as better or worse. No reason why he can't try out springers when older and stronger.
 
Hw30s, or a 2nd hand crosman 2250 with a steel breech (they're overpriced when new and crap with a plastic breech). Stick a cheap red dot sight on it for him. Length of pull and reach to trigger could be an issue on the 2250 though, and not particularly easily fixed.
He may prefer the 'feedback' of a springer, and the HW30 could still be shooting in 20 years time.
 
Dirty Roach said:
The HW30 is the perfect rifle for an 11 year old
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Only if he has long fingers:-) 11 yr olds vary in size a lot!

Stoeger x3-tac is a proper junior springer and shoots OK (or the two I've tried did).

Kral NP03 is very adjustable and may well fit and be something that can grow with the shooter...
 
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