Getting ready...

1_pointer

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Yesterday was a good day. Went to the range with my oldest (7yo) to try out rifle I picked up that meets the goofy IN requirements for using a rifle to deer hunt. I got a deal on a single shot .357 Mag, changed out the stock to fit him better and installed a red dot site. After warming up with the .22 with a stock I cut down and let him paint, we were ready for the 'big' gun... ;)


Now, I know this target isn't all that impressive for what most of us do at the range, but I was pretty happy with a couple of things. One, the gun fits him well and he can shoot it without worry. Secondly, when he takes his time he's more than accurate for deer hunting considering that it was his first time shooting anything larger than a .22LR.

I'm fully confident by the time we burn up another 100 rounds or so, he'll be good to go at the distances I'll let him shoot (think archery distances).

After some time at the rifle range, we headed over to the archery range. I realize how messed up this pic is since he's shooting a right handed bow, left handed. But, Dad (ie. me) bought the right handed bow before figuring out how left eye dominant he is. So, while it's far from good, he shoots it much better this way. His follow through is getting much better. :D


I'm now scheming and planning how to get him a better left handed set up. Might have to employ Santa's help, but it'll get done.

All in all it was a very good afternoon. It was kinda cool that he picked a day at the range with Dad versus going to the pool with his friends. I'm thinking we're gonna have a bit of fun this fall! :D
 
Looks like a good time! I have one of the H&R .357 handi-rifles myself, I've always thought it would be a great gun to start a young hunter out with due to practically zero recoil. I've killed lots of deer with the Hornady Leverevolutions; Never have had a pass-through, but all deer fell within 40 yards or so. I limit my shots with it to the 75-80 yd range.

I've got girls (2 & 6), but hopefully I can get them into shooting in a couple years..
 
Good lord he looks just like his old man.

That's not a bad group at all, I've got to imagine you know when that thing goes off, as lightweight as it is.
 
Good lord he looks just like his old man.

That's not a bad group at all, I've got to imagine you know when that thing goes off, as lightweight as it is.
Not sure how to take that first statement... ;)

Recoil is actually very, very mild. He burnt through 25 rounds in about an hour and was no worse for it. The pics a bit decieving in that the barrel is heavier than a sporter, but not quite a varmint contour. It's too heavy for him to shoot it offhand just yet, so we'll be in either a treestand or a ground blind with a rest.

LCH- I wanted to load some of those bullets, but couldn't find any in stock. We're shooting 158gr XTPs, which from what I read should do okay. I'm hoping by the time season rolls around he's capable to 50yds, but if not that's fine too. Get those girls a pink .22 and get 'em hooked now! :D

nhy- Thanks and those are some dividends I'm hoping pan out...
 
That's some nice shooting! He'll be ready in no time.

Did anything ever come out of that survey they sent out early this year asking for the public's thoughts on expanding the caliber and case restrictions for the rifle hunt? Now that I think about it they may not have sent (emailed) it out and it may have just been on the DNR website. Either way, it was looking like they were going to be moving to something similar to their neighbors to the north. (I'm a Michigan native)
 

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