Story bout a kid and "Gunology"

[348win]

Got my kid into shooting.

He's a late learner for most things but if you listen and be responsible you get to shoot, idc if your slow, old, young, be respectful and listen and have some fun.

We got him a rangefinder for xmas.

He's 13 now.

Very limited shooting.
OPEN SIGHTS lever action 32-20 or 22LR
A few days worth targets at a few paces and I went and graduated him to 80 yards rested 6" steel. We messed with that several days, he made some hits, not so confident (for good reason!). Lots of talking on steady rest, and steady sights. Sit against a tree and use knees to lock in, or a good bundled up sweatshirt on a "bench" type scenerio. Wayyyyy more coaching then shooting. But the hits are what's fun right......

Well I decided I'd throw up a 8" gong next to the 6" and we moved it out to 160yds.

I was not aware that 22lr will hold groups at that range. I started making hits at 150 rested and now practice my offhand at 160. I been practicing offhand 90 yards a few seasons now......

So I tell the kid, dont be a wimp YOUR UP

He couldn't take it serious! Says I can I barely see it. Its down the hill and across a farm pond 157yds lasered.

I tell him just to try it you might be surprised.
Were gonna get you (2) chair cushions front and rear rests and get this rifle situated and steady prone. Spend some time getting this thing where you need it.

Kid makes 3/15 hits.
160yds open sights.

I bet he's got less than 300 rounds fired in his lifetime.

If that aint inspiring and make you smile idk what does.

I told the kid you better be proud buddy , thats a challenge for me and I been shooting a long time.

Had another buddy over, 36 yrs old, seasoned, shoots many deer and decent shot, I said try the 160 challenge bro. He fires 2 shots and says I can't even see this thing, hangs it up. Admits defeat.

My kid had a treat of a lesson that day.

Had to share guys.
Nothing trumps experience, but having someone over your shoulder telling you, helping you, that is truly in tune with shooting, understanding and explaining, is priceless in all skilled activities.

I'm really about, practice OFFHAND as far as you possibly can. Then move out, target may have to get bigger to see it. Keep moving out and getting better. Then when its game time, anything inside that is going to be "easy" shooting. Your increasing your odds for making hits so much if you practice at 200 your error at 100 is so much less than practicing at 100 all the time.

Whatever you choose. Have fun and be safe. And smile, life's too short to be a grump (thats what I tell my grumpy self anyways) shooting makes me smile. And sharing it w others does too.

That's my take on GUNOLOGY.

[Grizz]

that's good to hear! that's also a lesson that stretches out in other directions. So much fun to shoot with the kids, and the grand kids :)

[gamekeeper]

Good post, it would take anyone new to shooting a long time to master that without coaching, glad to hear you kept him on open sights too...

[AJMD429]

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A lucky kid to have such a mentor.

[Paladin]

Excellent, now hooked for life.

[Grizz]

Excellent, now hooked for life.

My younger Grand Daughter working on form and function.
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Her younger brother harvested a wild turkey with a 20Ga . . . Dad got the others.
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it's a Good Start . . .

[Paladin]

Yes, get them hooked early, and they will play forever. This is my daughter.

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Her trying to talk me out of my AR-10

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[Grizz]

super fine. my daughter won't let me post pictures of her. one of my favorites is the caribou she took with my 10" SBH. Just big smiles. And good food too.