Posted: 5/25/2009 8:14:10 PM EDT
| My son (14 years old) is interested in shooting in matches. I don't know anything about competition shooting and have questions. What kind of matches would be good for him to get started in? What kind of rifle (cal., type, etc.)? Someone told me about a 6br rifle for long range, but I'm not sure if thats what he needs to start with. Whatever he needs I think I will have to buy, so I would like to keep it reasonable, if possible. Thanks in advance for the info. |
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Pick your sport and get him quality training. Google Daniel Horner, I first seen him at NCRR in Norfolk, VA shooting an IDPA match at the age of 13. He worked with D.R. Middlebrooks and his father for a few years and was top shooter at the IDPA Nationals two years in a roll. More than likely it would have been three if he wasn't in boot camp for the Army the third year. The AMU made him an offer he couldn't pass up to be a fully funded competitive shooter for them. Top notch young man and was even "Soldier of the year".
3 position air rifle and small bore can lead to some college scholarships if your looking for that route, maybe an appointment at the Naval Academy for the sport. (air you can practice or shoot in the yard, only need 10 meters) What style of shooting is he interested in? What level of competition do you want to be involved in? Do you have a range that has a junior program? What type of sport can you/he afford to fund, travel, train and excel in? |
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Quoted:
Pick your sport and get him quality training. Google Daniel Horner, I first seen him at NCRR in Norfolk, VA shooting an IDPA match at the age of 13. He worked with D.R. Middlebrooks and his father for a few years and was top shooter at the IDPA Nationals two years in a roll. More than likely it would have been three if he wasn't in boot camp for the Army the third year. The AMU made him an offer he couldn't pass up to be a fully funded competitive shooter for them. Top notch young man and was even "Soldier of the year". 3 position air rifle and small bore can lead to some college scholarships if your looking for that route, maybe an appointment at the Naval Academy for the sport. (air you can practice or shoot in the yard, only need 10 meters) What style of shooting is he interested in? he really likes shooting the ar-15 rifles What level of competition do you want to be involved in? I was wanting to start him in something small for the practice and experience and then go from there. Do you have a range that has a junior program? I have been looking for a range with a junior program but have not found anything yet. Did find a clinic at Camp Butner in Butner, NC on CMP's website for June 20-26, that he is interested in. What type of sport can you/he afford to fund, travel, train and excel in? Of course I don't want to spend a huge amount until I find out that its something he really wants to do, but the travel, training and equipment cost isn't really an issue. Thanks everyone for the info. Its very helpful. |
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I would suggest you attend a NRA/CMP match near you and meet some of the locals. Most of the highpower shooters are looking for juniors to get involved and its a sport you can do with him.
You might want to check out the Highpower DCM thread and ask this question there as well. Good luck and Great of you to get the kids involved. Dave |
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If it's normal target shooting he's interested in shooting, start him shooting international or Olympic style sports - run by the NRA and USA Shooting - in either pistol or rifle. Reasons for this (in order of importance)
1. These sports instill excellent marksmanship 2. Shooting lots of air rifle and rimfire is cheap. 3. They open doors to college scholarships and the like. Stuff like air pistol, smallbore and air rifle. Of course, if this doesn't interest him, send him to the steel challenge range. |
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Quoted:
My son (14 years old) is interested in shooting in matches. I don't know anything about competition shooting and have questions. What kind of matches would be good for him to get started in? What kind of rifle (cal., type, etc.)? Someone told me about a 6br rifle for long range, but I'm not sure if thats what he needs to start with. Whatever he needs I think I will have to buy, so I would like to keep it reasonable, if possible. Thanks in advance for the info. Ok, now your gonna have many choices here. Ruger 10/22 is great lots of options you can even make it look like a tactical AK. Take him to an http://www.appleseedinfo.org/ Appleseed project. They travel all over. The rifle will need a sling and a few magazines. NRA courses are great and the GSSF is perfect for kids 12 and up for shooting pistols. IDPA is good after they learn all the basics...but in GSSF there is NO drawing from a holster... there are NO on the clock reloads... you do NOT move from start position. Unlike running around and hiding behind cover... doing speed reloads/tac reloads with retention in IDPA and they allow 12-20 year olds to participate when accompanied by an adult and not prohibited by law if the HOST club allows it. |