Absolute no clue where to start

[NoClueWhat2Do]

I'd like to say hello and thank you all first of all for any advice or information given.

My son wants to compete in small bore competition, I have no experience with firearms, let alone precision shooting. He's 16 and on a recent trip back home my uncle gave him a 30-06 deer rifle, and he was hooked instantly. We are new to the Phoenix area, and found a gun range close to the house who offers a youth small bore league. However I've been overwhelmed with info off the net. I'm on a very strict budget being a single father on disability. Is this something i can even entertain doing on a fixed budget? Where do I start? Type of rifle, optics, ammo, targets to practice on, etc. etc... I want him to have fun first of all, but he's 16 and I know if he can't be competitive he get frustrated right away.

 

[gszeto99]

You might need to narrow down what type of smallbore shooting your son wants to do. Your local smallbore youth league would definitely be the place to start. They are probably doing more target oriented shooting either with open sights like you see in the olympics or with scopes like you see in NRA matches either in 3 positions or in prone. There are also smallbore silhouette shoots where steel targets are shot from a standing position. My local club has a modified smallbore silhouette shoot where tiny steel targets are shot from extreme ranges but all shot from the bench. Smallbore bench rest is another discipline. There also seems to be a couple of new style smallbore shoots (2-gun, smallbore tactical, and smallbore f-class). Look into these and above styles of competitions to see which one your son likes.

 

[Donr13]

Welcome to Phoenix. What local range are you using? You will need to find out what equipment rules they may have for the competitions to see if they restrict anything. Once you know about any limitation you can buy the right equipment the first time. No need to jump right in with the most expensive equipment if he is new. Chances are he probably wouldn't know the difference anyway as a beginner and you wont be out tons of money if he doesn't stick with it.

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

Welcome to Phoenix. What local range are you using? You will need to find out what equipment rules they may have for the competitions to see if they restrict anything. Once you know about any limitation you can buy the right equipment the first time. No need to jump right in with the most expensive equipment if he is new. Chances are he probably wouldn't know the difference anyway as a beginner and you wont be out tons of money if he doesn't stick with it.

I have looked into Ben Avery and Rio Salado, and leaning towards Rio since it's just a few miles away from the house. Well i know there's no way i can go top of the line, my resources are just not adequate to do so. I've looked into the Savage Mark II and other low cost starters. There's just so much more that goes into it.

 

[Donr13]

I like Rio. I have been a member off and on for the last several years. You might start by going to a match to spectate and just see what type of rifles people are running and what equipment is required.

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

I like Rio. I have been a member off and on for the last several years. You might start by going to a match to spectate and just see what type of rifles people are running and what equipment is required.

He takes his hunter education test there in two weeks so we shall see from there... thanks again

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

You might need to narrow down what type of smallbore shooting your son wants to do. Your local smallbore youth league would definitely be the place to start. They are probably doing more target oriented shooting either with open sights like you see in the olympics or with scopes like you see in NRA matches either in 3 positions or in prone. There are also smallbore silhouette shoots where steel targets are shot from a standing position. My local club has a modified smallbore silhouette shoot where tiny steel targets are shot from extreme ranges but all shot from the bench. Smallbore bench rest is another discipline. There also seems to be a couple of new style smallbore shoots (2-gun, smallbore tactical, and smallbore f-class). Look into these and above styles of competitions to see which one your son likes.

I believe they run a F class there.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I like the NRA youth marksman programs. NRA qualification program.
They are well structured, following an established and proven path to a solid grounding in the marksmanship basics. They will establish the core marksmanship capabilities that will end up being the armature upon which all subsequent shooting adventures will find a secure purchase.

Most importantly, they will also establish the psychological basis where the shooter's primary goal is to improve over their own performance, rather than improving over that of others. A competitive spirit is a good thing, but it's not the whole thing; and I think it better to establish that before moving on to actual competition.

Greg

 

[yoteman]

No clue welcome to the hide, you will find a great bunch of gents, here to help.
like has been stated I would go recon a match 1st
I am sure you will find someone more than willing to talk to,
who will point you in the right way.
an if your son is new to the shooting sports(now matter age), someone will be more then happy to take him under there wing,(so to speak),
no need in the highest cost setup to learn basic markmenship just yet,
after he gets a good base under his belt,an he wants to be more competively
chances are he will be willing to work for it,(save up $ to move up)
an he will build a better man out of himself(not that he is not a fine young man now)
once you do a little recon of the match,he wants to shoot, being that info back here on the hide
we will be here to help if we can,
congats to you an your son, for wanting to jump into the shooting sports.
i have very much . enjoyed my 2 sons over the last few years also new to shooting
learn basic marksmanship skills, an teaching this old man a thing or two
good luck
YO

 

[Quarter Horse]

2do,

Welcome and good for you that you're doing your homework. There are lots of youth organizations such as BS of A. 4H, FFA etc. involved in youth shooting sports. Check with local ranges and your local NRA to find resources. Taught and done properly, shooting exhibits a high level of responsibility, mental and physical control. In the past, clubs provided firearms for youth competitors but I have no idea whether this is still done. Do not discount air gun's. They teach the same skills as RF competition with lower entry costs and more available venues. Depending on local ordinances your son may be able to practice in the garage or basement. At the higher levels, air-gun competition is as fierce as any other discipline and the equipment costs are as bad or worse than the best RFs.

You mentioned you're not a shooter. Jump on the train with your son. Just don't tell everyone how much fun you're having there's already a shortage of ammo and components.

 

[barsik]

if the club doesn't provide a rifle, then a decent very good value rifle for your son is a Savage Mark II FVT 22lr. it has usable peep sights, the stock is not very good, but the rifle is quite accurate.

 

[jbell]

Unless I missed something it sounds like your son wants to shoot 3P? Let me know and I can make some recommendations for you.

 

[sib1948]

Welcome to Phoenix. The people at Rio are great and they should be able to help you with a low cost sloution. As Donr13 said, you and your son should go to the range and simply go to several different small bore matches. They generally have something going on every weekend. Don't be intimidated by the expensive gear-there's shooting to be had for every price level of gear. Practice is the key for any type of shooting. You'll find a friendly bunch of shooters at the range more than willing to answer your questions and guide you in a direction that suits your needs and goals.

I shoot High Power there about 2X per week, but have not gotten into Small Bore. However, I know there are guys practicing at the Small Bore Range almost everyday, who would be more than willing to give you some free advice!!! Good Luck

PS-Just checked Calendar for Rio and 60 shot Small Bore Silhouette Match at 9 AM Saturday.
If you can, just show up watch and ask questions and see if your son is interested. Free to watch!
As a matter of fact, I just got to thinking, I have a Savage Axis 22LR I rarely shoot with great
SS 20X fixed scope, which I am willing to let him borrow and use. I don't think he could use the CCI Mini Mag LR ammo I have, but we could check and see what's required for the matches and I would be happy to instruct him in the use of the rifle, so he would know how to safely handle it.
Just give a me call and I could meet you out at Rio with the rifle and some ammo to get him started.
George Sibley (602) 695-5958.

 

[RicosRevenge]

^^^ and THAT is what this is all about! Good stuff George!

Welcome noclue! Don't be afraid to jump in with him. Some of the fondest memories I have of growing up were of my dad and I out with a rifle. Some of the fondest memories I'll keep with me are of my step son and I doing the same. plus... its "kinda" fun! Ha! Enjoy!

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

Thank you all so much, I have learned a ton in the last few days, and continue to learn more due to helpful kind people such as yourselves... Wanted to give everyone an update. We got a Mark II Savage with a thumb hole stock used, needs work but i got nothing but time to research and tinker. It's actually a old target rifle, they just moved up to more expensive rig. We watched a Jr. shoot this morning for a few at the range this morning and it looks like a go for us.... Next is optics.... Somehow I think rebuilding the race car would of been cheaper because i've got the bug now too..... Thanks again everyone

 

[Greg Langelius *]

This for a start.

Don't let the cheap price fool you; this scope works quite well enough for a 22LR starter rifle. It focusses down to 15yd.

Greg

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

This for a start.

Don't let the cheap price fool you; this scope works quite well enough for a 22LR starter rifle. It focusses down to 15yd.

Greg

Greg is there any brick and mortar store that carries these, so we can have a hands on experience?

 

[RicosRevenge]

Greg is there any brick and mortar store that carries these, so we can have a hands on experience?

If you're lucky...

Tasco VAR624X42M Rifle Scope, Tasco Varmint 6-24X42 Scope, Mil Dot Rifle Scope, Long Range Rifle Scope, Waterproof Rifle Scope, Shockproof Rifle Scope, Tasco Rifle Scope

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

If you're lucky...

Tasco VAR624X42M Rifle Scope, Tasco Varmint 6-24X42 Scope, Mil Dot Rifle Scope, Long Range Rifle Scope, Waterproof Rifle Scope, Shockproof Rifle Scope, Tasco Rifle Scope

Thanks... Through wally world it's an easy return if it doesn't work out for us... Thanks again

 

[Donr13]

Greg is there any brick and mortar store that carries these, so we can have a hands on experience?

Try sportsmans warehouse. They have a lot of optics you can look at for quality. If you are not far from rio salado it should not be far to sportsmans.

 

[No1]

Here's another idea. Does his high school have a JROTC program? If so, that is a good CMP air rifle program.

 

[RicosRevenge]

i've got the bug now too..... Thanks again everyone

 

[NoClueWhat2Do]

Here's another idea. Does his high school have a JROTC program? If so, that is a good CMP air rifle program.

I do not know if it does, I would imagine so. It's a fairly large school. I will look into it when school starts in Aug...

 

[Greg Langelius *]

My LGS, Mike's G&A in Horseheads NY, does. Since it's the only place I shop (besides Amazon), that's all I have.

Greg

 

[beb0541]

A ruger scout rifle would make a great pig gun (pretty reasonable) and something he could have for the rest of his life.