A few weeks ago we finally made it out to a nearby shooting range to try out some of our new additions to the collection. When I was pregnant with Sam we sold my Remington Model Seven 7mm-08 because it kicked more than I liked, even with the muzzle break, and was never consistent. To replace it we opted for a Remington Model Seven .243 youth model (which has a shorter stock and barrel – I had to have the 7mm-08 cut down), but I never shot it until now. Event though I didn’t spend a lot of time with it, there’s a definite difference with the feel of the rifle, and I’m looking forward to working with it more to gain a feel for its accuracy.
We also took the Ruger 10/22 Carbine out for the first time. It’s a nice rifle, too. It’s very easy to handle, but you can tell packs a pretty good punch for it’s size. Grant shot “Big Bertha” – the Rugar .22-250 with the bull barrel. This rifle is dead on accurate. I love it. It’s my all-time favorite for hunting because I know exactly where the bullet is going to go due to its heavy barrel. Once you’re on solid, it doesn’t move. She’s a hefty gal to haul around, but for using it in haystacks or areas where you don’t have to hike up and down hills for miles, it’s a perfect rifle. 
The big surprise for me was Grant’s new 
Savage .17 HMR (Hornady, Magnum, Rimfire – it was a joint venture project between Hornady, Marlin and Ruger). Oh my, that’s a nice rifle. It has a wicked little cartridge of a .22 magnum necked down to fit a .172 diameter bullet. They’re tiny. And this is a rifle I could shoot all day. It’s going to be fun to play with this one some more.
The boys were funny. They liked wearing their ear muffs, and were pretty good about the whole thing. Sam’s anxious to try his finger on the trigger, and John’s been “shooting deer” for a year. When I ask him what he’s going to do when he does it his reply is, “I’m gonna eat ‘em!” Before we know it, there will be an entire team of dead-eyes out there.
Tags: Remington Model Seven, Rugar .22-250, Savage . 17HMR
So I’m not really a hunter (kind of boring to me) but I love shooting! If you ask McGyver he’ll tell you I’m better at it than him. I started by oldest girl at the ripe ol’ age of 5 shooting pistols. I think it’s good to teach them young. Kids truly taught at a young age don’t grow up with curiosity and in turn know how to handle guns. It’s great to see your kids out there!
You’re absolutely right about shooting and kids. We had firearms all over the house, and knew better than to touch them unsupervised. (Except for the .22 Mom and Greg gave me when I was older. I had to have pliers to pull out the spent cartridge.Oy.) Target practice is very fun. Like I said in this piece, I highly recommend that .17 HMR. It’s a fun one!