ML for 11 year old

[tommyinTexas]

I recently had a post trying to find an inexpensive ml for myself. I am considering making this a father/son christmas gift by getting my son a ml also. My son is 11 years old and has his own shotgun/cartridge rifles, and is allowed to rabbit/squirrel hunt or plink by himself with using his .410 or .22LR. He is very mature with his firearms he has been shooting about 7 years, I have even sneeked up on him several times and watched him to see if he still practiced gun safety when he thought I was not around. I wanted to find out if there were other youngsters that shoot MLs. My concern is him making a mistake by adding powder twice, but I thought if I let him use only 20 grains per shot when I was not with him (which he would) even if he accidentally triple charged it he would be safe. Surely 20 grains will kill a rabbit or squirrel. Or I could just not let him use it by himself. How young did you start you kids in muzzleloading?

Tommy

 

All 3 of mine started out AROUND 7-8 yrs old w/ a 20" Bbl. .32 under-hammer, with-in a year each of them "Graduated" up to a .45 flinter, my oldest son (21)STILL shoots that 'old-clunker' and just loves it...Good Luck & Keep 'em Shootin'

 

I started at age 8 with a .50 CVA plains rifle shooting off cross-sticks. 40 grains didn't hurt at all. I like the idea of the underhammer, but I would worry about a kid getting stung--they sometimes have a hard time getting their hands out far enough. Did you ever have this problem with your kids, Badwind?

Anyway, 20 grains in a .45 will certainly kill rabbits--it kills dirt-beavers at 30 yards, at least.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

I'll throw in a few cents worth... I have two sons, one is now 12 and the other is 9. Both have been shooting my .50cal Traditions Hawken for a couple of years now. They LOVE the big bang and the smoke! I started them off with 50 grains of Goex black and they're both comfortable with shooting my "hunting load" of 70 grains TripleSeven under a PRB. That having been said, their both very small fellows (my eldest is only in the 2nd percentile for size, so he's about the same size as most 8-9 year olds!) and supporting a full-sized rifle could only be done with sticks. If I had my 'druthers I'd have a nice "little" rifle for them, maybe .32 or .36, 20" barrel, short stock and a reasonably light hammer spring to make it easier and safer for them to cock.

My biggest concern with the boys shooting the M/L remains in ensuring they have safety equipment that fits. Eye and ear protection are mandatory for EVERY shot.

If you're concerned about a youngster double-charging then you might want to use T/C "quick shot" loaders or something similar. I use prescription pill bottles and put both pre-measured powder and ball in the bottle (which by the way is made of a low-static plastic material). If you put your thumb over the end of the bottle you can pour the powder out and retain the ball. Or you could tape the ball onto the bottle cap to make it even easier.

Here's to seeing even more youngsters shooting "thunder sticks"! ;-)

 

[Keith]

My thought for the charge is to use a nonadjustable measure. Your son can't decide that he is a big boy and start pouring more as readily. I doubt he would deliberatly decide at triple charge is the ticket. The 20 gr. charge in a 36-50 would be okay and even triple charged is safe. In the smaller guns it might be stout, but wouldn't blow up.

 

[tommyinTexas]

What is a dirt beaver?

 

[shmrck1]

tommyintexas,
whatever your choice mite be do it together for awhile. it will be a learning exsperience for you both and time together you or him will not forget. IMHO
snake-eyes :imo: eace:

 

[Bob J]

Ups delivered a CVA .50 Youth Hunter yesterday for my daughter's 11th birthday. Its her first rifle. Plan on taking her on her to the range this weekend.

 

[tommyinTexas]

Bob,

Who did you order it from?

Tommy

 

[sduve]

My son uses a CVA youth gun and he just harvested his first deer with a patch and ball over 70 gr of Pyrodex RS. It shoots 2" groups at 50 yards.

 

[Bob J]

Tommy-
I ordered it from Bob at Thunder Ridge Muzzleloading (thunder-ridge-muzzleloading.com). I think it may have been the last one in stock. Surfin' the web I had come across it elsewhere but have bought stuff from Thunder Ridge and am happy with the service. it was around $135.00. Also had looked into the "Mini-loader" by Rossi in .45 or .50. Nice rifles but not as "traditional" looking. :imo:

 

[Bob J]

Good for him! :thumbsup: And with a ML! 2" at 50 yards sound encouraging. Looking forward to shooting it in this weekend. Did you stay with the factory sights on his Youth Hunter?

 

[sduve]

Yes they are sdjustable factory but I would check in to a fixed. It wouldn't take much to bump these off. I will be adding new sight by next season.