Hey everyone, I was just informed that my 18 y/o brother in law is coming up to my house for my daughters first b-day party, and he has never shot a gun before and he wants to learn how to shoot but he wants to start with my 300 winny, I told him that he should probably start with the 22 to learn the basics of gun handling then id let him shoot my 06 and then if he felt comfortable with that maybe id let him shoot the 300. The first gun i ever shot was a 30-06 with 180 gr loads and i did just fine but that was me. How do you guys think i should go about this situation. (managed recoil loads maybe??)

I would start with a .22 until I was confident he understood safe gun handling. Then, if he wants to shoot the 300, good on him.

Hey bill

18 yrs old is pretty much full grown, at least body wise. I would let him shoot the 30-06 first and see how well he does. Then tell him the 300 win mag kicks harder and let him go for it if he wants to.

It is definitely better to not give someone a bad experience with the first shot.

It also depends upon what type of 30-06 and 300 rifles you have. A heavy 300 would be better than a lightweight 30-06. Depends also on which scope has the best eye relief and is least likely to give him a circular eye tattoo.

I'd say the .22 first.....

I also agree with the 22. Let him learn how to shoot with the 22 before he moves up as recoil might give him a bad flinch.

I'm with the .22 RF first crowd for a first timer. When I take others out shooting I haven't shot with before, and especially new shooters I start with a little gun safety talk. Nothing condescending but the basics of safe gun handling...trigger finger outside trigger guard until on target, muzzle discipline, safe fields of fire, etc. This is basic stuff for us but for some it is a needed reminder or for the non shooter new info!

Start with the .22 RF after instruction on good form. Some will do well and others only have their Hollywood ideal to model their shooting after. Do your best to introduce them into the shooting sports enjoyably.

One of my favorite times was starting a non shooter into performing well with my .17 HMR Cooper LVT, a .223 AR-15, going to a 220 Swift, a 375 H&H and then he wanted to shoot and did well with my RSM Rigby! He didn't know to be afraid of the rifles and although he thought the Rigby was a bit much really enjoyed himself. BTW, I have NEVER had a "non shooter" that didn't enjoy shooting firearms after our sessions and wanted to try it again. Some will not be become enthusiasts, but at least they see the appeal.

Start on the low side and build up. Your BIL might be fine with the 300 Win, but I know I wasn't at first and I love shooting the Rigbys and Lotts now As an aside, I didn't have a mentor to school and help me...I wish I had!

Starting off and encouraging new shooters is VERY important to this sport. Your BIL may well be your next hunting/shooting buddy!

John

quote:

Originally posted by bill23:
....18 y/o brother in law is coming ....never shot a gun before ......he wants to start with my 300 winny,

Too tempting. Do you have anything bigger?

Hey guys, thanks alot for the help i really appreciate it, from the sounds of it everyone seems to think along the same lines as i do as far as how to start him out, i'll prolly take all three rifles with us and after he and i are both comfortable with him shooting if he wants to shoot my winny ill let him. By the way the, winny is a savage weather warrior 26 in tube laminate stock, Id say it weighs somewere in the 8-9 pound range IMHO I think its a little more manageble than my 7.5 lb 06 as far as recoil goes. but thanks again everybody

quote:

Originally posted by ElCaballero:

quote:

Originally posted by bill23:
....18 y/o brother in law is coming ....never shot a gun before ......he wants to start with my 300 winny,

Too tempting. Do you have anything bigger?

No unfortunatly i dont have anything bigger

I think that starting with the .22 and offering up anything he wants to shoot is best. But saftey is and should always be first with firearms, so start him off right. He's young, and so are you probably, so do him a mature favor and let him do it all.

If you need further convincing about the caliber, I would pick the .22 as well. After a good grilling on gun safety from me and his uncle, I started my Step son (and his 4 cousins) with a .17 HMR, moved up to .22 pistol (Ruger MKII), .22 rifle (Mossberg 144LS), then he shot my Beretta 9MM, then my XD .40(my duty gun), he then shot my 30.06 to which he loves. I bought him his own Rem 700 SPS 30.06 for his birthday (sold the Beretta for it) I'm going to load some light 125GR bullets, he's 14 and ready to drop a deer with me and his Grandpa.

It's all about safety and courage to shoot the gun. If you give him a cannon without having ever shot a gun, it may scare him. My step son flinched a little but he loves it. That first shot was a hoot though, surprised him. That day we shot about 500 rds of the above mentioned guns and him and 4 of his cousins (one girl) shot, with no rule violations to report. So...not one kid hat to sit in the car with snot bubbles from a rule violation.....

Like one gent said, he may end up your hunting/shooting buddy and make your family stronger.

I can't wait to start reloading, my dad gave me all of his old RCBS reloading stuff (only need a case trimmer and deburrer). I got enough powder and bullets to shoot for days.

L8R

Aaron

quote:

Originally posted by bill23:
Hey everyone, I was just informed that my 18 y/o brother in law is coming up to my house for my daughters first b-day party, and he has never shot a gun before and he wants to learn how to shoot but he wants to start with my 300 winny, I told him that he should probably start with the 22 to learn the basics of gun handling then id let him shoot my 06 and then if he felt comfortable with that maybe id let him shoot the 300. The first gun i ever shot was a 30-06 with 180 gr loads and i did just fine but that was me. How do you guys think i should go about this situation. (managed recoil loads maybe??)

You are right! Unless he is very unusual, he'll get whacked by that .300, develop flinch-itis, and have a hell of a time overcoming it! Even something with a big/loud muzzle blast might be too much for the first timer!

If he has to shoot a centerfire, it should be a .223. .22/250, or something in the .243 Win. class.