15 January 2007

Back to the Range

The time to write is a luxury not recognized until that time is no more. But this is not a dead site, and I plan to continue jabbering on here whenever I can. So just check back from time to time and leave a comment or 2.
Anyhow, my reason for writing was not to tell that. Another activity that becomes limited is shooting. I'll trade range time for the little girl in the below pictures anytime, not to mention the other 4 little ones running around here. But today me and the boy made it out to the range to try out some new toys. I got Gavin a Rossi single barrel rifle in .243 for Christmas, I got a CVA Kodiak magnum .50 cal. muzzle loader from My parents, and with the generosity of my boss, I was able to buy myself a Charles Dailey compact 1911 .45 auto.
It's kinda embarrassing, but for all the different guns I've been able to shoot, I've never even shouldered a muzzle loader. But there was a fella at the range who took the time to go over everything with me. Don't think I know enough about them to say much more, but it was a fine shooter, and it'll kill a deer, even with me behind the sights.
On the other hand, the 1911 was perfect. Charles Dailey puts together a nice package. For a pistol that retails for about $1000, You would expect a smooth, solid gun with all the add-on junk like an extended beavertail grip safety, a combat hammer, tapered bull barrel (Which eliminated the barrel bushing), A full length guide rod, nice big combat sights, And a smooth crisp trigger that breaks right around 4 lbs. But this gun retails somewhere around 500 bucks. I know this sound like I'm being paid by Charles Dailey, but I was really impressed by this gun. I've never really liked the idea of the full guide rod, I guess its just "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kinda thinking. But the difference is amazing. The gun feels more solid, and it's got a more positive lock up. Anyway, Great gun.
Now this Is where I need some help. My boys rifle. It is a good gun, shoots great, easy to operate, even for a small framed boy of 8 years. We got it sighted in, and it held pretty good groups for me, So I know the scope is holding zero. But when the boy got behind it, the target looked like it was used in a turkey shoot. And this was at 50 yards. Now I know he can shoot, he's been very good for some time now, 4" groups at 100 yards with an iron sighted 22. So his ability to shoot is not the problem. This is the first time he's used a scope. Normally it's the other way around, you teach a youngster how to shoot a rifle with a scope first, and give them iron sights and they couldn't hit a buffalo at 10 paces. I didn't know this delima worked in reverse too. So I'll leave with this, how do I teach a boy who is proficient with open sights how to use a scoped rifle? The comment button is right down there, If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.(Well I guess I'd be all eyes in this case, whatever you know what I mean.)