Rimfire Rifle for Youth?

[Mike62]

My 6.5 year old son has been doing a lot of shooting with me lately and I think he is about ready to shoot his first rimfire challenge match.  Unfortunately he has been shooting AR pistol with brace which would not be legal in Steel Challenge. While I am experienced in USPSA and IDPA I do not have much experience with steel challenge.  Is there a good rifle or stock recommendation that would work well for a growing shooter?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[DesertTortoise]

I'm a fan of the M&P 15/22 because of the collapsing stock, light weight, reliability, and AR trigger compatability

[revolver45]

Get him the youth model Ruger 10/22. You can restock it later if he keeps an interest and wants to upgrade. 

[LuvDog]

6.5yr old can be a bit vague.. is he big/small strong/weak?

 

I like the MP22 suggestion.  What about a pistol?  

 

I built a 22 SBR for my son and he loves shooting it and can handle it well.

[nso123]

My son is shooting the Magnum Research Switchbolt in an Axiom stock.  I shoot one too.  It is light and adjustable. Reach out to me if you'd like a discount code. 

[CharlieD]

2 hours ago, DesertTortoise said:

I'm a fan of the M&P 15/22 because of the collapsing stock, light weight, reliability, and AR trigger compatability
 

Agree with all of this, and it’s cheap.

[jrdoran]

Buy a basic ruger 10/22 ( $250 )  from a box store.   By the time he is serious 10+   technology will advance and any go-fast parts you buy today will be obsolete.  

 

 

[stick]

5 minutes ago, jrdoran said:

Buy a basic ruger 10/22 ( $250 )  from a box store.   By the time he is serious 10+   technology will advance and any go-fast parts you buy today will be obsolete.  

 

 

^^This^^  

[Mike62]

He's 4', 2" and 58 lbs, so he's pretty good size for his age.  For pistol he is shooting a Victory with CMORE on it.  

 

Is there a lightweight stock for the 10/22 that folks recommend?  I happen to have a used carbon fiber barrel for a 10/22 that I bought a while back so I have one piece of the puzzle if I go that route.

 

Those of you with the 15-22, are there recommended upgrades or is it ready to go right out of the box?

 

Thanks for all the replies.

[SnipTheDog]

5 hours ago, Mike62 said:

Those of you with the 15-22, are there recommended upgrades or is it ready to go right out of the box?

I kept mine stock.  I did add a TRS-25 red dot.  It's a fun, cheap, lightweight shooter.

[Hammer002]

7 hours ago, Mike62 said:

He's 4', 2" and 58 lbs, so he's pretty good size for his age.  For pistol he is shooting a Victory with CMORE on it.  

 

Is there a lightweight stock for the 10/22 that folks recommend?  I happen to have a used carbon fiber barrel for a 10/22 that I bought a while back so I have one piece of the puzzle if I go that route.

 

Those of you with the 15-22, are there recommended upgrades or is it ready to go right out of the box?

 

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Ok, for reference, I am a GM in RFRO, PCCO, and RFPO, and a former scholastic team coach.  I don't say that to toot any horn, but for knowledge reference because I would really like to see you get your son on the right direction.

 

I started with a 15-22, and made GM with it with a cheap Bushnell TRS-25.  The best thing about these rifles is, if you don't mess with them, they run near 100 percent.  If you want by and shoot, this is definitely the way to go.  Allchin makes a comp specifically for it so the timer picks up the shots correctly.  This is a must.  It will run most AR15 triggers, I had very good luck with a Geisslle.  I ran a CMORE on mine at its peak.  Maybe a Tandemcross extractor, but NOTHING ELSE.  I have come to the opinion through extensive experience with others, these guns, likely due to being plastic, do not like being taken apart.  Just shoot it and shoot it and shoot it.  LOVED mine.  Eventually had to go lighter.  Whatever you do, DO NOT go Volquartsen barrel.  I have NEVER seen one run the same after someone installing one, even if they go back to the original barrel.  Hence, my opinion on the guns not being liked being taken apart.

 

Being that you have a 10/22 barrel, you have a good start if you are familiar with putting them together.  They are quite simple.  First, you will want the Blackhawk axiom stock.  This stock has taken the sport by storm due to its great economics, price and incredible light weight.  As far as receiver and bolt, you could go with a stock one, just polish the bolt for reliability.  Or go with something like Tandemkross.  All my insides are KIDD and they are super smooth.  The stock trigger is rough.  I love my KIDD.  Its hands down the lightest and best reset that exists.  There are other companies with reputable products.  Some you can send an existing trigger assembly and they will do a trigger job.  I love the KIDD stuff.

 

A stock 10/22 will not make him happy.  They simply are not competition reliable, and very rough to shoot as far as trigger, bolt, etc.

 

There are some other choices out there, but these two are by far and large the best.  If you want to go out of the box higher end, check out Magnum research's Switchbolt.  Maybe just the upper for the axiom.  Up to you.

 

The orange one is a wilandusa barrel.  Lightest made.  Whole rifle is super light.  Forget the weight, but its lower than pic below, that one is with the Tacsol barrel

 

 

A while back with the 15-22

Edited July 7, 2020 by Hammer002

[ezra650]

On 7/7/2020 at 11:35 AM, Hammer002 said:

 

 

Being that you have a 10/22 barrel, you have a good start if you are familiar with putting them together.  They are quite simple.  First, you will want the Blackhawk axiom stock.  This stock has taken the sport by storm due to its great economics, price and incredible light weight.  As far as receiver and bolt, you could go with a stock one, just polish the bolt for reliability.  Or go with something like Tandemkross.  All my insides are KIDD and they are super smooth.  The stock trigger is rough.  I love my KIDD.  Its hands down the lightest and best reset that exists.  There are other companies with reputable products.  Some you can send an existing trigger assembly and they will do a trigger job.  I love the KIDD stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hammer- How did you mount that cheekrest to the axiom stock? Looks like you used 2 bolts/screws of some sort?? I was going to epoxy mine in the highest position so it doesn't move downward when you push down with your face on the cheekrest while shooting. 

Also to the OP- A 10/22 is a great place to start as is a 15-22. Since he is used to shooting an AR the 15-22 may be the best option. I've had both but never used the 15-22 for SCSA. The 15-22 has a lighter bolt I believe and will shoot softer. You can upgrade either platform later on. The 15-22 will cost more upfront as will the magazines. However I do believe the 15-22 is easier to shoot out of the box. If you get the 10/22 get the blackhawk axiom stock and their cheek rest. It really is the best option for a 10/22 race rig. A kidd trigger will be needed for the 10/22.  With some polishing/stoning and a JP reduced power trigger springs the 15-22 could be acceptable. or just use a drop in AR trigger. 
 

 

[Hammer002]

I drilled holes and used screws. Worked very well

[theautobahn]

So... last fall, my tall for age, but scrawny 11 year old shot his first Steel Challenge match. We both shot RFRO. I was planning on using my 15-22 with a cheap Bushnell 1-4 and was going to have him shoot his Thompson Center TCR22 (basically a 10/22) with a TRS-25. Being a level 1 match, we swapped rifles a few times just to play (yeah, I know it's technically not allowed, but I asked and got the green light). He said he preferred the scope. Fast forward to this month, when he's shooting his second steel challenge match. He still wants the scope. So I put that on his TCR22. I put the TRS-25 on my TCR22. And I put a cheap Primary Arms dot I got on sale on the 15-22. I ask him no less than five times if he's sure about the scope, due to weight (remember, he's scrawny). We go to the range and sight everything in. I have him run the plate rack to freshen up on commands and work transitions. He struggles with the weight of the scope. So at the match the next day, he runs my TCR22 with the TRS25 and I run the 15-22.

TLDR- the 15-22 and 10/22 (and TCR) worked well for him. I like the 15-22 for kids due to the adjustable stock and vertical grip (more ergonomic), but mine is the old quad rail version - for a kid, I'd make sure to get the round foreend mlok version. Easier to handle.

 

[Les Snyder]

if you have a bunch of AR parts lying around... my RFRO started as a Brownells BRN22 receiver with integral sight base and barrel, in a PMACA lightweight chassis... Ruger bolt and trigger group... Hogue grip and SOPMOD style slanted stock... the angled fore grip off a cantilevered 1913 rail attached to the front end... I used some coke can shims to tighten everything down...puts the weight to the rear and swings well feels much more solid than a friends 15-22

[fosters3]

On 7/6/2020 at 2:32 PM, nso123 said:

My son is shooting the Magnum Research Switchbolt in an Axiom stock.  I shoot one too.  It is light and adjustable. Reach out to me if you'd like a discount code. 

This is the ticket!

[belus]

On 7/6/2020 at 11:55 AM, Mike62 said:

Unfortunately he has been shooting AR pistol with brace which would not be legal in Steel Challenge.

Can't you just put a 16" barrel upper on this pistol and use that? It'd be everything else he's used to. Or if you're worried about weight just pin an extension tube for a PCC on the 22 barrel.

There's no issue using a pistol brace on a normal rifle as long as the OAL is under 26", which is a given with an AR.  I don't think anyone's concerned about what box was checked on the 4473 when you bought the lower.