quietest rifle with longest range for my boys

R

Redrock

New member
im needing a coyote gun and scope for my 7 year old and 9 year old for Christmas. they go everywhere with me. they shoot 22's very well. I want something they can shoot to 200yds but I will also enjoy and something that can be a heirloom that I bought them like my grandpa did me. and not in a caliber I own, and not in a deer caliber I got em covered when ready. also the guns don't have to be the same caliber. I feel no shame in saying im gonna enjoy them as well.

we always use ear protection when target shooting. but thats not safe in the field in my opinion. (I know electronic hearing protection. but I want them to develop there senses as well. I want wood stock and blued or black. im thinking 22 hornet 22 mag 17 wsm or hmr. or 17 Remington or hornet. the 22 hornet is what im leaning to I've seen guys make 100yd hog kills online. I know thats subjective ethicaly but they got the power and are quiet.

I like the 22 and 17 hornets and 17 Remington because I reload can have my reloading fun. I have no experience with any of these except 22 mag and 17hmr. and honestly they hold no interest for me and since im gonna be funding the ammo. 17 wsm seems to be the compromise. but the guns don't seem to match the ammo yet or vise versa. I know that a lot of options. but I thank everyone for your help.
 
I would probably go for one of the hornets. I've got rifles in both the 22 and 17 hornet and really like both, although if I had to choose I'd say go for the 17. I really like the caliber and it ticks most of your checkboxes - fairly quiet, virtually zero recoil, flat shooting, and enough power to do a number on smaller game like prairie dogs, chucks/groundhogs, and badgers. And can take down coyotes within reasonable range. I've taken 4 coyotes with my 17 hornet and 3 were dropped on the spot and 1 made it 30 or so yards before dropping. Might also take a look at one of the fireballs which would have more knockdown power for coyotes, but I don't have one of those so can't give any personal input on them. Pic shows my CZ 527 17H.

coy1.jpg
 
Have you thought about a 20 practical or 204 river? Is this a factory gun only or would a aftermarket barrel be an option? Also these can be had in an ar don't know what your budget is though. The ar might help soak up some of the recoil and be easy with an colaspable stock for length of pull for the young kids. But do t know if you would want them on an ar15. Check out some of the athlon scopes i have looked at the Argos btr Midas btr and Cronus. They might not be what you want though they do have open turrets.
 
Since you reload how about an AR in 6x45. My Grandkids have been shooting mine since they were 8 years old. Light with little/no recoil.
 
CZ 527 in 22Hornet....17Hornet....221FB....222Rem.....17Rem.....all good choices....
221 would be my favorite of the bunch but they can be hard to find...


Not to lecture buttttt......every time you fire a gun without ear protection you irreparably damage your hearing regardless of caliber.....
So while your young'uns are "developing their senses" (what ever that means) they'll also be damaging them....
 
Originally Posted By: RePeteCZ 527 in 22Hornet....17Hornet....221FB....222Rem.....17Rem.....all good choices....
221 would be my favorite of the bunch but they can be hard to find...


Not to lecture buttttt......every time you fire a gun without ear protection you irreparably damage your hearing regardless of caliber.....
So while your young'uns are "developing their senses" (what ever that means) they'll also be damaging them....

This^^^^^^^

Letting youngsters shoot without hearing protection leads to old men who can't hear. Spring for some good electronic muffs and don't look back. They'll thank you for it.

As for cartridge choices, I've always found the 17 Rem to be fairly noisy with a loud crack. The rest of the ones RePete mentioned are good choices, but all require hearing protection.
 
Originally Posted By: Winny FanOriginally Posted By: RePeteCZ 527 in 22Hornet....17Hornet....221FB....222Rem.....17Rem.....all good choices....
221 would be my favorite of the bunch but they can be hard to find...


Not to lecture buttttt......every time you fire a gun without ear protection you irreparably damage your hearing regardless of caliber.....
So while your young'uns are "developing their senses" (what ever that means) they'll also be damaging them....

This^^^^^^^

Letting youngsters shoot without hearing protection leads to old men who can't hear. Spring for some good electronic muffs and don't look back. They'll thank you for it.

As for cartridge choices, I've always found the 17 Rem to be fairly noisy with a loud crack. The rest of the ones RePete mentioned are good choices, but all require hearing protection.

I agree regarding the hearing protection.

I'd look at for something in .221 Fireball. Since you reload, ammo availability won't be an issue and performance-wise, it's everything you want.
 
Here's a twist.
Get a 223 bolt with threaded muzzle, add the new Ruger 22LR suppressor that's rated for 22 hornet, then load 223 to hornet speeds..
Any center fire should have a suppressor or el-ear-muffs for the kids, IMO.
 
Originally Posted By: Bob_AtlHere's a twist.
Get a 223 bolt with threaded muzzle, add the new Ruger 22LR suppressor that's rated for 22 hornet, then load 223 to hornet speeds..
Any center fire should have a suppressor or el-ear-muffs for the kids, IMO.

I agree on the suppressor......that the US is so backwards on this pizzes me off to no end....

I'd have to disagree on the loading up/loading down thing though...just buy a rifle chambered for your needs....



I'd also agree with Winny about the 17Rems "crack".....I only mentioned it because of my soft spot for the round....
 
THe issue is finding a youth stock with a length of pull that they will be able to use now and in the few years to come. You are probably looking for something with a length of pull in the 11" area MAX!

Thompson contenders are light on the front end, so youngsters can handle them, also replacement stocks can be found that you can cut off and keep the original.

The little Chipmunk rifles are ideal for small children, but they outgrow them within 5 years. A lot of kids around 13 can shoot some adult rifles, but that will depend.

Kids have one heck of a time with adult rifles, stocks too long, can't get up on the scope, trigger pull is way to hard for them, etc.

I had 4 bb and pellet guns at that age. Dad told me when I turned a teen ager, he would get me my first rifle and shotgun.
 
I grew up shooting and live in Canada where Suppressors are illegal (I know... It sucks). I learned to shoot a 22lr and shot thousands of rounds without hearing protection. For coyotes, I shot a 243 and 223. The 223 is a VTR with the brake and is louder than the 243, or my 22-250 for that matter.

Basically though, if I'm hunting coyotes, its one or two shots and then I'm done so I don't wear ear protection. However if I'm shooting gophers or targets where I'm firing consecutive shots, I always wear ear protection.
 
They aren't "developing thier senses", you are damaging them by not having them wear hearing protection. Electronic muffs are perfectly safe and practical when hunting.
 
Originally Posted By: roky0702They aren't "developing thier senses", you are damaging them by not having them wear hearing protection. Electronic muffs are perfectly safe and practical when hunting.

This comment is as spot-on as any comment can get.

Believing that you can buy a rifle that won't hurt their hearing without hearing protection is silly.
 
Originally Posted By: RePeteCZ 527 in 22Hornet....17Hornet....221FB....222Rem.....17Rem.....all good choices....
221 would be my favorite of the bunch but they can be hard to find...


Not to lecture buttttt......every time you fire a gun without ear protection you irreparably damage your hearing regardless of caliber.....
So while your young'uns are "developing their senses" (what ever that means) they'll also be damaging them....

Exactly this...they can also develop the skill of putting on protection before the shot. No busted coyote of lost deer opportunity is worth hearing damage. And tinnitus is terrible. Just my thoughts on the whole deal.
 
They even make rubber earplugs that allows ya to hear but will cut out the load crack from a rifle. I bought a couple pair last year from amazon and with my model seven with an 18.5 barrel in 6mm rem they work very well and no batteries needed and nothing in your way when shooting.
 
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204 ruger. A guy that I work with has one in an encore. His 5yo and 9yo both killed does with it this year. The 5yo killed 2 in 10 minutes. 112pnds and 86 pnds. It would be a platform that they can build on.
 
I asked the old timer i started hunting with went he didn't use ears. He appeared deep in thought for some time so i eventually broke down and asked him again. He appeared to keep thinking and I was young and impatient so i asked a few more times.

Eventually he turned to face me and FINALLY said "what?"
 


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