I did have a minor lapse in judgement this weekend. A few of us got together for a shoot in Wren, OR this weekend. We normally shoot nothing but M14's, but we all shot M14's three weeks ago. This weekend I brought my Savage 110 long action chambered in 308. We started the day with three precision 308's all bedded into McMillan stocks. Wes had his GA Precision and another associate of ours had a Remington M40A1 clone. As you can see in the picture, my 10 year old son was behind the Savage 110.



he insisted he wanted to shoot it since he's been shooting AR's recently. I didn't think anything of it and my son was eager, yet apprehensive. I assured him with these words: "I wouldn't let you shoot something that would hurt you." The rifle was loaded with 168 grain handloads that clocked in at 2650 FPS at the muzzle. I take some things for granted sometimes; like the fact that I'm 260 pounds and shooting a bolt action 308 that weighs 13 pounds feels like shooting an AR for me.

I also somehow overlooked the fact that he was soft shouldering the rifle. BANG! The rifle bucked back and the scope popped him right in the forehead! He covered his face and kicked his legs for a few moments. After he removed his hands, I was expecting blood or a cut. Luckily, he just had a knot on his forehead.

He didn't let that stop him though and after a few minutes he regained his composure and was back behind the rifle, this time with the stock firmly in his shoulder. Our other friend had some cream puff 150 grain FMJ that he threw us to take it easy on the little guy. He fired a few rounds and managed not to let himself get knocked in the head anymore with the scope. An effective learning experience, I suppose! He was ringing the 12" gong at 200 with ease.

I absolutely would never intentionally do this to a child, let alone my own. After the range session was over, we headed over to a steakhouse in Dallas, OR and we treated him to a chicken quesadilla and fries. We all laughed hard recounting the story, including my son. He's already laughing about it now.

I think I need to build him a precision 223 bolt gun soon.

Tony.

Scope-eye is a red badge of courage. Even R. Lee Ermy got one once. Rub some dirt in it son, and get back to the bench.

Glad he didn’t get split! He got lucky, there. And I don’t think you’re a bad dad, man. Bad would have been handing him a 6lb .45-70 single shot with high rings, no cheek pad and about a 2# trigger.... If that seems awfully specific, that’s because it is.

A bad dad would have yelled at the boy or not given it a second thought.

A good dad makes a considered decision and provides a warning.

How he reacted after the hit is telling as well. No histrionics, just took some time, recomposed and went forward. Sounds like some good upbringing there.

I suspect there aren't too many rifle shooters reading this that haven't been knocked by a scope.

A bad dad would have left the kid at home at the game console. You're ok.

Yup, good to see kids out on the range...good for you! That scope-eye thing usually only happens once.

You are right, you were a bad father....
Should have bought him a man's meal... Steak!

not some wimpy chicken....

(just joking, for those that don't get my humor)

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Glad he didn’t get split! He got lucky, there. And I don’t think you’re a bad dad, man. Bad would have been handing him a 6lb .45-70 single shot with high rings, no cheek pad and about a 2# trigger.... If that seems awfully specific, that’s because it is.

LOL.....that has ouch written all over it.

To the OP, now he has a good story....men should have good stories!

Definitely not the worst father. Good on you for taking the boy outdoors. I’m sure it’s a terrible feeling when your kid gets hurt. From the kids perspective, it’s probably no worse than falling off his bike.

Pretty cool you are going to build him a nice .223. Can’t wait to see the build.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Glad he didn’t get split! He got lucky, there. And I don’t think you’re a bad dad, man. Bad would have been handing him a 6lb .45-70 single shot with high rings, no cheek pad and about a 2# trigger.... If that seems awfully specific, that’s because it is.

Haha , remember the Russian sxs 45-70 rifles ?
Very light and abusive recoil.
My boy shot that when he was about 11-12.
He would shoot anything at the range, everyone thought he was tough
My regular range partner, who would fit in here, said there is a fine line between tough and dumb
The boy is now a US Marine

OP, he kinds looks like he was having fun there in the pic anyway
He will have a cool story to tell his buddies now!

Good daddy. Making good memories and teaching common sense...at least what used to be.

A memory and accomplishment he'll carry for the rest of his life. Here's to many more great memories.

This will be what he tells HIS kid about when he tells him "How I got my first custom rifle." The only thing better would be if he had a scar to prove it. Everybody forgets a detail now and then. A Good Dad is one who takes the time to teach his kids about important things like this.

Your son has now completed his first right of passage. Well done dad, well done

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Scope-eye is a red badge of courage. Even R. Lee Ermy got one once. Rub some dirt in it son, and get back to the bench.

Yeah, I bought a Remington 308 carbine at the Giessen rod and gun club. Mounted a nice variable scope on it. Being in Germany I had to have a German forester along to hunt, my father in law was one.

We spotted a nice Roebuck that was fit the bill so I took aim, pulled the trigger.

When my eyes quit watering, the buck was down and I had a nice skid mark on my nose where the scope nailed me.

My wife was not sympathetic. I still have that rifle, and it has put a lot of game in the freezer. Several deer, a couple of elk over the years.

Bad dad? Not hardly...
Buddy of mine bought a new ski boat and took his teenage sons out. One of the boys fell while skiing, hit the ski with his head and split it open. Fred got him back in the boat but made his son hold his head over the side of the boat so he wouldn't bleed in the boat as they went back to the boat ramp.

Fred's wife was none too happy when she found out about it.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
A bad dad would have left the kid at home at the game console. You're ok.

Pretty much this! ^^^

Everyone gets knicked once or twice in the beginning. No stitches, no blood, he's all good! The smile on his face tells us just how "bad" your doing!

I'm happy you and your son got to enjoy the day!

reminds me of playing ball with my girl when she was little. She started playing T-ball. I didn't know that the kids balls are much softer than a regular baseball....

I got in the yard and tossed her a slow underhand baseball - first try and she gets smacked in the face with the ball. Thus ended our game of catch. I felt like an asshole.

She only played the one season. went on to basketball later and did ok at that.

quote:

Originally posted by elkhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Scope-eye is a red badge of courage. Even R. Lee Ermy got one once. Rub some dirt in it son, and get back to the bench.

Yeah, I bought a Remington 308 carbine at the Giessen rod and gun club. Mounted a nice variable scope on it. Being in Germany I had to have a German forester along to hunt, my father in law was one.

We spotted a nice Roebuck that was fit the bill so I took aim, pulled the trigger.

When my eyes quit watering, the buck was down and I had a nice skid mark on my nose where the scope nailed me.

My wife was not sympathetic. I still have that rifle, and it has put a lot of game in the freezer. Several deer, a couple of elk over the years.

I know how it feels. Mine happened with all of my uncles present. Injured body and pride.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Glad he didn’t get split! He got lucky, there. And I don’t think you’re a bad dad, man. Bad would have been handing him a 6lb .45-70 single shot with high rings, no cheek pad and about a 2# trigger.... If that seems awfully specific, that’s because it is.

Ouch! So were you the prankster, or the prank-ee?

It was and will be a memorable moment for a very long time. I don't think I ever got scope eye, but I did get sore shoulders from the 12 gauge as a kid.

Tony.