Out of curiosity, i wonder if you could set the boy up with a smokeless barrel. Keep in mind i am totally unfamiliar with smokeless muzzy shooting. Reason i ask is, to me it seems you would burn less powder smokeless, and this would lead to less recoil. However, it does seem to me this load you developed, wouldn't recoil much at all.

Did you set the boy up with a smoker, because it is safer? Did you set the boy up with a smoker because reduced loads aren't easy smokeless?

Myself, knowing not much about smokeless, i would rather my boy was playing around with a smoker. At any rate, it seems you have a good hunting load figured out for the boy. Hunting with our boy, gave me the best memories in my life.

By the end of the summer I will have a smokeless barrel for the Pro Hunter. Already have one 45-70 conversion that I plan to try some light loads in for him.

I took my son out this morning to shoot his gun. Groups were fired by him at 50yds with 70gr BH209. I was very happy with his shooting!!

1st group after 2 practice shots.
Barnes Tac 155 (knurled)
MMP tan


2nd group after scope adjustment.
Hornady 200gr SST's (knurled)
Harvester lt blue smooths


His set up. He don't need no stinkin Lead Sled.

That is some nice shooting and he looks ready to go. I still think you should of got him a...nevermind. Lol.

I wish my kids would get interested in ML'ing. Too many $%*&ing video games to get in the way.