Here`s alittle background. He`s 9 yrs old. Been shooting bb gun since he was 5. He`s bigger than most 9 yr olds(hieght and wieght). He`s saving money for a NEF single shot. I just don`t know if I should get him the 410 or 20 ga. He`s wanted to go deer hunting so that`ll be in his near future. What do I do?

My personal thought is to get him the .410 and loan himyour Ithaca when he's ready to hunt deer. You'll want to be with him for the "experience" when he shoots his first deer, so you can probabally share a gun. I shot my first deer with my father's 16 gauge deerslayer and it is a memory to last a lifetime. At his age, the .410 would be great for squirrels, or rabbits or cans, or pumpkins, or rats or whatever he cares to shoot. There will be very little recoil and he will have confidence in his shooting abilities. If he were a little older, I'd maybe get the 20, but if he wants a gun right now, like the rest of us, I'd get the .410.

KEJ

I would go with the 20 gauge. I have a couple of friend's with son's his age and they both shoot a 20 gauge all day long, and one of them shoots a .308 and the other shoots a .243 with no problems. The sheels for the 20 gauge will be cheaper to buy than for the .410 as well.

I also agree with you Jeffs!

He wants the 20 ga,LOL says the 410 looks like his BB gun. I`d let him use my old Ithaca 20ga but my wife has already claimed that one and she won`t give it up.

I would reccomend the 20 as well. Why don't you have him shoot one and see how he handles it. Shells are much cheaper with more shot options. Good luck

My vote goes to the 20ga also. Definetly cheaper to feed shells through it. 20ga shells are about 1/2 the price of .410 shells. You can also find 20ga shells anywhere and a huge variety of them as well. THe same can't be said for the .410.

However, I suggest that dad throws in a little cash get him a youth sized pump. I like single shot rifles but I think he would be much happier with a pump should he need a follow up shot.

Just throwing another idea in there. Why not a muzzle loader. The are accurate and have a long range and you can load them down so that they don't kick much at all. It will also allow him to hunt during the muzzle loader season with less hunters in the woods. He will also gain a better understanding of ballistics and how bullets fire and such.

Tom

I'm not familiar with NY hunting regulations . . . do you have to use a shotgun with slugs? The muzzleloader idea is a good one. Can you use a CF rifle?

Well that's a lot easier decision. Have him shoot your 20 gauge and see how well he can handle it . If he can, get the twenty. If its too big or kicks too much, get him the .410. If he doesn't want a .410, tell him to wait and save more $. Of course the 20 gauge is more practical to own, but is it the most practical for him? Worst case with the 20 is he will grow into it, and you can use it yourself in the meantime. In NY he still has 7 years before he can hunt deer with a gun (wink, wink). I like the idea of a pump gun for deer hunting, even if it's used.

KEJ