What kind of rifle for an old newbie

[David R. Pennington]

Finally got my Dad out to the range for one of our primitive shoots and although we couldn't entice him to shoot, he really seemed to enjoy himself and I even caught him eying and handling some of the rifles. I'm thinking of building him a rifle and am wondering if anyone has any input on what type of rifle would be "ideal" for a 76 year old greenhorn.  I would like to surprise him so I can't really ask him. I know he probably wouldn't want a real long or heavy barrel. I know a halfstock plains or Hawken comes to mind but I don't know if I can bring myself to do a halfstock. What caliber and barrel length would you recomend and what other style or school would work well with shorter barrel? I'm already scheming how I can get him measured for trigger pull and drop, I'll get him to use my trystock somehow. Would I do set triggers or a well set up single with nicely tuned lock. Most of his shooting has been with double 16 ga. shotgun but recent years he says it got too heavy and he bought him a little 20 ga. pump. Any ideas?

[Gene Carrell]

IMHO a Vincent-style caplock with a 40cal 13/16 bbl 36in long  is hard to beat as a starter rifle. Not too heavy or hard on the shoulder. 40cal  is about ideal for target and most woodswalk matches.

[B.Habermehl]

A Jeager with a light contour barrel. One with one of John Getz's light Jeager barrels will finish out around 7 lbs with a 31 in. barrel. Or a late lancaster with a straight tapered barrel like Fred Miller's Fordney- Drepperd.  Also finishing up around 7 lbs with a 36 in barrel. BJH

[smokinbuck]

David,
I would have to agree with Gene, a Vincent would make a well balanced, good looking rifle. I have one in .40, with a 32" barrel, and she handles and shoots easily. I'm not 76, but at 68 I deal with a rebuilt back, neck and shoulder and it works. Glad to see a youngster getting involved.
Mark
Mark

[Don Getz]

I would highly recommend an Isaac Haines kit, not the standard one, but one with a Trans. "B" barrel in it.   If you want
to keep it light, do it in 50 calibre.   It has about a 13 1/2" trigger pull, and seems to fit almost anybody that picks it up.
Don

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I agree with Don.  The .50 will be light and with a swamped barrel easy for him to hold......He does not need a  heavy gun at his age, believe me. Full stock won't add any significant weight.

[stuart cee dub]

 The .40 cal with a barrel not longer that 35" would make a really nice local match gun great  .You can build a half stock pretty darn quick.Best get to it or even just find your dad a used .45 cal Thompson so he has something to come down and shoot with, as it is best to strike while the iron is hot.
The other suggestions are sensible as well. Flinters are less complicated to make all things being equal.
  My dad passed just a couple of years ago and I am grateful for the time I spent with him including some shooting .  Don't wait .A good plan today is better than a perfect plan next week.
Best of luck .
 

[A.Merrill]

    If your dad likes the looks of longrifles, build him one using a octagon to round barrel, rifled or smoothbore.
    Look on TOTW web site they list the barrels weight, that will give you the best idea of what to build him.    Good Luck    AL

[Ephraim]

You could build a full stock using a 3\4'' barrel in .40 cal it will not be to heavy and recoil will be light with modest loads.
Ephraim

[David R. Pennington]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I've got an old CVA .45 that he can shoot now. I'll work on trying to get him shooting next match. I don't get alot of shop time (work gets in the way), but my goal is to getterdone by next Christmas if not by his birthday in August. Dad is in amazingly good shape and active for his age with no significant health issues. Cuts firewood, deerhunts and is involved with a local trail/hiking club. I'm saving all the comments. Now will need to look for a barrel. I've got three seasoned maple blanks in my shop rafters and some  seasoned cherry planks. I like the idea of a .50. That's what I shoot the matches with, and it would also be ok if he wanted to deer hunt with it.