Non-Budget Busting Setup - The Rossi Matched Set
By Mark Fike

Normally I'd rather not push the material side of Christmas in this space. I’d rather remember what the real meaning of Christmas is. However, knowing that just about all of us are looking for ideas for the outdoorsman or woman in the family I decided that a quick write up on something for the young hunter in your family might be helpful. What every kid who has an interest in hunting dreams of seeing under the tree is a long, narrow box. A long box equates to a lifetime of fun, excitement and dreams fulfilled. Many adults found a single barrel shotgun, a BB gun or a .22 rifle in that first narrow box years ago. And I doubt you will find anyone who received such a gift to be complaining even now. Unlike the chances you take on clothes, games or the like, a firearm is pretty much a sure bet if the youngster is mature enough, responsible enough and interested in the outdoors.

Due to the fact that I do quite a few product reviews for magazines I get the chance to see a lot of gear that we all use. It takes some time to use and test the gear to make sure it holds up and does what the manufacturer says it will do. Over the last few months I tested a youth sized firearm combo set by Rossi that is PEFRECT for most any youngster.

Rossi makes a Matched Set Miniloader (muzzleloader), .22 rifle and shotgun. All are single shot and therefore great for the new shooter.

One set is composed of a .45 caliber muzzleloader, .22 rifle, and a .410 shotgun barrel. The barrels are interchangeable with just a tiny bit of effort and a minute of your time.

The second set comes with a .50 caliber muzzleloader, 20 gauge barrel, and a .22 rifle barrel. I got the first set for my oldest child. She is having a hard time getting me to share the gun.

I first tested the .45 caliber muzzleloader before the season. The Hornady 40 caliber saboted bullets (.45 caliber with the sabot) in 200 grain are incredibly accurate in the rifle. I tried a few different bullet configurations but determined that these sabots paired with Hodgdon’s Triple Seven powder were the superior load. I am a huge fan of Hodgdon powder for all my muzzleloaders. The Triple Seven powder cleans up in a flash too. No sulfur smell or terrible corrosion is noted.

The miniloader printed a 5 shot group inside 1.5 inches at 50 yards with 50 grains of loose powder! Recoil was negligible and I cannot argue with the group considering the fact I was using open sights. Speaking of the sights, your young shooter will find the fiber optic sights to be easy to line up. The set comes with a scope mount for either the .22 rifle barrel or the miniloader.

The barrels are all button rifled, the shotgun barrels come in modified choke and a bead front sight. Each set also has a transfer bar safety and a manual safety.

The gun is small enough for young shooters to hold comfortably, weighs less than six pounds in any configuration and is well made. Some firearms that I test in the budget minded department are “sloppy.”

This means that the barrel and receiver are loose, the stock to receiver fit is loose and the wood may be sloppy in its finish. This is not so with the Rossi set. I was pleasantly surprised at its appearance and feel.

This firearm is built to last long enough to be passed down to your grandchildren and maybe longer. The soft case that comes with the set is nice too. For a firearm that costs in the neighborhood of $300 or less it is a good buy, especially considering you get three guns in one. This set will take your young hunter through all the seasons with a gun that fits, is comfortable and familiar to them. The gun is very easy to disassemble, clean and put back together. It is built with safety in mind and with attention to detail. If you are wondering what to get your young hunter I think it is worth your time to pick one up and look it over to decide for yourself. I can tell you that the one I tested shot very accurately and I have yet to have any problems with mine. I love it and use it often. Check it out at rossiusa.com.

Remember to teach your youngster safety BEFORE presenting them with such a responsibility. Set the rules and have them attend the next hunting education class. The class is well presented and worth your time.