A grandfather sentenced to four months' community detention for accidentally shooting his grandson has told a court he wishes it was he who had died.

Brian Phillips was sentenced in the Taupo District Court today over the death of 11 year old Connor Phillips.

The boy died during a hunting trip in the Kaingaroa Forest near Taupo.

Phillips' lawyer applied for a discharge without conviction, but Judge Tony Snell turned that down.

He said while the offending was not serious, the key rule of using firearms is that they must always be pointed in a safe direction - and with five children in the area, extra care should have been taken.

The judge added the sentenced he imposed today is nothing to how Phillips is treating himself over the incident.

Meanwhile, the judge's decision has been labeled the right one, by a law expert.  

Massey University Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor Chris Gallavin said the decision sends an important message for gun safety in New Zealand.

"I think it's really important to symbolise to the rest of the country that these things have consequences and we've got to hold people accountable."

Mr Gallavin is happy the judge stopped short of sending Phillips to prison, saying it would have been a double tragedy for the family.  

"It doesn't surprise me that there is quite a low sentence, but I do think it's good that a conviction was entered."