Shooting how to?

KPSquared

KPSquared

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So, I've grown up shooting gophers, coyotes, etc. but have never really been a "gun guy". Is there a place where I can find good info on sighting in rifles, shooting techniques, and that sort of thing?

I always see guys posting up groupings and stuff. Where can I find info on how to set up a target for reliably measuring accuracy of a rifle or skill of a shooter? I want to step up my shooting game.

Do I just measure off 50 yds, throw a target up and pound 10 rounds into it? Is it that simple or is there more?

I have never really been to a range and may never get to one, but I have a lot of open space to shoot safely.

Any help is appreciated. I'm always looking to learn new things.
 
Well, you're in the rimfire forum...can we assume that's what you're wanting info on? Very general question, so I'll offer some "general" answers.

First off~is it safe to assume you have your PAL? (Possession Aquisition License)

Second, shooting can be for anything from hunting (game/varmint control) though to casual target shooting to competition bench-rest...and everything in between. Ask 100 shooters what they shoot, and what they shoot at...you'll probably get 500 answers. One shooter's passion may hold no interest for another, so take some time on this site and look around. Since we're talking in the rimfire forum, let me tell you what I shoot...and where I shoot.

Most weekends~a 28 acre wood/field area owned by my family, I shoot one of 3 bolt-action .22s I'm rather fond of. Usually casual targets (empty juice cans, clay pigeons, sometimes paper targets) I don't hunt on this property, but the crow numbers seem to be climbing...so we'll see. :)

Hunting season summer~I hunt groundhogs on 4 different farms 2 hours west of my home. Used to be .17HMR and .22WMR, now a .223.

Hunting season fall~looking for grouse, no luck. :) I do this on crown land. If I find one this weekend, it'll be an old Remington 11-48 12 gauge I'll be pointing at it.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like any other information, curious how others interpret your question.
 
KPSquared said:
Do I just measure off 50 yds, throw a target up and pound 10 rounds into it? Is it that simple or is there more?
Click to expand...

Yup, that is pretty much it ... just change the distance for the caliber of rifle youa re using.

50 yards is a decent range to learn at for a rimfire, 100 yards for centerfire.

Draw yourself up a target that when printed, has lines every Inch. Photocopy it a LOT :D

Don't worry about supreme accuracy at first - instead focus on consistent groups. Put all 5 rounds in a group, without any "fliers" that are noticably outside the group. When you've got that, then work on all the small details needed to start shrinking your groups.

Read whatever you find abotu precision shooting and keep the basics of them in mind as you are practicing - betterto learn good skills than to get into bad habits.
 
Good thing you posted in rimfire...
My fav? Buy 525 rds for under 30 bucks and, squeeze that trigger...

Find tips and, essentials for sure but, you can't beat trigger time. As with most things, repetition brings about consistency...start with "seeing where you land" and, dial it in from there.
 
Start at 25 yards or even closer, 3-5 round groupings. Get good close, then move out.

As you move out, try the prone, or bench position rather than off-hand until you familiarize yourself with how the gun behaves at distances. Better to use a stable shooting position and see how the rifle is performing rather than think your rifle is messed up when it isn't.

Once you know what it is capable of, you can start having fun. Because when you start shooting pop cans at 50 yards and can't hit it off hand, but could when prone or on the bench, you can't blame the rifle ;) :D
 
Ya, I know I can shoot. Gophers at 25 - 50 yards with open sights is not a problem. Coyotes at 100 plus with a .17 HMR or the 22-250 also not an issue.

I've just never shot at a target before. Was looking for info on proper set up, rests, methods, etc.

I think my plan now is wait for a calm day, set up at 50 yards, figure out some sort of a bench rest set up, and start playing. My wife talked about being interested in target shooting so I kinda want to go down that road.

And ya, I posted in rimfire because that's all I really shoot. .22's and gophers is pretty much how I spend my spare time from March to August.
 
You know, that's a good point. Even shooting gophers I guarantee her kill percentage is WAY above mine. It's irritating, but its still fun!

I guess we'll see. She shoots left handed and has never fired a semi. . . maybe the casings bouncing off her cheek will rattle her enough that I can out shoot her.:D
 
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