How to Properly Shoot a Rifle

Some people practically grow up with a gun in their hands, starting with a BB gun or small caliber .22 it seems like they have always known the basics of shooting a rifle. For the rest of the world however, a little instruction on proper gun use is often in order! Here are a few basics to get you started on properly shooting a rifle.

Safety
The first and most important part of shooting is safety. You should never pick up a firearm without knowing these simple safety techniques:

•    Loaded- every gun is loaded! This is the thought that should always be in your mind, which means you should act accordingly.

•    Pointing- point your weapon in a direction that would cause the least damage to property and zero physical harm. Never point the weapon at a target you do not intend to shoot.

•    Awareness- be aware of the backdrop of your shooting range. Are there homes or property beyond the backstop? This is particularly important with high-powered weapons.

•    Knowledge- never pick up a weapon that you do not fully understand. You should know how to unload it, where the safety is and the specifics on range before using.

These are but a few important safety tips for shooting a rifle, if you have never been around firearms it is a good idea to take a safety course first.

Stance
When you are ready to start shooting you may automatically go into the bladed off stance, after all that is what most people grew up watching in westerns. This type of stance is great for competition or times when accuracy is of supreme importance, however not if you want a more tactical approach with minimum muzzle rise. Stand with shoulders squared with the target, feet shoulder width apart and your strong side foot a few inches behind you weak side.

Conclusion
In addition to the above information, you should also be knowledgeable about the weapon you will be firing. The simplistic explanation is “for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction”. The force or momentum at which the bullet leaves the barrel has a direct impact on the amount of recoil you will feel in the butt of the gun. Usually recoil is worse on larger caliber weapons; however, there are recoil pads, springs and counterweights that can lessen the impact on your shoulder.