General Shooting Tips

[alhungie]

This is a tip that helped me. Set up a fairly large target with a crosshair drawn form top to bottom and side to side. With the gun empty, focus on the front sight and aim at the center of the crosshair. Press the trigger in one steady pull. At the second the hammer falls, observe the position of the front sight: high, low, left or right of center. Right or left of the crosshair can be caused by finger pressure to the side of the trigger or the thumb pushing against the side of the pistol. Above or below the crosshair is caused by jerking or anticipation of the hammer fall.

[croc]

Very informative thread that should be common sense, a reminder is always welcome.

[shaun1981]

Always treat a weapon as loaded, I first got told that 20 years ago and its still the best advice i have ever been given.

[windyridge]

Hope this is the right place to ask. One of my springer's is an old webley osprey side lever, it shoots (any) 22 pellet I throw down its neck and i use it to use up the otherwise wasted odd mis sized pellets that my other springer's don't like, does anyone know if there is a pcp equivalent ? i.e. one that isnt too pellet fussy ?

[rs1800]

probably a good thread to read as my 1st post. I've never used an air rifle in my life although I did fire a 303 and 765 I think it was whist in the air cadets in the 80's. We had safety drummed into us then and I still remember it.

[RPeeBee]

Some great pieces of advice and common sense in the thread.
Re. holding the barrel, I was with a school group once when I told them this and the teacher put his hand up and said. "Otherwise you might end up with a permanent scar like this!". The skin between his thumb and first finger had been sliced by an air rifle during loading when he was at school as a child.
The follow on is that the Centre he was at took him off to the local hospital. The school was informed and the school sent a message to his Mother who was at work. Rather than being told her son had had his hand trapped and had gone to casualty. Mum was informed that her son had been involved in a firearm's incident and had been taken to A+E. The same message but this version sounded a little more urgent. His mother got a speeding ticket !!!

[pezzavfc]

Very useful thread for a newbie so to speak like myself just starting out. thanks

[neilf1965]

As an ex Military weapons instructors ( skillie) I definitely agree with all the safety tips in the previous comments.
As an aside, to assist in members shooting skills may I recite the marksmanship principals,

1. The position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon. ( Your firing position, kneeling,sitting,squatting,standing or prone, either supported or unsupported, and the way you hold the weapon in the shoulder)

2. The weapon must point naturally at the target without undue physical effort. ( Once the weapon is lined up with the target move the body to the weapon into a relaxed comfortable position, don’t twist the body to be able to sight the target)

3. Sight alignment and sight picture must be correct. ( Eye, sight and target should be in line with a good centralised picture)

4. The shot must be released and followed through without any disturbance of the position. ( Regulated breathing and correct trigger action will follow through the shot without disturbing the position)

Adaptation of all 4 marksmanship principals will definitely make you a better shot, whether target shooting or vermin/sports hunting.However if new to shooting, then start at principle 1, work on it until you achieve your own acceptable firing positions and hold, then move on to principal 2 and so on.

Hope this will help some members if they didn’t know these principals.
Cheers

[neilf1965]

Very good thread, and should be read by all new joiners. It should be kept current.

[Kiwi fastback]

great tips for newbie thank you

[Tony Thomas]

SuperMicks list is a must, but would like to add before you shoot you must survey the area your shooting, know the place or ground your on and make sure your back drop is safe.
Do this and always be vigilant and aware to make sure you and anything around you will be safe.
Follow the tips from SuperMicks post in relation to handling the gun and you will find you will relax and enjoy your sport.
Happy shooting.
Regards
Tony

[Sassy_S]

Though I am a noob in this. All tips sound so interesting. A very informative forum, I must say.

[Hftmelton]

Hi all,

[PSBurton]

Some great tips here, on safety and on technique. I never considered joining BASC - I always thought of them as a wildfowling club! Now I know better

[IainMAD]

Safety first, second and third

Interesting reading