Newb Question, first time shooting a long gun

[TheWanderingRed]

I'm taking my fiancée to the range tomorrow for the first time. She’ll be shooting the 10/22 I got her for Christmas.
Now she’s handled and shot firearms before (a single shot .22 and an air gun) but never really had any training or real practice. I’m new to this and am still working on my own shooting with my gp-100 and I’ve never shot a long gun before.
So I am looking for tips/pointers on stance, grip, breathing, sight picture, everything basically for a rifle. I’ve been through the rifle forum reading library post, but everything other than the Iron sights basic thread seem to be a bit over my head. They all assume that the reader has a basic knowledge, that I just don’t have yet.
So any introductory information on rifle shooting would be greatly appreciated, hell any basic info on shooting period would be helpful.
I’m doing my part and researching elsewhere, but I’ve found that one good person is worth 10 good websites, and THR is filled with great people. Thanks in advance.

 

[TX1911fan]

If you can sit at a bench or table first and use some sand bags for a rest, that would be the best way to start. That way you don't have to worry about stabilizing the rifle, just learning how to shoot it. Small bags of rice work well if you need to buy something. A couple on top of each other makes a nice rest.

Start with just one round in the magazine at the beginning, that way you don't have to worry about accidentally firing too many shots. If you have iron sights, focus on the front sight and then squeeze the trigger the same way you should be doing it with a hand gun. Namely, it should be a gentle squeeze and not a jerk.

I would start with the target relatively close, maybe like 15 yards, especially if you are using iron sights. That way you'll be more likely to hit paper on your first tries.

Go slow and enjoy. The 10/22 is a fun gun. Use the factory mags first. If you buy any high capacity magazines, get the more expensive ones. They will save you money in the end. Buy the ones with metal lips if possible. And invest in a magazine loader. It makes a big difference.

 

[LKB3rd]

VERY abbreviated... Breath in, breath out, pause, squeeze. In, out, pause, squeeze. And focus on the front sight.

 

[sargas23]

Red,

Try to find a copy of "Position Rifle Shooting" by Pullium. Lots of info there to fill in the gaps of what you don't know.

You can also get a lot of info from rimfirecentral.com, smallbore.us, and targettalk.org. Lots of long gun shooters on all these websites and you may even find someone close to you that can come out to the range with you and help.

Don't overlook the NRA for certified instructors in your area too. Check the local ranges for classes that they might offer in rifle shooting.

 

[TheWanderingRed]

Thanks all of you guys! I talked with an ex-Ranger buddy of mine from work, and he might be coming out with us, so that will solve alot of these problems!

 

[jonmerritt]

An ex-ranger is like an ex-marine, they don't exist.

 

[TheWanderingRed]

I'm Damn sure Jimmy would agree with you!

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Does she (and do you) know the 4 rules of gun safety? Start out with that. If all 4 of these are followed at all times, nobody gets any unwanted holes. Memorize them:

1. Treat every gun as if it's loaded
2. Never let the muzzle be pointed at anything you don't intend to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to fire
4. Be sure of your target and what's behind it

If the 10/22 has factory sights, you'll be looking at the bottom row on this chart


The circle sitting on top of the front sight is the bullseye.

Try to relax, take a few deep breaths, take another breath and let half of it out, pause, smoothly squeeze the trigger trying not to move the sights (assuming you have the correct sight picture above), then exhale the rest of your breath.
The 10/22 has a fairly stiff trigger from the factory for such a light rifle so don't expect great accuracy... but we'll take care of that later

 

[USAF_Vet]

Drew, thanks for that image. I've been taking my mom to the range and trying to explain exactly what that picture shows. If only they had bead sights for a shotgun on that, would be perfect.

 

[Geckgo]

Learn the "range rules" when you get there too. There are a lot of new shooters at the range where I shoot that seem very nervous about the whole thing when they get there. Don't be afraid to ask somebody about "hot" and "cold" range. Make sure everyone knows when you go down range to place targets and make sure that the line is "hot" before you begin firing. Talk to people. We are friendly.

 

[bobbarker]

Remember the term, "BRASSF"

Breath
Relax
Aim
Stop
Squeeze
Follow Through

Breathe-Don't hold your breath the whole time.
Relax- Don't be tense. Once you pull the trigger, the round is gone, and there's nothing you can do about it anymore, so, just relax, and have fun.
Aim - Not a whole lot more to say about that. Know where you're aiming.
Stop - That brief pause between exhaling and inhaling is when you should fire.
Squeeze -Don't PULL the trigger, slow, gentle squeeze.
Follow through- Don't try and keep the rifle right where it's at when you pull the trigger. Control the recoil, (Don't let the gun fly all over the place), but you're not wrestling it.

 

[TheWanderingRed]

Thanks y'all!
We didn't get to go as I got called in to work to deliver a vehicle and stayed in as a bunch of phone leads showed up before their weekend appointements!
At least I was making money, and we're still on for next tuesday, I'll drop y'all a line then and tell you how it went.
Any chance we should sticky this, or put up a new thread with the basics that y'all listed. Seems like this is a pretty common question, and one can never review the fundamentals too often!

 

[Gromky]

Learn the "range rules" when you get there too. There are a lot of new shooters at the range where I shoot that seem very nervous about the whole thing when they get there. Don't be afraid to ask somebody about "hot" and "cold" range. Make sure everyone knows when you go down range to place targets and make sure that the line is "hot" before you begin firing. Talk to people. We are friendly.

And some ranges have different rules for showing a rifle is safe (such as the whole "rod in the barrel" silliness). You may ask a stranger and get a jerk. Believe it or not, they do exist, as I'm sure you've never encountered one in your normal life. But odds are you can find someone helpful, and if necessary the safety officer will almost certainly help, or at least be able to point out someone who is friendly.