A Practical guide book to smallbore rifle shooting
No mater what stage in life some starts learning to shoot they will, at some point, have picked up a rifle for the first time and learnt the basics of how to fire a shot. This book aims to take the reader from that shot onward through increasing levels of understanding and competence to enable them to shoot in competitions, giving answers and advice to common (an some not so common) questions whilst also providing a comprehensive resource for club instructors and intermediate shooters who want to remind themselves of the basic techniques.
Key topics including breathing, aiming, trigger control and follow through are introduced and explained in easy steps as well as step by step guidance on how to build a comfortable and stable prone position whilst wearing a jacket and sling. All through the book the theory is supported by photographs, including pictures taken through the sights to show exactly what is being described, and practice exercises which help demonstrate the different techniques.
For people who are looking to shoot progress beyond indoor practice shooting there is an introduction to competition types and how to enter events as well as an introduction to competing in outdoor events and learning how to anticipate the effect of the wind on a shot. .
Whilst other shooting books may focus on the detailed skills used by those who compete at an international level, this book offers guidance for novice up to intermediate and is essential reading for all newcomers to the sport.
The following is the chapter list from the book. Highlighted chapters have been reproduced on this site
- A brief history
- Getting started - finding a club
- First time with a rifle (Equipment, Rifle Range: Orientation and Safety, Aiming, Taking the first shots)
- Core skills (Breathing, Aiming, Trigger control, Practice exercises)
- Shooting with a supported rifle
- Shooting with a Jacket and sling (The kit, prone position, test and adjust)
- Improving the prone position (Natural alignment, Adjusting body position)
- Improving group size and consistency (setting up the firing point, practice exercises, stretching and warming up)
- Using and Adjusting the sights (adjusting sights, chasing errors, using a blind)
- Using a scope whilst shooting (Types of scope, using a scope, practice exercises, sighters)
- Scored cards and competitions (Types of target, guages, types of competition, handling competition nerves)
- Rifle care and maintenance (Cleaning kit, how to clean a rifle)
- An introduction to outdoor shooting (Ranges, saftey, events)
- Weather when shooting outdoors (Reading the wind, light conditions, other weather)