If you’re new to using a weapon, you need to learn the basics of how to buy a weapon, how to handle a weapon, how to stay safe, and how to keep others around you safe while you are shooting. Make sure that you read the beginner tips on how to stay safe and how to boost your confidence during the first long-range shooting attempts!
How to use a rifle 101 – tips for beginners using an SRS rifle
If you are a beginner at using a rifle, you need to know the basics before you can pick up a gun. Before you go hunting or shooting with an SRS rifle, you need to know the parts of the rifle, how to handle one properly, and what to do when you come across malfunctioning equipment.
Try not to move
One of the best pieces of advice that experts can give beginners for using an SRS rifle for the first few times is to stay as still as possible. When you’re holding a gun, you want to stay facing in one direction, remain calm, and avoid fidgeting. Although the kick can cause you to flinch and backfire, try to stay as firm as possible when you are firing and holding the gun. Know when you’re going to press the trigger so you can brace yourself and avoid being too loose when the gun kicks back.
Load the magazine correctly
The second tip when using a rifle for the first time is to know all of the parts involved. One of the main things that users will do as a beginner is loading the magazine into the gun. Ensure that you learn how to load the bullets into the magazine for your SRS rifle and reinsert the magazine into the gun.
Wear eye and ear protection
The third tip to keep in mind for rifle beginners is to wear eye and ear protection at all times. Just because you are not currently holding a gun or the one shooting on the shooting range, keep the protection on at all times to avoid heat damage or eye damage. If you constantly shoot your SRS rifle without ear protection, it can cause long-term damage and irreversible trauma to your eardrums.
Keep the barrel down
If you are reloading between shots or you’re considering where to point your barrel, point your barrel down while you’re taking a break or thinking in between shots. Since the safeties are not always foolproof on every type of rifle that you use, or maybe you did not engage the safety correctly, accidents can happen – and your rifle can fire when you least expect it. To avoid injury, keep the bolt open and point the barrel down-range towards the target and in the opposite direction of you or anyone else behind you.
Learn in different positions
The next tip for beginners riflescope users is to learn how to use your riflescope while in multiple positions. This means that you should eventually become comfortable using your rifle and shooting it while you are standing, kneeling, or laying down. The first position to learn how to shoot a rifle will be the kneeling position since it is the easiest one to support your arm. Especially if the SRS rifle that you are using is heavier than other options, you can use your knee for support for your holding arm. Make sure you put the butt of the rifle on your shoulder and ensure that you do not wiggle it as you try to find the perfect aim for the target.
Keep your center of gravity forward
When you are clay target shooting a rifle from the standing up position, make sure that you keep your gravity forward. Since people can have the tendency to learn back if they are afraid of something or unsure, they may find that they are leaning backward while holding a heavy weapon before they fire – this can lead to falling off balance and becoming unstable. Make sure that you firmly plant your feet, lean forward, and remain strong.
It only takes a few seconds
The next tip to keep in mind when using an SRS rifle for the first time is that the entire process of getting the bullet ready and firing it is a very short process. If you find the prey that you want to hit, you have about 5-7 seconds to get everything in position to shoot your deer, fox, or bear. If you are shooting a target and quickly reloading, it will take around 7 seconds or less.
The process involves pushing the bolt forward on your SRS rifle so you can get the bolt action lever in place and get rid of any empty cartridges. Once the bolt is pushed forward and down, you can then begin to sight where you are going to shoot. Once you have the center of the target in your crosshairs or you see the animal in your line of vision through the scope of your SRS rifle, pull the trigger as soon as you can.
How to correct your shot
One of the most important things to keep in mind as a beginner using an SRS rifle is to learn how to correct your shot. If you do not have a good idea of what to change, make sure you have an expert shooter there with you to tell you how to improve. Ask them what you can change, such as fixing your center of gravity, gripping the gun more firmly, and getting in the proper standing or kneeling position before firing the SRS rifle.
Correct your eyesight
One of the main problems for engineers is their eyesight is off while they are trying to focus on the target. Make sure that you get the perspective in your head before shooting, ensuring that you can choose the right eye to use with the scope by seeing which eye can focus on the target quicker and more accurately.
Start small
A crucial tip for beginner safety when shooting for the first time is to start small and work your way up. Some beginners like to start with handguns or single-action guns so they do not have multiple rounds firing at one time. Once you get comfortable with the single-action rifles or handguns, you can then begin to use an SRS rifle or another type of rifle that is semi-automatic.
Remember gun safety
The final piece of advice for those who are new to using guns or an SRS rifle is to remember the beginner safety rules. You need to keep all of these thoughts in mind anytime you are handling a firearm, since any mishandling of this weapon can cause dangerous injury or loss of life.
The first gun safety rule is to choose the proper weapon for you. If you want to learn how to use a hunting rifle or a long-range rifle, consider choosing a beginner SRS rifle so you can get used to the bolt-action mechanics, the semi-automatic rifle, and the other characteristics of this high-end weapon.
Second, go to an expert who can help you with gun safety techniques and teach you how to use the gun properly. Especially if it is your first time, do not go alone – even if it is out practicing in the woods by yourself. Ensure there is always a trusted individual with expertise who can help you in tough situations or when practicing.
Third, buy ammunition so you can use your SRS rifle as soon as you get it. Make sure you buy the correct type of bullets and cartridges and you know how to load and unload them while using your gun. Ask the person at the store what type of cartridges are most compatible with your SRS rifle before purchasing.
Next, buy a gun cleaning kit so you can keep your SRS rifle in good condition. Since you will be spending a few hundred or a few thousand dollars on this weapon, you want it to last – you can keep it long-lasting and reliable over many shunting seasons by buying a cleaning kit that keeps everything in working order. Make sure you clean the exterior and interior of the gun so no gunk builds up inside and you can stay safe.
In addition, ask the workers at the store where you buy the SRS rifle for eye and ear protection. Make sure you keep the safety of yourself and others around you in mind every time that you handle a firearm.
Lastly, consider signing up for a class. If you are a beginner at using a rifle and you want to learn how to proficiently handle an SRS rifle for hunting or long-range shooting, taking a class can boost your confidence and your skills!
Conclusion
If you want to learn how to shoot precisely using an SRS rifle, you need to read our beginner tips so you can feel confident and secure while using this weapon as a beginner. Since there is so much information now, you need to do some research beforehand, educate yourself, and practice before you do anything outside of your comfort zone.
