This page preserves a tips page from the original KermitAirgunClub.com, a Kermit, Texas airgun club site active until it went offline. It's republished here for reference. If you're one of the original contributors and would like something removed or credited differently, contact info@airgunguide.com.
Preparation
- Shoot your air rifle a lot. It can take as many as 1500 shots or more to get it broken in.
- Practice your positions: sitting field target position (most popular), off-knee sitting position, or standing position, while holding your air rifle every night on the living room floor until it becomes natural and comfortable.
- For practicing shooting off-hand, put a piece of tape on the wall at the furthest distance you can in your house and practice holding on that mark. Start with something pretty big so you don't get freaked out and work your way down till you can hold on something the size of a quarter. Use as much bone on bone contact as you can to reduce fatigue.
- Find the right pellet. Shoot many different pellets in the "domed head" variant until you find the one that groups the tightest groups.
- If you're shaky when you shoot, have physical problems, or just trying to get a bit more stability, try a shooting harness. It will make it more comfortable for you and keep you steady.
- To keep from canting (tilting your rifle), use a bubble level to keep your crosshairs lined up straight.
- Start with a good airgun rated scope that gathers good light and is reliable in holding zero, and get a good mount that won't creep or slide on the receiver.
- Don't rely on the yardage marks on the scope, they may be inaccurate. Put some white vinyl tape on the objective or use Post-Its paper that comes on a roll like scotch tape. After getting the yardages marked on the paper or vinyl, seal it with clear packing tape to keep the markings from getting rubbed off or dirty.
- For elevation adjustment, you can use mil-dots with a hold-over chart, or get a scope knob with tape on it and mark your yardages on it. Some use an elevation knob with click marks and a ballistics chart also.
Shooting
Ok, you're in your lane ready to take a target down. You have your scope setup good, gun's shooting great. Now what.....
- Now, get comfortable. Make sure you can see both targets.
- Adjust your objective for clarity, find your range, and adjust your elevation knob. Or use hold over if using mil-dots.
- Load that pellet, but leave the safety on for now. Get your air rifle pointed down range toward the target. Now, safety off.
- Gauge the wind and decide where you want to start the pellet. Aim small, miss small.
- Keep your index finger low on the trigger and use only the very end of your finger on the trigger.
- Block out all thoughts from the real world and get in your "bubble", focus on your shot and remember all your basics.
- Now, while focusing on your target, bring in your first stage on the trigger. Now back your finger off.
- Take two or three deep breaths. Relax. Bring the trigger to second stage, exhale half way and hold it. Concentrate on the target KZ while slowly squeezing the trigger until "when it goes off, you weren't expecting it". (More on breathing technique.)
- After taking the shot, maintain your focus on the target for a second longer. This is called "follow through".
- Reset your target and do it again.
- Remember to have FUN!!
Tags
field target shooting tips · shooting positions · scope setup · trigger control · breathing technique