Section Instructor Program (last modified 7-12-08)

Basic Rifle Lesson 2

I. Review orientation to the rifle

1. Aligning the eye with the bore

2. Aligning the bore with the intended point of impact
B. Achieving sight alignment

1. Focus on front sight

2. Align rear sight with front sight

3. Maintain front sight focus

1. Telescopic sights

a. Optics aligned internally

b. Target and sight on same focal plane

2. Receiver (peep) sights

a. Front sight centered in aperture

b. "Automatic" centering by the eye

3. Open sights

a. Front sight centered in notch or V-groove

b. Bead centered in groove or blade top even with top of rear sight

1. Pressure by trigger finger only

2. Adjust finger position to apply pressure straight back

3. Sight alignment remains constant

1. Eye relief

2. Sight alignment

3. Sight picture

4. Natural point of aim
B. Trigger control
C. Breath control
D. Hold control
E. Follow through
F. Of the 5 fundamentals sight alignment and trigger control are paramount
IV. Introduction to shooting range management
A. Basic range procedures

1. Range officer in charge at all times

2. Safety first

a. Personal responsibility

b. Eye and ear protection required of everyone on the range

c. No nonsense on range

d. No disruptive or abusive behavior

1) On the range

2) Near the range

X. Range Setup

X. Range inspection

3. Any special circumstances

1. Muzzle pointed down range

2. Action open and empty except when firing

a. Exposed for inspection

b. Closed means ready to fire

3. Finger off trigger except when firing

4. Procedure if problem occurs

a. Cease-fire if necessary

b. Keep rifle pointed down range

c. Raise hand for help

1. "Shooters to the line"

X. Course of Fire

2. "Is the line ready? Respond by firing point number"

3. "The line is ready"

4. "Pick up your rifles" (or make ready)

5. "Commence firing"

6. "Cease fire"

a. Immediate response

b. Each shooter's right /responsibility

c. End of stage or unsafe condition

7. "Make the line safe"

a. Safety on

b. Open action

c. Remove all ammunition

d. Place rifle on mat or bench

e. Muzzle down range

f. Action open, empty, exposed to view

1. Muzzle down range

a. Shooter responsibility

b. Coach reinforcement

2. Safety on

a. Location and operation

b. Explain "safe" or "on"

c. Explain "Fire" or "off"

3. Empty with action open

a. Closed action means ready to fire

b. Open action visible

4. Finger off trigger

1. Process

a. Placing projectile in chamber

b. Close and lock action

c. Reverse process to unload

2. Control of ammunition

a. Identify correct calibers

b. Control all live ammunition

c. Control distribution of ammunition

3. Charging air rifles

a. Operation

b. Safety - avoiding pinches

4. Use of dummy ammunition
C. Assume shooting position

1. Stance or position

2. Refer to specific lesson for details of position
D. Safety off
E. Align sights
F. Fire when ready

1. Trigger control

2. Follow through
G. Cease fire
VI. Coach-pupil method of instruction
A. Pairs of shooters learning together

1. Reinforcing proper technique

2. Learning by doing

3. Backed up by range staff

1. Watch all safety procedures

2. Watch muzzle control

3. Assist with rifle placement

4. Control ammunition

a. Load rifle in beginning

b. Assist with loading later
C. Adult or teen staff at each firing point as back –up
VII. Dry firing
A. Going through the shooting sequence without ammunition
B. Reasons for dry firing

1. Avoid tension and noise of live firing

a. Greater concentration on learning how to shoot

b. Develop feel for trigger

c. Develop smoothness

d. Experiment with finger placement

e. Develop consistent trigger control

f. Develop consistent sight alignment

2. Use dummy ammunition
VIII. Dry firing at target backs
A. Reasons for using blank targets

1. Less distraction

2. Concentration on sight alignment

3. Concentration on trigger control

1. Muzzle control

2. Focus on front sight

3. Trigger control

4. Follow through
IX. Bench-rest position
A. Shooter seated, square to target
B. Rifle supported at forearm

1. Sandbags

2. Cradle

3. Commercial rifle rest

1. Finger along trigger guard

2. Finger OFF trigger
F. Non-dominant hand

1. Flat on bench

2. Bracing sandbag under the grip

3. Bracing dominant elbow

1. Range commands as above

2. Shooting procedure as above

3. Repeat for several "shots"

C. Range commands and procedures

D. Shooting procedure

E. Bench-rest position

F. Dry firing practice

G. Live firing begins in the next session