Talking about shooting advices

Alan · Nov 21, 2025

I was at the range the other day, talking with a new shooter. This guy was enthusiastic and driven, but he was also overwhelmed with “advice” from every uncle and neighbor. It reminded me of the useful bits I got when I was starting out… and some of the junk I wish I could un-hear.

So I'm curious....

What’s the best and the worst shooting advice you’ve ever gotten? And if you could offer some wisdom to a new shooter, what would you share? Let’s get some insights from the experts!

Adies Gunny · Dec 1, 2025

I have mentored a few new shooters. I always start with a .22 LR revolver. That is easier to manage SAFELY than a semiauto. After we progress through the "safety, sight alignment, sight picture, breathe control, trigger squeeze" lessons I give them two boxes of bulk pack ammo. I tell them that in those two boxes, I'm not sure which one, there is a magic bullet. When they fit that magic round all of the sight alignment, sight picture etc. will make sense. When it all makes sense they are a shooter. Once they are a shooter they can work on becoming a better shooter. At that stage you can tell them about flinching, heeling, jerking and all the other things that go wrong. At one time I even had some targets with areas marked off that indicated what the shooter was doing if it hit in that area. I probably should get some more of those.

Alan · Dec 2, 2025

Adies Gunny said:
I have mentored a few new shooters. I always start with a .22 LR revolver. That is easier to manage SAFELY than a semiauto. After we progress through the "safety, sight alignment, sight picture, breathe control, trigger squeeze" lessons I give them two boxes of bulk pack ammo. I tell them that in those two boxes, I'm not sure which one, there is a magic bullet. When they fit that magic round all of the sight alignment, sight picture etc. will make sense. When it all makes sense they are a shooter. Once they are a shooter they can work on becoming a better shooter. At that stage you can tell them about flinching, heeling, jerking and all the other things that go wrong. At one time I even had some targets with areas marked off that indicated what the shooter was doing if it hit in that area. I probably should get some more of those.

I love that “magic bullet” idea! I haven’t done it myself yet, but I might just borrow that concept. It really helps relieve some of the pressure and gives new shooters something fun to anticipate, instead of fixating on every little slip-up.

Adies Gunny · Dec 3, 2025

Allen I have had several shooters call, text or email me to exclaim, "I found it! I fired that magic bullet and everything you've been telling me made sense." After that we worked on making them a better shooter.

Talking about shooting advices

Alan

Administrator

Adies Gunny

Well-known member

Alan

Administrator

Adies Gunny

Well-known member

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