Give me your best noob tips

[KzooRichie]

I'm solid on the safety aspect, so I'm not really looking for that.  I want to improve my accuracy, in what ways can I make the most of practicing?

I am especially looking for advice or tips w/ the trigger.  I have a Daina 52 (my only gun) so the GRT III is out, but if someone is willing to do a lot of design and engineering work I'll be first in line!  Are there exercises?  I don't think I'm really getting the squeeze v pull concept.

I'm also trying to improve my stance, hold etc, I don't think I'm holding the gun very steady.

I'm a complete novice and a slow learner so nothing will be too basic.

FWIW my 52 is a .177 w/ a BSA 4x32 scope.

[daveshoot]

Ok, artillery hold. Not exactly the trigger but part of the same concept. Tom Gaylord coined the term and is probably best to explain it: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2015/12/episode-35-artillery-hold/ That is where to begin.

Then:

Even with powder burners, it is best if the trigger release is always a miniature surprise. Steady even increase in pressure on the trigger until it goes pop, and try to Follow Through (as in almost every sport). See the pellet strike the bull. This step is more important with springers because of all the recoil going on, while the pellet is still in the barrel. You just can't lose concentration during the long mechanical lock time and relatively slow exit of the pellet.

The trigger in your 52 is usually excellent, and they are adjustable. Out of the box they'll be set relatively heavy (and they do have a break in period of a couple hundred rounds at least). You don't want to replace that trigger! Figure out how the adjustments work, and lighten them very slowly. NOTE that a trigger set too light is dangerous, and can lead to accidental discharge, or firing when cocking.

Meant to be constructive, everyone has to learn and occasionally re-learn sometimes!

[Jay]

If your after a better Off Hand stance? Take an aim your rifle at the target then close your eye's for a few second's look back thru your scope an see if you have moved your point of aim left or right of the target, then if you have move your feet to bring you back on. After a bit of practise you will find you natural body stance/foot placement that is going to keep you on target without fighting your bodies muscle's pay attention to your foot placement an remember, that way you will line your self up right for your target the same each time once you have it.

[Gary]

What the guys have already said plus,practice,practice,and practice some more.
Gary

[Jay]

I just wanted to add KR I have alway's disliked the term's squeeze or to pull a trigger, it give's it the sound of moving your whole hand in the motion of firing off your shot or squeezing with all your hand to break the trigger. Think of it more as "pressing" the trigger back by moving nothing but your trigger finger in a nice easy manner straight back at just your middle knuckle joint with just the first part of your finger pad resting on the trigger. You can practice this motion by extending your hand as if gripping a pistol an your finger hooked like your on a trigger then just concentrate on moving no muscle in your hand but that middle joint. It's harder than you will think at first. Do it perfect a 1000 time's (zero other muscle moving)an it will be a start toward's the right trigger "press".

[tpw]

thats a ruff gun to learn on

[joejoeguns]

shoot,shoot and shoot nothing beats time behind the gun.

[rdub5000]

I'm a noob also.  I found the best thing to do is find a hold that works, then work on your trigger control.  Try to shoot in between breaths (after an exhale) during the natural pause.  Keep working on the feeling of your trigger pressing backwards, where it breaks and always, always follow through.  I exaggerate the follow through to ensure that it happens.  If you have a 2 stage trigger, get a feeling of where each stage is and how much pressure to apply to move through stage 1 to stage 2. Once you start to get comfortable with the first stage you will be able to more quickly "prime" the trigger.  Don't play with the trigger adjustment too much, just learn the trigger first.  Remember your breathing, even, steady.  Your whole body should be relaxed.  You will start to sync your breath pauses with the trigger action after a while.  I have done all the above over the past 2 weeks and my shooting has improved dramatically!  Hope this helps.

[MichaelM]

also standing up and shooting is the hardest of the positions to learn.. till you get some trigger control down and sight picture down shoot from a rest of SOME kind... doesnt have to be a bench but something steady is what you need... that way its easier for you to focus on your technique while learning.....

then after you have your head on and your eyes in you can mix it up and practice your different positions!!

[Bentong]

Since you have one AG, you will get use to how she's going to shoot. Problem is..there are factors before you get her "G" spot. You need to ensure all fasteners are solid and not moving. Get a bunch of different pellets to try out and pick the ones that hits the target repeatedly, it's better to shot the AG rested then decide distance you'll be shooting mostly and learned to compensate on varying range with hold over/under. Practice makes perfect and from what I've read..it's 90% shooter and 10% equipment.

[JonnyReb]

 I'd say the best noob tip i can think of... came from my pediatrician when i was about 10.. told me if i didn't quit chewing pellets(mom told him) i was gonna kill myself.. 

[KzooRichie]

I'd say the best noob tip i can think of... came from my pediatrician when i was about 10.. told me if i didn't quit chewing pellets(mom told him) i was gonna kill myself.. 

LOL one of the few mistakes I'm not making

[VINNY]

It's already been said, but PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE / DON'T GIVE UP / PRACTICE....

ENJOY yourself!!

[tpw]

and thats a bear of a gun to try to shoot off hand. try benching it and learn your trigger control there. once you master that go to sitting and then kneeling and then off hand. you will have more confidence in your gun and yourself when you can hit what you aim at. and i also find that punching paper is VERY BORING for me. i shoot spinners,vienna sausage cans,empty cig pack,small pill bottles. even leaves or twigs on trees. i do much better with them than staring at a black bullseye all day. and i use a bipod from a chair most of the time. you can pic them up cheap at sportmansguide.com. they also have a very good selection of metal spinners and great prices. just my 2 cents