First time shooter.

[Retired shooter.]

After obtaining my license in Alberta, Canada at the age of 60 I debated the decision of bolt action rifle choice. After many months I choose a Tikka T3X Lite in 30-06 caliber. I mounted a Burris scope and went to my local range 2 minutes from my home hoping to align the scope with the gun.

I shot a box of 20 federal 150 grain cartridges in an attempt to achieve this goal. This is my first time shooting and definitely will not be my last as I want to become very proficient with this rifle. There are cast concrete tables that accommodate both right and left handed shooters plus the range provides automotive scissor jack with carpet for the front of the stock to rest on.

I shot the box of 20 at the target attached at 50 yds and some others at 100 and 150 but those targets were not mine so I left them. I had to adjust 3.5 higher and 3 to the right before I was able to get the grouping near the bullseye. I had problems with keeping the target steady and a day later have decided to get a better butt pad or another alternative as shoulder is tender where the rifle recoil hit.

I am open to all criticism and tips and after joining I found the new member sticky. Have at it gents.

 

[Emerson0311]

You need a local coach that is actually a good shooter. Where exactly are you?

 

[Retired shooter.]

Lethbridge Alberta

 

[Rodney65]

Ryan Cleckner's youtube series and his book are the best introduction to rifle shooting I have come across. All of of it is excellent but I would reccomend you begin with the fundamentals and scope mounting.








There is a lot to soak up. To begin, your scope should be mounted so you can get behind the rifle and be looking through it with your head resting and not having to use any muscles to hold it in place. Scope ring height, cheek piece height, and eye relief are important. The rings should be torqued evenly and at the reccomended settings.

Your group isn't a disaster but for the rest of your shooting career you will be developing and refining the fundamentals of marksmanship:

Proper body alignment and natural point of aim.
Proper sight alignment and sight picture.
Breathing.
Trigger press and follow through.

After that there is ballistics, understanding the angular units of correction for your scope, ammunition choice and ballistic information about it.

If you have somewhere at home with a safe backdrop such as a retaining wall you can work on these things off the range with dry fire practice. Make sure you do not have any live ammunition in the room with you when practicing.

If you are ever near the Edmonton area send me a PM.