Shooting

In the 19th cent. the sport of rifle shooting became increasingly popular in England and in the United States, where the National Rifle Association (NRA) was formed (1871) to standardize the rules for rifle marksmanship. Matches were arranged and trophies offered. Pistol and revolver events were added in 1900. Shooting events have been included in the Olympic games since 1896; separate men's and women's events were established in 1984.

Among the Olympic events are pistol shooting at 50 m (164 ft), rifle shooting at 300 m (984 ft), trapshooting and skeet, and small-bore rifle shooting. NRA-sponsored tournaments are divided into sections for small-bore rifles, high-power rifles, pistols, and revolvers. In small-bore rifle shooting the targets range in distance from 50 ft to 200 yd (15.24–182.88 m), and in pistol and revolver shooting from 50 ft to 50 yd (15.24–45.72 m). For long-range rifle marksmanship, targets from 200 to 1,000 yd (182.88–914.4 m) are used. A shooting target is made of black-on-white cardboard and is composed of a bullseye (black) and several concentric circles. Competitors shoot from four positions with the rifle—prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing. Matches in which competing teams exchange scores by telegraphic and postal facilities are common.

Trapshooting with shotguns began in England in the 19th cent. To simulate the flight of game birds, “clay pigeons” (originally made of clay but now molded of silt and pitch in the shape of saucers) are hurled from a mechanical contrivance (the trap). The distance between the shooter and the target varies from 16 to 25 yd (14.63–22.86 m); a 12-gauge gun is preferred. Trapshooting was adopted in the United States in the late 19th cent., and in 1900 the American Trapshooting Association was organized. Annual championship matches are held at Vandalia, Ohio.

Skeet, in its early years called “round the clock” shooting, was devised (1910) by C. E. Davies of Andover, Mass. The name, chosen in a magazine contest, is an old Scandinavian form of the word shoot. Two trapshooting devices hurl “pigeons” at and over each other from 40 yd (36.58 m) apart. The marksman shoots at the moving target from different stations on the perimeter of a semicircle connecting the traps. Guns used are 12-, 16-, 20-, and 28-gauge and .410 bore. In skeet matches 25 “pigeons” are thrown, of which 8 are hurled in pairs.

Bibliography

See J. Lugs, A History of Shooting (1968); S. Slahor et al., Shooting Guide for Beginners (1986); W. S. Jarrett, ed., Shooter's Bible (1989).

Homesteader shooting hawks, 1940

Shooting is the act or process of firing guns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows.

The word shooting can refer to game hunting which implies the hunting of upland game birds such as grouse or pheasant, rabbits, deer or other game animals.

Shooting can also refer to the sport of target shooting. This includes shotgun (skeet or trap), all of which use sporting clays.

Further, shooting refers to the sport of rifle and handgun precision marksmanship. Here, stationary paper targets or reactive metal targets are used.

There is also a growing sport of Cowboy Action Shooting. Here, competitors wear attire from the late 1800's and fire period weapons (single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, and either double-barrel or pump-action shotguns) at a variety of metal and reactive targets.

The topic of shooting also encompasses the practical shooting sports of IPSC and IDPA competition. These strive, with varying degrees of success, to simulate the conditions and requirements of defensive pistol combat. Their goal is to train participants for real-world self defense using one's personal handgun of choice.

And, there is yet another practical shooting sport - 3-Gun competition - in which contestants use handgun, rifle, and shotgun to engage various paper or steel targets during the course of fire.

All of these various forms of shooting can be fascinating and rewarding activities for people of all appropriate ages. The utmost consideration, and one which takes precedence over everything else, is safety. Like many activities such as mountain climbing, skiing, sky-diving, or shooting, there is an element of danger involved. And especially here, this danger demands a sober understanding and respect for firearms and the specific rules for the safe handling of them.

Four Cardinal Rules For Handling Firearms

1. Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
2. Never point a firearm at anything or anyone you are not willing to destroy or kill.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger, and outside of the trigger-guard, until your sights are on the intended target and you are ready to fire.
4. Know your target, what the projectile (ammunition) can do, what's between you and your target, and what is beyond.

It is a reasonable supposition to refer to most gun "accidents" as negligent discharges. Therefore, the shooter's diligent adherence to these four rules precludes nearly all possibilities of a negligent discharge.

In addition to these 4 basic Rules, certain behaviors are customary and expected.
- When handing a firearm to another person, the giver should either already have the action of the firearm open, or open it to show the recipient that it is, in fact, empty.
- On receiving the firearm, the recipient should check for himself/herself that it is, in fact, unloaded. Even though the firearm is determined to be empty, remember, it must always be treated as loaded, according to Rule 1.
- It is not only dangerous, it is very rude for one to point a firearm at any person at any time. This falls under Rule 1 (Always Loaded), as well as Rule 2 (Never Point). Pointing a firearm at another person should be considered a threat, and any violation of this should be acted upon by a stern admonishment of the guilty person.

Precision marksmanship in shooting competition (unlike in combat) can be achieved by the proper execution of the following 8-step procedure or checklist:

• GRIP

Each hand should grip or firmly hold the rifle or pistol appropriately, according to the type of weapon and the position being used (offhand, sitting, or prone).

• SIGHT ALIGNMENT

Except for a scope, the front and rear sights must be aligned appropriately, according to their design. Front sight focus can be used to provide more accuracy.

• TARGET ACQUISITION

Check and double-check your target number to make certain you are shooting on your own target.

• POSITION

After getting into position, close your eyes and relax -- then open them to see if you have established your Natural point of aim. If not, rotate your entire body stance or position until your weapon points on your target and at the intended point of hold (sometimes 6 o'clock and sometimes center).

• BREATHING

Accuracy will be at its best when the body is most relaxed. This moment is known as the "natural respiratory pause" and is the point at which approximately two-thirds of the lung's capacity have been exhaled. During normal breathing, this usually lasts about 2 to 3 seconds, but may be extended up to 8 seconds by means of practice and experience to provide extra time to aim and squeeze the trigger (especially during gusty wind conditions) before lack of oxygen begins to adversely affect the eyes, blood-pressure, and pulse.

• TRIGGER CONTROL

Slowly squeeze the trigger, adding pressure, until the weapon fires. Note: Any jerk on the trigger will move the weapon out of position, change the point of aim, and the projectile's point of impact. When the weapon fires, it should never be a surprise. You must learn to make it fire only when you want it to fire - when you are moving the last wiggle into perfect alignment on the target. The closer the alignment is to the intended sight picture, the tighter the shooter squeezes on the trigger. Never fire while moving away from the intended alignment.

• FOLLOW THROUGH

Once the shot is fired, do not allow even one muscle move until you open your eyes from the natural blink which occurs upon firing. The projectile must be free of the barrel. At that point, observe the following:

• FINAL POSITION CHECK

Before moving out of position, check your sight alignment again to see if you are still on target. In your score book, note any variations from perfect alignment for later analysis and solution.

See also

• The Marksmanship WikiBook (still needs considerable work)

References

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