How to Shoot a BB Gun

Learning how to shoot a bb gun is a basic skill that many boys learn at a young age. Learning how to properly handle, aim and shoot a bb gun is a skill that will translate into general gun safety skills when he is old enough to begin using regular firearms. The actual act of shooting a bb gun is not difficult to learn, and as long as appropriate safety precautions are made a part of the shooting routine, you could begin to witness an expert marksman in the making. For those just starting out, a little extra instruction never hurts. Here is a quick guide to teach you how to shoot a bb gun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• BB Gun
• BB Gun Ammunition
• Co2 Cartridge (if Co2 BB Gun)
• Target
• Shooting Location

How to Shoot a BB Gun

1. Find a good location for shooting. There are often areas that are designated specifically as shooting ranges, and whether you are shooting a bb gun or a normal firearm, these are always the ideal place to learn how to shoot. Alternatively, any rural location where you can shoot the bb gun without being worried about accidentally hitting something other than your target will work fine.

2. Set up your target. Ideally, you will want to have a clear area to shoot, that has an open area large enough to fit 35-40 feet between you and your target. Set your target up at one end of a clearing, and take up position about 40 feet away, directly across from your target. If this distance seems to far, then don’t hesitate to move forward. After all, you are just learning how to shoot a bb gun, and you can always move farther away from the target as you gain experience.

3. Determine what shooting position you will use when you shoot your bb gun. The three standard positions are prone, standing and kneeling. The standing position is, as the name suggests, standing fully erect, holding the bb gun up to take aim. The kneeling position is quite similar, with the major difference being that you are kneeled down on one knee as you take aim. The third position, the prone position, requires the shooter to lay flat on his belly as he takes aim at the target. Determine what position you will use when you shoot the bb gun, and take that position.

4. Prepare your bb gun to be fired. With the safety still locked on, you should load a bb (or pellet, if you prefer) into the chamber. If your bb gun is powered by a Co2 cartridge, make sure that your Co2 is properly loaded into the bb gun. If your bb gun is powered by an old fashioned pump action, give your bb gun several pumps to create air pressure inside the gun. Your bb gun is now prepared and ready for you to shoot.

5. Use the sights on your bb gun to take aim on your target. The bead sight at the far end of the bb gun is the primary sight for lining up your shot. This bead should be positioned so that it is both on the target and viewable through the notched site at the back end of the barrel. When the sights are lined up on the target in this manner, you are ready to shoot the bb gun.

6. Carefully release the safety on the bb gun and position your finger slightly on the trigger. Keep your eye on the sights, making sure to keep them lined up on the target, then gently squeeze the trigger. That’s really all there is to it. Check the accuracy of your shot and then prepare to try it again.

Tips & Warnings

• Although anything, even a soda can, can be used as a target; it is highly recommended that you use a paper bull's eye target, mounted over the front of a metal box that is built to catch the bb.
• Never take aim with your bb gun, let alone shoot it, if anyone is standing in an area where they could potentially wander into the line of fire. Anyone at the area should be positioned behind the shooter, where they are safe from being hit by a bb.

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Resources

• Gun Safety