How to Aim Through Open Rifle Sights
Rifles are high powered weapons that can hit targets at extreme distances. The sights that exist on rifles range from the complex and complicated to the straightforward and easy to use. One type of sighting device commonly found on rifles is the open sight or "Dovetail sight." This is a two-piece sight in which one piece of the sight is mounted on the rear of the gun barrel, and the dovetail or a small piece of metal with a notch carved in the middle of it. The other piece of the sight, the bead which is a straight piece of metal with a small round ball at the top of it, is mounted on the front end of the barrel. The two sights are lined up and placed on the target at the desired hit location and then you squeeze the trigger. If you want to learn how to aim through open rifle sights, all that is needed is a bit of time and practice.
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Instructions
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1
Load the gun and hold the grip and trigger with your dominant hand. Press the gun stock firmly against the shoulder on your dominant arm and support the front of the gun stock with you non-dominant hand. Close your non-dominant eye and press your cheek against the rear of the gun stock.
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2
Keeping the gun level, sight along the top of the gun barrel. Sight through the "V" of the dovetail and line up the front bead directly in the center of the "V." Adjust the elevation of the front of the gun until the bead of the front sight lays perfectly in the bottom of the V created by the dovetail.
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3
Holding the sight in the position you achieved in Step 2, place the bead in the center and just below where you want the bullet to hit on the target. Slowly squeeze the trigger. Practice lining the sight up and shooting in this manner until you are comfortable with the way the gun shoots and can make minor adjustments in your aiming style to make your shots more accurate.
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Tips & Warnings
To make a more accurate shot, many shooters will take "half a bead" or a "fine bead" which means to simply cover up half of the bead with the dovetail notch instead of leaving the entire bead visible while you are aiming.
Always shoot in a safe, secluded area away from houses and structures. Wear safety equipment, such as earplugs and glasses.
