First time firing my very own rifle

[brreed1993]

Went to the range today to shot my very first rifle for the very first time. I've shot a shotgun before but it was a long time ago and it wasn't mine. This time it was my own and I could take it home )

The thing that got me the most was the smell of powder in the air. It was an indoor range and made the whole place nauseating but I got over it. My girlfriend, who I took, jumped at every shot. Then we had the cool guy next to us wanted to shoot his desert eagle :/ felt like the air was ripping apart when he shot, I could feel it in my mouth.

Harder than expected to hold my 10/22 steady for a shot, my arms got tired towards the end (maybe I'm just weak) :P I thought was pretty accurate for my first time, my girlfriend was all over the place haha

Over all 8/10 and I will be doing it again next week hopefully

Also a piece of brass hit my in the head on the way out. Surprised me

[johnthomas]

For a first rifle, you chose a good one. Cheap to shoot and good quality. The best place to shoot is BLM land. You find your good position to shoot a rifle. I like prone supported.

[Turo]

If your girlfriend was jumping at every shot, she may not have had her earplugs in properly. Most people don't know how to put them in correctly.

Holding the rifle still basically takes practice. Muscle memory and a proper stance will take you a long way. Throw in some trigger control and you'll be a master in no time.

Glad you had a mostly positive time your first time out. Go to an outdoor range next time, or BLM land and you'll have 10 times more fun, guaranteed.

[brreed1993]

If your girlfriend was jumping at every shot, she may not have had her earplugs in properly. Most people don't know how to put them in correctly.

Holding the rifle still basically takes practice. Muscle memory and a proper stance will take you a long way. Throw in some trigger control and you'll be a master in no time.

Glad you had a mostly positive time your first time out. Go to an outdoor range next time, or BLM land and you'll have 10 times more fun, guaranteed.

first off whats a BLM? second i 99% sure we had them in right, lift up the ear and all, plus we had ear muff protector things on over the buds.

[JackRydden224]

If you are having a hard time holding the rifle steady a sling will be a big help for ya.

[Turo]

first off whats a BLM? second i 99% sure we had them in right, lift up the ear and all, plus we had ear muff protector things on over the buds.

BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management, which is basically land that is just owned by the state and not any private person, and it's legal to shoot on. The reason I mentioned the ear plugs because most people don't use them right, and a 22lr out of a rifle shouldn't be near loud enough to make somebody jump.

[brreed1993]

BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management, which is basically land that is just owned by the state and not any private person, and it's legal to shoot on. The reason I mentioned the ear plugs because most people don't use them right, and a 22lr out of a rifle shouldn't be near loud enough to make somebody jump.

she was jumping from the other guns not mine :P anyways i looked on there site and im not exactly sure where the boundaries are. i would like to do this (more cost effective than a range) but im not sure how to find some

[pennys dad]

not sure what area you are in, but you could go to outdoor ranges, some offer private ranges which are nice but will cost depending on where you go.
Some people are real sensitive to the snap of gun fire sound, have your GF wear ear plugs and over the head earmuffs.

[Z.1]

Congrats on your first rifle! Agreed that outdoor range or BLM would be your best bet.

The thing that got me the most was the smell of powder in the air. It was an indoor range and made the whole place nauseating but I got over it.

Funny, I love that smell

[WartHog]

BLM Shooting Areas

Congratulations on getting your first rifle - .22's are fun and inexpensive to shoot and the 10/22 can be extensively customized if you want to.

On finding BLM or other legal areas to shoot on, tell us the area you live and we can help direct you better.

[NOTABIKER]

i find shooting my 22 rifle at a indoor pistol range is imperfect. most of the shooters are firing away right next to you with very high powered pistols. just the shock wave can make you flinch. the hot brass falling on you is not fun at all. indoor ranges are better than nothing. i prefer outdoor ranges for rifles more fun. Prado Olympic range in corona works for me 20 bucks for all day.

[brreed1993]

Congratulations on getting your first rifle - .22's are fun and inexpensive to shoot and the 10/22 can be extensively customized if you want to.

On finding BLM or other legal areas to shoot on, tell us the area you live and we can help direct you better.

i live in riverside right now, this summer im going to be in mission viejo (Southern OC)

[WartHog]

Well, I don't know the SoCal area so can't help you on finding any BLM or similar places to shoot down there.

[JxPakman]

i live in socal too, mostly shoot at On Target. Any BLM land around here will be a few hours drive... i have never shot on open land before... it would be fun, especially without any of those annoying range rules... no double tap, rapid fire, etc... if anyone is willing to share of some areas close to OC, please share... then again, i know a lot of people do not like give away their shooting spots haha... you can always PM!

oh, and congratulations on the 10/22! was my second gun and i still love to shoot that thing! i got a after market stock, and a simmons 3-9x scope and it punches 1inch groups at 25yds, using a bipod of course haha! shoot on brother!

[dlichterman]

i live in riverside right now, this summer im going to be in mission viejo (Southern OC)

Well, I don't know the SoCal area so can't help you on finding any BLM or similar places to shoot down there.

Closest/easiest place for us in North SD/OC is probably Ocotillo Wells, south on split mountain rd.

http://g.co/maps/ac36b

You take the road until it gets to the train tracks and turn left, then look for the signs along the road that say BLM and it is safe to shoot. You should shoot toward the hills from the train tracks.

There is also some land south of Joshua Tree. Be careful in Riverside as there are some funky laws in that county about shotgun only.

Edit: The Joshua Tree area is probably closer to Riverside. Here is the map I found: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medial...nset_Map_1.pdf
Look south of the 10 off Box Canyon Rd.