NRA Basic Rifle
Unlock Rifle Mastery: Essential Knowledge for Safe Handling & Accurate
Shooting
I. Understanding Your Rifle: Key Components
1. The Four Cornerstones of a Rifle: The major components of a rifle are the
receiver, barrel, action, and stock. Understanding each part is crucial for
safe and effective use.
II. Ammunition Feeding: The Role of the Magazine
2. The Magazine: Housing Your Rounds: A magazine holds cartridges in
various rifle types (bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, slide-action), is
composed of a body, a spring, a follower, and a floorplate, and may be
detachable or non-detachable.
III. The Heart of the Rifle: The Action
3. The Action: Loading, Firing, and Unloading: The action is the group of
moving parts used to load, fire, and unload the rifle. It's the dynamic
system that cycles ammunition.
IV. The Fundamentals of Accurate Shooting:
4. Mastering the Basics: Shooting Fundamentals: The core shooting
fundamentals are aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control,
and follow-through. Consistent application of these principles leads to
accuracy.
V. The Key to a Sharp Shot: Focusing Your Aim
5. Sight Focus: Clarity for Accuracy: When aiming a rifle, your eye can only
focus on one object at a time; therefore, you should focus on the front sight
so that it appears clear and sharp.
VI. Addressing Ammunition Issues: Malfunctions
, 6. Troubleshooting Your Rounds: Ammunition Malfunctions: The three
main ammunition malfunctions are misfire, hangfire, and squib loads.
Knowing these helps you respond safely.
VII. Responding to a Failure to Fire: Safety First
7. Safe Response to a Misfire: When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you
should keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction and after waiting at least
30 seconds (as a precaution in case of a hangfire), open the action and
remove the cartridge.
VIII. Achieving Zero: The Stable Platform
8. The Optimal Zeroing Position: Bench Rest Stability: The best position to
use for zeroing a rifle is the benchrest position, providing maximum
stability for accurate sight adjustment.
IX. Completing the Shot: The Importance of Follow-Through
9. Follow-Through: Maintaining Accuracy: Follow-through is important
because it is a continuation of everything that was being done at the time
the shot was fired, ensuring a consistent and undisturbed shot.
X. Bolt-Action Rifles: Strength and Reliability
10.Bolt-Action Advantages: Bolt-action rifles are generally the strongest
type of rifle, known for their accuracy and reliability.
XI. The Components of a Rifle Cartridge:
11.Understanding Your Ammunition: The four components of a rifle
cartridge are the case, primer, powder charge, and bullet. Each plays a
critical role in the firing process.
XII. Ensuring Correct Ammunition: Matching the Markings
12.Verifying Your Rounds: Proper ammunition is determined by matching
the markings on the gun, cartridge headstamp, and the cartridge box.
This is crucial for safety and proper function.
XIII. The Standing Shooting Position: Versatility in the Field
Unlock Rifle Mastery: Essential Knowledge for Safe Handling & Accurate
Shooting
I. Understanding Your Rifle: Key Components
1. The Four Cornerstones of a Rifle: The major components of a rifle are the
receiver, barrel, action, and stock. Understanding each part is crucial for
safe and effective use.
II. Ammunition Feeding: The Role of the Magazine
2. The Magazine: Housing Your Rounds: A magazine holds cartridges in
various rifle types (bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, slide-action), is
composed of a body, a spring, a follower, and a floorplate, and may be
detachable or non-detachable.
III. The Heart of the Rifle: The Action
3. The Action: Loading, Firing, and Unloading: The action is the group of
moving parts used to load, fire, and unload the rifle. It's the dynamic
system that cycles ammunition.
IV. The Fundamentals of Accurate Shooting:
4. Mastering the Basics: Shooting Fundamentals: The core shooting
fundamentals are aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control,
and follow-through. Consistent application of these principles leads to
accuracy.
V. The Key to a Sharp Shot: Focusing Your Aim
5. Sight Focus: Clarity for Accuracy: When aiming a rifle, your eye can only
focus on one object at a time; therefore, you should focus on the front sight
so that it appears clear and sharp.
VI. Addressing Ammunition Issues: Malfunctions
, 6. Troubleshooting Your Rounds: Ammunition Malfunctions: The three
main ammunition malfunctions are misfire, hangfire, and squib loads.
Knowing these helps you respond safely.
VII. Responding to a Failure to Fire: Safety First
7. Safe Response to a Misfire: When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you
should keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction and after waiting at least
30 seconds (as a precaution in case of a hangfire), open the action and
remove the cartridge.
VIII. Achieving Zero: The Stable Platform
8. The Optimal Zeroing Position: Bench Rest Stability: The best position to
use for zeroing a rifle is the benchrest position, providing maximum
stability for accurate sight adjustment.
IX. Completing the Shot: The Importance of Follow-Through
9. Follow-Through: Maintaining Accuracy: Follow-through is important
because it is a continuation of everything that was being done at the time
the shot was fired, ensuring a consistent and undisturbed shot.
X. Bolt-Action Rifles: Strength and Reliability
10.Bolt-Action Advantages: Bolt-action rifles are generally the strongest
type of rifle, known for their accuracy and reliability.
XI. The Components of a Rifle Cartridge:
11.Understanding Your Ammunition: The four components of a rifle
cartridge are the case, primer, powder charge, and bullet. Each plays a
critical role in the firing process.
XII. Ensuring Correct Ammunition: Matching the Markings
12.Verifying Your Rounds: Proper ammunition is determined by matching
the markings on the gun, cartridge headstamp, and the cartridge box.
This is crucial for safety and proper function.
XIII. The Standing Shooting Position: Versatility in the Field
