How to Aim a BB Gun

Co-authored by Scott Thompson

Last Updated: May 29, 2024

Since the introduction of the Daisy air rifle in 1895, BB guns have been a classic, used in everything from military training to the Olympic Games. Whether you're interested in target shooting or hunting, practicing with a BB gun can be lots of fun. Learning how to aim is a great way to improve your concentration and physical control. Remember, though: safety is of utmost importance. Before you handle your BB gun, you'll need an experienced shooter to show you how to operate it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Aim a BB Gun

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Understanding the name and function of each part is essential in maintaining control over your gun at all times.
2
Determine your dominant eye. This helps you aim with precision and tells you which side to hold the gun on (if applicable).
- Extend both arms in front of you.
- Make a small circle with the index fingers and thumbs of both hands.
- Looking through the circle, focus on a distant object.
- Draw the circle back towards you, still focusing on the object.
- The eye in line with the circle is the dominant eye.
- If you are shooting an air rifle, the gun should rest on the same side as your dominant eye.
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3
Learn the proper breathing technique. Breathing - or, rather, not breathing - is an important element in aiming your gun. The movement of the body as it breathes makes it difficult to get a good sight picture, much less shoot straight.
- Breath and relax the body before aiming.
- Take a deep breath and exhale halfway.
- Hold your breath halfway exhaled as you aim and squeeze the trigger, then exhale.
- You can practice this technique without your gun to get used to it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting into a Firing Position

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1
Start with the free-arm standing position. Stand with your knees straight, feet shoulder-width apart, and your body and head erect. Your left arm supports the rifle by resting against your rib cage. The rifle butt rests against your right shoulder. Your left hand supports the weight of the rifle from under the fore-end and the right holds the grip.
- To adjust your aim left or right from this position, move your feet. To correct aim up or down, raise or lower the gun.
2
Get down low into the prone position. Lie on the ground facing your target, angling your body a bit to the left. Your right knee bends slightly, drawing the right leg up but keeping it parallel with your back and your foot on the ground. Extend your left arm forward, supporting the fore-end of the gun from underneath with your left hand. The rifle butt should rest against your right shoulder as your right-hand holds the grip.
- To adjust aim left or right, pivot your body on the left elbow; to correct aim up or down, move your left hand backward or forward, respectively.
3
Learn the kneeling position. Kneel on your right knee with your foot centered under your buttocks. Your weight is on the bottom of your right heel, with your toes flat on the ground. Your left leg is drawn up in front of you, knee bent, foot flat on the ground. Position the flat part of your left elbow onto the flat part of the left kneecap. The fore-end of the rifle rests in the palm of your left hand.
- Aim by pivoting your body on your right foot and adjusting your left foot for balance.
4
Try out the sitting position. Sit cross-legged and rest your elbows on your legs just behind the knees. Hold the rifle fore-end in your left hand and put your right hand on the grip.
- Aim left or right by pivoting the body from the waist, and up and down by adjusting your left elbow's position.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Sighting Your BB Gun

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The backstop is the background to your target. Avoid hard surfaces, water, tin cans, or other hard objects that might result in a ricochet.
There should be no one and nothing in the immediate vicinity of your target.
3
Get into your firing position. Always remember to aim the gun in a safe direction so that if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage.
- Keep your index finger off the trigger (resting along the side) and hold the gun with both hands.
- Bring the gun to eye level.
4
Locate the rear sight. This is either a horizontal bar with a notch in it (open rear sight) or a hole (aperture).
- Do not keep your eye too close to the backside of the aim as it may damage your eye.
Front sights are either a small post or another aperture. When the front and rear sights are aligned, the front is centered in relation to the rear.
Now you should have all three things aligned, with the front sight and target centered in relation to the rear sight.
Be absolutely certain that you know what your target is, and what's beyond it.
Relax your body, take a deep breath, exhale halfway, and hold.
Always think before you shoot.
Do not jerk or pull it.
11
Follow through. After you fire, you should not move until you have hit your target. It takes just a split second for the pellet to leave the gun, but even in this short amount of time, any movement will interrupt your aim.
- Exhale fully only after your target is hit.

Community Q&A

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Question

Explain squeezing of the trigger. I have a challenge here

Tripleplayzzz

Community Answer

you must first just gently place your index finger on the trigger, don't press. Then wait a few seconds to get the aim right, the second you get the aim right slowly pull your finger back, releasing fire.

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Tips

The descriptions of the firing positions are for right shooters; left shooters need to reverse the position accordingly.

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For the firing positions, watch your instructor demonstrate the positions first, pay close attention to the position of different body parts. You should practice the positions first without a gun until you are comfortable.

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If there are other people besides you, make sure everyone stays behind you.

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Warnings

Always wear eye protection when shooting your BB gun, as pellets may ricochet.

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Engage the safety if possible, but do not rely on this to prevent accidents. Mechanical failures can happen at any time, so this is not a substitute for proper gun handling.

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Air rifle pellets still have the power to injure or even kill: these guns are not toys and should be treated with the same caution as any weapon.

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Always check local laws before using a BB gun.

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Your gun should always be unloaded until you are ready to use it.

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Learn how to safely handle and operate a gun before even picking one up.

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Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

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Never use your BB gun in public. Under some circumstances, it can be difficult to distinguish between these guns and firearms, and you put yourself and others at risk.

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Ear protection is also desirable since shots can be loud.

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Store your gun so that unauthorized people cannot have access to it. Untrained individuals, especially children, should never have access to a gun.

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