After writing a short stack of articles on competition shooting, I decided to write one specifically on How to become a Competition Shooter in 5 easy steps. Why? I want to make it as painless as possible for you to dive into the sport. If I do my job right, this article will be your first step on that journey. So do you want to become a competition shooter?

Okay, hold your breath. We are about to jump into the pool’s deep end without knowing how to swim.

Go to a match:

It would be best if you located and then attended a match. It will give you an idea of what to expect. Talk to people and ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question! You will discover that people are quite helpful, especially when it comes to potential new shooters.

I would suggest taking some optics with you. This depends on what type of shooting event you are attending. Most venues are equipped with electronic targets. In that case, bring a smartphone or tablet. It will make the whole experience more enjoyable.

Research:

Devour every book and article that you can find on the subject. There are several videos on YouTube and even DVDs that you can research. This will give you a head start on the basics. However, I advise going for the books, as some of those videos are sketchy at best.

Buy your firearm:

There are companies out there with factory competition rifles you can purchase. Don’t think that they are useless because they are only factory rifles. You can buy one and upgrade the components later if you wish. The first competition rifle that I achieved the rank of high master with was a factory rifle on steroids, which I had meticulously improved. You don’t need to break the bank to get your feet wet. That said If you want to go for it after getting your feet wet. Shoot the factory while your real rifle is being built.

Practice:

You want to practice as much as you can before your first match. Don’t expect to show up and win your first event. A champion shooter once said to me, “If you think you’re going to win every time, competition shooting is not your sport.”

Shoot your first match:

When you are ready to take the plunge, go and shoot in your first match. You should expect to have a lot of fun while learning quite a bit. I have been doing this for years and still learn something new every time. There is almost a never-ending learning curve.

I wrote an article called Welcome to the Gun Show. It will give you a good idea of what it’s like to be a competition shooter.

That’s all there is to it. I hope this article on how to become a competition shooter helps. Starting competition shooting isn’t too complicated. If you follow these short steps, you will be good to go.

Also, I take no responsibility if you become addicted to the sport. So get ready to have the time of your life, and welcome to the gun show.

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