TO LEARN to shoot a rifle well, either at targets on the range or at game in the field, you must master the fundamentals thoroughly. You must learn to hold the rifle steady, to aim correctly, and to squeeze the trigger properly. When those fundamentals have been mastered, making good scores or bringing down game will seem easy.

It is best, when you start shooting, to use a good, reliable, .22-caliber target rifle. With its lack of recoil, you will not have the bugaboo of flinching to overcome. The ammunition is so cheap that you can practice at small cost. And because of its comparatively short range, it will be easier for you to find a place where you can shoot in safety.

You will want a shooting shirt, paper targets, ammunition, a cleaning rod, patches, and oil, and possibly a telescope. It is a good idea to have a pencil and pad at hand to keep a record of elevation and scores. Also, keep a packet of matches handy to blacken your sights. Sights that reflect light are distorted to the eye, and make accurate aiming impossible.

And now to get down to the business of shooting. A daily practice routine is much better than occasional spurts of enthusiasm. You will not need any ammunition at the start, for you may become a good shot by merely "snapping in."

The first step is to get into your sling. Unhook the bottom section and hook it just below the connecting link. Unhook the upper section of the sling and place both keepers together. Now lengthen the sling until the loop reaches the comb of the stock.

Holding the rifle in your right hand, place the butt on the belt line, and turn the sling halfway to the left. Now put your arm through the loop up to the armpit and slide the metal hooks to the top of the swivel, so they will not hurt the back of the hand. Pull both keepers down on the arm and pass your left hand around the sling.

Begin practice with an extra-long sling, and gradually shorten it until it becomes comfortably snug, but never tighten it so it will pull you out of position. The sling should always be fitted to the position, not the position to the sling, or you'll cramp your style.

Correct position is essential to good shooting. There are four positions-standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone-which are authorized in match firing, and may be utilized in hunting. Prone is the steadiest position of all, and the easiest to learn. It should be mastered before attempting the others.

Select a level place for both elbows and lie down, head toward the target, with the body at a slight angle to the left. Spread your legs apart, with the heels inward, and both feet flat on the ground. Place the left elbow directly under the rifle, with the left hand extended as far as possible without touching the upper sling band. Rest the rifle in the heel of the hand, not on the palm, with the fingers against the stock.

Grip the rifle lightly with the right hand, holding the thumb alongside the stock, and raise the butt into the shoulder without lifting the right elbow from the ground.

Now lower your head until you can see the tip of the front sight in the exact center of the rear aperture, with your cheek resting lightly against the stock. Don't strain your head toward the sight in an effort to see better. Instead, enlarge the aperture if necessary.

Do not press your cheek tensely against the stock, nor grip tightly with the fingers of the left hand. Tenseness of any kind causes tremor and prevents the rifle from being held steadily.

If the position and sling are correct, you will be able to operate the bolt with ease. The position may be tested by releasing your hold with either hand. If it is correct, the sights should remain aligned on the aiming point without effort on your part. If you are not aligned on the target, shift the angle of your whole body so you will not have to hold the rifle unnaturally while aiming.

Aiming is a matter of bringing the front sight, the center of the rear sight, and the target into alignment. In practice, you can aim at any object, but the bull's-eye of a small paper target, that may be tacked up anywhere, will give you an objective that is definite and distinct. And in practice, in target shooting-at all times-keep both eyes open when you aim!

Some expert shots recommend aiming at the center of the bull's-eye; others recommend aiming at the spot which would be 6 o'clock on your watch dial. Whichever method you use, stick to that one: if you learn to aim a certain way, you will habitually aim that way under all conditions.

Do not aim too long. The longer you hold the rifle in aiming position, the more unsteady you will become. Since it is necessary to hold the breath while aiming, the palpitation of the heart will increase if the period is too long, and this palpitation will be transmitted to the rifle. This does not mean that the rifle must be fired the instant it is raised to the shoulder. It does mean that your first second of aiming will be your best, for the longer you look at the target the more obscure it becomes. Do not attempt any actual shooting until you can align your sights quickly.

Most elevation troubles are caused by aiming with a "fine" or a "full" sight. A objects to concentrate upon-the front sight and the bull's-eye.