Top 4 Tips For Beginner Bullseye Pistol Shooters

by
posted on October 23, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bz-shotprocess-3.jpg
Beginning bullseye shooters need only a .22 LR pistol in good repair with good sights, ammunition, and eye and ear protection. Here are four of our top tips for novices to this discipline, the original competitive pistol shooting sport.

4)  Contact your local range. If you have a large or very active range near you, chances are that it has or participates in a bullseye league. Just call or email to inquire, and they'll tell you the when, where and how of joining. Additionally, SSUSA's Coming Events section is an excellent resource you can use to find bullseye matches local to you.

3)  Ask questions. The best sources for information about bullseye pistol shooting are other competitors. It's not just that they don't mind sharing information—they're eager to do so. Shooting is often their passion, and they welcome the opportunity to share it with others. Other good sources are the NRA Precision Pistol rulebook, and the Bullseye-L online forum. The latter is a great place to discuss all aspects of NRA precision pistol shooting.

2)  Exercise safe gun-handling skills. Bullseye is a fun, relaxed sport of good fellowship. The guns are often beautiful, sleek, competitive tools, but they are guns. Others will be patient with you as you learn the ins and outs of bullseye, but no one tolerates dangerous gun handling—nor should they. Observe the basics of safe gun handling, whether on the range or practicing at home.

1)  Don't be intimidated. It's a handicap league. The Pardini-armed world champion in the next lane has no better chance than you do with your beat-up plinker you purchased fourth hand at a gun show. Believe us when we say the pressure's on him. Relax and have fun.


More reading on bullseye pistol shooting:

Latest

2026 ATA Empiregrand 1
2026 ATA Empiregrand 1

Rebuilt Trap Fields To Greet Empire Satellite Grand American Competitors

The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s 22nd Annual Empire Satellite Grand American runs six days in Cicero, N.Y., with 15 events, cosmic night shooting and newly refurbished trap fields.

Eric Harvey Goes Back-to-Back at Gator Cup, Edmunds Takes Lady Crown

Eric Harvey wins his second consecutive Gator Cup Main Event HOA with 183/200. Desi Edmunds claims Lady HOA as Winchester and White Flyer competitors sweep top titles.

A Tornado, a Target Mix-Up and Triumphant Returns: 1992 National Matches

The 1992 National Matches at Camp Perry featured tornado evacuations, a historic target mix-up and dominant performances by Lozoya, Wigger and Bernosky.

Benelli’s ‘Art of Performance’ Series Goes Inside the Making of a Lupo Barrel

First video in Benelli USA’s new “Art of Performance” series showcases the three-step barrel engineering process in its Lupo bolt-action rifle.

Parcell, Powell Lead Team Remington’s Podium Run at 2026 Gator Cup

Brandon Powell finishes HOA runner-up and Turner Parcell takes third in the Main Event at the 2026 Gator Cup.

2026 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship Preview

The NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship returns to Ohio’s Cardinal Shooting Center in 2026 with expanded junior programs, major sponsor support and three national titles at stake.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.