In movies shooting is often portrayed with people sniping enemies with pistols and the such, however this incorrect. Shooting requires a large amount of skill and common sense. In this node I will cover something known as the marksmanship principles, these are basically a set of instructions that, when put to practice, create more accurate and consistent shooting.

1. Get and stay comfortable.
This is often done in the prone position with your right leg straight. This is to create a stable body position which minimises the about of wobbling, thus giving a tighter grouped array of shots. The most comfortable way I find doing this is to lower myself to the ground and place my elbows down first in a comfortable manner that is easily held for a duration of time. Then I tend to flex my wrists to hands before getting a firm grip on the weapon to make it more comfortable. I then take my eye to the rear sight, ready to shoot.
2. Line up sights.
In order to get an accurate shot a correct aim picture is needed. The right eye is placed approximately 1 inch away from the rear sight and looks naturally straight through it. The rifle is then moved so that the front sight lines up with the rear sight and the foresight blade and guard can be be seen without having to move the eye. The rifle is then lined up so that the fore sight is still visible and the tip of the foresight blade now points to the target. This will give a very accurate shot if this position is always used once the rifle sights have been zeroed, this is when the sights have been adjusted to the user.
3. Focus.
With your correct aim picture now focus your eye on the foresight, then the target and once again the foresight. This is to ensure that the sights are correctly lined up and your aiming at the correct item. Now everytime you fire you should see the exact same aiming picture and all your shots should land in a nice grouped area of relatively small size.
4. Control your breathing.
Notice that as you breathe the barrel of the rifle will slightly rise and fall in time with your breathing. This can lead to a spread of shots landing in a large range that spans vertically. To prevent this you'll need to control your breathing. The best way to do this is to breathe in, then out, then in, then half out. At this point the trigger should be pulled. Then you breathe half out and conitinue breathing normally.
5. Follow the shot through.
In order to maintain a high level of accuracy you need to make sure you follow your shot through. When the trigger is pulled it should be squeezed gently and not snatched so as to keep the barrel as still as possible. Also once the trigger has been squeezed hold the rifle as firm as possible to reduce shaking from recoil. Now wait approximately 1 second before continuing.