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I bought my first ever deer rifle last summer. I sighted in in under the supervision of an experienced older dude. I noticed that I tend to anticipate the kick of the rifle and jerk a bit before I shoot. Usually I am off by about 6 or 8 inches. But the kicker is that for the first shot I don't anticipate the kick and usually hit within and inch or two at 100 yards. How should I correct this?

Man up! Serious, just get someone to load the gun for you and sometimes they need to put a empty shell in it and you can then see how much you jerk. Eventually you will get used to it. Other than that just have to man up and take it! An remember to squeeze the trigger and the gun scare you when it goes off, that way there want be any "jerking". What cailber you shooting?

are you pulling the trigger, or squeezing?

30-06 with 165 grain.

The first shot I don't seem to jerk at all. After that I think I start anticipating the recoil, but IDK... I don't have the same problem with shooting my 12 guage. Is this something I just need ti keep practicing at?

What caliber? Recoil pad? Limbsaver makes a good one. Practice and practice. Mind over matter. Shoot ur 22LR some and get some good fundamentals rolling the switch over.

Edit. I think u can find some reduced recoil loads for the '06. Also drop down to 150 g load. That will lessen the recoil some. Hornady makes several.

Buy a lead sled and shoot out of it to site in. When you are hunting, the shot you take will be your first shot and you won't jerk.

Try taking a .22 with you to the range. Shoot a few groups with the 30-06, then shoot the .22. Alternate b/w the two until you don't flinch anymore.

If it doesnt get better try dropping down to a 308 thats what i did

Try adjusting your trigger pull to a lighter setting. With a lighter setting the gun will go off sooner causing less risk of jerking the trigger and less likely of being able to predict when the gun goes off causing it to go off when lease expected. I would let a gun smith do it unless you know how. Don't want to light that if you breathe it goes off though. It helped me out.

Get out the 22 with a scope and shoot shoot shoot and then shoot some more. I mean I want to hit that ant on the target accurate shooting. I have to do this occassionaly after shooting the shotgun alot. I get to jerking instead of squeezing. Also mentaly think aim squeeze as you are shooting.

Be sure the gun is snugged into your shoulder firmly so you feel more a push than a slam when the gun recoils. Once you get used to that all you really anticipate is noise and a couple hundred rounds will get you used to that.

Get a PAST recoil pad.

Squeeze the trigger like your squeezing a tit.....

JD, you said it was a 30-06, but is it a bolt action or auto???

I have shot a 243 my whole life until about the last 4 or 5 years.. It is an adjustment to move up in recoil, but you can get over the flinch. A lead sled will help, but you can't just use the lead sled to shoot all the time then go to the woods and let one fly.. Use the lead sled to sight in to know that the rifle is on target, you might even consider gettting a gun sight/vise shooting rest.

The next thing you want to do is get a gunsmith to tell you what the trigger pull is if it is a bolt action you can get it down to about 2-3lbs and that will help a LOT... If an auto it may be harder to get a good trigger on it..

Another option is to go down in gun to a 7mm-08, or if you want to stay with 30 caliber go to a 308. They are both the same cartridge, just one is a 28 caliber and one is a 30 caliber bullet either one of them is plenty of gun for any just about any hoofed animal in NA. My personal preference would be the 7mm-08 becuase it has a little less recoil..

I can shoot my 35 Wheelen, and my 444 Marlin just fine, I get about 1 inch groups at about 100 yards... But am way more accurate with my 7mm-08 and my 243 and in the end shot placement is better than bullet diameter any day..

30-06 serious...............dont shoot a 7 mag the recoil may give you a mild heart attack