Shooting Guides & How-Tos

You're driving from Idaho to visit family in New Jersey. You've got your EDC on your hip and a couple of standard-capaci

You found the exact rifle you've been looking for -- right color, right configuration, $80 cheaper than anywhere local.

You're standing in a gun store, staring at two boxes of 9mm. One's $18.99 for 50 rounds, the other's $34.99 for 100 roun

Every listing in the BGC directory gets a letter grade from A+ to F. This is our way of telling you how complete and tru

Complete guide to Idaho shooting competitions, ranges, and events for 2026-2027. Find matches, plan your shooting calend

Complete beginner's guide to concealed carry basics: choosing positions, holsters, drawing safely, dressing around your

Learn shotgun chokes from basics to practical application. Understand the five main types, when to use each, and how to

First-time gun buyer? Here's what you actually need to know -- legal requirements, which gun to start with, what to budg

Complete beginner's guide to choosing your first shotgun. Learn about gauges, actions, and get specific recommendations

Complete guide to 3-Gun Competition in Idaho. Learn equipment requirements, costs, divisions, and how to get started in

Complete guide to airgun competition: 10m precision, field target, equipment, costs, rules. From beginner basics to comp

Complete guide to archery in Idaho: equipment, costs, rules, and where to shoot. From traditional bows to Olympic recurv

Complete guide to benchrest shooting - the ultimate precision rifle sport. Equipment requirements, costs, rules, and get

Complete guide to black powder muzzleloader shooting: equipment, costs, rules, and how to get started in traditional fir

Complete guide to Bullseye/Precision Pistol: rules, equipment, costs, and how to get started in this classic marksmanshi

Complete guide to Cowboy Action Shooting in Idaho: equipment, costs, rules, and getting started in this Old West-themed

F-Class Long Range shooting: prone precision rifle competition at 300-1200 yards using scoped rifles, bipods, and front

Five Stand combines the variety of sporting clays with the convenience of fixed stations. Learn rules, equipment, costs,

Complete guide to gun shows: what to expect, buying and selling tips, FFL transfer rules, pricing strategies, and practi

High Power Rifle competition combines traditional marksmanship positions with precision shooting at 200-600 yards. Compl

Complete guide to airsoft: combat simulation sport using replica firearms and plastic BBs. Equipment recommendations, ga

Complete guide to Idaho hunter education requirements, course options, field day expectations, and certification process

Complete guide to metallic silhouette shooting: rules, equipment, costs, and getting started in this precision rifle spo

Complete guide to sporting clays: equipment, rules, costs, and getting started in America's fastest-growing shotgun spor

Complete guide to NRL22 rimfire precision shooting: equipment, costs, rules, and getting started in this accessible prec

Complete guide to Steel Challenge: the fastest, most accessible competitive shooting sport. Equipment, rules, costs, and

Complete guide to paintball: equipment, rules, costs, and getting started. From recreational weekend games to competitiv

Complete guide to skeet shooting: rules, equipment, costs, and getting started. Learn the difference between American an

Complete guide to IDPA/USPSA practical shooting - rules, equipment, costs, getting started. Dynamic pistol competition c

Learn trap shooting basics: equipment, rules, costs, and skills. From your first round to competitive shooting, this gui

Complete guide to Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competition in Idaho: equipment, costs, rules, and how to get started in

Time to deep clean and inspect your firearms after winter storage. Complete maintenance checklist for spring readiness.

Keep your gear functioning and stay safe at the range during Idaho winters. Lubricant choices, battery tips, layering st

Most firearms don't need constant gunsmith attention—regular cleaning and basic maintenance handle 90% of what a gun nee

Long-term storage requires more than tossing a gun in the closet. Humidity, temperature swings, and improper preparation

Responsible firearm ownership includes securing your firearms from unauthorized access—children, theft, and prohibited p

Dry fire is the single most effective way to improve your shooting without spending money on ammunition. Done correctly,

Malfunctions happen. Semi-automatic firearms occasionally fail to feed, fire, or eject properly. Knowing how to clear th

Showing up to the range prepared makes everything smoother—for you and everyone around you. Here's the essential gear yo

The rifle market can overwhelm new buyers. Bolt actions, semi-autos, lever guns—each has distinct purposes, and the righ

Your first handgun purchase is a significant decision. The gun store wall has dozens of options. The internet has millio

Understanding ammunition is fundamental to responsible firearm ownership. This guide covers cartridge components, calibe

A clean firearm functions reliably. A neglected one doesn't. Cleaning isn't complicated, but it does require consistency

Shooting ranges have protocols. Some are formal rules enforced by range officers. Others are unspoken expectations that