I've been hunting on and off ever since I was in junior high. I've been comfortable with a shotgun ever since I was big enough to handle one properly. But today I had a disappointing realization: I'm a fucking pansy with my rifle. I've owned a 270 for ages, but I've hardly ever shot it, and today I decided to put an end to that. Pathetic. I flinch and blink nearly every time I shoot it. I'm not entirely sure how to use the scope and I have no fucking idea how to adjust it. Clearly I need a whole lot of practice, and that's just what I plan on doing. I want to be so familiar with this gun that when I pull the trigger, I'm not flinching or worrying about whether or not I hit my target, I've simply already moved on to my next target. So, any advice? And do any of you know where I can get a lot of ammo for cheap?
Exhale and squeeze the trigger without thinking about the shot. It should be a surprise when the round finally cooks off. As far as zeroing the scope, http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Zero-A-Rifle-Scope&id=415018 And cheap ammo, good luck. With all the panic buying thanks to Obama and the upcoming ban, ammo is scarcer than hen's teeth right now.
The price of ammo has gone up by nearly 30% across the board in the last few years. One of the big reasons is the cost of the copper and brass used in shell casings. The DoD is chewing those metals up at a rather prodigious rate so us peons can only get what's left. And, in short, there are no cheap rounds for .270 firearms. While it's a very, very popular hunting caliber, it's not one of the historical plinkers, so there just aren't a lot of choices out there for low-cost alternatives to the expensive hunting loads.
But a .22 if possible, and learn with that. Ammo is cheaper, so you don't have to worry about wasting money getting practice.
If you want to learn the basics of firing, I suggest you buy a Ruger 10/22 and use that to practice. The recoil is negligible and the rounds are pretty inexpensive. Then take a class or two.