Authenticity

So I'm working on a novel about a killer and I realize that I feel pretty fake writing about some scenes, specifically the ones about firing a rifle.  To that end, I decided to go to a local gun range.  I thought I would look at guns that were available for purchase, try and get inside my protagonist's head.  Fortunately, there was a gun range and I was able to rent a rifle and shoot.  I had shot guns before, but they were semi-automatics.  I hadn't ever fired a bolt action rifle.

I was fortunate to get set up with Garrett, an Iraq war veteran who showed me how to properly stand and fire the gun.

I think I did fairly well considering this was my first time.  I opted not to get a crazy paper target like a zombie or something.  I just chose a simple target and went for it.

The place had advertising on the street where you could fire a machine gun which is why I suspect most of the people were there.  Some retired looking guys were kind enough to take my picture.  However the bullet holes in the target didn't show up very well with my black jacket behind it.

I went home and took a better shot of the target with some light behind so you can see the center mass grouping of the shots.  

All in all, I thought it was a good research trip.  I saw some knives and I almost bought one, till I saw the price.  Other than that, there isn't anything better than actually doing some research and taking trips to where the story is taking place and experiencing it as the character.  If you have the means, I highly suggest doing it.  That's not to say that you can't completely fabricate a location based on an amalgamation of your memories.  That's totally possible.  I've done it and hopefully, it's convincing enough to the reader.