Suggestions for first time shooting

Taking my 1952 Polish Nagant to the range tomorrow for the first time. Anyone have any suggestions or comments that could be helpful? I have already cleaned it to a point that it shines inside the barrel.(Literally had cobwebs inside!!!) Don't know anything about headspacing but I do know it's important so I thought I might hold the rifle down by my side for the first couple of shots /just in case. The dealer says spacing appears to be o.k. Thoughts? Will be using Brown Bear 185 grain soft point and intend to shoot about 60 rounds. May also shoot about 10 rounds of Russian LVE 200 grain soft point. Installed a Tickbite recoil pad to help out. Will be using molded foam earplugs (rated at 32 decibels and Team Silencio ear phones.(overkill...?)Thanks for the info.

sounds like your ready to go ,,expect 1 hell of a muzzel blast ,,the carbines usually have a bit more kick than a rifle will but it's not all that bad,,headspace if the gundealer said it should be ok ,,should be ok,,but better to be safe than sorry..i really haven't herd of any problems with nagant headspace problems ,,i have owned quite a few of the carbines and all have shot ok,,the polish are one of the better ones and uasually shoot good ,,you should do fine with your ammo choice ,,the 200 gr will proably kick the hardest just because of the heaver bullet,,my 8 yr old grandson shoots my 44's all the time and if he can handle it i'm sure your gonna have a ball with yours..
bigcurt