I grew up shooting BB guns and 22 LRs and had never fired a centerfire rifle until I spent six years in the Army. Even then it was only once a year to requalify with the M-16.
My real interest in "precision shooting" began with a very accurate Rem 700 .223 Varmint Special that I bought in 1987. Then began the reloading journey trying to shrink the groups. I thought I was all that because I was lucky to get a good barrel. I bought a big brother 308 Varmint Special and never could get that rifle to shoot well.
Factory rifles led to Rem 40Xs then later to full blown custom builds. In the early 90s came the 6BR and 6PPC in addition to nice varmint rifles, tactical rifles, and AR-15s. I have learned a lot from others, shared a lot, and learned many lessons the hard way.
Early on I was far too eager to help people and offer advice. With more experience I learned to wait until someone asked for my help. That served me well over the years and three of those that I helped remain close friends today. All three far more intelligent than I: one Civil Engr, one MD, and one retired AF Special Ops C-130 pilot. All of them said a version of, "You seem to know what you are doing. Would you mind giving me a hand?" I was happy to help, they listened well, followed advice, and wanted to learn more about precision rifles and reloading. Not having a son to share with, I was more than happy to help and gain new friends as well.
However, one time in the last few years, I broke my own rule about not offering help that turned out to be humorous. An older fellow was trying to sight in his deer rifle at 100 yards with a rolled up blanket. He would shoot, then cuss. Shoot and cuss. I was finished shooting and said, "Sir, you are more than welcome to use my rest and rear bag to sight in."
Frustrated, he bellowed, "I was in the Marine Corps for 33 years! I know how to shoot!!!"
I thought, but did not say, "Well, not very well." Normally, I would have apologized for bothering him and walked away. For some reason I said, "Sir, I was in the Army for 6.25 years but I couldn't shoot worth a shit!"
He instantly changed his attitude and wanted to know where I had served. I told him that the cease fire was called in Vietnam while I was in training. I asked for Augsburg, Germany but was assigned to Thailand and then Okinawa. I reenlisted and served a tour in South Korea and finished with another tour in Okinawa. I served with the old Army Security Agency and intercepted the communications of countries of interest.
He smiled and said, "I commanded all the Marines in Japan!" Turned out he was a retired Major General who had served with Stormin' Norman in the first gulf war then on to the Pentagon. Of course, as he climbed the ranks, I doubt he shot the M-16 or M-4 very much.
He then accepted my offer of using the rest and bag. He drives down from NC just to zero before deer and bear hunting. Last two times I saw him, he acknowledged my help and thanked me again.
That one exception was worth the grief but I agree that it is best to wait until someone asks. Even then, if they aren't receptive or want to debate, I just bow out and give them a good leaving alone. Heck, even after 36 years of steady rifle shooting, I am still learning and hope to have a few more years left to enjoy my passion.
