|
Start Shooting Advice
If you want to take up shooting, then your best starting point is to join a local club or contact a shooting school. All of the main shooting associations will be able to put you in contact with a local club or school. There are serveral hundred in the UK, so there should be one near you. But which type of shooting would you like to try?
Let’s start by looking at the main types of shooting
Airgunning
Airgun shooting is very popular and there are many types and makes of airguns available in the UK. During the past 20 years, the quality of airguns has improved vastly, with the UK leading the world in airgun design. Modern guns are also very reliable.
Airguns can cost from around £100 to well over £1000. Airguns can be used for shooting at paper targets (the traditional ‘Bulls eye’) and metal ‘knockover’ targets that fall over when hit. Airguns are also widely used for pest control.
If you want to take up airgun shooting, then in the first instance you should join a club. With several hundred clubs in the UK, one should be near you.
For information on where to find an airgun club near you contacteither BASC or NSRA (see links below)
Shotgun Shooting
Shotguns are used for shooting at moving targets. This is because, unlike airguns or rifles that fire a single pellet or bullet, a shotgun discharges a large number of very small pellets (called shot) which spread out as they move through the air.
Clay pigeon shooting is very popular, and it is also a sport at which the UK consistently wins medals at the Olympics. The larger clay clubs and grounds will have qualified instructors on hand to teach you how to shoot, and they will also have all the equipment you need available to borrow. If you shoot at a recognised club or shooting ground you do not need a shotgun certificate, providing you don’t own a gun and don’t intend to carry cartridges. For more information on clay pigeon shooting, or to find out where your nearest club or grounds are, contact CPSA (see links below)
Shotguns are also used for shooting live quarry such as pigeons, pheasants, and rabbits. No one should ever shoot a live animal unless they are skilled with a shotgun, and are familiar with all the safety aspects of shooting in the field. For more information about live quarry shooting, contact BASC and/or Countryside Alliance (see links below)
Rifle Shooting
Rifle shooting takes two forms - small bore and full bore. Small bore rifles are used mainly for target shooting at paper "bulls eye" targets. Many clubs run competitions, both within the club and between local clubs. there are also national and international competitions.
Small bore rifles can also be used for pest control on the smaller pest species (such as rabbits). To find out more about small bore target shooting, contact NSRA (see links below)
Full bore rifles are also used for target shooting - but at much longer ranges - up to several hundred metres. Again local, national and international competitions are available. To find out more about full bore target shooting, contact NRA (see links below)
Full bore rifles are also used for deer stalking. To find out more about using rifles for pest control, contact BASC (see links below)
BASC
The British Association for shooting and Conservation is the representative body for sporting shooting and is the largest fieldsports organisation in the UK with more than 130,000 members and growing. We represent and safeguard all shooting sports
Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HL
Tel: 01244 573000
Web: www.basc.org.uk | CPSCThe Clay Pigeon Shooting Association is the governing body for clay shooting in England. It is an organisation that focuses on looking after its 26,500 plus members, 450 plus clubs and protecting the sport that is loved by us all.
Edmonton House, Bisley Camp Brokkwood, Woking, Surry GU24 0NP
Tel: 01483 485400
Web: www.cpsa.co.uk |
CLA
The Country Land and Business Association is the foremost organisation representing and defending the rights of its 37,000 members. The CLA organises the CLA Game Fair, and works closely with other representative organisations to promote and defend shooting sports.
16 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PQ
Tel: 020 7235 0511
Web: www.cla.org.uk | Countryside AllianceThe award-winning Countryside Alliance is the best known organisation representing shooters. Its ground-breaking National Shooting Week initiative, run on behalf of the entire industry, has promoted shooting to millions and ensured that thousands of new people have tried the sport for the first time
Old Town Hall, 367 Kennington Road, London SE11 4PT
Tel: 020 7840 9200
Web: www.countryside-alliance.org.uk |
NRA
The National Rifle Association was founded in 1860. Shooters and non-shooters throughout the world have heard of Bisley Rangers, owned by NRA, which hosts the worlds most famous target rifle competition - The Sovereign’s Plate - held in July every year ince 1860 (save during both world wars). The NRA selects and looks after the British national rifle shooting teams.
Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0PB
Tel: 01483 797777
Web: www.nra.org.uk | NSRAThe National Small-Bore Rifle Association based at Bisley Camp is the governing body for target shooting with rifles and pistols of a calibre on .23 inches or less, match cross bows, air rifles and air pistols.
Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NP
Tel: 01483 485503
Web: www.nsra.org.uk |
|
