Shooting as a hobby
Discussion
Not sure where this should go, but if it's not Lounge material a mod will no doubt move it.
Took my Springer gundog training today and both he and I loved it. So much so that the trainer (Gundog Association) told me that he teaches shooting too. This is something I've always wanted to do, but never had the time. Now, I can make time. He is willing to teach me without the need for me to buy a gun, but ultimately it is something I would do.
Apart from a firearms licence, what else is required to go and buy a gun? I know you need a locked cabinet, but how much should I pay for a decent 12 bore (for shooting game birds,etc) and is it like photography in that you buy a 'starter' gun and work your way up. Or do you buy/inherit your Purdeys?
When do I need to think about gun purchase?
Took my Springer gundog training today and both he and I loved it. So much so that the trainer (Gundog Association) told me that he teaches shooting too. This is something I've always wanted to do, but never had the time. Now, I can make time. He is willing to teach me without the need for me to buy a gun, but ultimately it is something I would do.
Apart from a firearms licence, what else is required to go and buy a gun? I know you need a locked cabinet, but how much should I pay for a decent 12 bore (for shooting game birds,etc) and is it like photography in that you buy a 'starter' gun and work your way up. Or do you buy/inherit your Purdeys?
When do I need to think about gun purchase?
Tyre Smoke said:
Not sure where this should go, but if it's not Lounge material a mod will no doubt move it.
Took my Springer gundog training today and both he and I loved it. So much so that the trainer (Gundog Association) told me that he teaches shooting too. This is something I've always wanted to do, but never had the time. Now, I can make time. He is willing to teach me without the need for me to buy a gun, but ultimately it is something I would do.
Apart from a firearms licence, what else is required to go and buy a gun? I know you need a locked cabinet, but how much should I pay for a decent 12 bore (for shooting game birds,etc) and is it like photography in that you buy a 'starter' gun and work your way up. Or do you buy/inherit your Purdeys?
When do I need to think about gun purchase?
£1200 will get you a decent second hand starter gun, if it were me I would have some lessons and get into it first. For you own gun you will need the shotgun certificate, which will be granted after inspection of your home, you will need the cabinet in a good location. Speak to the local police and ask to speak to the firearms officer that does the inspection, they will offer advice on siting etc. Shooting times is a good read for people getting into the sport.Took my Springer gundog training today and both he and I loved it. So much so that the trainer (Gundog Association) told me that he teaches shooting too. This is something I've always wanted to do, but never had the time. Now, I can make time. He is willing to teach me without the need for me to buy a gun, but ultimately it is something I would do.
Apart from a firearms licence, what else is required to go and buy a gun? I know you need a locked cabinet, but how much should I pay for a decent 12 bore (for shooting game birds,etc) and is it like photography in that you buy a 'starter' gun and work your way up. Or do you buy/inherit your Purdeys?
When do I need to think about gun purchase?
you don't need to spend a fortune on your first gun...as BigTee said you can spend as little of as much as you wish
you'll need a shotgun license but first a approved gun cabinet attached to a structural wall of your house, then get your local firearms officer to come round and check it
you'll need a shotgun license but first a approved gun cabinet attached to a structural wall of your house, then get your local firearms officer to come round and check it
Little Butch said:
My Baikal 12 bore cost me £150 and I can't fault It.. Not a work of art but It's solid as f*ck!
the first shotgun I had was a Baikal....solid as feck and very reliable.but my Beretta (silver Pigeon) went through a phase of having a sticking ejector (number 2) with various bits being replaced by the gunsmiths
they seem to have sorted it now though
edit spelling ...how did I get "sorted" wrong?
Edited by y2blade on Thursday 26th May 15:48
Budget around £100 ish for a good cabinet to keep it in. A good used Beretta or Browning can be had for £6/700.
Be warned, its addictive and gets expensive once you start going weekly.
Shells are about 14p per bang and clays around 25p each (regardless of you hitting them!)
Buy carts by the 1000 or more for best rates.
Be warned, its addictive and gets expensive once you start going weekly.
Shells are about 14p per bang and clays around 25p each (regardless of you hitting them!)
Buy carts by the 1000 or more for best rates.
Also, all proper clubs will have a club gun or two for hire, and if you get into a group of mates, you can try various makes without buying.
Gunfit is important and a good gunshop will advise on what suits you, but as a noob, the best thing you can do is put some lead up the barrels until you develope a good mount and swing.
Gunfit is important and a good gunshop will advise on what suits you, but as a noob, the best thing you can do is put some lead up the barrels until you develope a good mount and swing.
y2blade said:
Little Butch said:
My Baikal 12 bore cost me £150 and I can't fault It.. Not a work of art but It's solid as f*ck!
the first shotgun I had was a Baikal....solid as feck and very reliable.but my Beretta (silver Pigeon) went through a phase of having a sticking ejector (number 2) with various bits being replaced by the gunsmiths
they seem to have sorted it now though
edit spelling ...how did I get "sorted" wrong?
Edited by y2blade on Thursday 26th May 15:48
to echo the above points...
you can get a cheap russian "copy" for £250 but you'll never win a medal with them - ideal first gun though.
my most recent purchase was a Beretta silver pigeon iv - good solid gun, not too much spangly inlay, easy to keep and a good first step up onto the ladder. i paid £875 for mine second hand.
the shotgun cert is very dependant on where you live - my local firearms officer is based just down the road in bushey so only toon around 8 weeks to get after all the checks.
i'd advise getting a cabinet and having it in and ready for when your visit happens (even if you dont have a gun yet) so the firearms officer does not have to come back to check at a later date. make sure your front door locks are insurance rated too.
find a good shooting club and get involved - they are generally a friendly lot be be prepared, if you look like you might be messing around at any point, they will throw you out - they dont take kindly to people who want to wave guns around.
there are lots of different clubs that work in different ways. you'll find whats right for you after visiting a few. ive had many different experiences:
i have shot at the northwest london shooting ground (choice of madonna, guy ritchie, vinnie jones etc) - its not about how good you are at shooting, its all about how many diamonds are inlaid in the action of your gun and how new your range rover is.
the A1 shooting ground - set up for olympic events, skeet and trap. good club but they dont really like noobs until you prove yourself.
i actually shoot every fortnight on a private shoot just outside of flitwick - good people who dont mind amateurs and rubbish shooters. a lot more down to earth - which is a good thing as i dont look like your average clay shooter.
all the best mate, feel free to ask any other questions.
you can get a cheap russian "copy" for £250 but you'll never win a medal with them - ideal first gun though.
my most recent purchase was a Beretta silver pigeon iv - good solid gun, not too much spangly inlay, easy to keep and a good first step up onto the ladder. i paid £875 for mine second hand.
the shotgun cert is very dependant on where you live - my local firearms officer is based just down the road in bushey so only toon around 8 weeks to get after all the checks.
i'd advise getting a cabinet and having it in and ready for when your visit happens (even if you dont have a gun yet) so the firearms officer does not have to come back to check at a later date. make sure your front door locks are insurance rated too.
find a good shooting club and get involved - they are generally a friendly lot be be prepared, if you look like you might be messing around at any point, they will throw you out - they dont take kindly to people who want to wave guns around.
there are lots of different clubs that work in different ways. you'll find whats right for you after visiting a few. ive had many different experiences:
i have shot at the northwest london shooting ground (choice of madonna, guy ritchie, vinnie jones etc) - its not about how good you are at shooting, its all about how many diamonds are inlaid in the action of your gun and how new your range rover is.
the A1 shooting ground - set up for olympic events, skeet and trap. good club but they dont really like noobs until you prove yourself.
i actually shoot every fortnight on a private shoot just outside of flitwick - good people who dont mind amateurs and rubbish shooters. a lot more down to earth - which is a good thing as i dont look like your average clay shooter.
all the best mate, feel free to ask any other questions.
Tyre Smoke said:
Apart from a firearms licence, what else is required to go and buy a gun? I know you need a locked cabinet, but how much should I pay for a decent 12 bore (for shooting game birds,etc) and is it like photography in that you buy a 'starter' gun and work your way up. Or do you buy/inherit your Purdeys?
When do I need to think about gun purchase?
Go for it, its a fantastically fun sport.When do I need to think about gun purchase?
You dont need to go spending £1200 on a gun.
My first 12g when I was 14 cost £25, it was a basic side by side but it did the job.
I now have a Bettinsoli Diamond, very similar in style to the Berettas, and it cost about £425 brand new.
The most important thing is finding a gun that fits you, a badly fitted gun never helps your shooting.
It wont hurt to look around some gun shops and see what takes your fancy. But you wont be able to actually buy the gun until your licence is approved and you have the certificate.
Also, its a shotgun licence you would apply for, firearms is for rifles and harder to get.
A good site for finding guns:
http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/
You could always go to a shooting ground that has a shop stocked with new/secondhand guns and 'test drive' the various makes and models. You should be able to find a suitable gun at a price you are happy with that fits you (barrel length, stock, weight, etc). Also you need to happy with the 'kick' you get when firing it because it makes a difference after a few cartridges. When trying a gun and you find one that suits, try different types of cartridges as these too vary in speed and recoil. HTH
hi Jem,wondered how long it would take before you saw this thread!Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff