Learning to shoot
Discussion
I'm based in SW London and fancy learning this skill. I've fired .22 rifles back when I was a lad in the ATC in the 70s and have been on various clay shoots since. I like the idea of target shooting.
I've looked up a few of the clubs near to me but they all involve waiting lists so I suppose that I'll just have to bite the bullet
My question is: Can you belong to a rifle club but not actually own a rifle? Would this make it easier to get a FAC or would I even need one?
I just really don't like the idea of having a firearm in the house or is this something you get used to as you become more au fait with handling the equipment?
Cheers.
I've looked up a few of the clubs near to me but they all involve waiting lists so I suppose that I'll just have to bite the bullet
My question is: Can you belong to a rifle club but not actually own a rifle? Would this make it easier to get a FAC or would I even need one?
I just really don't like the idea of having a firearm in the house or is this something you get used to as you become more au fait with handling the equipment?
Cheers.
You don't have to have your own rifle to belong to a club because most clubs have 'club guns' that you can use.
The way it usually works is that you do your probationary time at the club, whilst using their guns and then apply for your own FAC, but if you decided not to you could still be a full club member and use their equipment. If you don't fancy storing guns at your home, some clubs will have an armoury or safe room where you can store your rifle, but you would obviously need your own FAC in order to buy a gun.
In the long run, and if you enjoy it, you're better off having your own safe because you can tinker with your guns at home to set them up, practice posture etc without having to attend a club. You might find that your shooting time is limited at a club because people are waiting to use your lane which is frustrating when you just want a bit of practice.
I'd suggest turning up at a couple of clubs and trying them out because the types of shooting can be very different between clubs. Some people like prone shooting where you might fire one shot a minute, others like blatting away until the target disappears
The way it usually works is that you do your probationary time at the club, whilst using their guns and then apply for your own FAC, but if you decided not to you could still be a full club member and use their equipment. If you don't fancy storing guns at your home, some clubs will have an armoury or safe room where you can store your rifle, but you would obviously need your own FAC in order to buy a gun.
In the long run, and if you enjoy it, you're better off having your own safe because you can tinker with your guns at home to set them up, practice posture etc without having to attend a club. You might find that your shooting time is limited at a club because people are waiting to use your lane which is frustrating when you just want a bit of practice.
I'd suggest turning up at a couple of clubs and trying them out because the types of shooting can be very different between clubs. Some people like prone shooting where you might fire one shot a minute, others like blatting away until the target disappears
Swifty pretty much covers it. If you want to do full bore rifle (civilian service rifle, target rifle, F class etc) you will have to do a comptetency course and pass a test in order to shoot unsupervised. The course is offered by the NRA but some clubs (mine included) are authorised to run their own. I'm a probationary member at the moment and I'm doing my first training session tomorrow as it happens. I'm lucky in that my club has several very good rifles available to members, including a left handed one which is great for me. I think anyone taking it seriously will eventually get their own kit as you can customise and fit it perfectly (cheek rests, shoulders hooks etc). It is a big investment though, so I think I'll probably wait a while. Depending on where you end up shooting and the club you may be able to keep your kit in their armoury. My club shoots pretty much exclusively at Bisley. If you have any questions feel free to pm me.
Thanks Don, I was about to ask the question about plinking in the back garden with an air rifle. Typical London terrace with a garden that backs onto another, about 14ft wide and 45ft long with a shed at the end. 6ft wooden fencing all round.
I see that Ham range have guest days so I'll try to get along to the next one.
I see that Ham range have guest days so I'll try to get along to the next one.
Another purchase largely influenced by reading PH 
Bought a BSA Hornet .22 complete with a carrybag, cheap Gamo scope, some targets and pellets. Oh and a cable lock that is for the trigger but can anyone tell me how I am supposed to use it?
Just been plinking in the back garden, 6x6 ins target at 15 yards. First of all I could not hit it with the scope but was fine with just the iron sites so I learned all about zeroing off youtube.
First of all I summised that as I could not hear the impact of the shots against the shed wall, the pellets must of been hitting short into the lawn so the scope must of been set for a much longer range. A lot of twirling and then I got the group of 3 that you can see at 10 O'Clock in the blue ring.
I'd worked out what each click on the adjusters would equal at 15 yards and then got the next few shots, finally getting 3 around the bull once I had calmed my breathing and trigger pull.
I'm going to a guest day at a local club in a few weeks and hope to learn a lot. Not sure about using the garden as it's a built up area and the rifle is pretty loud plus the impact on the rear of the steel pellet catcher echoes around the gardens. Luckily there is a lot of building work going on so maybe the neighbours think it's a nail gun.
Do correct me if I am using the wrong terminology, ta.
Bought a BSA Hornet .22 complete with a carrybag, cheap Gamo scope, some targets and pellets. Oh and a cable lock that is for the trigger but can anyone tell me how I am supposed to use it?
Just been plinking in the back garden, 6x6 ins target at 15 yards. First of all I could not hit it with the scope but was fine with just the iron sites so I learned all about zeroing off youtube.
First of all I summised that as I could not hear the impact of the shots against the shed wall, the pellets must of been hitting short into the lawn so the scope must of been set for a much longer range. A lot of twirling and then I got the group of 3 that you can see at 10 O'Clock in the blue ring.
I'd worked out what each click on the adjusters would equal at 15 yards and then got the next few shots, finally getting 3 around the bull once I had calmed my breathing and trigger pull.
I'm going to a guest day at a local club in a few weeks and hope to learn a lot. Not sure about using the garden as it's a built up area and the rifle is pretty loud plus the impact on the rear of the steel pellet catcher echoes around the gardens. Luckily there is a lot of building work going on so maybe the neighbours think it's a nail gun
.Do correct me if I am using the wrong terminology, ta.
croyde said:
I see that Ham range have guest days so I'll try to get along to the next one.
Weybridge is worth a look, there are a few of us PH'ers who shoot there, you could pop down any Monday night for a look around. 25yd indoor range and 100yd outdoor, affilliated to the NRA so fullbore shoots at Bisley and MOD ranges - calibres .177 right up to .50 BMG https://www.facebook.com/weybridgerpc
LordGrover said:
How's it going?
Still waiting to hear back from Ham and Petersham. They did warn that it would be a long wait. Meanwhile no more shooting in the garden as the summer hols are about to begin 
But I have an area in the house where I can use the lesser powered CO2 Sig that fires BBs.
Might have to take you up on the Weybridge offer Dan as I have had no luck or replies to the applications I have made to my two nearest clubs. Been over 4 months now
Meanwhile I have been salivating over these www.lannertactical.com/CMMG-AR15-Rifles.html
Meanwhile I have been salivating over these www.lannertactical.com/CMMG-AR15-Rifles.html
d. I need that in my life.
Look on the site (I'm sure you have) as they do single fire versions as well.
So a 'variation', is that an addition to a standard FAC?
ETA the single fire is their own rifle not the CMMG but they look like good stuff as well.
http://www.lannertactical.com/AR15-Straight-Pull-S...
So a 'variation', is that an addition to a standard FAC?
ETA the single fire is their own rifle not the CMMG but they look like good stuff as well.
http://www.lannertactical.com/AR15-Straight-Pull-S...
Edited by croyde on Wednesday 21st August 10:08
(I may be wrong but) When you get your FAC, the officer approving will sign you off for a (let's say) .22 Rimfire and a suppressor. To then get a different weapon (let's say a .303 for long range target shooting), you will need a variation on the license, detailing that kind of weapon.
I think that's roughly it...
I think that's roughly it...
Don1 said:
(I may be wrong but) When you get your FAC, the officer approving will sign you off for a (let's say) .22 Rimfire and a suppressor. To then get a different weapon (let's say a .303 for long range target shooting), you will need a variation on the license, detailing that kind of weapon.
I think that's roughly it...
Yes, usually you ask for a number of slots on a FAC, I haveI think that's roughly it...
2x .22 LR
1x .357/.38
1x .303
1x FAC Shotgun
1x.223
1x7.62/.308
Im thinking of asking to swap the .357 for a suppressor for the one .22
Dan_The_Man said:
Weybridge is worth a look, there are a few of us PH'ers who shoot there, you could pop down any Monday night for a look around. 25yd indoor range and 100yd outdoor, affilliated to the NRA so fullbore shoots at Bisley and MOD ranges - calibres .177 right up to .50 BMG
https://www.facebook.com/weybridgerpc
Dan if there is a guest day, I'dd love to pop along as a guest, bring my S&W 15\22, meetup with some of the PH shooters. My office is in Bedfont, so could drop in on the way home too.https://www.facebook.com/weybridgerpc
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