Hello and .... beware a lengthy introduction!

[Itskeith]

Many thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

Great blend of helpful and humorous.

[Polchraine]

5. How am i going to tell my partner who doesn't like guns?
(... and no there isn't anything i can 'bribe' her with!)

www.divorcelawyers.com ! or slowly try to win her over by taking her aong and showing her how safe and friendly it is.


On the cabinet front - get the largest possible and if you can with a top box - tell your partner it will be a safe place for her expensive jewellery when you are away!

If you believe you will start to get more guns - talk to others at teh club before you apply and put some/all on the application

[Graham M]

You hope to shoot 580+ ex 600 with a prone rifle, dioptre sights and sling........................... and you are how old????
At the height of my shooting prowess I was getting an average of 392 ex 400 at 50mtrs and 100yds. A 98 average, which meant sometimes shooting 96-97 and sometimes 99/100
I was 25 years younger then and would love to be able to shoot like that again, but as you grow older time has its way with you.
Aim high, but don't expect to shoot a 97+ average at ex 600 over the course of a season.
Just enjoy.

[Itskeith]

Thanks Graham,

Oops - may have to adjust the expectations a little then!

Age - the big 60 next year!

Good point - Target shooting is supposed to be fun.

Cheers.
Keith

[millemigliadave]

Welcome! lots of good advice above - however I can help on this one:

4. Car. I had been thinking a nice MX5 for driving around the county might be nice to get on sunny days. Now I’m starting to think:
- how practical is that for carrying a rifle case and kit bag?
- wouldn’t the money be better spent on shooting anyway?
Am I going to end up buying an estate car instead etc?

From experience, my Mk1 MX5 is certainly not my choice for transporting any long guns - unless a very short carbine, they wont fit in the boot and it's impossible to genuinely secure. I can't vouch for the newer models but I suspect unless the latest with the integral metal roof, same issue. Personally I would veer away from an estate too as its hard to conceal equipment if stopping at services etc. A saloon car with a good boot and alarm wins for me.

Hope that helps!

Dave

[Itskeith]

Hi Dave,

That helps a lot thanks and answers that nicely.

It would have been an 2009 - 2012 ish (so definitely not a newer one) and unlikely a very short carbine either.
Top tip.

Cheers.
Keith

[Itskeith]

Hi Everyone,

Haven’t been in for quite a while (ahem) so best thought I’d do an update

Joined here end of Oct 2022.
Started shooting .22LR Benchrest in Exeter Dec 2022.
Local full-bore club was full / not accepting applications.
Moved to Cheshire Nov 2024 ... having still not shot a centrefire rifle (and not for the lack of enthusiasm).
Joined a local ish club shooting .22LR Benchrest.
The local full-bore club was full and not accepting applications – though I did manage to get my name on the waiting list as soon as I knew we were moving.

Eventually got to join the club / do probationary (again) and shoot my first centrefire rifle May 2024.

So I only had to wait approximately a year and a half then to shoot a centrefire from having joined here
(read into that what you will).

Praise and / or medals gratefully received

So I’ve now shot a .223, .308, .357/.38. and .303 Expected in 2 weeks.
FAC applied for 2 weeks ago and eagerly awaited.

Fortunately FAC's in Cheshire are a lot quicker than they are in Devon

Looks like I’ll be going down the full-bore and reloading rabbit holes (and maybe spending some more time here )

Cheers.