New noob

[mackie]

Hi!

I'm totally new to shooting (apart from a session at a range in Poland shooting .22 rifles and a .357 magnum pistol) and have just enquired with my local club (Welwyn Phoenix Rifle Club) about attending a guest shoot with a view to joining as a probationary member.

I look forward to getting involved in the sport and hopefully not sucking too bad. I spoke to the club president and he said they primarily do full bore target rifle but some members do F-class too. I'm a lefty but fortunately the club owns a left handed Rangemaster rifle that I can use so that should see me good for a while before I need to consider a FAC and my own kit.

[Christel]

mackie,

Welcome to the forum, please ask away and do join in the debates

[ovenpaa]

Welcome to F-B(UK) Mackie, a Rangemaster should see you OK for a while and try as many different rifles and disciplines as you can to get a feel for the sport.

Bisley is only 50ish miles from you and has some excellent clubs shooting out of it and there are many good clubs in East Anglia that are prepared to take on new members so you should be spoilt for choice and options

[mackie]

Thanks for the welcome :)

I fully intend to explore all aspects of full bore rifle shooting. I gather TR (i.e. no optics or bipod etc) is pretty popular but from looking around the web it seems like F-class is becoming more and more popular. I even came across a .50 cal club in the UK which surprised me, TBH I didn't think calibers that large were legal, you learn something new every day! Looks like an expensive passtime though - about £8k for a rifle!

[20series]

Welcome Mackie

dont get too worried about having to spend loads of money ib kit, like all hobbies you can spend as much or as little as you like.

Alan

[spud]

welcome to the forum mackie as already said , ease yourself in to it at first. itll take over soon enough

[judders]

Welcome Mackie :cheers:

You'll find a wealth of knowledge and experience here on the forum and everyone's really helpful, so don't be shy.

I just got my FAC and I'm awaiting delivery of my first rifle. The kind folk here on FB-UK helped educate me a number of times so far and I'm sure they will again in the future.

[Dave 101]

Welcome to the forum .

Dave

[ovenpaa]

I think everyone should shoot a .50BMG once if given the chance but they do smack you around and I certainly would not take up such a thing as a hobby. The .338 Lap mag is a bit nicer to shoot however the cost of factory ammunition should be enough to put most people off if they do not reload their own.

TR does need fairly good eyes and F Class can be expensive however you can have a lot of fun with a 'scoped .308 see the target comfortably at 5/8ths of a mile and compete with like minded shooters. I know many many people shooting such systems and having a great time doing it. The budget for such a rifle with a 'scope and bipod could be as low as a few hundred pounds, also you could consider shooting service rifles such as the Lee Enfield in .303 and the WWI P14 issue .303 is a wonderfully accurate rifle with cheap factory ammunition as well.

[mackie]

My eyesight is OK (I wear glasses but my prescription is only -1 in each eye) but I seem to be drawn more to using a scope and bipod. I think the club I've gone with will give me a good way into the sport, especially since they have a suitable rifle I can borrow. I get the impression some people spend a LOT of money on F-class setups but there's no reason you can't just turn up with any .308 and have fun.

I just looked at the price of .338 Lapua ammo - ouch!