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Hi all,

I'm just starting out & would like to know what different types of shooting are available within the UK & if there are any types of restrictions on them that would prevent a newbe trying them out.

Cheers

Lee

Hi Lee

There are lots of different types of shooting available. Just for a start, the NRA lists about sixteen different competitive target disciplines - see:

http://www.nra.org.uk/common/files/bibl ... leMain.pdf

at page 30. These are mostly very broad groupings and there are numerous varieties within several of them.

There are, unfortunately, a multitude of restrictions that make it difficult to get into many types of shooting. For the target shooting events, most of these stem from three bits of legislation. Firstly, Section 1 Firearms Act 1968, which makes possession of a firearm other than an airgun without a Firearm Certificate illegal unless one of the exemptions applies. Second, Section 2 of the 1968 Act, which does the same for shotguns. Third, Section 5 of the 1968 Act, which makes possession of pistols and most semi-autos all but impossible for private individuals. The main exemptions are at Section 11(4) of the 1968 Act , which allows more or less unrestricted access to .22" rimfire rifles and airguns provided the operator sets up their range in the correct way, Section 11(6) which allows clay target shooting grounds to lend shotguns and Section 15(1) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 which allows members of Home Office Approved clubs to borrow rifles and muzzle loading pistols. There are other exemptions that apply to types of shooting other than target shooting.

Almost without exception, the best route into target shooting is to join a Home Office Approved club that supports a wide variety of types of shooting, and have a go with different types of rifle to see what catches your enthusiasm. Warning - this can get addictive! In such a club you will inevitably find lots of people who engage in some of the less common disciplines and will be willing to help you as far as the law permits, which in the case of things like target shotgun is unfortunately not very far at all.

yours

Iain
NRA Firearms Manager

Best way to get an idea of what can be shot is to head to Bisley for the NRA open day, I think there is one in May, have a look on their website for details. Another option is local club open days, probably worth asking on here for a local club that covers multiple disciplines, some can be rather one dimensional so it's worth hunting one out that shoots a range of stuff.

Good link WW, that is going on the Kindle.

The Treleaven book is in the Library.

Thanks everyone for the replys

Lee

The book is a bit out of date with regards to practical shotgun.

Since it was writen back in 2008 a new national match series has emerged that is easier to get into & aimed more at growing the sport at home, more info can be found by following the link below.

http://four4islands.org/

four4islands have also introduced a multi-gun series of matches for 2013 which are practical style events like the recent 4-Gun competition at Bisley where they helped out & also at several other venues around the country.

4I

Daredevil wrote:Hi all,

I'm just starting out & would like to know what different types of shooting are available within the UK & if there are any types of restrictions on them that would prevent a newbe trying them out.

Cheers

Lee

Have a look at Diggle's website www.diggleranges.com

Fabulous links and very helpful.