hi all,

i have been shooting about 3 years. I originally had archery as my sport but once we had two children it was too hard to get the three evenings a week i needed to stay match fit.

I took up clay shooting as something to do on friday mornings and although it is expensive, it is the most rewarding sport.

For those of you wanting to start, can i suggest first visiting the CPSA www.cpsa.co.uk to find a ground where you can do a beginners course. Join the CPSA and you will get a comprehensive insurance policy as part of the membership - this is essential.

For those of you in London, you can't do better than going to see Mick at Sporting Targets West London, just behind West London Shooting School. it is by far the cheapest ground and very down to earth.

some others i would recommend:
www.shootingschool.co.uk - West London Shooting School
www.rbss.co.uk - Royal Berkshire Shooting School

Don't buy a gun until you are happy the sport is for you, but DO apply for your licence straight away as they now take up to 6 months - once you get it you will be able to buy cartridges, saving you money. All clubs have club guns that you can use.

When you do buy a gun, don't take the first one offered, get a gunfit session and get somethig that fits you.

I use a Beretta 682 Gold E - very nice gun that seems to fit me well, i don't get on with brownings, the shape doesn't suit me, but even with the beretta i had to try two or three stocks before i found one that was right.

Anyone need any advice? message me.

Dad

I also have a Browning & a Hatsan. It's an Englishmans right to own a shotgun - the police can only stop you if they have good reason why you can't own one.

I'd have to argue about being expensive, we pay £13 for a round of 60 clays and Fibre cartridges are around 10p each so you have a great morning out for under £20

Firearms are a bit different, you have to show good reason, and living on the edge of Bisley range is the perfect reason for some long range target shooting - another addictive sport.

Just been fettling this Accuracy International stocked Remington rifle - big bangs and lots of fun.



If you fancy a crack then get along to one of the Bisley open days.

Hi,

now that looks like fun... I was at Bisley a few weeks ago shooting a Blaser R93 with a .308 barrel, fully moderated. it was my first time with anything bigger than a .22 rimfire, so i was pretty pleased with this group at 100 yards.



The reason i said shotgun is expensive is that i usually shoot 150 - 200 clays in a morning, so each visit costs me a lot more than shooting one round!

Also, cartridges have gone up massively (i was paying 95/1000 last year, now i am paying 140/1000).

any cartridge companies want to come on and give us ye-gads members a discount?

would love to shoot with you at Bisley some time, i am applying for my FAC at the moment.

Dad