palmer_mike Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi there, hoping to get some help on this topic. My problem is that i wish to undertake the DSC1 course towards the end of this year, but have very little experience with CF rifles. I'm not sure if there is anywhere local (ish) to me where i can practice on suitable rifles. I'm willing to join a club if i have to to use a range but my local ranges all seem to be saying that they only use their range for the express purposes of target shooting (whereas i have a more practical end for my marksmanship in mind), really i'd just like somewhere i can turn up and shoot some targets to zero my scope (once i get my FAC and rifle of my own) and/or pracrice my marksmanship prior to going for my DSC1. Thought i'd ask if anyone has any ideas for anywhere near brentwood in essex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi there, hoping to get some help on this topic. My problem is that i wish to undertake the DSC1 course towards the end of this year, but have very little experience with CF rifles. I'm not sure if there is anywhere local (ish) to me where i can practice on suitable rifles. I'm willing to join a club if i have to to use a range but my local ranges all seem to be saying that they only use their range for the express purposes of target shooting (whereas i have a more practical end for my marksmanship in mind), really i'd just like somewhere i can turn up and shoot some targets to zero my scope (once i get my FAC and rifle of my own) and/or pracrice my marksmanship prior to going for my DSC1. Thought i'd ask if anyone has any ideas for anywhere near brentwood in essex? How are you going to become a good 'marksman' without plenty of practice?? I think joining a club should be seen as a necessity for most deer stalkers. Most of us will be lucky to get 10 shots off a year on deer and so you need a facility to keep your eye in and maintain/improve your skills etc! I certainly wouldn't consider training a rifle on a deer unless I was sure of my ability each time I did it! Get yourself in a club and beecome proficient... the only way to do that is to shoot........ LOTS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmer_mike Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Yeah, thanks for the reply. The question i was actually asking was are there any clubs near to me where i can practice with a deer calibre rifle. I do agree 100% about the need for practice (maybe this wasn't clear enough in my original post?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Yeah, thanks for the reply. The question i was actually asking was are there any clubs near to me where i can practice with a deer calibre rifle. I do agree 100% about the need for practice (maybe this wasn't clear enough in my original post?). Check the NRA website, I think there is a club finder on there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi there, hoping to get some help on this topic. My problem is that i wish to undertake the DSC1 course towards the end of this year, but have very little experience with CF rifles. I'm not sure if there is anywhere local (ish) to me where i can practice on suitable rifles. I'm willing to join a club if i have to to use a range but my local ranges all seem to be saying that they only use their range for the express purposes of target shooting (whereas i have a more practical end for my marksmanship in mind), really i'd just like somewhere i can turn up and shoot some targets to zero my scope (once i get my FAC and rifle of my own) and/or pracrice my marksmanship prior to going for my DSC1. Thought i'd ask if anyone has any ideas for anywhere near brentwood in essex? Its not easy to get started, do you intend to just do a few stalks a year, do you have access to land that has deer on it. I started shooting with shotguns along time ago so when I took up rifle shooting (.22lr and .17hmr) I had good reason to possess as there were lots of bunnies to control. Slowly I gained more ground and eventually had the chance to shoot deer so gained my DSC1 and a 243 calibre, I practiced for my DSC1 with my HMR, had 6 shots through a mates 243 and then used the assessors rifle to do the test. I now have 243 and 308 and can shoot most legal quarry including wild boar. It takes time and patience to both find the permissions and acquire the legal calibres. If you have land that is over run with deer and have permission to control them and you do not hav a Fac then mayb its best to talk to your local firearms dept, maybe, if they think you have good reason to have a 243 and land covered for that calibre you could possible get the calibre with some conditions eg DSC1,mentoring etc. Or just book some stalks and use their rifles, they won't let you shoot at a living target until you can hit the target, and go down that road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 For practising, why not shoot something cheaper (.22lr), easier to find places to shoot and will teach you how to shoot just as well. No need to use a powerful rifle for bits of paper if you need a lot of practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Mike if you're not a lunatic then I might be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmer_mike Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Check the NRA website, I think there is a club finder on there Thanks vipa - will check them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmer_mike Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Mike if you're not a lunatic then I might be able to help. I'll send you a PM mungler. Very kind offer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I wouldn't stress about it, I had never fired a centrefire until I took my DSC1 shooting test, I got all my shots into an inch with a rifle I borrowed off the instructor. I found memorising all the seasons more difficult Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I wouldn't stress about it, I had never fired a centrefire until I took my DSC1 shooting test, I got all my shots into an inch with a rifle I borrowed off the instructor. I found memorising all the seasons more difficult Deer ID had me sweating the most! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 There ya go Mike.. the Linky for you http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/links/links.asp?site=NRA&cat=4 Or, speak to Mungler if he can help... only if you aren't a lunatic mind as 2 lunatics together is just asking for trouble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 Good luck, I'd be interested go hear how you get on as Id love to get a rifle too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmer_mike Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 There ya go Mike.. the Linky for you http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/links/links.asp?site=NRA&cat=4 Or, speak to Mungler if he can help... only if you aren't a lunatic mind as 2 lunatics together is just asking for trouble! Thanks for the link - have looked at the clubs and sent out a couple of emails asking for more info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmer_mike Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Had a look on NRA website and there's a club in Bishops Stortford (not a million miles away i suppose) sent them a email during the week but not heard back yet. Will try again this weekend but fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineyoungbuck Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Hi Mike, There is also a "relaxed" club at Colchester which comprises mostly stalkers (and a few deer hunters). PM me if interested and Ill put you in touch with membership secretary. FYB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 If you havnt found anyone then let me know as you can use my .22-250 on my land with the deer targets, I did the DSC 1 a few months ago! If you can shoot a rimfire then you can shoot a CF. Exactly the same, just a tad more recoil. I borrowed the estate rifle for the text, past all first time with no dramas. ( I had never shot off sticks buy the way) but if you can shoot then you can shoot. PM me if you need some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I found memorising all the seasons more difficult Get the training manualas soon as possible and read it every day and make notes. Write out the open seasons in your own hand, it seems to help remembering them. Notice that many dates overlap between species. In England there are only 3 dates to remember: Open season for females of all species; open season for Roe bucks; open season for all other males. Scottish seasons are more complicated and they do test on them in England. Deer ID had me sweating the most! Again get the manual and memorise the key ID characteristics for each species. All pictures used in the test are unmistakable if you've remembered the key points. As for the shooting test get as much practise as you can. Range practise is a very good idea because that is effectively what you'll be doing on the day with people behind you watching and waiting to shoot which can be off-putting. Time spent on the range is good preparation. Get some deer targets if you can. Don't know what its like now but when I did mine these were silhouettes only and you couldn't see the kill zone, you had to know where it was. You can't always see your last shot either. But then that's no bad thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I wouldn't stress about it, I had never fired a centrefire until I took my DSC1 shooting test, I got all my shots into an inch with a rifle I borrowed off the instructor. I found memorising all the seasons more difficult That takes me back, the instuctor called me a smart **** when i walked out first from the written exam adding he expected a 100% score only blooming question i got wrong was the Scottish date for Red stags Dont worry too much your instuctor should get you through as long as you aint too nervous. Practise the posisions with anything you have at shorter range an air rifle or .22 rf will do fine The hardest bit equates to shooting a 1" group with an airgun at 25 yds from prone Most who fail do so on nerves not lack of experiance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome of the Woods Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 OK, so I have mine in a week and a bit and I am sweating on all of it! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 If you have done your prep you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome of the Woods Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 It's more the spending 3 nights with Ben and Neil in a hotel room that's worrying me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 OK I see where you are coming from now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm1979 Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Ive just done mine and like most was worried about. As long as you do the prep ie read the manual and go through the question bank you will be fine.Our instructor was extremely helpful and was there to help us pass not fail. The shooting test was the only bit I struggled on due to nerves, I had done plenty practice at the ranges needed but let the nerves get to me. Again our instructor was superb and helped me through and I passed. Most of all go and enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.