Lizard Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hello, I'm new to this forum so I thought I'd introduce myself. I've got a few questions about starting out shooting clays. My wife bought me a taster session which I did while on holiday in Suffolk a couple of weeks ago. It was my first go with a shotgun. I'm not a bad shot, having bought a BSA Lightning .22 Air rifle about 6 months ago for target practice in the garden and the removal of Magpies that have taken over from all the nice birds I used to have. I enjoyed the clay pigeon session a lot and won the little fun competition, only missing about 3 clays from 40. So much that I would like to do more. I don't really want to get a gun at this stage although I don't think I'd have a problem getting a SGC (pillar of the community and all that). So my question is how do I go about getting some more shooting? I live near Hemel Hempstead in Herts and there are a couple of shooting grounds within easy distance (broomhills, A1 and one near Aylesbury are all close accoring to the web). Is it something I can do on my own or do I need to get a group of people together? I would feel a bit intimidated just turning up on my own and hiring a gun as I don't know the correct etiquette or what to do etc but have read on here that its not worth getting lessons until you have got the hang of shooting. What's my next step? Thanks in advance Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hello Nick, to PW. There are a few on here from your neck of the woods so hopefully one of them will see your post. The best way to get started would be to go with someone else, and use their gun. The advice is always the same, try as many guns as you can, some will feel right and some won't, gun fit is absolutely key - you won't get very far with a badly fitting or balanced gun. Don't by one until you tried a few. Even though you have said where you are from, if you fill in your laoction details in your profile it will increase your chances of hooking up with someone local Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I am not far from you, Arkley ish There are a couple of small shoots I go to locally which offer great value compared to a commercial ground, though I do go to Broomhills / A1 (and lots of others) as well. I would be more than happy to meet up sometime and you would be more than welcome to use one of my guns to get started. Just some additional info regarding some of your points.. Unfortunately without your own SGC you can't hire a gun, you would be able to use a club gun or a gun belonging to the clay ground if you were with an instructor. You can under the supervision of an SGC holder use one of their guns. It would be advisable to find someone with experience to go with, you can pay for introductory packages at most grounds though this is expensive because you will have to go round with an instructor. Always better to have a couple of shooting buddies, its safer to shoot with someone else in case anything happens, and its handy to have someone to press the buttons for you (some like broomhills have a system which allows for solo shooters). Hope some of this is a help. There are people a bit closer on here I think, but the offer is there if you want it. I will drop you a PM with some details of the shoots and prices.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Thanks. I'd like to wait until I've been to a proper session before applying for my SGC. I may phone the police though and ask how long they take to come through. Do I need to get a cabinet before applying? Seems like putting the cart before the horse! Pin, I've got your PM, I'll give you a call later. Thanks. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Lizard, Welcome to the forum, no you don't need a cabinet before applying, but you will need one before the firearms officer inspects your property. Broomhills is close to Hemel, but very expensive, if you visit the CPSA website they have a list of all of the clay clubs in the area. http://www.cpsa.co.uk/ If you are serious about Clay Shooting, you will also have to join the CPSA, as you need to be a member to enter registered competitions. The best Gunshop locally is Country Pursuits at Rickmansworth, WD3 2EB, they will give you good advice on buying your first gun, speak to Nathan or Trevor on 01923 772916. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizard Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Thanks, I called the FLO. He said about 50% of people fit cabinets before applying. He'll come out and visit and advise where's best. If approved and I have the cabinet fitted before this he'll post the license, otherwise he'll visit again after approval and hand it over provided he's happy with the cabinet. I'm actually in a village very close to Broomhills. Annoying that it is expensive. So, once you have your own SGC & gun, know the ropes, etc, can you just turn up and shoot? I've heard about these voice operated traps etc so it's possible to go on your own or could I turn up with a friend and share a gun? It looks like the perfect way to while away a few hours (and £). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Yep, your friend can even use your gun under your supervision. Great, isn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 Right, I've changed my name. Lizard was **** and was literally a random choice a the time. I thought I'd maybe get flamed to death for asking stupid questions so kept it anonymous. So now I'm Gully which is my nickname from when I was a kid. I phoned around last week to see if I could get some shooting at the weekend. The only place I could get was a 9am lesson at Churchills in High Wycombe. I turned up with a set of ear protectors and shot (at) around 75 clays. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. The one thing I noticed was for the last 10 mins I found it difficult to hit anything despite doing quite well at first. The targets had got harder but I think I was suffering from a bit of fatigue and lost my concentration. The recoil was starting to get my hangover going. Anyone else get this when they started out? I guess it will go away with time. So now I'm in the market for a gun cabinet. A lot of the walls in my house are dry lined so I guess the best way to deal with this is to cut the plasterboard away and bolt the cabinet to the brickwork behind it. Is this acceptable to the FLO? I'd like to have the cabinet fitted when they come out to get the SGC as soon as possible (nice christmas present to myself coming I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 You will get tired in the arms to start with, 75 is a lot when you first start out. If the cabinet is secured appropriately to a brick wall or similar you should be fine. Try to get it flush with the ground and back wall so there is no room to get a jemmy in etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamW Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 So my question is how do I go about getting some more shooting? I live near Hemel Hempstead in Herts and there are a couple of shooting grounds within easy distance (broomhills, A1 and one near Aylesbury are all close accoring to the web). Is it something I can do on my own or do I need to get a group of people together? I would feel a bit intimidated just turning up on my own and hiring a gun as I don't know the correct etiquette or what to do etc but have read on here that its not worth getting lessons until you have got the hang of shooting. What's my next step? Thanks in advance Nick Gully, Come down to Aylesbury, every other Sunday (from this Sunday) Paul or I can lend you a gun and find you someone to shoot with, Paul will also give you some more tuition if you would like, Paul's shoots are set up for both the novice and the more experienced shooter, so you will find some stands to you liking some you wont, but its a nice little testing shoot, with free tea and coffee, A41 1 mile outside Aylesbury towards Bicester Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Thanks Adam, I've sent you a PM. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Big thanks to Pin for letting me tag along with him and borrow his gun. Had a good day but didn't hit as much as I'd hoped. Still, the bug is biting hard now and I can't wait to get out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Was nice to meet up mate, and don't knock yourself you did very well. I think you carded a 38ex100 which for your 3rd go is excellent. There were some testing birds on that layout, some fast curling quartering pairs, fast driven and some longer targets. There were some guns there who have been shooting for years who only carded mid 40's You are welcome back any time, just drop me a line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Welcome to the forums and the sport of shooting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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