Pinkella Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Wasn't really sure where to post this thread..... So when did you start shooting and why did you start? I'm seriously thinking about it, but have no idea where to go and how to get started, now I'm on this forum I'm sure I'll be able to find someone to show me the ropes so to speak. What advice would you give a woman about starting up? This is a serious thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pigeon man Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Get your self a 20bore and get your self to a clay ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I started when I was 6, went out with my dad as he shoots and inherited my love of shooting and fishing from him. My fiancé has recently taken up shooting and has her SGC - I would suggest starting on a few clays - we shoot at Fillongly when we can find the time which is a nice friendly little club that shoots every 2 weeks - I guess that can't be far from you if you wanted to try there? Get your self a 20bore and get your self to a clay ground 12B and 21g loads will be a lot cheaper though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) I was about 12 when my grandad took me to the local range he helped run and I met an old friend of his who was shooting an old lee Enfield 303. He amazed me with story's of the war like getting stuck in the channel when the he missed the tide and getting shot at by the German watch gunner. This annoyed him so he blew up the commandants car with him in it it was all good fun and a great learning experience Edited July 18, 2013 by Amazed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superspark Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hi, I started shooting with my dad when I was 12, now at the age of 46 I continue to shoot. There is no better feeling than eating some of the things we shoot ie goose duck etc. I enjoy carrying out crop protect for local farmers to which helps them, gives me some really good sport and so on. I enjoy also going down my local clay shoot too, helps to sharpen up my shooting skills pitching against others. My advice to you would be to go to your nearest clay ground and have a word with them. Most places do a "have a go" shoot which is usually 25 to 50 easy clays. If you then decide you like it you can continue on with higher numbers and of course they will supply the gun, ammo ear defenders etc etc. Try a 20 bore out to start with and see how you go. These guns are much lighter than a 12 gauge and may be better suited to you, all the best Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) I started going with my dad at around 6 years old. I was the hide and gun carry boy, used as a retriever of shot pigeons, also used to go beating on a farm shoot in Beds where my dad shot pigeons (I still shoot there now 39 years later) and on the Pylewell Estate I Lymington where my dad knew the keeper. Used an AYA No.4 SxS 20 from the age of 13 and got my certificate at 15. As for advice on starting out, find your nearest clay ground that has a qualified instructor and have a few lessons. Edited July 18, 2013 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pigeon man Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 12B and 21g loads will be a lot cheaper though. Alot less kick for a lady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Started with airguns when I was 13 Got my shotgun certificate around 1985 (25 years old) FAC 2012 99.9% of my shooting is clays now Don't just go out and buy a 20 bore Have you any friends that shoot? If not then go to your nearest ground/ club explain you are looking at getting into shooting, Most friendly clubs will explain the process and also show you the ropes, Maybe start with either a lesson or 2 or find out if they do "have a go" days It's a great sport to get into but very frustrating, but that's also half the fun Most of the people I knock around with now are people I have met through shooting Once you have had a go and are hooked, then you can come along to the annual PW Charity shoot, it's a great way of putting faces to names and making new friends Good luck and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnerbob Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) Started with air rifles when about 10, went shooting with my great uncle on the marshes when about 12 and was hooked !! Since then had shotguns and air rifles, I love the engineering that goes into them as much as shooting, only clays now. As said, get yourself down to a clay ground or shooting ground and try out a few guns with someone that has experience, you'll soon know if it's right for you. Shooters are an approachable lot in the main and only too happy to help and let you maybe try their gun ?...give it a go Edited July 18, 2013 by Gunnerbob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 About 9 or 10 with a 9mm from my dad - the 9mm is a shotgun not the pistol! shot rats around the chicken coups 20bore is the obvious choice but go and get lessons ..... cannot remember his name but just south of Stratford is a famous coach who runs a school at the old airfield there - someone will know his name....... I'd also think about using a lightweight 12bore and light cartridges as this may save you money over 20bore cartridges but don't buy unitl you have tried many and with the lessons, You will then know what is best for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Started only last year, got sick of playing golf, so packed it in and took up shoting instead. i'm sure there is someone close to you who could offer some halp and advice to help you get started if you were really interested in shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sian Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I took it up a year ago having watched my husband for 20 years. I am only 5 ft tall and average build and have a Silver Pigeon 1 which is 12 bore. I use 21g or 24 g cartridges and I do not find it too heavy or punchy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkella Posted July 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hi everyone thanks for your replies. This is really interesting and makes me want to start today lol I think I would have to start off at school maybe and take it from their. Any suggestions for the Coventry area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Started beating 35 yrs ago at the ripe old age of 6 with my parents next door neighbour who ran the shoot that ran at the side of my parents property so really handy. Shot my first 410 at 7 First 12b at 9 First go on clays at 11 , 17/25 My own sgc and fac as soon I was old enough I think it was 17.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hi everyone thanks for your replies. This is really interesting and makes me want to start today lol I think I would have to start off at school maybe and take it from their. Any suggestions for the Coventry area? I don't know of one too near to cov, there is wedgenock at Warwick or there is Hereford and Worcester Shooting School in Redditch which is where I would recommend as I took 4 lads from work there a couple of weeks ago and they went round and shot 60 clays with a coach and he was really good and got then all hitting clays - one lad hit 56 and one 55 and it was a really nice ground and importantly in this weather you shoot mainly from the shade of trees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkella Posted July 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 My mum isn't sure about this beating business, but I don't think she understands what its about lol Thanks Oscarsdad, I'll look in to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Started 1958 at the age of eleven with a single 12g bought from the Kay's catalogue with my saved paper round money. Prior to that I used air rifles. I have shot all my life with shotgun and rifle and still do - driven birds, pigeons, partridge, rabbits, ducks, foxes and vermin. I was once employed in the early 70's by the National Farmers Union as a full time Fox Controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reece Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I didn't start shooting until about 12 or 13, but before then I always used to go out with my dad. He would go out shooting and from the age of about 3 or 4 I would go out with him just to get outside into the countryside. I didn't always pay attention to the shooting, I just used to look around at the trees, fields, and wildlife. When I was about 12 or 13 I started shooting with a 410 and last year I started with an air rifle, after my dad got one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I started shooting when I was around 8 or 9 in our back garden with the old man instructing me. He had an old Gamo Expo that he had been given as a leaving present from a school when he finished teaching there.........god how times have changed! I carried on continuously throughout my teen years and into my early 20's until serious employment took away my free time. I started up again in early 2011 and gained my SGC and FAC in February 2012 and haven't looked back. I shoot clays, target at a local club and carry out pest control on my uncles farm and dare I say it, I actually have fun! My advice to a woman would be to try out some 12g shotguns with some 21 gram loads. My Mrs loves shooting but she can't candle the weight and size of my Lanber 12g so I'll be buying a 20g youth model at some point (she is quite petit). If you can't handle the weight of the 12g then move to a 20g. A few lessons is always a good start and a confidence booster when you hit things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Go to a local clay ground and have a couple of lessons a good coach will sort you out a well fitting gun so recoil is controlled be that a 12 or 20 bore. They will also get you hitting things which is always nice. BTW I started at 8 with an airgun and 410 I'm now an Full shooting instructor and gunsmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southern Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I first held a gun and shot some clays March 21st 2013 - it's bloomin' addictive Took my husband for an activity day for his 40th (he used to shoot at school) and we've not gone more than 2 weeks without shooting since, just got our SGCs and guns. Do a google search for clay grounds near you and book a lesson or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RED BEARD Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 i started at about 8'ish i think,it was on the garden with a relum tornado.then used to go pigeoning with the old fella,with my sbs folding 410,and used to do a lot of air rifling.then had a break from shooting as motorbikes and cars took over my spare cash and time.been back into it a few years now.remember pink theres loads of different types of shooting,just for example i shot pigeons/vermin (miss plenty too!),clays,target shoot with rifles and pistols and also shoot muzzle loading pistols.have a look on youtube to see if it looks like fun,theres bound to be a target club not to far from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I started shooting at about 12 with air guns did that for a while then onto handguns for abit . Applied for my SGC just over a year ago and here I am . Pinkella have a look at this website for your nearest clay shooting ground https://www.cpsa.co.uk/find-a-club there are probably more clubs scattered around that's nothing to do with the CPSA . Try your local gun shop they will point you in the right direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Plinking at 11 years old with my mate from school followed by my own air rifle a short while later . At 14 I startered shooting vermin on the farm and was dropped off regular by my dad for complete days or even over night At 17 I discovered field target and was hooked for years and still enjoy it . 18 I got my sgc which I used on vermin and clays . 31 years old now and recently got my fac and hmr I'm called up by farmers all around my area to shoot vermin . Best thing any newbie can do is join a club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveg01 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I started about 18months ago....went to the local clay ground for a trial shoot, after that found out a colleague was a shooter so went to the clay ground with them......bought a 12g bettinsoli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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