catchthepigeonmutley Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Having recently received my SGC I am hoping to shoot some clays this coming weekend. As this is the first time I will be doing this without an instructor stood behind me I am a bit apprehensive about it. I will be shooting at Cloudside, Cheshire where I had my lessons. I am assuming that I will need to take my certificate with me, at least for this first time ? Will it be ok to shoot with my own (fibre wad) cartridges, or is it 'normal' to buy them from the shooting ground ? Obviously my instructor fired each bird during the lessons, but how do I do this on my own ? Is there some kind of time delay that is used ? As I don't want to try and run before I can walk I will not be doing Skeet or anything like that from the towers until I am confident and more experienced, so I want to start with some easier sporting clays. Does that sound sensible ? Any advice/help/thoughts gratefully accepted. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) Having recently received my SGC I am hoping to shoot some clays this coming weekend. As this is the first time I will be doing this without an instructor stood behind me I am a bit apprehensive about it. I will be shooting at Cloudside, Cheshire where I had my lessons. I am assuming that I will need to take my certificate with me, at least for this first time ? Will it be ok to shoot with my own (fibre wad) cartridges, or is it 'normal' to buy them from the shooting ground ? Obviously my instructor fired each bird during the lessons, but how do I do this on my own ? Is there some kind of time delay that is used ? As I don't want to try and run before I can walk I will not be doing Skeet or anything like that from the towers until I am confident and more experienced, so I want to start with some easier sporting clays. Does that sound sensible ? Any advice/help/thoughts gratefully accepted. Thanks. Are you a member? If so you'll have a card which you can charge up at reception before you shoot. Then use the 3 second delay on the panel where you put your card, not ideal for a starter shooter. Don't buy cartridges from Cloudside, they're very expensive. Get 1000 Kent mmxv1 from Branthwaite's in Cheadle. If you're only going to shoot Cloudside get plaswads, if you intend to shoot the Wild Boar (just across the valley) get fibre wads. I always carry my SGC but nobody ever asks to see it? What time are you going? I'll be shooting there tomorrow and possibly Saturday, I'll take you round if you fancy. If you want any further info feel free to ask. Edited March 29, 2016 by Glenlivet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 You will be fine with your own cartridges just as long as they are not over 28 grams or size 6 shot . I am not familiar with the ground you will be shooting , some grounds have time delays etc others do not , those that don't will generally have someone that will trap for you if you ask. I would not say sporting targets are any easier than skeet and indeed skeet is a excellent place for a beginner to start as its great for getting a decent gun mount sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 I`ve never been asked to show my SGC at a ground but it can`t hurt to take it along. Your own cartridges should be fine as long as they are within the limits mentioned by Fenboy. I was going to suggest when you get there you ask to join someone but if I were you I`d take Glenlivet up on his kind offer. Start off on easy stuff but don`t rule out any targets. I used to shoot every stand when I was beginning. Yes you`ll miss some but that doesn`t matter. You may also surprise yourself and hit some that you thought were difficult. Anyway, only by challenging yourself will you improve. And as Fenboy said skeet is an excellent discipline for beginners. I started on sporting but my shooting really improved when I started shooting skeet. And most of all . . . have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbob Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 My advice would be just take your time and enjoy it. Don't make the mistake I made when I went out for the first time on my own with licence and brand new Browning. I was so keen and over eager that I totally forgot to put in my ear protection on the first stand! Hell of a bang and ears ringing for the next stand or two. A ground with time delay is pretty straight forward to use, but I think going round with someone else is preferable. Either way prepare to get hooked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) There is also a very friendly little shoot at the Wagon and Horses on the A34 just outside Congleton on Sunday. Great opportunity to practice and usually a few guys offering advice to new shooters. Edited March 29, 2016 by Glenlivet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Shoot safely and must important have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Weekends might be busy and you could have watchers. My advise is to go at a quieter time...later in the day or even a week day. When you do go, find the easiest target to start on, the one you can and have hit well before. Then progress from easy to hard. This will give you confidence. In addition, if the ground has auto trapping the system may (should) have solo delay, throw single clays, or on report, to start then progress to pairs together. It all takes a little time but you should enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 nice gesture from glenlivet proper gent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100milesaway Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Take up the offer from glenlivet it's always better to have someone with you that knows shoot etiquette and will give you confidence. I think legally you are always supposed to have you gun licence to hand ,I always have mine in the car glove box just in case. It is always useful to watch other squads go out and how different people approach taking the clays .You can soon spot the ones that can shoot well and you will soon learn how it seems they have all the time in the world and how relaxed they look . Watch and learn ,it costs nothing ... Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Take you're time don't do anything daft and above all enjoy after all that's what it's all about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del T Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 The main thing is be safe, that should be your first priority. We've all seen very poor gun safety at clay grounds eg walking out with the gun closed, poor muzzle awareness etc ,so once the safety aspect is drummed in you can then concentrate more on the clays. If you hit a few then that's great and you'll have a big smile on your face . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyKong Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Something I would advise is to maybe take a break rather than shooting through ~100 carts in one go. I find shooting on my own I'll go through carts much faster and get pretty tired and lose concentration towards the end without a break. Taking a break is a good excuse for a cup of tea too, which is always a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I was in exactly your situation a few months back . Got my SGC , bought a gun , went to my local ground ,which has claymate stands available, for the first time without instructor expecting to shoot on my own ,and ended up chatting to others and going round with people I had never met before. I met some good people ,learned how to use the equipment and managed not to completely embarrass myself on the scorecard either, all in all a really positive experience. If you can take up the offer from Glenlivet it will be all the more enjoyable and leave you itching to get out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catchthepigeonmutley Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Are you a member? If so you'll have a card which you can charge up at reception before you shoot. Then use the 3 second delay on the panel where you put your card, not ideal for a starter shooter. Don't buy cartridges from Cloudside, they're very expensive. Get 1000 Kent mmxv1 from Branthwaite's in Cheadle. If you're only going to shoot Cloudside get plaswads, if you intend to shoot the Wild Boar (just across the valley) get fibre wads. I always carry my SGC but nobody ever asks to see it? What time are you going? I'll be shooting there tomorrow and possibly Saturday, I'll take you round if you fancy. If you want any further info feel free to ask. Hi Glenlivet. Sorry for the delay in replying - had to go to a party last night thrown by friends of my wife and didn't get back until late. Yes I am a member at Cloudside. I got taken there originally in June by my friend/physio who shoots there occasionally - she's very busy - and who was responsible for rekindling my interest in shooting. I had a set of lessons there during the summer, but like I said in the original post, not been there on my own before. I was on a BASC novice game day in December with my coach's gun, but have not shot since then, which is why I want to break myself back in gently. I got fibre wad cartridges from Branthwaites when I picked up my gun as that's what they said I would need, and only got 25 as am a novice and he did not want to sell me 1000 if I had not tried them and may not be happy with them for whatever reason. Thanks so much for your kind offer and would very much like to take advantage of it if possible ? I was thinking of going up late morning - I assume that the summer opening times will be in operation as it will be April, so opening at 11:00 instead of 10:00 ?? That's what it says on my membership card anyway. Although I would prefer late morning I can in reality be there any time if you are still going to be there. Regards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 I'm doing some work on the electric fence at the Wild Boar in the morning but can be at Cloudside by 12 (fingers crossed!). You'll need some more cartridges and to charge up your clay card. I'll be the big ugly ****** with skin head, earring, tats and silver Freelander (if it's still running). It might be quite busy but we'll manage. I'll pm my mobile number just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catchthepigeonmutley Posted April 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Thanks for all the replies - and special thanks to Glenlivet for breaking me in gently at Cloudside and giving me exactly the basic know how and experience that I needed. Only sorry was unable to make it to the Waggon & Horses shoot on the Sunday. Is in my diary for June away in May) - so hopefully will be able to meet up again there sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Thanks for all the replies - and special thanks to Glenlivet for breaking me in gently at Cloudside and giving me exactly the basic know how and experience that I needed. Only sorry was unable to make it to the Waggon & Horses shoot on the Sunday. Is in my diary for June away in May) - so hopefully will be able to meet up again there sometime. Glad you found the experience useful. Pity you missed the W&H, made a nice change shooting in sunshine! It's the Wild Boar next weekend, well worth a visit. http://www.wildboarclaypigeon.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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