Onnet7 Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) Hey there, I'm looking to get involved in shooting, especially target shooting, and although a long-way off before I can move out of my home (let alone get an firearms certificate/ shotgun license! ), I would like to get some basic information, and some of my questions answered. I've done a lot of research onto the topics of firearm safety, the mechanics of firearms and the current laws and regulations in the United Kingdom (personally, I think they're absolutely ridiculous, but let's not get onto that right now). There's just a few things I wanted cleared up: 1.) Am I right in believing that it takes a LONG while to get your firearm's certificate? I'm asking now for personal experience, as I am sure most, if not all, of you currently hold one. I have gathered from my research that it's not exactly a quick proceedure... 2.) How would I actually get started/ go about joining a club etc...? I am luckily enough to live *RELATIVELY* close to Cannock, as I have heard there's a rifle club there. Would it be so simple, when joined up when fully registered, to simply buy a gun legally, have it logged onto your license (or whatever happens) and take it down there whenever to shoot, or is it a site-specific thing, all based on their own rules/ regulations? So, for example, if I owned a .223 rifle of any kind, I could simply bring it along with me every now-and-again and shoot down there for recreation? 3.) Also, in regards specifically Pigeon hunting, what are the major calibres of rifle allowed there maximum? I take it .223/ .303 would be slightly overkill for Pigeons? So yeah, that's basically it. I know I am young and all, but I'd like it if you guys didn't really hold that against me. I like to think that I am mature enough and would OBVIOUSLY respect firearm safety 110% of my time using them. At this moment in time, I am becoming increasingly interested as shooting as a recreational activity/ sport, and would love to get involved when I am older... What i'm trying to say is, I don't want people thinking that I don't take this seriously, and possibly view it as a game. I understand fully that guns are serious tools, and should be used responsibly . Anyway, thanks for the help -Joe Edited October 20, 2008 by Onnet7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto culto Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 your best bet would be a shotgun for pigeons and is the easiest to apply for. If you want a fac you would be advised to join a club first as you have gained no experience with centerfire rounds. I would say go for your shotgun cert first and see if you enjoy it as when you get into the realm of centre fires it gets very costly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamW Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Jo (location?) firstly welcome...... secondly, most (maybe not all) birds (be it game or vermin) are taken with shotguns or air rifles. something like a .223 would be used for larger prey like fox or longer range rabbits (but don't expect to table the rabbit after, there will not be much left!) a good starting point for you would be the club, get some range discipline behind you, get to know what its all about.. Also, get you self down to the local clay shoot, there you will learn the discipline of clay shooting, the main difference between shotguns and rifles is moving targets and static targets (someone will correct me there.....) shotguns are used for moving targets at a closer range, where are rifles (depending on caliber) are used for static targets at possibly longer ranges (notice the careful wording there!) there are many different calibers in both shotgun and rifles, this is the bit that is worth learning! Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onnet7 Posted October 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Ace, well thanks for reply. I'm from Stafford, by the way. I am starting to understand better now, it does seem a little overkill (excuse the pun) for vermin like Pigeons. The thing about static/ moving targets too, at this moment in time, I seem more inclined to go with the static-targets, as rifle-range shooting has always interested me, and clay has never really looked to be 'my thing'. I'll have to look furhter into though, I mean, you've got to start somewhere I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Try looking at your particular Police force's website.Mine for example lists the registered clubs and shoots in area which cover both airguns & firearms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 without a doubt join a club and get some instruction from club members . It is not difficult to get a firearms certificate or a shotgun licence if you are a person of good charactor and can prove to the police that you have a genuine need for the guns that you apply for . Shotguns for game shooting and clay pigeon shooting .Rifles for target shooting and vermin control and deer stalking . You will need the backing of club officials when you apply for your first rifle certificate for target shooting . If you are truly interested in starting out into the shooting world then join a club as soon as you can . Best wishes . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onnet7 Posted October 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Thanks for all the help. Now it's just the major task of talking to my parents about this. They are very anti-gun (and quite ignorant), and don't seem to understand me too well; if the worst comes to the worst, I'll just have to wait until I am 17. I suppose it's their opinion though, and I must respect that for now. thanks again for all the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedbradshaw Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Why not just go the obvious route and go with an air rifle ? learn to master the, the hold, trigger control etc. reletivly cheap compared to rim/cf rounds and require no certification ( unless over 12 lbft ) Allthough im not sure of the age you have to be to purchase one, i know it was 17 years ago! I loved my air rifle. Knocking over pennies, bottle tops or just target bashign at 40 yards. Most people are suprised at how accurate an air rifle is. A decent starter rifle could maybe be the crossman rat catcher, i had one and it was fine for vermin and targets up to 30 yards also recoil-less and cheap ( maybe 100 quid with a scope brand new ! ) The plus side about pellets is also that they are cheap as chips ! i think i paid 8 quid for my last tin of 500 accupels! You can also shoot in the garden as long as the pellet doesnt stray from your boundary, so get a pellet trap! Start at the bottom and work your way up Thats what im doing got my first air rifle at 15, just recently upgraded to a SGC at 20 and now im thinking of an FAC....dont get in to it...its too expensive, take up snooker or something Reed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peck Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 hello Joe, http://www.nsra.co.uk/index.php?option=com...7&Itemid=94 here is the web address of the NSRA, click on the counties that are close to you and you will find local clubs. the closest looks to be Rugely. :- http://www.rugeleyrifleclub.org.uk/ I would advise you not to mention to your parents about shooting live quarry at this time, shooting paper targets will sound a lot better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onnet7 Posted October 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Why not just go the obvious route and go with an air rifle ? learn to master the, the hold, trigger control etc. reletivly cheap compared to rim/cf rounds and require no certification ( unless over 12 lbft ) Allthough im not sure of the age you have to be to purchase one, i know it was 17 years ago! I loved my air rifle. Knocking over pennies, bottle tops or just target bashign at 40 yards. Most people are suprised at how accurate an air rifle is. A decent starter rifle could maybe be the crossman rat catcher, i had one and it was fine for vermin and targets up to 30 yards also recoil-less and cheap ( maybe 100 quid with a scope brand new ! ) The plus side about pellets is also that they are cheap as chips ! i think i paid 8 quid for my last tin of 500 accupels! You can also shoot in the garden as long as the pellet doesnt stray from your boundary, so get a pellet trap! Start at the bottom and work your way up Thats what im doing got my first air rifle at 15, just recently upgraded to a SGC at 20 and now im thinking of an FAC....dont get in to it...its too expensive, take up snooker or something :yp: Reed Now, this seems very interesting. I don't exactly live in the country, but my garden is very long, with high-fences. It seems like an ideal place in that respect. As I'll explain below, though, my parents are still quite anti-gun of any kind. So it may take quite a bit of convincing. Also, in terms of the minimum age requirement for the ownership of an air-rifle, I am sure it's 18 right now. However, being 16, I think I can have one legally purchased for me under a 'gift', so to speak. I mean, if that can be done with a shotgun certificate for people aged 14 and over, it should definitely include an air-rifle. hello Joe, http://www.nsra.co.uk/index.php?option=com...7&Itemid=94 here is the web address of the NSRA, click on the counties that are close to you and you will find local clubs. the closest looks to be Rugely. :- http://www.rugeleyrifleclub.org.uk/ I would advise you not to mention to your parents about shooting live quarry at this time, shooting paper targets will sound a lot better. Heh, I know what you mean. They're very against hunting of any kind (...despite being avid meat-eaters...), so I think it's best that I wait a bit until I am older before getting into that realm. The only real conversations I have with them about this is kind of thing is the target-shooting aspect, which they're still pretty against . They see any firearm as a weapon, and therefore wanting/ owning one would make you instantly a psycopath. I think this may take a little longer that I would like, but all good things come to those who wait, I suppose. Thanks for the help, Joe. If you can help me think of any more convincing arguments to get an airgun; let me know . I would be buying it with my own money, bare in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 I would point out to Mum & Dad that people who own legal firearms have to go through a pretty tough police check and interview before they are allowed to have shotgun or rifle- so if any one is of a slightly dodgy background or temperament they will not be allowed to have a gun. People who own guns are the safest and most law abiding people in the country – remember you can have your guns taken away by the policy for speeding! Proper access to guns teaches people self discipline and respect, and all the cadet forces use guns in their training. The Scout movement vote regularly on whether to allow shooting in the Scouts and every time the vote comes back YES. As others have said, jon a club, the NSRA link is great and you could also try www.goshooting.org.uk there is a pdf guide on the find section that lists just about every club in the UK There is also a link on the find page to the BFTA – British Filed Target Shooting Association, contact the local Secretary for details of your nearest club Good luck David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onnet7 Posted October 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 (edited) I would point out to Mum & Dad that people who own legal firearms have to go through a pretty tough police check and interview before they are allowed to have shotgun or rifle- so if any one is of a slightly dodgy background or temperament they will not be allowed to have a gun. People who own guns are the safest and most law abiding people in the country – remember you can have your guns taken away by the policy for speeding! Proper access to guns teaches people self discipline and respect, and all the cadet forces use guns in their training. The Scout movement vote regularly on whether to allow shooting in the Scouts and every time the vote comes back YES. As others have said, jon a club, the NSRA link is great and you could also try www.goshooting.org.uk there is a pdf guide on the find section that lists just about every club in the UK There is also a link on the find page to the BFTA – British Filed Target Shooting Association, contact the local Secretary for details of your nearest club Good luck David Thanks for the reply, just quoted some of it to my Dad: risky move, but it actually went alright. He seems alright with the idea now, even recommending me a shooting club that my grandad used to go to (he never told me this before...). He seems alright with me getting an air rifle too, and admits that our garden is perfect for it. Just my mum to convince now, then it's time to start saving :yp:. My EMA should come through in a few weeks time, then I'm (hopefully) £400 better off. Thanks again for the help, it's good to have experts to refer to in this situation. Regards, Joe. Edited October 24, 2008 by Onnet7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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