Ive just started reliving my miss spent youth and recently joined a local target shooting club. Dusted off my old air rifle and been thoroughly enjoying killing little bits of cardboard with the old boys.
The club meets tues and fri eves for a couple of hours and sun afternoon. Nice to do something different, very relaxing after work etc, a very gentle pastime compared to my exploits in Scotland as a lad. Challenging as well, not as easy as it looks
I used to do a lot of .22 (live rounds) target shooting in my 20s. Rifles and hand guns. I still like to do the odd session (with larger rounds) now and again but not very often. I used to score mid to high 90s on the 25 yard range on a good day but never got that magic 100 perfect score.
On the bigger ranges with the bigger guns it usually takes me most of the session to get the hire gun zeroed in on the target. I just start grouping on the bullseye when I run out of ammo.
Recently I did a bit of clay shooting. I went about three times and used a different type of shotgun each time to get a bit of experience. Side by side, over and under, automatic. I was OK for a beginner but not great. Scored 50% first two times and 60% the third.
But I couldn't get excited about it to be honest. I prefered the quiet time of target shooting. Slowing my heart and breathing down. Relaxing. I might take it up again one day but not going out of my way to do it.
At least, come the end of the world, I can pick up a gun and use it if I have to.
My first job as a kid was working the traps at a shotgun range and we got to fire loads of different guns. Never really captured my imagination though I did get quite good at it for a 12 year old.
My new neighbour comes with me as his wife told him to get a hobby. He spends most of his time zeroing club guns as well. My old Webley is fine for me and its there or thereabouts at 20mtrs for a beginner like me.
The club does indoor 22 long rifle as well so will have a go at that one day. Last time I fired one of those was hunting rabbits and didnt enjoy it really
Yeah Dave...I learned the animal thing young....felt terrible for months after needlessly shooting a rabbit. Fine if needed for food or educated culling for the well being of livestock that we depend on etc but not for sport for me.
The club buildings were used in the war to train the home guard which is interesting local history. Some real nice old fellas there as well as youngsters....bit of a laugh but thankfully, extremely safety orientated and disciplined
I got a marksman level using the Lee Enfield .303, kick like an elephant gun, it was the rifle of choice in the Second World War.
The moved onto .762 target rifle and got marksman on that at Bisley
Then left doing all that stuff behind until I became a PMC
You name it, MP5, AK's, M20, H&K, shot all of them, mostly on valley ranges in Kabul and Iraq, not the worlds most accurate weapons but boy did they pack a punch !
I think you've inspired me to get back into target stuff, probably .22
Gotcha.....I like the challenge of getting better. Couldnt stay on the target when I started now Im disappointed if I drop into the 7 and want to start again! Might try the 25m range next time for a laugh
Had a go with my friends 22, 12 gauge and 270 remington mag in a quarry in Idaho a few years ago. That was fun...ok on 12g.....got bored with the 22 cos it was under powered and just had open sights and have no idea how I did with tehe 270. We were shooting plant pots and the gun kicked a bit so I lost what I was aiming at in the sight. Good fun though
I joined a target club last year, shot a 303 lee enfied, and many other large calibre guns. give you a great kick. though I just do not have the time to continue there anymore.
Used to regularly target shoot with a .22 and .303 when I was in the ATC a million years ago. I'm somewhat anti gun these days, so it's not something I would want to go back to.
I know what you mean Blue, personally I'm glad we don't live in a society where guns are readily available, even though I used them for my job I didn't let my kids play with toy guns, I saw first hand the damage they do and didn't want them thinking they were the norm.
Just look at the mess America is in because of the slack guns laws between states.
Saying that, target use, clay pigeon etc, I'm cool with that. My brother is big into it as he has a bit of land with a lake etc and runs the local pheasant shoot, but he is ultra safe with his guns, cabinets, ammo in different place etc
I loved the .303, just such a blast to shoot them, did it first in Army cadets. Sadly they stopped using them years ago as they were getting so old that breach explosions started to happen. The cadets use L98A1, a non auto version of the army SA80
runs in the family though, my great, great granddad is on the hall of fame at bisley!
been saying ill take it up again, but just never get around to it, also dont like the idea of having to hire a gun, as dave said, you spend more time zeroing it in then you do actually aiming for anything.
.22 Handguns and Rifles plus the odd 12 Bore Clay pigeon dusting.
Dad belongs to a pistol and rifle club. Used to go with him most Friday nights to shoot the .22 stuff. Really enjoyed it until Dunblane happened.
Lost handguns which as a late teen into Hiphop and action movies was a big pull. Could never take to the .22 rifle and gave up after a while.
The clay pigeon shooting was and absolute blast and managed to finish 3rd out of 8 seasoned rifle men on my first outing (shoulder was hurting after though).
If handguns are back in, I'd probably return to it as its a great stress reliever!!!!
Dave Tildesley.....MMA-081
72 Dodge Dart
73 Plymouth Duster - SOLD
I wanna go so FAST i think i'm going to DIE!..........Then i'll shift into second!
"My Car is a work in progress, Probably never gonna get finished, never gonna have the money to Bananarama!!"
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