Do I need to join the NSRA, the NRA and a Club?

[Fowler]

I'm used to being a member of a club with it's own range where I can wander down day or night (I have keys) and shoot to my hearts content.

I'm moving to the UK near Bisley soon and I'm a bit confused about what I need to join to shoot what I want. I'd like to be able to shoot full-bore, small bore, air rifle and the occasional clay. I'd like to be able to book a slot, rent and appropriate firearm and shoot. I'd like to take part in competitions and I'd like to be a member of something that will qualify me to apply for an FAC and SGC after 6 months. From what I can see, the NSRA and NRA are two separate bodies serving full and small bore respectively and then on top of that there's clubs with specialist shooting interests! Am I really going to have to join at least 3 things?

[ukrifleman]

You don't need to personally join these organisations to shoot. Join a club that is affiliated to either or both and join as a probationary member and take it from there.

One of the clubs I belong to caters for full/small bore rifle, clays and black powder.

ukrifleman.

[Fowler]

Thanks for the reply :) Can you wander in at any time and shoot or are you limited to times when the club has the range booked? How about renting?

[ukrifleman]

Most clubs that I know (I belong to 4) have specified range days normally at weekends.

As a probationary member, you will be expected to attend a certain number of times during your (normally) 6 month probationary membership.

Gun clubs in the UK are allowed I `guest` day a month, where you can go along to see what they do and have a go, if you like what you see you can then apply to join as a probationary member.

Moving near to Bisley puts you in a good area to take up shooting in the UK, go for it and enjoy!

ukrifleman.

[daman]

As ukrifleman says, start with joining a club affiliated to both. You can decide later if you think it worthwhile joining either of the national organisations.

As far as turning up and shooting whenever you like, it's unlikely a local club will give you keys before you are a well established member. And even then there may be rules about needing a certain number of people on the range before being allowed to shoot.

One advantage of joining the NRA (for example) is that you can book ranges at Bisley in your own name (subject to their opening hours) instead of having to fit into your clubs schedule.

[Triffid]

If you are moving to near Bisley, then I suggest that you could join the NRA.

As well as being one of our National Shooting Organisations, the NRA is an approved gun club in it's own right. Once you've gone through their probationary membership scheme and got your certificate of competence, then you can hire firearms and shoot pretty much anytime you want.

Alternatively join an affiliated club such as mine, also quite near Bisley.
http://www.weyvalleyrpc.org.uk/
(Sorry, I've just discovered that thye website is down at the moment - check back later!!!!)

Triffid

[Racalman]

Alternatively join an affiliated club such as mine, also quite near Bisley.
http://www.weyvalleyrpc.org.uk/
(Sorry, I've just discovered that thye website is down at the moment - check back later!!!!)

Triffid

Or mine: http://www.owrpc.co.uk/

Only committee members and range officers get keys though.

[Fowler]

Thanks again for the info guys. We don't give out key to ordinary members either. I'm a range officer too :)

Racalman : That looks like a great multi-discipline club you have there. Nice to see that it opens late too!

[ovenpaa]

We are in the Lincolnshire Wolds and have a very local range that is open 24/7 with key access so they do exist over here. There are 25m, 40m and 100m ranges with the latter having lighting for after dark shooting, the others are limited to daylight hours.

[walesdave]

Gloucester County Range (shared with Glevum Target & Sports Club) is open all hours - not sure if there's any restrictions on how late you can shoot, but I've been there well into the evening...

Very nice covered 50m covered firing points range, and open to members of all shooting clubs registered in Gloucestershire.