Moving to England, looking for new club(s) to join

[markd290]

Due to a new job I'll be moving over to England from Northern Ireland next week, so I'm in need of a new club or clubs to join, preferably within a reasonable distance of Nottingham. Here in Northern Ireland I'm just a member of one club, but they cover just about every type of shooting you could want, from practical shotgun, pistol and rifle to classic rifle, gallery rifle and regular visits to the 600m range for long range shooting. I really am sad to be leaving, the club had a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere and ideally I'd like to join something similar.

Anyway, I've already got my FAC and right now I do a bit of practical shotgun, gallery rifle, classic rifle and just general plinking. Since I've been forced to sell my handguns for the move, I'm looking into getting into some other types of shooting like practical mini rifle and some long range shooting in the near future.

Can anyone recommend any clubs to join? Preferably within an hour or so of Nottingham, but I don't mind going further out if I need to.

Also since I've never been, can anyone tell me what the story is with shooting at Bisley? Do I need to me a member of an affiliated club?

[safetyfirst]

Wentworth sporting have a small indoor range in Nottingham and a great shop. For longer range and gallery rifle, derby rifle and pistol club are great but a long waiting list. Also Swadlincote are within range and do gallery and practical shotgun.

Mini rifle can be found in manchester with north west custom parts and also Diggle ranges in north Manchester are even starting three gun!

So Wentworth might be your best bet for a quick post work plink and I'd say Swadlincote for shotgun or Diggle if you're willing to go a bit further once a month...

Good luck and good shooting!

[bnz41]

Also since I've never been, can anyone tell me what the story is with shooting at Bisley? Do I need to me a member of an affiliated club?

Yes you will need to be a club member or you could join the NRA direct then you can book your own range time, or shoot on their club days.

[The Gun Pimp]

Markd290 - check out Diggle - www.diggleranges.com Has all you want including shooting out to 1000 yards. We have regular comps for Practical Shotgun, Classic Military Rifle, Gallery Rifle, Mini Rifle and lots of other stuff.

[ovenpaa]

Plus Diggle should be easier to get to than Bisley and as importantly drive away from, especially on a Friday afternoon.

[FredB]

I thought that the Mattersey range complex was near Nottingham.
Fred

[mag41uk]

I thought that the Mattersey range complex was near Nottingham.
Fred

Its a fair way off. Nearer to Doncaster and the border with south Yorkshire.

[legs748]

I thought that the Mattersey range complex was near Nottingham.
Fred

Its a fair way off. Nearer to Doncaster and the border with south Yorkshire.

It's about a 50 min drive from the centre of Notts, on a good day.

[andrew375]

Come visit the Royal Ordnance club. We are just a couple of miles from the city centre. We also shoot at Bisley. I've sent you a PM.

[markd290]

Markd290 - check out Diggle - http://www.diggleranges.com Has all you want including shooting out to 1000 yards. We have regular comps for Practical Shotgun, Classic Military Rifle, Gallery Rifle, Mini Rifle and lots of other stuff.

That looks like an absolutely fantastic range! I'll definitely have to get up there for a visit as soon as I can. Are there any particular days for visitors or anything like that? Can I ask what the membership fees are like and if theres a probationary membership period for FAC holders?

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions so far, I've even had a few PM's inviting me out to visit clubs. What I'll most likely go is try to visit a few different places and which ones suit me best. I'm thinking I might even join somewhere local for a quick bit of shooting after work and also somewhere bigger like Diggle to head out to once or twice a month.