How do you start shooting at Bisley?

[Tower75]

Howdy

Right, I'll be honest here, depending on how you score it, I'm a fairly new-ish shooter (compared to most other shooters) I'm only been in the game 8 years, started when I was 17.

Since the first day down the range I was told of this magical place called... Bisley.

"There, my son - I was told - ranges stretch as far as the eye can see, there, people walk around in tweed and carry rifles and munch sandwiches and talk of muzzles and powder and there is a smell of cordite in the air. There, son, you will find happiness, in that land of Bisley"

Well I must admit, I'll only been to Bisley twice, both for gunshows where I walk around and look at guns that are either not on my licence or are outside of my price range... or both. Section 1 be a cruel mistress.

When I was there the whole place looked fairly intimidating to a 20-odd yo.

I always wondered, how do you actually shoot at Bisley? Do you just turn up and say "Err, one lane please, and a target. my good man"

Do you have to be a member of the NRA to do so?
How much is a lane, if that is how the pricing works?

Another issue is that when my club shoots full-bore we only shoot for about 2 hours, and what with target-pulling, sentry duty, and sharing a lane I can somethings be pushed to shoot 50 rounds. If I shot at Bisley, would I have to bring 400 rounds with me to justify the cost/journey?, 'cos with current prices and current salary that aint gonna happen. :cool2:

Thanks for the look guys, and girls

Regards
T

[Dangermouse]

Shooters can be a difficult bunch to approach, the problem being that we tend to be on our guard so much away from the range that we forget to drop it when we are on the range.
But it takes little more than a "hello" and you can normally break through any barriers which may or may not have been raised. The truth is hat most shooters are all to ready to bore you to death about their particular perversion, and are often quite happy to listen to you waffle on for hours. I am sure that many shooters enjoy their time chatting as much as shooting and I have seen many pass by the opportunity to get down and shoot because they are too busy chatting.

If you are likely to shoot at Bisley more than a couple of times a year then I would urge you to join, it will open up a lot more shooting for you and will enable you to book a lane and shoot or join in with the NRA club days, ran most weekends.
It use to be the case that if you were already a Full member of a home office approved club, you could join the NRA as a full member, which by passed the NRA probationary membership period. You will need a Shooters Certificate issued by your own club or the NRA before they will let you shoot.

Lanes are reasonably priced, expect around £10 and hour, which gives you lots of time to fire lots of rounds. If you want a marker they are expensive and need pre booking, many casual shooters will go with a mate or two and share butt duty.

DM

[ovenpaa]

I agree with DM, join the NRA at around GBP65/year and join a club. I am sure Heather can advise you of a club and there is the NRA Shooting club which you can join free of charge if an NRA member, from memory they shoot for GBP15 for a half day and cover all disciplines.

As DM pointed out you will need an SCC but that can be sorted by the club quite quickly and you are an FAC holder which is a good start.

Shooting wise I will get through anything between 60 and 100 rounds in a day or 30 in a morning which is quite a leisurely rate of fire, shooting is also a leisure pastime so a chance to catch up with friends and have a gossip. The Viking and I head down fairly often so once in the NRA if you fancy a plink at 600/1000 shout and join us, I have a rifle and ammunition that will comfortably work at both distances and if you want to try something different.

[Dave 101]

Good info guys , Dave any more thoughts on a FB club or more meet ups in the future ?
I was thinking of joining the NRA but was waiting for the new year for the start of the year membership .


Dave

[ovenpaa]

Dave, it all went slightly on the back burner as life and stuff has been conspiring against me slightly however I am talking to Rangemaster Pete about something interesting early in the new year, along with a bit of a competition that should be fair for all shooters. Plus another McQueen soon (I do wonder if Kennyc will still be wearing shorts ) and the FB club of course.

I have a few things to get sorted out than then I will be hassling people to come and shoot the FB comps and see who is really up for club membership and at what level.

[kennyc]

Dave, it all went slightly on the back burner as life and stuff has been conspiring against me slightly however I am talking to Rangemaster Pete about something interesting early in the new year, along with a bit of a competition that should be fair for all shooters. Plus another McQueen soon (I do wonder if Kennyc will still be wearing shorts ) and the FB club of course.

I have a few things to get sorted out than then I will be hassling people to come and shoot the FB comps and see who is really up for club membership and at what level.

cheeky bugger! at least I had an excuse for getting wet no failure of my waterproof system :P another McQueens would be good, but I might struggle to attend during the week until after xmas.

[ovenpaa]

cheeky bugger! at least I had an excuse for getting wet no failure of my waterproof system :P another McQueens would be good, but I might struggle to attend during the week until after xmas.

It was bloody wet, I was soaked through by the time we had finished. Start of the new year sounds good to me.

[Mike357]

Friday or Monday either side of the F Class training weekend in Feb would be awesome

[Dangermouse]

No shooting on Mondays at Bisley,

DM

[HeatherW762]

Apologies for a very short reply but I'm up to my eyeballs here.

Your best bet is to contact my assistant Nick who deals with new members. He can tell you all about the ranges, how to join, the NRASC et al. He's on 01483 797777 x138 or memassist@nra.org.uk.

Heather