Bisley shooting

[Dark Skies]

Also, some of us have rifles that are really just a bit of fun and not that accurate beyond a few hundred yards. We'd rather like to shoot them, if that's OK with you 'proper' long distance shooters.

Those people that don't use SS and are happy to see its users sacrificed for the greater good of Bisley's finances might feel differently when we chuck it in and head to the new range at Silverstone and a few others that can accommodate our humble needs; or have our FACs varied for firearms we can use on ranges closer to home. Then the membership rates will possibly have to go up / or ranges fees increased.

[artiglio]

So let me get this right,

Bisley was suffering historical financial woes, new management came in, a revenue stream was identified.
This revenue has been used to improve facilities, including electronic targets , which are available , all be it on different days midweek at 100,200,300 yards. Short Siberia is still available at weekends, but due to demand 100 yds has been expanded and 200yds is now limited ( but available on century).
The booking system may not be as convenient as just calling and booking over the phone, but it has done away disagreements as to what was ans was not asked for. You can still call check availability then book online.
I used to use SS for load development midweek, i was often the only one there. When I asked the NRA about the loss of the covered firing points and " loading shed" I was told that the loss of the facility was appreciated and that the NRA were looking into redeveloping an existing disused range. It has been suggested ( not by the NRA) so i've no idea if its correct, that "shorts" could be bought back into use. Apparently its somewhere near Jenny's. But well before my time with the NRA so i'm not sure.

So in short, yes a facility that previously you could turn up on the day and probably shoot has gone, but with a bit of planning there are alternatives, the walk to century butts is longer and target frames a little more awkward to use, in which case electronics are available. The fact that things can be dearer is more a reflection that the facilities were not paying their way ( plus financial mismanagement, before my time so i can't comment). In the 6 years i've shot at bisley there is a marked increase in range useage theoughout the year, so it must be appealing to some.

Yes its unfortunate that not everyone can have exactly what they want. But to my eyes efforts are being made to deal with things , the new 300yd car park being a good example. There are some that will never be happy.

Improvements have been on going for the last 2+ years , it will be interesting to see what the next 2 bring.

Patience people

[Strangely Brown]

It has been suggested ( not by the NRA) so i've no idea if its correct, that "shorts" could be bought back into use. Apparently its somewhere near Jenny's. But well before my time with the NRA so i'm not sure.

The firing points of the old Shortts (Spl?) Range ran along the side of the road behind Jenny's. Sadly the clay ranges are now in the way.

[artiglio]

Cheers Strangely, that puts that rumour to bed then. Have to wait and see what they come up with.

[Chapuis]

Going off on a slight tangent but how often is the UIT 300m range used (close to Jenny's). You know the left hand side of century with the covered firing points and roller shutter doors.
Just in all my years visiting Bisley I can't say that I have seen it used very often. In fact I can't recall seeing it used more than once and that was a long time ago.

[Pete]

It's used by the 300m club at least once a month afaik, and may in future be available as a 300m range with electronic targets on the same basis as the electronics at the other end of Century.

Pete

[Chapuis]

I sincerely hope that it is used more than that Pete. It would be a tremendous waste of a range if it were only being used once a month. The use of electronic targets on that range should be ideal.
I wonder what the possibility is of developing and utalising that section of the range more, especially with electronic targets set up at intermediate ranges. Pay to play zeroing facility perhaps?

[artiglio]

Morning Chapuis, as with a lot of things, its a bit complicated, that section of the range gets peppered with shot from the clays and the sheds and targets are owned by the 300m club, as pete said there are moves afoot to have it available for greater use, another case of hurry up and wait, it would seem.

[Pete]

The only time I've actually seen it in use was at the NRA open day that got me back into this shooting malarkey................I had the opportunity to shoot five rounds here.
That was around 8 years ago.................and I shoot at Bisley 25-30 times a year, mostly mid-week, though.

Pete

[Strangely Brown]

Going off on a slight tangent but how often is the UIT 300m range used (close to Jenny's). You know the left hand side of century with the covered firing points and roller shutter doors.
Just in all my years visiting Bisley I can't say that I have seen it used very often. In fact I can't recall seeing it used more than once and that was a long time ago.

It's been in constant use for the last 14 days hosting the McQueen competition, competitors are slightly forward to be on the 300 yard point.
I believe the far end of the sheds have been vacated by the 300 m club and are back in NRA hands.

Did anybody want to know my McQueen score from today............................ good!