What do I do with my target guns?

[MrChipShoulder]

Hi,

On the face of it, my question seems very odd or obvious!

I have a 9 month old Steyr Evo and a FWB 300SU in perfect condition. As some may know, I have just finished making a home range to shoot them in. My daughter and I were up until a few months ago shooting at a local target shooting club. We are now full members of a shooting club that shoot just about all disciplines from air to black powder cannon !

We left the local target club as we felt they were not helping us shoot or get involved in any comps. They spent all their time helping one young girl and a disabled guy in a wheel chair. Of course these people needed help, but not to the detriment of all other members to the point we were totally ignored for the whole 6 months we were there! When I enquired about stepping up to a more competitive local club, turns out they also ran it and we were told we were not good enough. We may have been good enough if they’d have helped us, but they didn’t so we left.

The club we are now full members of ( probation served and FAC applications with the police ) run a postal comp, but for various reasons it’s unlikely we will be doing any more of these through our club.

I bought my Evo to train up and shoot comps, then my daughter got her MPR and now I have my FWB as I like diopter. I already shoot the clubs prone 22LR with diopter (I have all the gear, just no rifle) and have done a large local comp and came 2nd in class.

The problem now is I have the guns, I have the places to shoot, but I have nobody to help me train or any reason to shoot them other than for fun and the MPL! There is nobody in my club that is motivated enough to proactively shoot in comps. 99% of air shooters in my club just make holes in paper in doors with hunting rifles and bench rest knock downs on the outdoor range.

So I don’t know what to do?

I have been shooting air for 30 odd years, but not target comp, so I have absolutely no idea what to do at this point in my hobby? Up until now I’ve just been plinking on my own here and there and with my daughter. Clubs are a very new thing to us and we are finding club shooting very challenging for all the wrong reasons!

I have just bought Robins book and will be following that, but what then? How do I take my shooting to the next level at comps if it’s not through my club or postal? Are all target shooting clubs problematic? I’m not sure I’m ‘clicky’ enough to fit into clubs??

[thisisdonald]

Mate, I had the almost Exact same experience as you, only difference is my new club is very into postal comps and everyone is very helpful and friendly. I hope it works out for you.
I used to shoot 10m air Pistol and I managed to beef my scores up by reading This website http://www.pilkguns.com/essential-information/

[Modski66]

This sounds a bit 'chicken and egg', but I was invited to join the West Midlands Regional Target Shooting Squad after having a few reasonable results at some shoulder-to-shoulder 'open' matches.

I don't know if there is an equivalent squad in your region, but getting your name and face known might guide you in the direction of a coach/squad.

My first experience of any shooting competition was when a friend persuaded me to enter the British open at Bisley with my Gamo Compact in class 'D'. I was bricking it, but scored better than some of the other shooters with £1000 pistols and more experience.

[MrChipShoulder]

This sounds a bit 'chicken and egg', but I was invited to join the West Midlands Regional Target Shooting Squad after having a few reasonable results at some shoulder-to-shoulder 'open' matches.

I don't know if there is an equivalent squad in your region, but getting your name and face known might guide you in the direction of a coach/squad.

My first experience of any shooting competition was when a friend persuaded me to enter the British open at Bisley with my Gamo Compact in class 'D'. I was bricking it, but scored better than some of the other shooters with £1000 pistols and more experience.

So what I seem to be looking for is open shoots that presumably anybody can enter (NSRA MEMBER) ?
How do I find out where open shoots are?
Thanks

[thisisdonald]

There's also an NSRA postal league, I'm not 100% but I'm sure you can shoot it independently with no club affiliation.

[Jimlad]

Hi

If you like shooting with your 300s, have you given Bell Target a thought, you have the Newport Air Rifle League in your area I am sure they would welcome you with open arms and if it is competition you want, you wont find better.
Jim

[tim s]

So what I seem to be looking for is open shoots that presumably anybody can enter (NSRA MEMBER) ?
How do I find out where open shoots are?
Thanks

NSRA membership is only a requirement for NSRA matches, the August Bisley meeting, the Scottish, the British 10m champs. County and District association matches may require club affiliation, but that should be covered in the entry form. Open matches are just that, even those that restrict certain prizes to county residents.

The NSRA website carries details of some upcoming events, when the organisers tell them. Otherwise lookat your county/regional association website, and for neighbouring areas if you want to travel. There is usually a Welsh contingent at most Somerset meetings, as these are held outside Bristol.

[Hemmers]

NSRA membership is only a requirement for NSRA matches, the August Bisley meeting, the Scottish, the British 10m champs.

I'm going to be a bit of a pedant and point out that membership is not required for entering the NSRA Meetings, only the Postals. There is however a surcharge for people who are not members. So it'll cost you more, but you don't need to be a member.

Entries for the NSRA-Eley Postal are open until December 5th. It's run through clubs (the Secretary scores the cards locally for Round 1).

As others have mentioned - the Welsh Open is on at Sport Wales over the 16/17th. Go and meet people, potentially join the WAA and get on their mailing list, etc.