Spring rifle gathering

[imorik]

Right, without wishing to dampen the enthusiasm for this project, I can assure you it's going to be a lot harder to get it sorted than most could possibly imagine.

First, I'm afraid that what appears to be unlimited enthusiasm on here may not represent quite as much in the real world. In my experience, ten forum promises to attend equates to one person actually making it on the day. Also, if you're going to 'sell' the idea to a business, you'll need to guarantee a viable turnout. I think you'd be better off organising something around an existing event, where at least some of the interested parties will be going anyway. Kelmarsh or the Midland Game Fair are good meeting points, with camping facilities on hand.

I'd love to bring some springers to a meet, and I'd certainly give it publicity in the mags, so keep me posted and good luck with it.

How about the Btitish Recoiling Championship competition being held at Anston FTC on 24/03/2013

http://www.shooting-the-breeze.com/f...ad.php?t=14336

[bigtoe01]

Depends when it is Tony...im off to Germany start of March for CEBIT so can't do then...can do after however no problem.

The best bet would be to try and get T 20 to come along also and bring the 35 so we need to give him time to get it finished..i can bring the 80's (may have 4 by then..one in each calibre and all will have different stroke)

It really needs to be somewhere that is ubber secure if staying over night, somewhere that the guns can be locked away safely and securely.

I will say this, a mate gave me a report on the new Atherton range, cheap to shoot, 45 yards, indoors etc, close to a motorway etc...although its north of Manchester, but its really what you want to be looking at maybe.

[TonyL]

Right, without wishing to dampen the enthusiasm for this project, I can assure you it's going to be a lot harder to get it sorted than most could possibly imagine.

First, I'm afraid that what appears to be unlimited enthusiasm on here may not represent quite as much in the real world. In my experience, ten forum promises to attend equates to one person actually making it on the day. Also, if you're going to 'sell' the idea to a business, you'll need to guarantee a viable turnout. I think you'd be better off organising something around an existing event, where at least some of the interested parties will be going anyway. Kelmarsh or the Midland Game Fair are good meeting points, with camping facilities on hand.

I'd love to bring some springers to a meet, and I'd certainly give it publicity in the mags, so keep me posted and good luck with it.

Thank you for your considered input, Mr D.

I take on your valued comments.

I don't think we ought to be into "selling" the event as such. Maybe being hosted by an existing club would be good. I like the idea of tying it in with something else, but I'm thinking that it might dilute our big occasion a little? Dunno!

Any publicity would be nice and I think the charity idea's a good thing.

And, yes, we would all love you to be there, sharing your expert views and showing us the way with the lovely Emily in hand!

Can I have a go on her??

[TonyL]

Depends when it is Tony...im off to Germany start of March for CEBIT so can't do then...can do after however no problem.

The best bet would be to try and get T 20 to come along also and bring the 35 so we need to give him time to get it finished..i can bring the 80's (may have 4 by then..one in each calibre and all will have different stroke)

It really needs to be somewhere that is ubber secure if staying over night, somewhere that the guns can be locked away safely and securely.

I will say this, a mate gave me a report on the new Atherton range, cheap to shoot, 45 yards, indoors etc, close to a motorway etc...although its north of Manchester, but its really what you want to be looking at maybe.

Tone,

This event simply HAS to tie in with both yourself and T20. It simply would not be the same without our pioneering BBS duo!!

You and Mick are a given and I'm sure that literally hundreds of fellow spring gun enthusiasts will want to meet you both, put a face to a name and feel how sweet your rifles shoot!

I feel that there is very much a spring gun revival happening right now, and so much of this is down to the Stirling work you two have done. And your ethos is brilliant.....to share all your ideas with all and sundry, no "trade" secrets, just honest, open advice.

The idea always revolved around the presence of yourself and Mick. I'd love to have Jim Tyler there and Dr Mike.

Then the spring gun fans.

For an extra bonus, it would be fantastic to have some of the professional tuners there, and also some blasts from the past....just think if we could get Steve Pope to come along and also bring the old man with him. That would be fantastic for me. A previous poster has already mentioned Ken Turner.

Air Arms could turn up with their short stroke .20 cal TX200!!!

Personally, I'm open on location. As long as I'm within three hours or so, that's fine by me. I know that we won't be able to keep everyone happy, even if we go for the geographical centre.. But, for me, meeting up face to face and just speaking with the chaps who we converse with on a regular basis will be as much fun as seeing and potentially trying some of the hardware.
The range you mention sounds fine to me, what do our more southern shooters think to it?

Timing wise, I'm thinking more like May or June, when we have those long (and hopefully balmy) evenings.

[TonyL]

Anywhere's a long way from here, it's over 100 miles to the nearest bit of motorway! Geographically speaking, the centre of the Britain (excl n Ireland) is Haltwhistle on the A69.
If its a weekend I can do and within striking distance I'll be there.

Very educational, the BBS.
You learn something new every day!
Without looking at a map, I'd have never guessed that the centre of Britain would be in Northumberland, and not a million miles form Hadrian's wall!

I'm up for it, but the location has to suit the very many.

[bozzer]

I'd go for Kelmarsh at Easter.

There will be over 300 airgun shooters there shooting the World HFT comp. Probably only 30 springer shooters in the comp but many of the pcp men will own springers.

It's over 2 days and has camping, toilets, bars, food stalls. So everything you need.

There will be other stalls of interest to airgun shooters. MTC are usually there and Terry is normally there too.

I'd suggest a meet at an event like that and see how many turn up. If it goes really well then maybe think about what you want to do the next year.

There has been lots and lots of talk about springers and tuning and FT/HFT for a few years now ... but take a look at how many actually shoot springers at the comps. I'll admit this winter I've seen a few more appearing but not as many as the interest on the net suggests. If a s/h HW77 in 0.177 comes up cheapish it's snapped up in minutes ... presumably to be tuned up. Where are all these guns on Sundays at comps? There must be hundreds of beardy blokes stinking of wee hiding in cupboards stroking their tuned springers, peeping out and wondering what it's actually like shooting at a target.

[Black Beard]

I'd go for somewhere nearer Birmingham. To start I'd either think very small with no facilities (do it around a pub/B&B), small around a camp site or try and attach it on to an existing shooting event.

Kelmarsh is an excellent site and easy to get to- it has only flooded once (I was there).

Security around non-FAC airguns is not difficult if they are locked up in cars.

Things like toilets, water, security guards, sign posting, insurance become difficult/expensive if you try to do a big event yourself. You probably don't want a big outlay in cash and effort and then find that no one turns up because of the weather. You can de-risk this for yourself by tagging it on an existing event.

[paul james]

Subject to health and other commitments, i would love to attend. Location isn't important if it's in the UK.

[darren m]

Kibworth is a great shooting ground , with good facilitys and a good shop. dont know if there is any camping near though.
not just saying that because its near-ish to me (approx 50 miles ) , but you could call it the "Midland spring bash " or similar

[TonyL]

I'd go for somewhere nearer Birmingham. To start I'd either think very small with no facilities (do it around a pub/B&B), small around a camp site or try and attach it on to an existing shooting event.

t.

Sounds like a plan.
Maybe a nice, friendly farmer, with a decent pub nearby?

[TonyL]

Kibworth is a great shooting ground , with good facilitys and a good shop. dont know if there is any camping near though.
not just saying that because its near-ish to me (approx 50 miles ) , but you could call it the "Midland spring bash " or similar

Sounds feasible, too.

How about "Boinger bash"?

We could just do it very informally at a small venue.

Then I think about having it at an indoor venue. As it's the good old UK, the best laid plans etc. etc.....

How about the place where Bigtoe shoots, Dukinfield, near Mancester, on a Sunday?

[TonyL]

There has been lots and lots of talk about springers and tuning and FT/HFT for a few years now ... but take a look at how many actually shoot springers at the comps. I'll admit this winter I've seen a few more appearing but not as many as the interest on the net suggests. If a s/h HW77 in 0.177 comes up cheapish it's snapped up in minutes ... presumably to be tuned up. Where are all these guns on Sundays at comps? There must be hundreds of beardy blokes stinking of wee hiding in cupboards stroking their tuned springers, peeping out and wondering what it's actually like shooting at a target.

This thing simply just HAS to happen.
Because springers are so user friendly and accessible, many of the owners are "hobby" owners. Guys who are happy just owning them and, to a degree, tinkering with them. They range from humble junior, basic break barrels, to expensive fixed barrelled guns running synthetic bearings and whole sale improvements.

Some will be competition shooters, others not.

Let's get this thing going and meet up for the sheer joy and appreciation of our beloved boingers.

Even if it ends up being a small gathering of twenty or so of us, it doesn't matter......

LET'S JUST DO IT!!!!!

[fatwelshboy]

I'd travel to a meet, so long as its not on a BFTA GP weekend.

[bigtoe01]

Try to keep it to 1 day, early start, etc...im worried about bringing more than 1 gun down and them being safe if we stay over night somewhere. My rifles are insured but there are limits to how many are taken out and with all the time i put into them i need to know they are safe.

[TonyL]

A one day meet is fine with me, Tone, and I can fully understand where you're coming from as regards security etc.

How feasible would it be for your local club at Dukinfield to host it, and maybe provide something like a buffet lunch if we were all to pre-pay a little money to assure them that it's happening?

Early start over breakfast...shoot..chat..shoot..chat etc. lunch, more shooting and chatting.

If this venue is suitable and can handle the numbers, how do some of you other chaps feel about this location?

When I looked in on the site a few weeks ago, Tone, it looked good!