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Getting started
Having decided to try shooting as a sport the next step is to find a club which can provide the introduction and instruction that a beginner requires.
Finding a club
Types of club
Selecting a club
Arranging a first session
Options available for younger shooters
Finding a club
Find a local club - contact them about having a starter session and take it from there. Use our extensive list of local clubs to find one near you. (click here for more)
Almost all clubs will be able to provide a rifle and other shooting kit for people who want to try shooting for the first time - or even come back to shooting after some time away from the sport. Clubs will have qualified coaches who can take you through the basics of getting into the right position, how to aim correctly and will have you firing live rounds, safely, in no time at all.
Types of club
Home Office approved – These clubs are registered with, and have been approved by, the Home office and operate in a manor which enables newcomers to the sport to shoot as probationary members whilst learning
Non Home Office approved – These clubs have fewer than 10 people that run within specific guidelines, for example, all members must have their own Fire Arms Certificate and no weapons or ammunition can be stored at the range. More information on these clubs is available from the Home Office
N.S.R.A. affiliated – A club can be affiliated to the N.S.R.A. irrespective of whether it is Home Office approved. The N.S.R.A. affiliation gives clubs access to a wide range of competitions and qualifications and provides insurance for the club members and third parties.
Selecting a club
Having identified clubs within a specific area the next important step is to contact the club (or clubs) and arrange a visit to their range. The directories and information sources used to locate clubs (as described above) will often include details of the club secretary or another person to contact about enquiries. If contact details are unavailable it is often possible to ask for information at another club in the same area. Clubs within close geographical distance often compete against each other and will know the right person to phone or email. If all else fails the N.S.R.A. can be very helpful in initiating contact with a club.
You are encouraged to make enquires at a number of clubs in order to help chose the most appropriate one. Some questions that could be asked are:
* Is the club Home Office approved and what is the expiry date for the approval?
* Number of members?
* Is the club a member of the N.S.R.A.?
* What number of qualified Range Conducting Officers, Club Instructors and Club Coaches does the club have?
* If the applicant is under 18 years old and will not be shooting with a parent or guardian present the club coaches need to be CRB checked
Clubs vary in size and will have different numbers of qualified instructors and Range Officers. These differences can have an effect on the type of experience a new shooter will have. It is recommended that newcomers to the sport aim to join Home Office approved clubs which have N.S.R.A. membership because this provides the greatest opportunity to develop in the sport and allows access to a wide range of events and courses. Clubs with a small number of members can be just as good as clubs with large memberships, for new starters the important factors will be the availability of instructors. It is possible to change clubs and this provides the opportunity to learn at a club with an instructor and then move to another club that may be more convenient for travel etc.
Sometimes clubs may not be able to take new starters, this can be because of a shortage of equipment, instructors or space in the club to provide the support required by a newcomer to the sport. It is rare that a club will turn away someone who is interested in shooting without a very good reason, usually there will be a waiting list that can be joined or the club may suggest other clubs in the area who do have space.
Arranging a first session and Probationary membership
People who want to try shooting and who do not already hold a Fire Arms Certificate must apply for probationary membership to a club before they are able to shoot. The probation application form should be obtained from the club prior to the first session and will ask for details about the applicant including their full name, address, signature of parent or guardian (if the applicant is under the age of 16) and details of two independent referees. These details will be forwarded to the police and references will be sought. This initial information check and the police process should not take long as each club should have a person appointed as police liaison officer whom they can contact regularly.
The probationary period lasts a minimum of 3 months after which time the probationary member can apply to become a full members of the club. There is no set fee for probationary membership although there may be a cost and the clubs will make this clear to the applicant. Some clubs may provide a free first session but most will charge a small fee to cover the cost of the ammunition. Sessions may be held on specific nights of the week, once a month or any time at all and this all depends on the set up of the club in question.
The first session should include a safety briefing, introduction to the rifle and other shooting equipment as well as some of the basics of shooting. The reader should be aware that not all clubs will allow newcomers to shoot on their first session, instead the safety, orientation and theory topics will be covered and the second session will be when shooting can begin. This process can be beneficial if probationary membership has been applied for but not confirmed as it allows some additional time for the membership to be processed and still provides benefit to the new shooter through the theory lessons.
Options available to younger shooters
If a person who is under 18 years of age wishes learn to shoot but is unable to join a Smallbore club there are other options available. Organisations such as Scouts, Guides, Adventure scouts and the Cadet forces (ATC, CCF etc) can often provide a fun and safe environment in which to learn to shoot, as well as providing a multitude of other activities.
Many of these groups offer air rifle shooting and some also offer Smallbore rifle shooting at their own facilities or through use of a local smallbore rifle club. Air rifle shooting shares many of the skills required for smallbore rifle shooting. Key differences are in the storage, ownership and location of use of the air rifles and ammunition. In this case air rifle shooting can be just as enjoyable and equally satisfying to master and the skills can be transferred to smallbore shooting at a later date.
Shooting can also form part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Learning to shoot as part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme may involve a short course of about 10 weeks but can provide an introduction into a lifelong interest in the sport. When contacting a club about learning to shoot for any scheme like this make sure this intention is clearly stated at the start.