Ok, so I guess what I'm asking is 'do I get a gun?'
I have no problem with shooting, in fact it's something I've fancied doing for a long time. I it's just something that I've not been brought up with so is a bit alien to me -I'm not one of the hunting, shooting, fishing set, nor does it naturally occur to me to go clay pigeon shooting or anything similar. I've never been out shooting bunnies or pigeons (much as I would have loved to, for the pot).
So has anyone any ideas on the best way to go with this? Is a gun club a good idea?
Is it worth learning to shoot?
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preppingsu
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
I would say pop along to your local gun club and have a chat to the members. They will give pointers on what you could get.
Air rifle is a good start.
Obviously, shotguns need a licence and all the added safety bits along with it but could be a goal to work towards.
However there are more experienced gun owners on here you will probably wan to add more!
Air rifle is a good start.
Obviously, shotguns need a licence and all the added safety bits along with it but could be a goal to work towards.
However there are more experienced gun owners on here you will probably wan to add more!
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
Probably not a bad idea joining a club, may be a fair chance of bumping into other local preppers too, but having said that if you live somewherre which has a garden, you can learn the basics with an airgun on your own property especially if it has a wall to stop any misses.
I have a strategy, it's not written in stone, nor can it be, this scenario has too many variables, everything about it depends on those variables, being specific is not possible.
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
yep joining a gun club is a good idea for one you can learn to shoot correctly and use the clubs guns under supervision, then if or when you apply for either a sc or fac you are in much better stand and more likely to get one
Ready for Anything
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Area 8
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Area 8
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metatron
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
I'd not bother joining a gun club right now. A lot of clubs do open shoot days, go along and have a go. I'd also recommend getting a cheap used air riffle and shoot some cans as clay's are not for everyone. If you find that you like riffle shooting more than shotguns, there are a lot of clubs that are smallbore rifle clubs which means .22
If you find you enjoy the sport, than join a club.
Even if you find shooting is not for you, a air riffle is a good thing to have in your preps, as its a great tool to get small game. If you can hit a can at the end of a gardon, you can hit a squirrel up a tree sitting on a branch. You may not need or want to hunt at the moment but it nice to have the option if that need comes.
If you find you enjoy the sport, than join a club.
Even if you find shooting is not for you, a air riffle is a good thing to have in your preps, as its a great tool to get small game. If you can hit a can at the end of a gardon, you can hit a squirrel up a tree sitting on a branch. You may not need or want to hunt at the moment but it nice to have the option if that need comes.
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
I think it depends on what you are planning to shoot and why and also to do a full cost versus benefit analysis first before you commit yourself.
If its hunting small or medium sized game then a slingshot (catapult) or a slingshot modified for a sling bow would be ideal so long as you can always keep some rubber and leather and to make sure that it doesn't perish to act as the "black powder". Also keep a stock of parcel string or similar to fasten the bands to the frame.
Some use thin strips or rubber to attach the bands to the frame, I personally have just had more success with string.
Slingshots are cheap and comparatively low maintenance.
Be aware that hunting with arrows is currently illegal though. However practicing in the garden is good fun.
If its hunting small or medium sized game then a slingshot (catapult) or a slingshot modified for a sling bow would be ideal so long as you can always keep some rubber and leather and to make sure that it doesn't perish to act as the "black powder". Also keep a stock of parcel string or similar to fasten the bands to the frame.
Some use thin strips or rubber to attach the bands to the frame, I personally have just had more success with string.
Slingshots are cheap and comparatively low maintenance.
Be aware that hunting with arrows is currently illegal though. However practicing in the garden is good fun.
reperio a solutio
Resident and Co-Ordinator of AREA 2
Area 2 = Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bucks
Resident and Co-Ordinator of AREA 2
Area 2 = Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bucks
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Triple_sod
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
I’d say go for it,
Obviously it might seem a bit daunting to the un-initiated but once your though the initial application process it’s all good.
Defiantly want to join a club even if you’re just going to get a shotgun, apart from anything it’s pretty inhumane to use live quarry as ‘target practice’. Besides from what I’ve herd unless you own the land yourself it apparently can be hard to get a firearms granted solely on the basis of 1 permission.
Plus chances are they’ll be someone there willing to help you out with the actual application process, although to be honest it’s hardly rocket science.
Obviously it might seem a bit daunting to the un-initiated but once your though the initial application process it’s all good.
Defiantly want to join a club even if you’re just going to get a shotgun, apart from anything it’s pretty inhumane to use live quarry as ‘target practice’. Besides from what I’ve herd unless you own the land yourself it apparently can be hard to get a firearms granted solely on the basis of 1 permission.
Plus chances are they’ll be someone there willing to help you out with the actual application process, although to be honest it’s hardly rocket science.
Is it worth learning to shoot?
Find your local clay, air rifle and target rifle clubs and arrange to have a look and to try it out and meet some people. This will cost you very little, so you can see what you want to take up.
Shooting is a great sport, and you can meet some fantastic people!
I do a couple of different types of shooting, and dip in and out of each depending on what I feel like doing. I shoot because I enjoy it, and always have. The prepping aspect, that I could hunt for my own food is a bonus but not my sole reason for doing so.
Beware, if you get bitten by the bug it can (but doesn't have to be) an expensive hobby!!
Shooting is a great sport, and you can meet some fantastic people!
I do a couple of different types of shooting, and dip in and out of each depending on what I feel like doing. I shoot because I enjoy it, and always have. The prepping aspect, that I could hunt for my own food is a bonus but not my sole reason for doing so.
Beware, if you get bitten by the bug it can (but doesn't have to be) an expensive hobby!!
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail - Benjamin Franklin
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Andraste
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
Thanks for the input everyone. There are a few options around here as far a clubs go. I've found a couple of places that do clay pigeon shooting, they all do taster sessions and tuition. And there's another place that you can join for three months, I think, and use their equipment, after which you can work out whether you want to carry on, so buy your own gear, or jack it in.
I think it kind of boils down to either getting an air rifle, and what I could feasibly do with it, or joining a proper club, learning properly and having a legally owned, but more high-powered gun. Both arguments have their pros and cons, and to be honest, I could go either or both routes. From a prepping/protection point of view, my OH says that faced with someone who looks like they know what they're doing and pointing a gun at you, anyone would think twice about taking things further. But of course there's the game/food aspect too. I guess this is one to give more thought to.
I think it kind of boils down to either getting an air rifle, and what I could feasibly do with it, or joining a proper club, learning properly and having a legally owned, but more high-powered gun. Both arguments have their pros and cons, and to be honest, I could go either or both routes. From a prepping/protection point of view, my OH says that faced with someone who looks like they know what they're doing and pointing a gun at you, anyone would think twice about taking things further. But of course there's the game/food aspect too. I guess this is one to give more thought to.
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BristolDave
Re: Is it worth learning to shoot?
Hi. I would recommend either a gun club or an organized shooting day. I had a fun hour doing clay pigeon shooting a few weeks ago. It cost £25 and I got to experience the weight and feel of shotgun shooting. The place I went to (called Mendip Clays) also had an air rifle range and rifle hire, which was another fun hour.
I also attended a local .22 live fire club for a few weeks but found it a little tedious. The understandably strict health and safety meant that it could take 20 minutes to fire 10 shots. It wasn't for me.
There is an organization called the hunter field target association that may have a branch near you. As the name suggests they air rifle shoot at various targets in a simulated hunting situation, so there are standing, kneeling and prone shots needed throughout the course. I've not done it but this is something I would like to get into myself.
I would caution you on firing any weapons in your back garden. The law states you must be over 10 meters from a public access point, which is very difficult for most of us. Also a lot of modern air weapons look like 'real' guns which could scare your neighbors. This then becomes a firearms offense as you only have to 'believe' the weapon is a real firearm for an offense to be committed. You wouldn't want a police armed response unit turning up at your door.
Wherever they sell air guns/shot guns near you should be able to give you advice on what facilities are available nearby.
BD
I also attended a local .22 live fire club for a few weeks but found it a little tedious. The understandably strict health and safety meant that it could take 20 minutes to fire 10 shots. It wasn't for me.
There is an organization called the hunter field target association that may have a branch near you. As the name suggests they air rifle shoot at various targets in a simulated hunting situation, so there are standing, kneeling and prone shots needed throughout the course. I've not done it but this is something I would like to get into myself.
I would caution you on firing any weapons in your back garden. The law states you must be over 10 meters from a public access point, which is very difficult for most of us. Also a lot of modern air weapons look like 'real' guns which could scare your neighbors. This then becomes a firearms offense as you only have to 'believe' the weapon is a real firearm for an offense to be committed. You wouldn't want a police armed response unit turning up at your door.
Wherever they sell air guns/shot guns near you should be able to give you advice on what facilities are available nearby.
BD