Shotgun noobie

[The Black Rabbit]

After my first experience of shooting a proper gun (a 12bore shotgun) ;last weekend,

I AM HOOKED!

Managed to hit 15 out of 25 clays, the last 8 of which were more than a little difficult - shooting THROUGH foliage!

Any one point me in the right direction for good starter guns (just for CLAYS) (maybe 500-1000 poonds), and a little beginners advice - should I join a club, how easy it is to get a licence etc...?

Many thanks.

TBR

[coasty]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

After my first experience of shooting a proper gun (a 12bore shotgun) ;last weekend,

I AM HOOKED!

Managed to hit 15 out of 25 clays, the last 8 of which were more than a little difficult - shooting THROUGH foliage!

Any one point me in the right direction for good starter guns (just for CLAYS) (maybe 500-1000 poonds), and a little beginners advice - should I join a club, how easy it is to get a licence etc...?

Many thanks.

TBR

HEHEHEHEHE kinda addictive aint it....Got into it big style a few years ago...
You will enjoy it . I would say find your nearest centre and book a beginers course /day they will have guns you can use. I would say hold of buying your own till you feel comfy shooting then you will be a better judge of what feels right for you...

[The Black Rabbit]

Cheers Andy.
Yeah - good advice I spose, though my local club is more than a little poncey, with prices to match!!!
Doug

[salukiwhippet]

Get along to the CLA gamefair at the end of the month, great introduction to countrysports, or try to get in with a local 'keeper. Whereabouts in the country are you?

James

[salukiwhippet]

Oops, just noticed you're only looking to get into clayshooting (I blame the cider!). A club is the way forward then. As far as getting an SGC, as long as you've got a cabinet, the required fee, a place to shoot (club?), a clean bill of mental health and a clean(ish) criminal record, you have the right to own a shotgun.
Your budget will easily buy you a suitable gun, but that's a fair way down the line. Get some lessons is the best advice, yes it's expensive but its a good grounding and probably the only way to get into it if you don't know anyone who shoots and you're only interested in clays.

James

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by salukiwhippet

Get along to the CLA gamefair at the end of the month, great introduction to countrysports, or try to get in with a local 'keeper. Whereabouts in the country are you?

James

Cheers James.
Used to go to the Gamefair in England AND Scotland each year when I game-fished a bit - but always looked at the guns with a pair of green eyes!
Thanks for the advice re the SGC.
Ta.
TBR

[forfi]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

shooting THROUGH foliage!

I see.Sorry to sound like a grouch [which I am,really I am] but if anyone shoots through foliage [at any height ] on my patch,it is their last time.Clear target or hold your fire.Then there wont be so many "accidents" .Elf and safety lecture over for today

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by forfi

I see.Sorry to sound like a grouch [which I am,really I am] but if anyone shoots through foliage [at any height ] on my patch,it is their last time.Clear target or hold your fire.Then there wont be so many "accidents" .Elf and safety lecture over for today

I used to go beating, very pleasant day out, couple of beers, good company. Next to us they had paying guests, I asked one of the regular beaters there what it was like and his comment was "If they're Americans, keep down on your hands and knees. Parted my hair last week".

[forfi]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

I used to go beating, very pleasant day out, couple of beers, good company. Next to us they had paying guests, I asked one of the regular beaters there what it was like and his comment was "If they're Americans, keep down on your hands and knees. Parted my hair last week".

and beware of Walts. Its OK for a chap stationed in Iraq or Afwanistan to shoot through doors and walls and foliage but not the done thing in Ruritania.

[The Black Rabbit]

Thankyou for your help Forfi.

[forfi]

Think nothing of it my friend,ol' forfi is always ready to help out when it comes to preserving life and limb.Another tip,do not get into the habit of wandering about with the weapon over your arm with 2 cartridges in the breech,this is a no-no.Many folks do carry out this practice but try from day one to get into the habit of holding your next 2 rounds in your hand.If you can't load lock and shoot and hit your target then you are a bit on the slow side.The surgeons in Wexford Regional did some excellent work on my neighbours hand after he knocked the butt of his gun and took most of his hand off,he still has two usable fingers and can drive.

[forfi]

But to matters practical.I have a Basque DB 12 bore side-by side, a cheap and cheerful gun with a shorter than normal barrel which makes it an excellent working tool.I do not shoot for sport,only on occasion for the pot and for controlling vermin [including the species which enters a chaps property at 4 am to see if the drive needs some tarmacadam or the roof needs mending ] This make would perhaps suit for clay shooting? Laws on gun ownership in the UK have reached the point of farce in recent years so I can't help you there.Perhaps you could join a gang ?