Cass wrote: »

I suppose the main question to the OP is what type of shooting is he interested in?

Gallery rifle is completely different to F-Class so no point in looking at one if it's the other that suits. If it is Gallery then HH or some similar range would be better as they cater for these type of comps. If it's short, medium or long range target shooting then the MNSCI is the only range to look at as it's the only range in the country that caters for it.

Just replying to both of your comments here cass.

Ye I had a look on the website of MNSCI and it says student under 18, which is basically juvenile price. I was'wondering is there a full student fee considering almost all third level students are over 18 its quite a grey zone and ideally all age and social groups should have a fair chance of joining. Although I do want to practice long range at the moment my priority is to get the cheapest solution as I'm buying a rifle and security measures and also a range membership. Im doing it out of my own pocket as I have no intention to take out a loan.

That being said, even if I start a member of one range, once I'm up and running I will probably join a second range by the summer. It's the first time I'm applying for a centrefire licence so I want to make sure everything is good to go before I even apply. So basically what i'm saying is I will probably end up with memberships to both HH and MNSCI by the summer but price will dictate which one I join first.

Cass wrote: »

Regarding the student fees i'd recommend ringing JP on the number on the website. The quickest way to contact him. HE'll set you straight as i cannot say for definite as i'm not in charge there.

Thanks for the tip I'll give him a call tomorrow.

Cass wrote: »

I really don't want to come across as being a dick, and i understand what you're saying, but we all pay for our shooting out of our own pocket. At the height of my shooting i had 13 firearms. That meant 13 licenses, 3 gun safes for the guns, one for bolts, and a separate storage area for ammo, range membership, equipment, accessories, and expenses for participating. Not to mention competition fees, travel, etc.

The range membership, for any range, is possibly the smallest fee you will face. The gun, safes, ammo, equipment (and you will need gear), then the actual traveling to the range will be a larger cost, per annum.

As said above you really need to decide what type of shooting you want to do, pick a range that suits your needs, and then go for the gun and gear you need to participate in that discipline.

Well I stated in my first post that the only way to figure this out is to talk to those who have been on this path, so by no means are you coming across as a dick, if anything your making it easier for me !

Just to clarify when I stated I was paying out of my own pocket I was not suggesting everyone else didn't do the same, I was just providing the basis of my budgetary constraints. I apologise if it came across the wrong way.

I get what you are saying about owning so many firearms and practicing so many disciplines but you obviously started with one or a small number atleast.

The situation for me is that I can only focus on one rifle and one range at the moment because of security costs and range costs, once I get started I am clear to focus funds on solely range memberships and I could purchase specialised firearms every 6 months if I wanted it's just the start is a large amount of money.

So I'm going for an all rounder (Steyr Elite) and I got a fantastic deal on it even though it's brand new thanks to a close friend being related to the dealer. Chances are once I start aiming outside the 600-800m range I will need to make another purchase however until then I have a nice all rounder that is also good should I apply for a stalking licence in the future.

The deal I'm getting combined with the attributes of the rifle would allow me to go for HH and MNSCI as well as stalking should I acquire a licence to do so. That saves me money and covers me for a few years atleast. You see, I'm 25, I don't drink , I don't smoke and I have no other hobbies, I'm so stingy I bought my brother socks for his birthday... some might call me boring hahaha. The only thing I'm interested in is getting started on a target range I'm absolutely adamant that I take it up, I have no where else to pour my spare cash, I'm in it for the long run. But my sole problem is that spare cash I want to pour into it isn't in a large bundle but it's building up by a small amount each week.

All that being said don't think your being a Dick by giving me advice and helping me get started at something I'm so desperate to take up. Whether you criticize my decisions or guide them I'll take all of your advice in, experience is the best teacher.

Thanks for your replies.

Cass wrote: »

When i said "i don't want to sound like a dick" all i meant was i did not want to come across as gruff and have my post sound like i'm being dismissive or flippant.

I started like anyone else. Granted it was some 25 years ago (for my first gun, 30+ years since i started shooting with my Father). I bought the cheapest gun i could to get started. A CZ Brno in 22lr. Then a shotgun, then a more expensive .22lr for targets, then a .243 for hunting, then a 6.5x55, then it really snowballed. AS said above at the height of my shooting i had 13 firearms. Ranging from pistols, to shoguns, to rifles of every sort. Bolt action, semi auto, O/U, etc.

You are on the right path in terms of picking one gun that will fulfill multiple necessities. The Steyr will do you perfectly for hunting, stalking, short to medium range target work, and everything in between. You'll find yourself buying bits and pieces both as you need them, and even when you don't. When you get the next level in your shooting you can decide to upgrade or go for a second gun.

Shooting is addictive and costs can spiral out of control if you let it. The cost can be managed in terms off stick within a set budget and there is always something you can do for it. As i said above about ranges, it i really important you choose the right range for your needs. HH have a 50 ntr range. So perfect for Gallery and zeroing guns. However if you want to do target shooting you need a longer range and that is where the Midlands come into play. However if you see yourself shooting Gallery rifle more than long range, and possibly see yourself going for a pistol then you need to think that HH accommodate these more so than MNSCI so go with HH.

It's all well and good joining both, but first you need to join the one that provides the best "bang for your buck". Then you can join others at a later date. I say this so you don't think either myself of Clivej are recruiting agents for both ranges. It's no skin of either of our noses which you join, but it has to be right for your needs.

Ye I see what you mean by the amount of money that one can spend when it comes to shooting but to be honest I don't think I can put a price on something I enjoy that much. The way I see it I can spend thousands over the next few years on the beer and entrance fees to pubs or I can spend thousands on something I don't regret the next morning.

Ye once I've set up and started I have no problem buying bits and pieces as I go along, Im just trying to minimize the cost of my initial investment ( emphasis on investment )....Just to give me an idea of what down the line, could you give me some examples of what kit I would be buying ? Are we talking rangefinders and other gucci stuff or things I will find absolutely necessary ? As for purchasing some gear, well I already own pelters and ballistic glasses, I have the gun safe (need to buy two more smaller safes for ammunition and bolt storage and a trigger lock).

I'm planning on visiting the two ranges to get an idea of how the people are there and how things work safety wise (I'm fairly adamant on range safety as I have witnessed a range accident in the past). I know HH allows it but do you know if MNSCI would let me spend a day or two up there just to meet people and see if I like it ?

To be honest speaking to you and clivej is great because it shows me the tpye of people I will be shooting alongside once I start and its great to see that you are open to helping newcomers as I will be looking to learn as much as possible from everyone there.

clivej wrote: »

Cheers Cass you have covered it points nice and clear for the OP.

I'm new to this shooting, only on my second 3 year license's now, WTF SOME ARE DUE AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

I started with a CZ 22lr bolt action, shotgun, CZ 223 bolt action then the Sako 75 .308 bolt action, Rugeer 22lr semi-auto, AW 93 22lr pistol, Marlin 1894 38spl/357mag lever action.

I got my 308 with the intention of deek stalking, which I still do, and longer range target. I never got into the long range shooting and got the handgun and then went the gallery comp. route. After trying the gallery I was hooked and bought a Ruger 10/22 so I could also shoot the same comps. that I shot with the pistol. Then followed the lever action. now when I go to any of the National competitions I can shoot lots of details with my firearms.

If you can have FUN with a firearm then this is it. ;);)

Clive how difficult is it to get a license for Deer after you have been a member of a target range or does it matter ? As far as I know the caliber of rifle is what matters more or am I wrong ? Its just that down the line I want to do that myself.

clivej wrote: »

Deer license is free But that's only the start.
You have to get permission to hunt deer first from the owner of the shooting rights on the land and the said land total has to be 100 acres minimum.
Or pay and join a lease on either private land or collite forestry.

First things first get your rifle sorted.

Yeah you're right there anyway that is the main agenda for now, besides nothing hurts more than owning something but not being able to take it away from the seller haha.