Interested in target shooting - what to do next?

Tengu

I am a complete newbie and want to get into target shooting, what will I need to do and were do I go to make a start, I have no previous experience
and could use some advice.

It wasn't me!

Tengu wrote: »

I am a complete newbie and want to get into target shooting, what will I need to do and were do I go to make a start, I have no previous experience
and could use some advice.

Have you any idea what sort of target shooting you'd like to do? There are a multitude available. Rifle? Pistol? Shotgun? Olympic-style? Long or short ranges? It's easy to advise if you have a clearer picture of what you want.

If you're unsure and just want to get into the sport, then my advice is to wangle yourself invitations to as many ranges covering as many disciplines as possible, then wait until one gives you a massive <enthusiastic> grin and go with that one. Problem is, most of them do that to me, and it's an expensive game.

Ultimately however, if you've never shot before, you're going to want to make sure you join somewhere that allows you to use a .22lr rifle to learn with, as it will teach you important fundamentals that are necessary for any other form of shooting. It's cheap and fun. After that, if you decide you want to do other things, you can add them, but nobody is going to advise you learn on a fullbore rifle, both for reasons of safety and expense involved.

Tengu

Thanks a mill for that, I am interested in rifle and pistol shooting, simple target practice rather than olympic rules, do you have a list of clubs I can apply for membership?

It wasn't me!

Tengu wrote: »

Thanks a mill for that, I am interested in rifle and pistol shooting, simple target practice rather than olympic rules, do you have a list of clubs I can apply for membership?

Here's a decent list to get you started. Depending on where you're based, the Midlands has everything you could really want to do. Fantastic facility.

Sparks

Tengu wrote: »

simple target practice rather than olympic rules

Just as an aside on that one, "olympic rules" in Ireland, when you're just starting off, only means that you're shooting at one of these:


instead of one of these:


or one of these:


or one of these:


or one of these:


or whatever.
When you get serious about competing, yes, all manner of stuff comes into play, but when you're just starting off, especially for pistol, it's really quite simple. Lots of people look at the really high end, the guys going for international competition and think it's off-putting (though frankly, F-Class costs about twice as much for a full setup and just about everything costs far more than ISSF for day-to-day running costs), but that's like thinking you can't cycle to the shops unless you're kitted out like Lance Armstrong
(And heck, I was shooting for three years before I ever learnt there was more than just the club I was in, let alone competitions with other folks or fancy kit or any of that).

Tengu

Thanks very much guys this i brilliant, I cna't wait to make a start into the sport, you've been a great help.

pajero2005

Hi, Just wondering if you know of any rifle ranges in the south-east? Just picked up a CZ .22 magnum and would like to zero the sight on a range.

sharky0922

i don;t want to start new topic..so..
same question like Tengu..what do i have do first?(i'm not from IE)
i;m interested in rifle target shooting, i was good in that in army..surprisingly to myself heh
i have to go to garda firs? shop? join club?
do i need licence? how hard it will be..since i;m not irishman..
what calibres are allowed?
:eek: too many question i know..
but when i asked i one shop they couldnt give me straigt answers..well maybe thats not their job :rolleyes: