Only applicable to centrefire, but its the one that I'm sure everyone thinks of when they think of making centrefire more accurate.......

RELOADING!!

Simple really.

For my part, seeing as I kicked this thing back to life:

For centrefire rifle, we need the ability to reload and form brass for various calibres for which factory ammunition is either ridiculously expensive (6BR) or non-existent (6.5-.284 Norma) or just not available here (plenty worth a mention). A mechanism along the lines of that used by our British counterparts would be entirely workable, and we don't see them having mad scientist type accidents, so it's safe too.

Closer to my own game, we could use more money. Having to be picky about what we send people to because we can only afford one or two competitions a year doesn't help. It's not something that we can rectify ourselves either without help. Significantly increased funding means more shooters sent abroad annually, getting exposed to a higher level of competition than is available here, which means higher levels generated here, which means more shooters fit to send abroad, which in net terms means more chance of bringing back silverware and such and therefore justifying the spending (So more investment yields disproportionately higher results).

Involvement on the part of shooters in key too. More shoulders at the wheel not only means more work getting done, it means more shooters are clued in to the administrative side of the sport, be it at club or NGB level, which means there's a greater degree of clarity across the board, less complaining and a better relationship with the NGB's. More work getting done is just as important. If your club has a few extra pairs of hands running matches, they can run more matches more easily, and that's a good thing.

Christ the list here could be endless:

More top class facilities:
Why do so many people play GAA. Simple really, every town has a GAA club. Lord knows this has improved no end in the last 10 years but clubs are still pretty thin on the ground in some areas, requiring long drives and time to get to them. It effectively makes practice impossible for lots of people.
If there were more facilities then there would be more places to shoot (obviously), more people would give it a try (well maybe not according to the outputs of the recent conference) more competitors, rivalry, higher standard etc etc

So if there was one thing I would do if I won the euro millions it would be to build a world class range or 3 as close to me as possible.

A few other things would be, one man, one license as in the UK and reloading.

Up the definition of a firearm from 1J to something that will allow the target stuff in (8-10J?). Air is the perfect place to start, but given it's as hard to get a licence for this, everyone just gets something bigger by default.

Ease of acquisition would undoubtedly increase ownership, and would consequently increase attendance at competition. Also, costs aren't prohibitive (why I do it) - EUR10 for 500 rounds of ammo - it's a no brainer. Without onerous licence restrictions, those that have bigger stuff may pick up an airgun just for the craic also.

You could also generate a lot of jobs (in theory) as we would likely develop a market similar to the UK where there's a major following for the plinkers in the sub 12ft/lb area.

It really all does come down to money really!, doesnt it??

A regular coaching program, even once every few months would be a start!, and thats from beginner right through to international shooters.

If more younger people and juniors could be brought in and coached then although its gonna take a while to filter through to them shooting top level it will eventually happen!

And then its down to training on similar equipment to those used at international shoots, eg single bull targets!

I think its too late for some of us but the younger members could be the way to go!!;)

My one thing would be for people to try as many different shooting disciplines as possible. Too many people here have formed negative opinions, spread false rumours, etc about certain shooting disciplines without ever actually trying them out, or learning anything about them or getting to know the community.

I myself have tried IPSC, ISSF, WA1500, timed precision, benchrest pistol, benchrest rifle, gallery rifle, air rifle, sporting clays and DTL so far. I've enjoyed all of them though of course I have my favorites, and have met some great people in each community.

However there are many people who stick to only one discipline and look down on, or bad mouth people from others. That has to stop. All of these shooting disciplines are legitimate and should as accessible to Irish people as they are to people in most other EU states.

The coming together of all the leading bodies in the shooting sports for the benefit of all the people that are involved in the shooting sports.

Get rid of the politics, crap and money makers that are sucking the sport dry.

Sikamick