Well i signed up for membership at my local rifle club last night and had a go with three firearms. just thought i'd share my newbie experience with you guys so the experienced ones can reminisce (sp?) and the ones that haven't tried it may be tempted to give it a try, cos it really is completely harmless but AWESOME fun
All I can say is... WOW!!!!
i was at the rifle club from 7:45 till 11pm and had 8 Details (10 shots per detail) on three different guns, Increasing the calibre each time.
I thought i'd skip air rifles as i've shot a few and they're all about the same, and went straight for a scoped .22 Rugar Bolt-Action Rimfire. it was quite exciting and i was nervous because i'd never fired a cartidge firearm before. the target was a match target, only 6 inches across, with the black higher scoring spot only 2 inches diameter, and the 10 spot 1/4 of an inch, set at 25 yards. the rifle was heavy, very heavy infact. twice as heavy as my air rifle and that's not light. as the nerves were making me shake a little i decided to take this one from resting on the bench. **CRACK** the first round hit 5 just 1/4 inch from the black circle, a small kick smell of spent powder, and a big grin on my face. the second shot hit 5 again. now used to the rifle and reloading mechanism and settling into it a bit more, gun still a bit wobbly, my next 8 shots all went into the black spot which scores 7,8,9 and 10 on the centre. 4 went into the 7, three into the 8, and my last shot was mostly into the 9 but because it just touched the highest 10 score, it counts as 10!! a total score of 72/100. not bad for my first ever go. I had 3 consecutive details booked on the chaulk board and decided to stick with this gun for the next 2 details. my second detail scored 76, and third 81. I was very impressed with myself
there was a short break between my next run of three details. many cigs were smoked to settle my shakes... i could've really done with a beer but then i wouldn't have been allowed to shoot (for a very good reason too!).
for my second group of 3 details I chose the Winchester .357 underlever with an open V sight. This gun was incredibly light. half the weight of my air rifle, so about 1/4 the weight of the Rugar. I felt confident then so decided to take this one from standing. the targets for open sights and high calibre rifles are bigger, about 10 inch overall diameter, with the black higher scoring (7+) 5 inches in diameter, the 10 spot is 1 inch. Knowing this firearm had a bit more punch to it, i breathed slow... relaxed and took my time. just as i was about to squeeze the trigger, then the fella in the booth next door to me loosed a .44 round that made me jump and shook me up
it was bloody loud even with ear defenders (and i later found out he was using 4.2 grains while the club ammo is 2). i got back to my aim and tried to settle. sqeezed the trigger and BANG! about 2 inches of muzzle bounce, a slight wobble with an impulsive scream of "WOOOOoooo!" from my lips and big grins later i looked down the site scopes they have to the side of every booth. I completely missed the target hehe... but i didn't care cos firing it was fun enough! hehe. my second shot also missed the target. my third fourth and fith hit the target, but missed the score circles. 6th and 7th hit 4, 8th 9th hit 5 and 6th hit 6. total score 24. my second detail was better but still missed the target completely on the first shot. the rest hit and scored and i got a 9 on one shot. total score 60. i'm guessing that's because the fella with the .44 wasn't there for that detail hehe. my third detail all shots scored, totalling 81. 5 shots of that were 9's, and 1 was a 10!!!! not bad for only my third go on a .357 with no scope and standing!
A short break and a few more cigs later i was feeling brave and picked up a .44 calibre underlever, very similar to the winchester but i forget the name. this one had a scope and was a bit heavier than the last, i'm assuming the scope added a bit but it wasn't a large scope. the target was the same size as the one for the winchester. i decided to take this one from the bench both because of weight and because of the loud bang i heard from the next booth because i wasn't sure of the kick. i only had two details with this one as it was getting late. it was quiet and no one else at this point was using anything loud enough to be heard through ear defenders, so i took my time and very gently squeezed the trigger..... BOOOOOOOOOM! went the gun, "WHOOOOOOHOOOOOO That's ******* awesome!" said I. the muzzle lifted about 4 inches and had i been standing i think i'd have felt it alot more!. all 10 shots hit the score circles, and only 1 (my first) missed the black high scoring circle. total score 77. three of which were 9's two were 8's and four were sevens. I swear the scope was off on this one and said to the RO (Range Officer). to prove it my second go i concentrated hard on aiming for bullseye everytime, and i ended up with a very definitive group of 6 shots exactly 1 inch below the bullseye. two went well off because i got distracted, hitting 6 and 5. four hit the 8 and four hit 9. total score, 79! would've definitely been 80's if it weren't for someone talking and people gathering behind me. and if the sight weren't off, i reckon i'd have reached the 90's. damn i loved that gun but ammo isn't cheap for it. £8.50 for 50 rounds, while .357 are £6.50 for 50, and .22 £3.50 for 50.
All in all i had an excellent time. spent £20 on ammo and targets, but i've got some ammo left for monday. next thursday i'll buy 100 .22 as you save a pound (£3.50 for 50 or £6 for 100) and try the semi auto to keep costs down but fun high hehe.
this is definitely a sport i wished i'd have properly got into years ago as it's so much fun and i highly reccomend it.
BEWARE THE RABBITS hehe