Art of Shooting

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Art of Shooting Art of Shooting An introduction to target shooting with rifle, pistol, shotgun and airgun Prof. Philip Treleaven Preface This handbook is a 8primer 9 for the new target shooter: introducing the firearms, shooting disciplines and firearm technology, and drawing on the expertise of Bisley, the home of British and Commonwealth target shooting. For someone interested in taking up target shooting, it is surprisingly difficult to find out what are the different shooting disciplines (or to give them their ISSF name Events ), and perhaps more importantly what 9s available in their area.

Naturally you won 9t find Shooting for Dummies in the local bookshop, but there are some excellent books and web sites, especially in the United States. Most cater for the experienced competitor in a specific discipline, like Smallbore or Benchrest, rather than the new shooter. I am fortunate in that I live 40 minutes drive from the world famous Bisley Camp, the home of British and Commonwealth shooting (cf.

Camp Perry in America). The great thing about shooting at Bisley is the wealth of knowledge and experience available covering all aspects of the sport. People who have shot in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, national champions for ... more. less.

every shooting discipline, experts in ballistics and hand loading, gunsmiths and armourers & and national coaches. Truly a university of shooting 3 akin to Cambridge or Harvard! However, even at Bisley it is a daunting challenge to find out what shooting disciplines are available, and who to ask for advice. It 9s like everyone else in the shooting world knows everything about shooting, marksmanship, ballistics and hand loading, and you the novice know nothing. Even simple things like how to properly clean a precision target rifle or target air pistol. I shudder to think how close I 9ve come to ruining my £3,000 F- Class rifle and more recently my target air pistol though using inappropriate cleaning solvents. People at Bisley (and Camp Perry) are passionate about shooting, but often you have to hunt for information. Therefore we (I and my friends in the NRA, NSRA and CPSA) decided to compile this handbook for the new shooter; a sort of crash course in target shooting. The book is organised into nine sections and over 50 deliberately short chapters. First the basics: Target Shooting Basics 3 introduces the different shooting disciplines available. Firearms and Shooting Equipment 3 covers the different rifles, handguns, shotguns, black powder and airguns used by target shooters. Then we look at the major shooting disciplines which I have grouped into: Target Rifle Disciplines 3 provides a short overview of each of the main target rifle disciplines, such as Fullbore, Smallbore, High Power, Benchrest and Air Rifle. Target Pistol and Gallery Disciplines 3 covers target pistol shooting on so-called Gallery ranges. Historic Arms Disciplines 3 introduces shooting with black powder and muzzleloader firearms. Military and Practical Disciplines 3 provides an introduction to disciplines involving service weapons and military-style competitions. Field Sports Disciplines 3 as the name suggests, target disciplines based around field sports, such as Clay Pigeon and Field Target (Air Rifle). And finally we cover: © Philip Treleaven 2008 i feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Shooting Techniques 3 introduces marksmanship with rifles, handguns, shotguns and airguns. Specialist Skills 3 a group of chapters introducing skills and knowledge, such as the correct cleaning of firearms, handloading ammunition, and the selection and fitting of sights. We have tried to keep each 8chapter 9 as short as possible, and provide references to further information (especially on the Web). More importantly we provide contact details for each of the target shooting disciplines. We hope you enjoy this handbook, and it helps you get the most from target shooting. Bisley Camp Set in 3000 acres of Surrey heathland some 30 miles from Central London, Bisley has the unique combination of one of the best, most modern, and largest arrangement of shooting facilities in the world combined with colonial-style clubhouses. Bisley, apart from being able to offer a great variety of shooting, has other advantages. It is the largest multi-discipline range complex in the world near a major centre of population and has few restrictions such as those that now inhibit new ranges being built in populated areas. It is in large part a Victorian and Edwardian time warp. Nearly all the original buildings survive and a recent massive restoration programme has put most of them in good order and to good use. Relatively little has been built since 1914 to spoil the charm of the Camp; and such as may be built hereafter must be in keeping with the older buildings now that the bulk of the Camp is formally designated a Conservation Area. The ranges laid out in 1890/91 are substantially similar to those of today. Stickledown (the long- distance range) was extended from 24 to 40 targets in 1903 (later 50), and the greatest distance was increased from 1100 to 1200 yards in 1910. Century was so named in 1903 when the Great Butt was widened from 90 to 100 targets (now 108). These two very large ranges and the associated danger areas provide a framework for the siting of smaller, specialist ranges, and have proved adaptable for many new types of shooting disciplines which have evolved in the 100 years since they were designed. Brand new formal Clay facilities were constructed and the Lord Roberts Centre was built to house a Smallbore rifle range. On the 300m range it is now possible to shoot using the latest electronic targetry. Further Information [1]. The National Shooting Centre ( www.nsc-bisley.org.uk ), National Rifle Association NRA-UK ( www.nra.org.uk ) and National Smallbore Rifle Association NSRA ( www.nsra.co.uk ) web sites are good places to find information on target shooting in the United Kingdom . [2]. National Small Bore Rifle Association (NSRA), www.nsra.co.uk , the NSRA is the national governing body for all Small-bore Rifle & Pistol Target Shooting in the United Kingdom, including Airgun and Crossbow Shooting. A list of Smallbore clubs can be found at www.nsra.co.uk/nsra/nsra_frame.htm [3]. Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA), http://www.cpsa.co.uk/epromos.cfm , provides a list of Clay Pigeon Associations throughout the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and USA. [4]. Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain (MLAGB), www.mlagb.com, the governing body for muzzle loading shooting in the UK. [5]. The UK Practical Shooting Association, www.ukpsa.co.uk , the UK region of the International Practical Shooting Confederation . [6]. The National Rifle Association of America NRA-USA ( www.nra.org/programs.aspx ) and the NRA Headquarters ( www.nrahq.org/compete/index.asp ) web sites provide a wealth of information on target shooting. [7]. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ , contains a number of excellent articles on shooting disciplines, marksmanship and firearms technology. Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to thank the NRA, NSRA, CPSA, MLAGB, UKPSA and the other shooting organisations for there support in producing this Handbook. In particularly I am most grateful to the many experts at Bisley who contributed their knowledge and advice to this book: Glynn Alger, Jenny Andrews, Vince Bottomley, Carl Boswell, Alex Cargill Thompson, Mike Cherry, Mike Cripps, Martin Crix, Roger Dorrington, Vanessa Duffy, Martin Farnan, Dave Froggett, Ken Garside, Ed Hall, © Philip Treleaven 2008 ii feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Robb Harrison, Fred James, David Jennings, Geoffrey Kolbe, John Kynoch, Iain MacGregor, Donald McIntosh, Graham McLellan; Bob Maddison, Lou Martin, Chris McVerry, David Minshall, Paul Monaghan, John Morgan-Hosey, Charles Murton, Phil Northam, Terry Ord, Keith Paris, David Parish, John Perry, Bill Richards, Iain Robertson, Karen Robertson, Ian Shirra-Gibb, Derek Simpson, Pete Sparkes, David Spittles, Nick Steadman, Chris Stevenson, Clive Taylor, Frank Thibault, David Thomas, Alan Vickers, Stephen Way, Alan Westlake, Graham Wilkes, Rae Wills, Brian Woodall. Please contact me if I have missed anyone (p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk). Screenshots, images and clip art I would also like to thank the organisations and individuals acknowledged in the illustrations for permission to reproduce screen shots, and images. Again, please contact me if I have missed anyone (p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk). Disclaimer I have taken great care and effort to check all the information and advice in this handbook for accuracy. However, given the comprehensive nature of the material, mistakes are inevitable. I regret therefore, that I cannot be held responsible for any loss that you may suffer as a result of any omissions or errors. All profits from the Handbook will be donated to supporting British Shooting (NRA, NSRA, CPSA etc.). © Philip Treleaven 2008 iii feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Contents Part A 3 Target Shooting Basics 1 1. Target Shooting 2 2. Shooting Disciplines 6 3. Safety, Range Discipline and the Law 13 Part B 3 Firearms and Shooting Equipment 19 4. Rifles 21 5. Pistols 26 6. Shotguns 30 7. Cartridges and Bullets 35 8. Black Powder and Muzzleloaders 40 9. Airguns 3 pellets, BBs, Airsoft 46 10. Iron and Optical Sights 50 11. Clothing, Equipment and Accessories 56 Part C 3 Target Rifle Disciplines 60 12. Fullbore Target Rifle 62 13. High Power Rifle 65 14. Smallbore Target Rifle 3Standard, 3 Position, Match 68 15. International 300m Rifle 70 16. F-Class Rifle 72 17. Benchrest Rifle 74 18. Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest 77 19. Match Rifle 80 20. Air Rifle 3 10m and 3-Position 82 Part D 3 Target Pistol and Gallery Disciplines 84 21. Target Pistols 3 Free, Rapidfire, Standard, Centrefire 85 22. Bullseye Pistol or Conventional (3-gun) Pistol 89 23. Target Air Pistols 3 Single, Multi-shot 91 24. Gallery Rifle and Pistol 93 25. Long Range Pistol 95 Part E - Historic Arms Disciplines 97 26. Classic and Historic Arms 98 27. Muzzle Loading Rifles, Pistols, Shotguns 100 28. Black Powder Cartridge Rifles and Pistols 103 29. Cowboy Action Shooting 105 Part F 3 Military and Practical Disciplines 107 30. Practical Shooting 3 rifle, pistol, shotgun 109 31. Practical Rifle 111 32. Civilian Service Rifle 113 33. Fifty-Calibre (Long Range) Rifle 115 34. Practical Pistol and Air Pistol 117 35. Service Pistol 119 36. Iron Plate Action Shooting 121 37. Target and Practical Shotgun 123 38. Airsoft Rifles and Pistols 126 Part G 3 Field Sports Disciplines 128 39. Silhouette Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun 129 40. Sporting Rifle 132 41. Clay Pigeon Shooting 135 42. Field Target (Air Rifle) 138 43. Hunter Field Target (Air Rifle) 140 © Philip Treleaven 2008 iv feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Part H 3 Shooting Techniques 142 44. Rifle Marksmanship 144 45. Pistol Marksmanship 148 46. Shotgun Technique 152 47. Using Slings and Rests 155 48. Reading the Weather 158 49. Notebooks and Scorebooks 165 50. Physical and Mental Training 171 51. Shooter Fault Analysis 174 Part I 3 Specialist Skills 180 52. Firearm Stocks and Grips 182 53. Actions and Triggers 187 54. Firearm Barrels 192 55. Target Sights - selection and fitting 197 56. Zeroing a Rifle 203 57. Cleaning Rifles, Pistols, Shotguns and Airguns 206 58. Hand Loading Ammunition 213 59. Firearm Maintenance and Gunsmithing 218 Glossary 223 Target Shooting Associations and Organisations 233 Index 236 © Philip Treleaven 2008 v feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Part A 3 Target Shooting Basics Summary Every week thousands of people in the UK and millions worldwide 8go 9 target shooting. For the novice big questions are how to get started and finding the shooting discipline that 9s just right for you? So this book is written for everyone who would like to take up the sport, it provides a crash course on what shooting disciplines are available, appropriate firearm and equipment, how they work, how to get started and most importantly how its both fun and safe. Part A provides an overview of the different target shooting disciplines. It also covers the important elements of safety and the Laws governing ownership and use of firearms. Chapter 1 -Target Shooting In chapter 1 we look at 8getting started 9 in target shooting, the types of firearms (rifle, handgun, shotgun, black powder firearms, airguns), the shooting positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing, moving and a mixture of stances), types of ranges (indoor, outdoor, covered, series of stages), and types of target (static bull 9s eye, silhouettes of animals, or moving targets). Chapter 2 - Shooting Disciplines This chapter look at each of the Shooting Disciplines you can pursue in the United Kingdom, and some additional disciplines that are popular in America, such as High Power Rifle and semi-automatic Pistol Shooting. Since many of the Shooting Disciplines use similar rifles, shooting positions and ranges, I have made an attempt to group them by style of shooting discipline. Chapter 3 - Safety, Range Discipline and the Law Shooting has an enviable safety record. Next we look at basic shooting safety rules, Club membership, Range safety and the UK and USA firearms laws. © Philip Treleaven 2008 1 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Chapter 1 Target Shooting Every week thousands of people in the UK and millions worldwide 8go 9 shooting. As an indication of the popularity, the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) claims to represent more than 75 million shooters worldwide. And many thousands more would love to join them but don 9t know where to start. From Fullbore and High Power rifle shooting at 600 yards to air pistol at 10 metres; from muzzleloaders using black powder to clay pigeon shooting. What 9s available, how do you find the shooting discipline that 9s right for you, what 9s the right firearm and equipment, how do you legally purchase a firearm, how do you expertly clean it and so on? For a novice, finding the information can be a real challenge. So I and my friends in British shooting have put together this handbook as 8primer 9 for the new shooter. When choosing a target shooting discipline, a good starting point is to ask yourself what firearms you will enjoy shooting? Below (left) is a target rifle. If Smallbore then it fires a .22LR round, and if Fullbore it fires a 7.62x51mm (NATO) round, highly accurate to over 1000 yards (900m). Figure 1.1b shows a WWII service rifle, also effective out to 1,000 yards. Next is a top of the range 12-bore (gauge) over & under shotgun for clay pigeon shooting. Finally we have a high-tech compressed air .177 calibre single shot air pistol capable of shooting 1 inch (2.5cm) groups at 10m. Which is your shooting passion? a) Target Rifle b) Service Rifle c) Over & Under Shotgun d) Target Air Pistol Figure 1.1: Passion for Target Shooting 1.1 Getting Started So what do you do if you have never handled a firearm, but are eager to have a go at target shooting? Obviously it helps if you have a good idea of what you want to do: target rifle, historic arms, military rifles, Gallery shooting with a rifle or pistol, field sports disciplines, black powder or airgun. 1.2 What 9s Right for You? Simplistically, shooting disciplines can be grouped: a) by type of firearm, b) by shooting position, c) by type of range and d) by type of target: Type of Firearm 3 rifle, pistol, shotgun, black powder firearm, or airgun. Shooting Position 3 shooting prone, sitting, kneeling, standing (or offhand), moving, and a mixture of stances. Type of Range 3 indoor range, outdoor range, covered firing point, or a series of stages (or courses of fire). Type of Target 3 static bullseye targets, silhouettes of animals, or moving targets. We will look at each of these in turn. © Philip Treleaven 2008 2 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Type of Firearm What firearms do you want to shoot? Target rifles with iron or telescopic sights; historic or modern semi-automatic military riles; single shot pistols, revolvers and semi-automatic pistols; over-and- under, side-by-side or semi-automatic shotguns; muzzleloaders and black powder rifles, pistols and shotguns, air rifles or pistols, or so-called Airsoft replicas of modern firearms. The great thing about target shooting is the galaxy of firearms available. Shooting Position or Stance The next choice is shooting position or stance: prone, sitting, kneeling, moving around a course of fire or series of stages, and disciplines that involve shooting in a variety of stances. For example, Fullbore and Smallbore target shooting is typically shot prone, Gallery Rifle and Clay Pigeon is shot standing, and Field Target (Air Rifle) is shot in a variety of stances, moving around a course of fire. a) Prone b) Sitting c) Kneeling d) Standing e) Moving Figure 1.2: Shooting Positions Type of Range Ranges come in a variety of configuration, the most common being indoor ranges from 10m to 25m from the firing point to the target; outdoor ranges with covered firing points from 25 yards to 100 yards (25m-100m); outdoor ranges from 300 to over 1200 yards (270m-1100m); and courses of fire that simulate military or hunting situations, which can be outdoors or indoors. Figure 1.3 shows a typical outdoor range layout, comprising the raised firing point, mantlet, target and butt to stop the bullet after it has passed through the target. In Fullbore shooting where the targets are pulled down, scored by a human marker, then run up again for the next shot, the mantlet also provides protection for the marker. a) Indoor b) Covered Firing Point c) Outdoor d) Course of Fire Figure 1.4: Types of Ranges Figure 1.3: Range Layout Type of Target Finally we come to the types of target. They range from the traditional static 8bullseye 9 target; to static silhouettes of animals and humans; to 8knock-down 9 targets in the shape of animals; to moving targets in the shape of animals that move across the range on a trolley; and lastly the well-known clay pigeon propelled into the air by a throwing device. © Philip Treleaven 2008 3 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting a) Bullseye b) Disruptive c) Knock-down d) Running Target e) Clay Pigeon Fi g ure 1.5: T yp es of Tar g et 1.3 Joining a Shooting Club Having decided to take up shooting and chosen your shooting discipline, the next challenge is finding out what clubs are available in your area. At a national level a good starting point is one of the national shooting organisations, such the UK National Rifle Association ( www.nra.org.uk ), the UK National Smallbore Rifle Association ( www.nsra.co.uk ), the British International Clay Target Shooting Federation ( www.bictsf.com ), the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Briton ( www.mlagb.com ), or the equivalent national associations in other countries, such as National Rifle Associations of America ( www.nra.org ) or Australia ( www.nraa.org ). All national associations provide courses and can put you in touch with a local club. In addition, many of the larger shooting centres, such as Bisley [4], hold open days when you can try a range of different shooting disciplines, and see which is right for you. The web is obviously a good place to find details of both national associations and local clubs. Below I 9ve listed the contact details for the main shooting bodies in the UK, and further contact details can be found in the chapters on specific shooting disciplines. 1.4 Further Information [1]. Shooting Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/shooting and www.shootingwiki.org , two extensive web sites cover all aspects of shooting. [2]. Target Shooting Canada, www.targetshooting.ca , comprehensive Canadian web site on all aspects of target shooting. [3]. Target Shooting Magazine, UK magazine dedicated to Target Shooting. [4]. National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom (NRA-UK), www.nra.org.uk , the NRA-UK is the national governing body for Fullbore rifle shooting in the United Kingdom. The tab 8Clubs 9 gives an extensive list of UK shooting clubs. [5]. National Small Bore Rifle Association (NSRA), www.nsra.co.uk , the NSRA is the national governing body for all Small-bore Rifle & Pistol Target Shooting in the United Kingdom, including Airgun and Crossbow Shooting. A list of Smallbore clubs can be found at www.nsra.co.uk/nsra/nsra_frame.htm [6]. Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA), http://www.cpsa.co.uk/epromos.cfm , provides a list of Clay Pigeon Associations throughout the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and USA. [7]. National Rifle Association of America (NRA-USA), www.nra.org , Official National Rifle Association of America . [8]. International Shooting Sport Federation, www.issf-shooting.org , governing body of international shooting sports. © Philip Treleaven 2008 4 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting 1.5 Contacts The three principal associations in the UK are the National Rifle Association (NRA-UK), the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA) and the British International Clay Target Shooting Association. In Ireland a principal association is the National Target Association of Ireland. A comprehensive list of target shooting organisations can be found in the appendix. Organisation British Shooting Limited Telephone +44-1483-486948 Address Edmonton House, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NP Email admin@britishshooting.org.uk Web site www.britishshooting.org.uk Organisation National Rifle Association of the UK Telephone 01483 797777 Address Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0PB Email info@nra.org.uk Web site www.nra.org.uk Organisation National Smallbore Rifle Association Telephone 01483 485505 Address Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NP Email info@nsra.co.uk Web site www.nsra.co.uk Organisation British International Clay Target Shooting Federation Telephone 01483 485400 Address BICTSF, PO Box 1500, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey. GU24 0NP Email secretary@bictsf.com Web site www.bictsf.com Organisation Muzzle Loaders Association of GB (MLAGB) Telephone 01926 458198 Address MLAGB, 7 Olympus Court, Tachbrook Park, Warwick CV34 6RZ Email membership@mlagb.com Web site www.mlagb.com Organisation The UK Practical Shooting Association Telephone 07010 703845 Address PO Box 7057, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 4EN Email alan@mediainc.co.uk Web site www.ukpsa.co.uk Organisation British Field Target Association Address BFTA, P.O Box 2242, Reading, Berks RG7 5YY Email Secretary@BFTA.net Web site www.bfta.net Organisation The British Sporting Rifle Club (BSRC) Address c/o NRA, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey. GU24 0PB Email secretary@bsrc.co.uk Web site www.bsrc.co.uk Organisation National Target Shooting Association of Ireland Telephone00 866 504 9073 Address PO Box 9, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Web site www.targetshootingireland.org Organisation Shooting Sports Association of Ireland Telephone087 900 7501 Address PO Box 9, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Email SSAI@eircom.net Web site www.shootingsportsireland.com Organisation National Rifle Association of Ireland Address NRA of Ireland, Leabeg, Blueball, Tullamore, Co Offaly, Ireland Email info@nrai.ie Web site www.nrai.ie Organisation Irish Clay Pigeon Shooting Association Telephone 00 353 (0)87 2988030 Address Suite 20A, The Mall, Beacon Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland Email icpsa@eircom.net Web site www.icpsa.ie Organisation Irish Practical Shooting Association Address I.P.S.A. c/o Fitzgerald Kitchens, Bective Street, Kells, Co. Meath. Email pro@ipscireland.org Web site www.ipscireland.org Organisation The National Silhouette Association Ireland Address NSA, P.O. Box 9, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Email silhouetteireland@eircom.net Web site http://homepage.eircom.net/~ntsai/nsai.html © Philip Treleaven 2008 5 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Chapter 2 Shooting Disciplines This chapter looks at the popular Shooting Disciplines (or to give them their ISSF name, Events ) that you can pursue in the United Kingdom, such as Fullbore and Smallbore, and America, such as Highpower Rifle and Practical Pistol shooting. Since many of the Shooting Disciplines use similar rifles, shooting positions and ranges, I have made an attempt to group them by style of shooting discipline. As introduced in Chapter 1, shooting disciplines are differentiated by: Type of Firearm 3 rifle, pistol, shotgun, black powder firearm, or airgun. Shooting Position 3 shooting prone, sitting, kneeling, standing, moving and a mixture of stances. Type of Range 3 indoor range, outdoor range, covered firing point, or series of stages (or courses of fire). Type of Target 3 static bullseye targets, silhouettes of animals, or moving targets. 2.1 Target Rifle Disciplines Target rifle disciplines are shot with specialist bolt-action target rifles lying down in the prone position. As illustrated by Figure 2.1, rifles are either single-shot or bolt action magazine rifles, with iron sights or telescopic sights, and supported by a sling, a rest or a bipod. Rifles are Fullbore (e.g. firing centrefire cartridges 7.62, 5.56 and 6mm calibre etc.), Smallbore (e.g. .22LR) or Target Air Rifle (e.g. .177 calibre). Ranges can be outdoors from 300-1200 yards (270-1100m), or indoors for Smallbore and Air Rifle. This also encompasses shooting disciplines such as F- Class and Benchrest that use telescopic sights and rests, because they share the same ranges and similar rifles. a) Single-shot, iron sights b) Magazine, telescopic sights Fi g ure 2.1: Tar g et Rifle ( RPA ) Fullbore Target Rifle Fullbore T arget R ifle (TR) involves prone single-shot precision shooting using iron (aperture) sights at round bullseye targets at distances from 300 to 1200 yards (270-1100m), with each shot carefully scored and analysed. The usual calibre is 7.62mm. High Power Rifle High Power shooting comprises: a) Match rifles - custom-made bolt action, magazine rifles; and b) Service rifles - generally unmodified M1, M14, M16 or AR15. Shooting is done with iron (aperture), or iron peep sights. A typical competition comprises 3-4 courses of fire each of twenty shots at distances of 200, 300, and 600 yards, shot standing, seated and prone, respectively. Figure 2.2: Prone Target shooting Smallbore Target Rifle Smallbore Rifle shooting is carried out using precision .22 rimfire rifles specially designed for target shooting. They are single-shot and use iron (aperture) sights, shooting at distances of 15, 20, 25, 50 and 100 yards. The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) recognises two international competitions: a) Prone 3 competitions comprise 60 shots prone at 50m, and b) 3 Position 3 competitions comprise 3 x 40 shots (Men), 3 x 20 shots (Women) shot prone, standing and kneeling at 50m. © Philip Treleaven 2008 6 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting International 300m Rifle The International 300m Rifle discipline is fired at only one distance (i.e. 300 metres), but the rifle may be 'Standard' or 'Free' and in any calibre up to 8mm. Matches may be prone only, or prone, standing and kneeling (PSK), and are shot from a covered firing point. F-Class Rifle F ('Farquarson') Class, or F-Class is shot prone with any Fullbore target rifle, but shooters can use a variety of aids, such as telescopic sights, bipods, front-rests and sandbags, and any calibre of ammunition up to 8mm. Benchrest Rifle Benchrest shooting is a sport in which very accurate rifles are shot at targets from a bench with rests, and from a position seated on a stool. Shooters typically use single shot custom rifles with heavy stainless steel barrels, and handmade stocks of graphite, fibreglass, or carbon fibre. Popular ammunition is the 6mm PPC and the Remington BR line of cartridges. Match Rifle Match Rifle it is usually fired with the 7.62mm cartridge, at long distances from 1000 to 1200 yards (914-1100m), and is popular with UK and Commonwealth shooters. Telescopic sights and hand loaded ammunition are used, and the specification for rifles and the firing positions allowed are more open than Target Rifle. Whilst the majority of shooters shoot prone, a few still adopt the 'supine' position, reclining on their backs, feet pointing towards the target. Target Air Rifle Match Air Rifle is a highly popular discipline worldwide, being governed by the International Shooting Sports Federation and included in the Olympics. The Air Rifle competition is shot at 10m from the standing unsupported position and consists of 60 shots in 1 hr 45 mins for men, possible score - 600, and 40 shots in 1 hr 15 min for women, possible score - 400. 2.2 Target Pistol and Gallery Disciplines Gallery shooting disciplines are shot on indoor or covered ranges using pistols and rifles firing 8pistol 9 calibre cartridges (e.g. .22LR or .357 calibre). The targets are usually static bullseye targets at 25m and 50m. Pistols 3 Free, Rapidfire, Standard, Centrefire The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) recognises four pistol disciplines, referred to as: a) Free 3 competitions comprise 60 shots fired with .22LR single shot pistols in the standing position at a target 50 metres away.; b) Rapidfire - competition are fired with .22 five shot pistols, and consist of a series of five shots fired at five targets at 25 metres; c) Standard 3 competitions use semi-automatic .22 pistols and comprise a 60-shot match into 5-shot strings with different timings, shots at 25 metres; and d) Centrefire 3 competitors typically use semi-automatic .32 calibre pistols with competitions comprising two rounds each of 30 shots and shot at 25 metres. Figure 2.3: Target Pistol and Gallery Air Pistols 3 Single, Multi-shot For Air Pistols, the ISSF recognises four competitions: 10m Air Pistol Men (60 shots), 10m Air Pistol Women (40 shots), 10m Standard Air Pistol and 10m Rapid Fire Air Pistol. All are shot in the standing position and single handed, with 4.5mm (.177 d) calibre pistols propelled by gas (usually compressed air or CO2). Bullseye Pistol Bullseye, three-gun or conventional pistol shooting, hugely popular in the United States, comprises a c3-gun aggregate d, fired with a .22 rimfire, a centrefire, and a .45 calibre at paper targets at fixed distances and within time limits. However, most competitors use their .45 pistol both for the 8open 9 centrefire and .45 stages. © Philip Treleaven 2008 7 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Gallery Rifle and Pistol Gallery rifles are usually lever action or bolt-action carbines firing pistol ammunition, such as .22LR, .357, .38, 9mm, or .45 calibres. Rimfire carbines are often autoloaders with a rotary 10-shot magazine. Lever action rifles typically incorporate a 10-shot tubular magazine underneath the barrel. Although pistols are largely banned in the UK, it is possible to own and shoot gallery or long barrel pistols, as well as historic (called Section 7) pistols. 2.3 Historic Arms Disciplines Historic arms disciplines 3 as the name suggests 3 shoot 8old 9 or replica firearms; especially muzzleloaders and black powder cartridge firearms. Rifles are shot on outdoor ranges, pistols on indoor ranges and shotguns on outdoor ranges. Classic and Historic Arms The Classic and Historic Arms group is dedicated to those with an interest in historic rifles with particular reference to British, Commonwealth and other significant Military Miniature Calibre Training and Target Rifles, such as those manufactured by Lee-Enfield and BSA. Muzzle Loading Rifle and Pistol Muzzleloading, black powder firearms (muskets, rifles, pistols and shotguns) cover any firearm into which the bullet is loaded from the muzzle of the gun. Shooting competitions range from 25 yards for pistols to over 1000 yards (23-915m) for rifles. Figure 2.4: Historic Arms Disciplines Black Powder Cartridge Rifles and Pistols Shooting is conducted with a) original period rifles, b) replicas and c) modern purpose-designed rifles and pistols at distances up to 600 yards (550m). With rifling, specialist rifles in .451" calibre shoot well out to 1000 yards (915m). Cowboy Action Shooting Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) uses four firearms: two revolvers, a lever action rifle and a double barrel shotgun. CAS requires competitors to use firearms typical of the mid- to late 19th century including single action revolvers, lever action rifles (chambered in pistol calibres) and side-by-side double barrel shotguns (e.g. with external hammers). 2.4 Military and Practical Disciplines The Military Rifle disciplines shoot civilian equivalents of modern service rifles such as the M16 (firing 5.56mm calibre cartridge) or various sniper-type rifles (firing the 7.62x51mm calibre), and competitions as you might expect are military or law enforcement inspired. Practical, defensive and service pistol competitions are broadly the same, but regulated by different national bodies. Practical 3-Gun Shooting 3 rifle, pistol, shotgun Practical 3-gun shooting is highly popular in the United States, and involves shooting a rifle, pistol and pump-action shotgun on a simulated military or law enforcement course of fire (called stages). Figure 2.5: Military Rifle Disciplines Practical Rifle Practical rifle shooters use civilian versions of modern service rifles, such as a 5.56 calibre AR15, with competitions involving a course of fire. To compete competitively a telescopic sight and large capacity magazines are a requirement (20 rounds is the norm although 10 rounds will suffice at a pinch). Civilian Service Rifle Civilian Service Rifle is a shooting discipline that involves the use of rifles that are used by military forces and law-enforcement agencies, both past and present use. These include ex-military rifles, sniper rifles (both past and present) and civilian versions of current use service rifles. © Philip Treleaven 2008 8 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Practical Pistol and Air Pistol Practical Pistol involves cartridge pistols, air pistols and Airsoft, with competitors shooting a simulated military or law-enforcement course of fire. Competitors use a magazine fed pistol or revolver capable of firing multiple shots before reloading. Due to the pistol ban in the UK (except Northern Ireland), the majority of pistols used for PP are CO2 powered, or air cartridge revolvers. The standard calibre is .177 but .22 is allowed. Service Pistol A service pistol is any pistol (revolver, or semi-automatic) issued to military personnel, or in some contexts, law enforcement officers. Service Pistol typically involves competitions between serving military personnel, recent personal and (where the Law allows) civilian enthusiasts. Shooting is often done on Military ranges. Target and Practical Shotgun Target and Practical Shotgun involves competitors shooting self-loading or pump action shotguns with magazines containing 7-14 rounds at steel plates, 8shoot/no-shoot 9 targets, 8pepper poppers 9 and paper targets. Airsoft Rifle and Pistol Airsoft is a shooting discipline in which players participate in simulated military or law enforcement- style combat using replicas (in appearance only) of real firearms firing small pellets. Airsoft guns (also known as Soft Air guns) are spring, electric, or gas powered air guns that fire small spherical plastic pellets of either 6 mm or 8 mm diameter (0.24 or 0.32 inches). 2.5 Field Sports Disciplines Field Sports disciplines simulate static and moving targets found in traditional field sports, such as fox, buck or boar. Moving target disciplines include Running Boar and Running Deer shot with Smallbore and Fullbore rifles, respectively; and the enormously popular Clay Pigeon shooting. Shooting static 8game 9 targets includes Silhouette, popular in the United States, and Field Target shot with Air Rifles. Silhouette Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun Silhouette shooting comprises shooting at heavy metal targets of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams, with the aim of knocking them over, using either rifles, pistols or shotguns. Sporting Rifle Popular with field sports shooters, the rifles used must be in the style of a 8sporting rifle 9 rather than that of a target, match or military rifle. It encompasses: a) static targets (e.g. fox, buck) that are shot prone, sitting, kneeling, standing and from the bench, and b) moving mechanical targets (e.g. deer, boar) that are shot standing. Clay Pigeon Shooting Clay pigeon shooting is the art of shooting flying targets (i.e. clays) with a shotgun. Formal Clay shooting consists of a number of disciplines, such as Trap and Skeet. Trap shooting has targets fired away from the participant at different angles as well as different heights. Skeet involves shooting at targets fired horizontally from a low and high house both as singles and pairs. Each round consists of 25 targets. Field Target (Air Rifle) Field target shooting 3 shot with highly accurate air rifles 3 combines the outdoor field conditions of rough shooting, with the precision of target shooting. A typical course is laid out, outdoors with a route to walk and at set intervals are shooting points with a knockdown target (cf. Silhouette Shooting) at any distance from 7.5 metres to 55 metres. Figure 2.6: Field Sports Disciplines © Philip Treleaven 2008 9 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting 2.6 International Shooting Disciplines The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) recognizes several shooting events (see Figure 2.7), some of which have Olympic status. Examples of the ISSF and Olympic competitions are shown below. ISSF Olympic Event Competition Men Women Men Women Rifle 10m Air Rifle 60 shots (M), 40 shots (W) standing 50m Rifle prone 60 shots prone 50m Rifle 3 position (free rifle) 3 x 40 shots (M) and 3 x 20 shots (W) prone, standing, kneeling 300m Rifle 3 position (free rifle) 3 x 40 shots (M), 3 x 20 shots (W) prone, standing, kneeling 300m Rifle prone 60 shots prone 300m Rifle standard 3 x 20 shots prone, standing, kneeling 300m Army Rifle Running Targets 10m Running Target 30 slow, 30 fast (M), 20 slow, 20 fast (W) 10m Running Target Mixed 40 shots mixed 50m Running Target 30 shots slow, 30 shots fast 50m Running Target Mixed 40 shots mixed Pistol 10m Air Pistol 60 shots (M), 40 shots (W) 10m Standard Air Pistol 40 shots (M), 30 shots (W) 5 taken in 10 secs 10m Rapid Fire Air Pistol 60 shots fired in two so-called half courses 25m Pistol (sporting pistol) 30 + 30 shots 25m Centre-Fire Pistol 30 + 30 shots 25m Standard Pistol 3 x 20 shots 25m Rapid Fire Pistol 60 shots 50m Pistol (free pistol) 60 shots Shotgun Trap 125 targets (M), 75 targets (W) Skeet 125 targets (M), 75 targets (W) Double Trap 150 targets (M), 120 targets (W) Automatics Trap 125 targets (M), 75 targets (W) Fi g ure 2.7: International Shootin g S p orts Federation Disci p lines Rifle In the rifle events competitors shoot at 10-ring targets. 10m Air Rifle 3 shots are fired in the standing position at a target 10 meters away with a .177 air rifle. 50m Rifle 3-Position - The shooter fires three rounds of 40 shots (.22LR) each in the prone, kneeling and standing positions at a target 50 meters away. 50m Rifle Prone (men only) - Sixty shots (.22LR) are fired in the prone position at a target 50 meters away. Running Target The running target event involves a 8slow run 9 and a 8fast run 9. 10m Running Target (men only) 3 two rounds of 30 shots are fired in the standing position, unsupported, at a target 10 meters away with a .177 air rifle. Pistol In the pistol events, competitors fire at a 10-ring target, holding and firing the pistol with one hand. Examples include: 10m Air Pistol 3 the four competitions (Air Pistol Men & Women, Standard and Rapid Fire) are shot single-handed, in the standing position at a distance of 10 meters. For example, with Air Pistol the men 9s competition comprises 60 shots in 105 minutes and women 9s 40 shots in 75 minutes. © Philip Treleaven 2008 10 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting 25m Sports Pistol (women only) 3 A competition consists of 30 precision shots and 30 rapid fire shots. At a distance of 25 meters, a centre of 50 mm must be hit in the so-called precision semi- round. The pistols are 5-shot semi-automatics in .22 Short calibre. 25m Centre Fire Pistol (men only) 3 A competition consists of two rounds of 30 shots each. The pistols are 5-shot semi-automatics in .32 S&W Long calibre. 50m Free Pistol (men only) - Sixty shots (.22LR) are fired in the standing position at a target 50 meters away. Shotgun Clay pigeon shooting competitions comprise: Trap 3 competitors move through five adjacent shooting stations, each comprising three traps set at different heights and angles, with the shooter not knowing which of the traps will release. As each target is released the shooter is allowed two shots. Skeet 3 In the skeet event, two targets are released from separate trap houses at either end of a semicircle. The course of fire consists of either 8singles 9 - a single target is thrown from either house; or 8doubles 9 - consisting of two targets thrown simultaneously, one from each house. Competitors move through a semi-circular range featuring eight adjacent shooting stations. Double Trap - In the double trap, two targets are released simultaneously at different heights and angles from the centre bank of traps. The targets come off any of the three traps, ranging in height from 3 to 3 a metres, and the shooter fires one shot at each target. For a more complete description of Olympic shooting see ( www.targetshooting.ca/olympic.htm ). Other Olympic events involving shooting are the Biathlon, Pentathlon and Paralympics shooting. Modern Pentathlon The Modern Pentathlon involves 10m air pistol shooting, together with fencing, horseback riding, running and swimming competitions. Disabled (Paralympics) Shooting Shooting is a Paralympics sport for persons with locomotor disabilities. Competitions are open to all athletes with a physical disability [3]. Athletes use .22 calibre rifles and air guns (pneumatic, CO2 gas or spring). Athletes compete in rifle and pistol events from distances of 10, 25 and 50 metres, in men's, women's and mixed competitions. There are only two primary classifications in shooting sports (SH1 and SH2). The SH1 levels are for shooters who do not require a rifle support stand. The SH2 classification levels are for shooters who do require a rifle support stand. 2.7 Further Information [1]. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_sports , introduction to shooting sports. [2]. Shooting Wiki, www.shootingwiki.org , the web site cover all ISSF / Olympic Shooting Disciplines [3]. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_shooting, introduction to Paralympics shooting sports. [4]. National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom (NRA-UK), www.nra.org.uk , the NRA-UK is the national governing body for Fullbore rifle shooting in the United Kingdom. The tab 8Clubs 9 gives an extensive list of UK shooting clubs. [5]. National Small Bore Rifle Association (NSRA), www.nsra.co.uk , the NSRA is the national governing body for all Small-bore Rifle & Pistol Target Shooting in the United Kingdom, including Airgun and Crossbow Shooting. A list of Smallbore clubs can be found at www.nsra.co.uk/nsra/nsra_frame.htm [6]. Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA), http://www.cpsa.co.uk/epromos.cfm , provides a list of Clay Pigeon Associations throughout the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and USA. [7]. National Rifle Association of America (NRA-USA), www.nra.org , official National Rifle Association of America . © Philip Treleaven 2008 11 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting [8]. International Shooting Sport Federation, www.issf-shooting.org , the governing body of international shooting sports. 2.8 Contacts The three principal associations in the UK are the National Rifle Association (NRA-UK), the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA) and the British International Clay Target Shooting Association. In Ireland the principal association is the National Target Association of Ireland. A comprehensive list of target shooting organisations can be found in the appendix. Organisation British Shooting Limited Telephone +44-1483-486948 Address Edmonton House, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, , Surrey GU24 0NP Email admin@britishshooting.org.uk Web site www.britishshooting.org.uk Organisation National Rifle Association of the UK Telephone 01483 797777 Address Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0PB Email info@nra.org.uk Web site www.nra.org.uk Organisation National Smallbore Rifle Association Telephone 01483 485505 Address Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NP Email info@nsra.co.uk Web site www.nsra.co.uk Organisation British International Clay Target Shooting Federation Telephone 01483 485400 Address BICTSF, PO Box 1500, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey. GU24 0NP Email secretary@bictsf.com Web site www.bictsf.com Organisation Muzzle Loaders Association of GB (MLAGB) Telephone 01926 458198 Address MLAGB, 7 Olympus Court, Tachbrook Park, Warwick CV34 6RZ Email membership@mlagb.com Web site www.mlagb.com Organisation The UK Practical Shooting Association Telephone 07010 703845 Address UKPSA, PO Box 7057, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 4EN Email alan@mediainc.co.uk Web site www.ukpsa.co.uk Organisation British Field Target Association Address BFTA, P.O Box 2242, Reading, Berks RG7 5YY Email Secretary@BFTA.net Web site www.bfta.net Organisation The British Sporting Rifle Club (BSRC) Address c/o NRA, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey. GU24 0PB Email secretary@bsrc.co.uk Web site www.bsrc.co.uk Organisation National Target Shooting Association of Ireland Telephone 00 866 504 9073 Address PO Box 9, Blackrock, Co.Dublin, Ireland Web site www.targetshootingireland.org Organisation Shooting Sports Association of Ireland Telephone 087 900 7501 Address PO Box 9, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland Email SSAI@eircom.net Web site www.shootingsportsireland.com Organisation National Rifle Association of Ireland Address NRA of Ireland, Leabeg, Blueball, Tullamore, Co Offaly, Ireland Email info@nrai.ie Web site www.nrai.ie Organisation Irish Clay Pigeon Shooting Association Telephone 00 353 (0)87 2988030 Address Suite 20A, The Mall, Beacon Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland Email icpsa@eircom.net Web site www.icpsa.ie Organisation Irish Practical Shooting Association Address I.P.S.A. c/o Fitzgerald Kitchens, Bective Street, Kells, Co. Meath. Email pro@ipscireland.org Web site www.ipscireland.org Organisation The National Silhouette Association Ireland Address NSA, P.O.Box 9, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Email silhouetteireland@eircom.net Web site http://homepage.eircom.net/~ntsai/nsai.html © Philip Treleaven 2008 12 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Chapter 3 Safety, Range Discipline and The Law Shooting has an enviable safety record and everyone works hard to maintain that record. 3.1 Basic Safety Rules There are a number of standard safety rules, mostly fairly obvious, which must be adhered to whether using a rifle, pistol, shotgun or airgun. These include always assuming the firearm is loaded, never pointing it at anyone, and ensuring the firearm is held horizontally, pointing down range, when loading a round. To summarise: Handling a firearm - always assume every firearm is loaded until you have proved otherwise, and prove that a firearm is unloaded before passing it to someone, or when receiving it. Unloaded 3 firearms should be unloaded when not in use, and should have a breech flag inserted (where possible) or in the case of bolt action rifles have the bolt removed (or both). Barrel 3 before firing check the barrel is free of obstructions, preferably by looking up the barrel from the breech end. Calibre 3 always check that the calibre of the firearm and the calibre of the ammunition match exactly. Clearly 7.62x51 (NATO) is different from 7.62x39 (Russian). Although 7.62 NATO and .308 Win firearms are considered equivalent, 7.62 firearms are engineered for higher powder pressures. Firing Point 3 you should enter a range from directly behind the firing point, and never cross a range unless you have confirmed with Range Control that it is safe to do so. You should alert other shooters (by shouting cStop, Stop, Stop d) if any person or animal enters the danger area. Muzzle control 3 always keep the firearm pointing down range in a safe direction, and you must never point a firearm at any other person or at your self. Loading 3 when loading a round into the chamber, ensure the muzzle is pointing down range and the barrel is horizontal. This is so that if there is a negligent discharge, the bullet will be contained by the stop butt or within the Range Danger Area. (Obviously Black Powder firearms are loaded in a vertical position.) Trigger finger 3 always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Putting your finger in the trigger guard is a dangerous practice since your finger may accidentally touch the trigger causing a negligent discharge. Target 3 make sure you positively identify your target, and equally important what lies in front and behind it, before firing. Misfires 3 if the round fails to fire when you operate the trigger this may be due to a 8hang fire 9 where the powder in the case has not ignited immediately. It is essential that the firearm continues to point down range for at least 30 seconds. You must then inform the Range Conducting Officer (RCO) and carry out the 8Misfire Unload Drill 9 under his supervision. If in any doubt ask for assistance in removing the round. If you break any of these rules you may expect, at the very least, to be reprimanded by the RCO or other more experienced shooters. In serious cases you may be asked to leave the range and disciplinary action may be taken. 3.2 Club Membership To take up target shooting, you normally need to join an officially approved club; in the UK a Home Office Approved Club. If you have already decided on what shooting discipline is of interest to you the appropriate National Governing Body will be able to advise you on your nearest shooting club for that discipline. © Philip Treleaven 2008 13 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting In most countries, including the UK, clubs must follow a formal probationary membership procedure to ensure you are properly trained and more importantly safe to use a firearm. Probationary Club Membership - you start as a Probationary Member and follow a Probationary Course that covers range and safety procedures, firing a firearm, and club rules. This is to ensure you are both properly trained in range safety and are also safe and responsible in the handling of firearms. In the UK, this probationary period will last for a minimum period of three months (though many clubs have longer probationary periods of up to a year). When you apply to join the club your name and address will be forwarded to your local (UK) police who will check if there are any reasons why you should not be entrusted with firearms. Once full club membership has been granted you may apply for a Firearms or Shotgun Certificate. Club 9s Firearms & Ammunition 3 whilst a Probationary Member you will be able to use the Club 9s firearms and ammunition under supervision, but it goes without saying that you can 9t remove them from the range. Once you become a full Member, you can continue to use the Club 9s firearms and ammunition, or those belonging to other members of the Club, until you have obtained the necessary certificate to purchase your own firearm. Applying for a Firearm or Shotgun Certificate 3 to possess a rifle, shotgun, muzzle loading or front loading revolver or certain types of cartridge revolvers in the UK requires a certificate from the local police, one requirement being that you are an active full member of a designated shooting club (or you have permission to shoot on suitable land). However, airguns up to a designated muzzle energy (12 ft-lb for rifles, 6 ft-lb for pistols) can be purchased without a certificate so they are a good starting point, if you have never shot before. Keeping up Membership 3 once you have obtained a firearm or shotgun certificate, the (UK) police will check that you are an active member of the club. Clubs are therefore required by law to keep records of every time you shoot. Some police forces stipulate a minimum number of times they expect you to shoot each year to continue to have 8good reason 9 for the possession of the firearm(s) concerned. Club Visitors 3 if you (or a friend) are a full member of a Home Office Approved shooting club or have a firearm certificate, then you can (with permission) shoot at another club 9s range. If a friend or relative does not have club membership or the required certificate, then for: Rifles 3 for centrefire rifles, before shooting the Club Secretary needs to apply to the local police for permission for the named individual to shoot at a designated time and then under supervision of a qualified RCO. This will then be considered a 8one-man Guest Day 9 and will count as one of the 12 Guest Days each Club are entitled to hold each year. Pistols - similar arrangements cannot be made for long barrelled revolvers or long range revolvers since these may only be used by the person whose name is on the FAC. The only type of pistol which may therefore be used on such a Guest Day would be muzzle loading or Front Loading pistol. Shotguns 3 for standard shotguns, friends and relations can shoot under supervision of a qualified person without application to the police. Airguns 3 since a license is not required to shoot an airgun under the designated muzzle energy, you can let friends and relations shoot, but as a courtesy you should discuss this with the Club officials before shooting. 3.3 Range Safety In the interest of safety all (rifle and pistol) shooting ranges are formally designated for the permissible muzzle velocities and muzzle energies that may be used, and when in use a trained officer 3 the Range Conducting Officer (RCO) 3 must conduct all firing practices to ensure safety procedures are being followed. The following is a summary: Muzzle Velocities and Muzzle Energies - each range of each type (Indoor, Outdoor, Smallbore, and Fullbore) has a set of designated MV and ME that are safe to use. This covers limits on the muzzle velocities and muzzle energies of the ammunition (due to the danger of ricochets). For Gallery ranges this might be a muzzle velocity of 2150 ft/sec (655m/s) and muzzle energy of 1496 ft-lb 9s (2030 Joules). Hence the .17 HMR is normally banned from .22LR ranges even though a smaller calibre, due to its 2550 ft/s (775 m/s) muzzle velocity. © Philip Treleaven 2008 14 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting RCO 3 a Range Conducting Officer is responsible for the safe running of all live firing on the range and must be present during all firing. The only MoD-recognised RCO Courses are those run by the NRA (for Fullbore and Smallbore) and the NSRA (for Smallbore only). Any club which wishes to use MoD ranges of any sort must have at least one qualified RCO present while firing is taking place. All persons present on a range, including spectators and visitors, come under the control of the RCO whose orders must be obeyed at all times. In addition to the basic rules of safe firearm handling, there are a number of safety rules that are expected of shooter. These rules include: a) ear and possibly eye protection are required of all shooters and spectators on the firing point, b) when anyone wishes to go down range, they must first request permission of the RCO, c) no handling of firearms is permitted when anyone is beyond the firing line, and d) if anyone observes an unsafe situation they are to immediately shout 8Stop, Stop, Stop 9, etc. 3.4 UK Firearms Laws A 8firearm 9 within the definition of the UK Firearms Acts means any lethal barrelled weapon. The Metropolitan Police web site ( www.met.police.uk/firearms-enquiries ) is a good source of information on UK firearms laws, and procedures for getting a Firearm or Shot Gun Certificate. Application for a Certificate Before you can purchase a firearm or ammunition you require a certificate. Rifles and pistols are covered by a Firearm Certificate; shotguns by a Shotgun Certificate. The following are the broad requirements generally needed to obtain a certificate: Good Reason 3 before you can obtain a Firearm or Shotgun certificate you need to show 8good reason 9, such as being an active member of a Home Office Approved shooting club and that the firearm you request is appropriate for the shooting discipline. Firearm Certificate - a Firearm Certificate designates each rifle and pistol (by type and calibre) that you may purchase and possess together with the amount of ammunition you may purchase at a time and the total amount you may possess. Shotgun Certificate 3 a Shotgun Certificate allows you to purchase a number of shotguns. However, the police may question the need if a significant number are purchased. Air Rifles and Air Pistols 3 the majority of airguns - for air rifles below 12 ft lbs and air pistols below 6 ft lbs muzzle energy - do not require a certificate. Age Limits 3 restrictions are placed on young people under 17 years using, owning and purchasing a firearm or shotgun (see www.met.police.uk/firearms-enquiries ). Variation 3 if you wish to apply for permission to purchase an additional firearm, or you have an unused slot on your Firearm Certificate that you wish to change to a different calibre, you will need to apply to the UK Police for what is called a Variation . Purchasing or Transferring a Firearm Naturally there are also strict rules to follow when purchasing or selling a firearm depending on whether it is a rifle, pistol or shotgun: Rifles 3 to purchase a rifle, your certificate must have an unallocated slot for the precise type and calibre of the firearm. The seller will enter the details of the transfer, including the firearm number, on the certificate, and both seller and purchaser need to inform the Police. Pistol 3 although pistols are banned in the UK, it is still possible to purchase certain 8long barrelled 9 pistols and black powder pistols. Permission to purchase is covered by a Firearm Certificate and the procedure is the same as for rifles. Shotguns 3 as discussed, a Shotgun Certificate covers the purchase of a number of smoothbore shotguns of any bore size or calibre. The seller will enter the details of the transfer, including the firearm number, on the certificate, and both seller and purchaser subsequently need to inform the Police. © Philip Treleaven 2008 15 feedback to p.treleaven@cs.ucl.ac.uk Art of Shooting Airguns 3 when purchasing or transferring an airgun below the designated muzzle energy (rifles < 12 ft/lbs, pistols < 6ft/lbs), it is not necessary to inform the Police. (Muzzle energy is a projectile 9s energy at the time it leaves the muzzle of a gun.) Ammunition 3 the amounts of ammunition that can be purchased and possessed depends on the type of firearm. Rifle and Pistol Ammunition 3 a Firearms Certificate specifies for each allowed calibre of ammunition both the maximum amount that can be purchased at a time, and the total amount that can be held. Shotgun Cartridges 3 a Shot Gun Certificate allows the owner to purchase any quantity and calibre of shotgun cartridges. Black powder 3 you need to have been granted an Explosives Licence, and have approval from the Police, before you can purchase and keep black powder at home. However, black powder substitutes are treated in the same way as nitro powder. Airgun Pellets 3 any quantity of pellets can be purchased without a certificate. Storage of a Firearm The UK Firearms Acts are not specific regarding security except to state that a firearm and ammunition must be kept safe and secure at all times so as to prevent unauthorized access, as far as is reasonably possible. Club Armoury 3 many clubs have a secure armoury at the range where you can permanently or temporarily store your firearm. This avoids the necessity of installing an approved steel cabinet for home storage and having your security arrangement checked by the local Police Firearms Enquiry Team. Firing Range 3 at the range a firearm must be supervised at all times and if left temporarily in a vehicle, it must be out of sight and the vehicle secured. Home Storage 3 at home firearms are required to be stored in a Police-approved steel cabinet, securely attached to a brick wall. When applying for the grant of a Firearm or Shotgun certificate it may be best to do nothing in relation to security, until a Firearms Enquiry Officer has paid a visit and advised on security measures. In Transit 3 when in transit, a firearm and ammunition should be stored in a suitable case, and must be kept out of sight. It is advisable not to leave a firearm in an unattended but locked vehicle, unless for short periods at the firing range. You should also carry your Firearm and Shotgun certificate to show that you have the right to possess the firearm. Figure 3.1 attempts to summarise the UK registration and storage requirements for firearms and ammunition. Police Registration Storage (approved) Firearm Certificate Shotgun Certificate No Certificate Required Restrictions Club Armoury Home Cabinet No Restrictions Rifles Lists all Rifles and amounts of Ammunition NA NA Permission required before each purchase yes yes NA Shotguns NA Lists all Shotguns NA Notification required after each purchase yes yes NA Pistols Lists all Pistols and amounts of Ammunition NA NA Permission required before each purchase. Only long- barrelled allowed yes yes NA Black Powder Lists of all BP firearms and approval to store BP at home NA NA Permission required to purchase BP firearm and to store BP yes yes NA Airguns Rifles (>12ft-lbs) Pistols (> 6ft-lbs) NA See restrictions Rifles (>12ft/lbs), Pistols (> 6ft/lbs) NA NA yes Figure 3.1: UK Firearms Laws covering Purchase and Storage Black Powder Given the increasing popularity of black powder, it is worth summarising black powder firearms regulations. The regulations governing black powder firearms are essentially the same as for conventional (nitro) rifles and pistols. Before you can purchase a BP firearm you need to get

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