In terms of shooting, it's also a dwindling discipline.Rockhopper wrote:Its true what you say about smallbore target rifle dealers - they are few and far between. I would say though that the market appears to be tiny compared to other forms of shooting. My club has 250 members but in the last eighteen months only one of those guys has bought a brand new rifle. I think if dealers could do one for ones then people would swap more often.
In my county (Worcs) some clubs are struggling with some of the postal leagues to meet team entry requirements (4 members). and as far as I can see, it's only getting worse as the older generation are dying off. Young people these days are not interested in learning prone shooting when they can strap on a scope and get instant gratification looking at the target. They don't learn the basics of shooting and then wonder why they never become great shots. But tis a sad fact.
Setting up as a small-bore target rifle specialist would be foolhardy these days, in my humble opinion. The accessories are wrapped up pretty well by intershoot, Edinkillie and the NSRA shop. and buying online is a doddle. As has been pointed out, people don't change rifles in the discipline often. most people at my club have owned the same rifles since the 80's, and those of us who are starting out in the last 5 years, tend to buy second hand. I know of 1 person in my club who bought a top end rifle straight off, and he travelled to Bisley (NSRA) because it's the most convenient place to go and try as you buy.
I was looking into becoming an RFD, but not completely seriously. I was turned off when people started mentioning a percentage of your earnings need to come from the business. I could put up the business plan, but I couldn't depend on the income to be a percentage of my salary. It's a difficult thing for anybody to do when starting up. Perhaps another way to close the door and make it difficult for shooters.
