Steel targets at Bisley?

[James84]

This will be a long post but in summary - does anyone believe there would be interest, or if it would even be possible for the NRA to install steel targets for use at a reasonable hourly price at Bisley?

Background - I shoot service rifles from black powder (Baker, Bess, Snider, Martinis, Enfield etc.) through to smokeless (7.5x55, 7.62x54, 303 etc.). I have always wanted to shoot for 'practical accuracy', i.e. can I hit plates of varying size at ranges from 100 - 1,000 yds. For me with a less accurate rifle, a V-bull isn't my goal but rather adjusting for distance, wind and still getting a 'ping' at speed would be enjoyable, especially with an old-timer like a Martini-Henry at 300+yds. Much like this: https://youtu.be/cRpGtpKXYQU?t=55

I shoot mostly on my own or with one other person during the week when I can get away from work. At present, the only options for this type of shooting (that I am aware of) are at Cobham Ridge https://nra.org.uk/nra-bisley/ranges/chobham-ridge/, run by the NRA across from Bisley, or the 2 ranges in Wales meaning commutable existing options are a full day/weekend and expensive for an individual, or even a group (£300 - £500 for 3-5 people with an RO/instructor/spotter/supervisor).

I shoot whenever I can around family/work, having something which you could book for an hour or 2 with 1 or 2 people in the same way and for the same price as an electronic target would be ideal. Bisley as-is caters to precision shooting at longer ranges, with the only exception being the buffalo on Stickledown at 1,000.

My thinking is that this type of shooting might interest new/more people and provide another shooting style/discipline for people with arguably 'less accurate' rifles, in a more accessible, affordable and fun way.

My question is, do others think this would be of interest? Would others want something like this? Or, is the general opinion that this would not be an interesting/popular discipline and if you want to do it, then pay for what is currently available and find the people and the time for it?

[Mattnall]

Bisley does have falling plate racks on Stickledown but they don't get used much, not for the last 10 years or more that I know of - possibly problems with resetting them.

There are resettable plates on Purbright that get used often but I don't know how easy it would be for a club to book these days but most certainly not worth it for just a couple of shooters.

I think there would be interest in hanging gongs if it could be done at Bisley, especially if it wouldn't cost more than a normal target lane. If it could be done with a suitable safety trace is something someone with more computing power than I have may be able to answer.

[James84]

You've worded it better than me, gongs is what I'm talking about

Safety is also what popped into my mind. Not being knowledgeable on the implications on gongs/plates and ricochet risk, I wouldn't want to assume. Even if the gong is suspended in a 'ricochet-friendly' frame, there is then the cost implications of changing it when it gets inevitably shot to bits.

I bring this up as I am contemplating posing it to the NRA to get their feedback. I think the elevation needed from the firing point to keep the gongs in 1 or 2 lanes means potentially only Stickledown would work. I am assuming it wouldn't be possible on Century due to splash so it might just be a response of 'it is only possibly on Chobham Ridge'.

No harm in asking.

[Rem260]

If it could be done. I think there would be a lot of interest. I know of quite a few members at my club who would jump at the chance to shoot long range steels.

[1066]

The steel buffalo on Stix is quite popular for a bit of fun.

[rox]

The steel buffalo on Stix is quite popular for a bit of fun.

I'm usually there several days a week, and I can't remember the last time I saw it being used.

[Pete]

What's the appeal of steel, compared to paper targets?.......(apart from the boing, that is.)

Pete

[rox]

Bisley does have falling plate racks on Stickledown but they don't get used much, not for the last 10 years or more that I know of

Do you mean the fallling plates on the right of Stickledown just forward of the 800 yard FP?
I think it's about 10 years ago they were removed, which would explain the lack of use!

[James84]

What's the appeal of steel, compared to paper targets?.......(apart from the boing, that is.)

Pete

For me personally, I am not a long range shooter (normally 600yds max), and I use military rifles typically pre-dating optics, so having something potentially larger than a standard bullseye to achieve a credible 'hit' on is one thing.

The next is it is faster than a marker, or even an electronic target to register a hit (boing) and for practical accuracy, makes it more enjoyable/challenging, i.e. shooting under time pressure. 2 hits at each distance within 30 seconds etc. it opens up a variety of possibilities for both casual and competition shooting. Take a look at this as an example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s658G1a4EDQ

It is much the same as shooting steel in practical shooting events such as practical shotgun or 3 gun. They could use paper, but a reactive target is beneficial for signifying a hit and the satisfaction of having to think on the fly about drop, quickly adjusting sights, using BDC in scopes rapidly etc. mean it is of use to those with precision rifles as well as crazy people like me trying to hit a gong at 1,000 with a 150 year old rifle.

[Triffid]

To me it's a shame that Bisley's answer to steel shooting has been Chobham Ridge as the price excludes me from using it. It might become more affordable when the Covid restrictions are lifted, but £500 for a half day is too much.
Triffid