Steel targets at Bisley?

[GeeRam]

I run a historic service rifle club and with the exception of maybe an occasional paper shoot we'd all shoot steel exclusively if it was offered.

Probably 75% of my club as well.
In fact most of the club members other than the 3 senior club officials would do, as they are the last 3 left of the old guard TR types.

I think the days of the entire shooting community only wanting to do TR are done (if they ever existed). Bisley should embrace CSR more and steel targets would go a long way towards that.

[hitchphil]

I think the days of the entire shooting community only wanting to do TR are done (if they ever existed). Bisley should embrace CSR more and steel targets would go a long way towards that.

I dont remember those days? when i started there were always groups with SLRs & no4's etc banging away having fun at least & there has always been historic events & gallery. They are just a bit bigger now with the increase in membership.

[hitchphil]

Had i made the Gen Council I would have supported this idea t but alas pipped by about 50 votes by someone whos only attended once in 2-3 years! . Maybe next time. ;-)

Only attended Bisley ranges once in 2-3 years?

No only attended the darned committee they were elected too once in 2 years! why stand to be elected if you are not going to turn up! & why the heck do people vote for them?

[RDC]

Had i made the Gen Council I would have supported this idea t but alas pipped by about 50 votes by someone whos only attended once in 2-3 years! . Maybe next time. ;-)

Only attended Bisley ranges once in 2-3 years?

No only attended the darned committee they were elected too once in 2 years! why stand to be elected if you are not going to turn up! & why the heck do people vote for them?

Yeah, that's not good.

[Mdwysc]

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

I went to Chobham Ridge, best fun days shooting I ever had. Its £500 for 5 people so £100.00 each, still expensive but so worth it. Not something I would do very often because of the expense but great fun. A real test of your knowledge of Scope adjustments. Don't go if you don't know what an MOA is . The amount of ammo you can get thru is scary! Hitting a torso sized steel target at 1055 yards is satisfying. Its all Heather out there so no splash to look for!
Looking into the distance and seeing the Bisley clock tower shimmer above the target is disconcerting at first but you shoot into a valley. I would highly recommend it even just once, paper hole punching can get boring after while.

[Dark Skies]

£500 for half a day ??? You'd really have to like the clang to pay that........

Pete

INDEED!
A poor man's compromise would be to shoot 200yards Short Siberia and instead of the marker spotting your target, hit a dinner gong to signify the hit.

At £500 a pop it's cheaper for me to fly out to the USA and spend a couple of days shooting.
In Washington (state) a few friends and I just go out to one of the wide open spaces where shooting is permitted, set up a plate, and bang away at it all day. Cost? Whatever ammunition you use and a tankful of petrol.

[mag41uk]

£500 for half a day ??? You'd really have to like the clang to pay that........

Pete

INDEED!
A poor man's compromise would be to shoot 200yards Short Siberia and instead of the marker spotting your target, hit a dinner gong to signify the hit.

At £500 a pop it's cheaper for me to fly out to the USA and spend a couple of days shooting.
In Washington (state) a few friends and I just go out to one of the wide open spaces where shooting is permitted, set up a plate, and bang away at it all day. Cost? Whatever ammunition you use and a tankful of petrol.

But its not costing you £500!
And I doubt you will flying to the US anytime soon.
And have you seen the cost of ammo - assuming you can find any - in the US right now?

[Dark Skies]

£500 for half a day ??? You'd really have to like the clang to pay that........

Pete

INDEED!
A poor man's compromise would be to shoot 200yards Short Siberia and instead of the marker spotting your target, hit a dinner gong to signify the hit.

At £500 a pop it's cheaper for me to fly out to the USA and spend a couple of days shooting.
In Washington (state) a few friends and I just go out to one of the wide open spaces where shooting is permitted, set up a plate, and bang away at it all day. Cost? Whatever ammunition you use and a tankful of petrol.

But its not costing you £500!
And I doubt you will flying to the US anytime soon.
And have you seen the cost of ammo - assuming you can find any - in the US right now?

Presently true. But then it's not likely I'll be shooting at Bisley any time soon either - despite just having laid out membership fees whilst my MOD 'safety' card expires.

[Scrumbag]

I would love to see more flexible arrangements for shooting at Bisley and more targetry than just TR suitable stuff.

In terms of getting the various committees on side I think it's difficult.

Getting elected to the General Council is very difficult unless you happen to be a member of one of the "big three" clubs (Surrey, North London and the London and Middlesex which seem to vote "en bloc"). Also, in order to get elected, you seem to have to have shot in TR at some representative level - that's all well and good but what that actually teaches you about running an association is beyond me...

It seems the NRA has forgotten it's remit is to promote marksmanship not just TR...

Furthermore, the NRA is basically a range complex. It can't get away from the idea that things need to happen outside Bisley because it can't afford to. The current CEO has a background in estate management, nothing to do with sports associations. Seems the NRA is more about being a caravan park than a shooting association.

I have to admit that if I didn't live close to Bisley, I wouldn't be a member of the NRA. What's the point? Up North do they do anything for anybody? I can't think of anything.

Scrummy

[FredB]

I first went to Bisley for Pistol 78. Last year was the first one since when I haven't attended at least one major meeting. I lived in Lancashire until 1985, then the West Midlands. I have been a life member for many years. I have never fired a 7.62mm calibre target rifle.
What I want the NRA to do is organise major competitions that I can attend and provide me with accomodation. It does this very well.
The current CEO was appointed when the NRA was in dire financial straights: he took a business approach to running the organisation and very quickly turned the financial situation around. He now may need to do this again. I would like to see the costs of running the various arms fairs and side shows reduced. The profit motive has increased costs and scared off the smaller dealers---in the old days, a dealer could bring down all the goodie boxes accumulated in his business for us to rummage through and rent a small space for very little money.
Fred