The National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom

[doodah]

Just saw the spec me a rifle thread and was surprised there isn't an NRA thread in GD. Any one a member? A good friend (forum user but never posts) just joined and did his first of 6 probationary sessions. We both have a casual interest in guns and would both love to learn and get proper accreditation so we can visit ranges etc.

His first session sounded lively - someone drove into the building, someone brought their partner along who by the sounds of it - practically crapped their pants every time they shot and someone caught his finger in a rifle and was spewing blood everywhere .

So any members, if so, experiences of the NRA and going to ranges.

 

[doodah]

My friend sounds quite the expert after doing the first session , bar the random characters that turned up to his first session, it sounds quite in-depth and there is a good amount of taught learning and gun safety .

Hopefully will get my sign up and first 1 or 2 modules done before February.

 

[doodah]

Now a probationary member and the first 4 modules booked covering safety rules, marksmanship, sight systems, zeroing, elevation table, wind reading and a theory test (plus a few other things). Looking forward to it.

 

[doodah]

Forgot to report back on module 1. Ended up getting a train early doors and walked 1.5 miles through a very dark Bisley village, almost lost my shoes to a mud pit .

We spent the first 2 hours in a classroom environment learning the basics and fundamentals. This included the type of rifles we would be shooting that day (a .22 and Marlin), plus things like bullet speed and trajectories. As there's a village behind one of the ranges, a stray and high shot could go over the 'danger zone' and land in said village. Fortunately there haven't been any accidents yet. The site was a little weird, 3.5k hectares so huge. It contained all sorts like pavilions, club houses, multiple ranges, B&Bs, caravan parks and some MoD property. Also a special force pub nearby, might have pop my head in one day.

Safety and proper use was paramount. They hammer it into you and rightly so; 1) always prove a gun/rifle is unloaded if it's handed to you/you pick it up/left for a certain amount of time, 2) only put your finger on the trigger when you're ready to fire, 3) never point a gun/rifle at any one, 4) only aim at your target.

The .22 was..........cute. It sounds like it could barely pierce an apple but obviously still quite dangerous if you got hit by one. I was OK with the steps involved (I was a bit naff with the mechanism/order to open and close the chamber). The Marlin was much more satisfying, especially with the lever reload action. Fortunately my aim was pretty decent for the most part, definitely better with the Marlin. My grouping (spread of your shots) went a bit off with the .22 at one point, landing further and further up from the centre. It was a little difficult, as whilst the targets were only 20-25m away, I couldn't really see where my shots were landing with the .22. After a few rounds with both guns, we then got to try the .22 with a scope - good fun! Need to improve on my stance a little, leant black slightly and stay more still between shots. Overall though I really enjoyed it. Next up is an Enfield and AR15.

Two rounds with the .22 and a scope.



My grouping with the .22 and Marlin (as you can see, I went a bit north with the .22).

 

[doodah]

Some big boy rifles in module 2. First a scoped 308 (Savage) which was a lot of fun, now up to 100 yards with a focus on adjusting the scope to make the bullet land elsewhere despite aiming for the centre of the target (we had to make 8" adjustments to shoot a box shape). Also tried an AR15 which I'm glad I got to try but didn't really do much for me. The Enfield was a surprise though, especially trying it prone with just my arms and iron sights - punchy. We're up to 600 yards for the next module, further developing scope use/adjustment including the wind.

 

[doodah]

Interesting stuff, I've always liked shooty things but have only owned/shot air rifles and paintball markers. How much does the training at Bisley cost?

It's not cheap especially if you're not local (had to get a pricey taxi as public transport was buggered at the time of the morning, but there are cheap rooms to rent on site). ~£100 to join/annual membership + 6 x £112 for the 6 modules. In terms of the content/education you get, I think it's relatively well priced but my situation meant I had to join and book the first few modules in quick succession so it hit my wallet hard. The modules consist of a classroom environment for 1-2 hours for the first few, followed by time on the range trying the various rifles. I think one or two of the modules are full shoot days and they also make you run your own (range) shoot with fellow attendees.

Edit - and then you can come to Bisley or other ranges for shoot days, competitions, alone time etc. There are a number of specialities to get into. Match Rifle does not look fun - what a weird way to hold your rifle and compete.

 

[doodah]

@crazyDAJT - ah thanks for the clarification .

Module 3 and 4 complete, synced these ones with my friend who first told me all about this. We upped the distance to 600 yards in module 3 using both Vernier sights and a scope on a .308 rifle. I was a bit worried with just the sights as I could barely make out the large target numbers (I need glasses) but did fairly well accuracy wise and grouping. With the switch over to 600 yards, we also started using the electronic targets - so much easier. Also learned the basics of wind reading and applying appropriate adjustments.

Module 4 went even further, now 1000 yards and boy was it a windy and cold day. Glad I went first in my group as our electronic target stopped working so we had to stop early by the 4th or 5th person. Again, pleased with my grouping (pic below), though I need to do better at converting wind direction into Minutes of Angle.

Me and the .308 - my positioning isn't great here but think I corrected (needed to be more behind the rifle).



My friend on the .308





Most of the day on module 4 was theory and exams. The first test being an 40 question MCQ, pass rate was 30 (though irrelevant if you got the first question on the 4 safety rules wrong) and I got 35. That was fine but the harder and more pressure inducing test was having to prove we could handle, load and fire 4 different firearms under test conditions:

• AR15 - fine
• Ruger - I just can't get on with this rifle though I know why now. The little latch to release or hold the bolt, most people use their index finger to do so (it is known for being a little janky). For some reason the way mine is shaped, it just doesn't play ball when pushing or applying pressure.
• Marlin - fine
• Misfire drill with a .308 - fine

So I've passed my tests and 2 more modules to go which are essentially full shoot days I think. The .308 is still my favourite. I like its simplistic and methodical mechanism, feels good and very satisfying landing a good shot so far away. Again, need to work on my consistency, my positioning behind the rifle and sack off the beanbag I initially used for rear support.

Already planning a summer's afternoon on the 1000 yard rang, hire one .308 with my friend and see how many holes we can make in paper.

 

[doodah]

Again I highly recommend you join a local club or even a club on site at Bisley.

1000 yards is fun but can be very frustrating if you don’t have somebody to help get going. You will make a lot more progress quickly with a club’s support. Most clubs will be more than happy to help you and let you borrow club kit.

Yeah, apologies forgot about your previous recommendation and totally makes sense, as it definitely would seem daunting to go from module 6 straight into the wild. Turns out there are two clubs not too far from me so will look into those along with Bisley .

 

[doodah]

Doing my final module today, gallery, so back on the Marlin and Ruger.

 

[doodah]

Marlin underlever?

Turns out it's just a scoped Ruger today. 25/50 yards + moving targets for the morning and we've got more under pressure/time challenges for the afternoon. I still don't care for the Ruger's latch mechanism but a good day's shooting so far.

 

[doodah]

Ruger make great guns, I have a Ruger bolt action rifle.

But some of them are awkward to operate, the 10/22's have this retarded metal peice just behind the magazine for the bolt lock and magazine release, most people modify them. But it's a daft design no idea why they are like that.

Yeah that's the one. With practice I'll get better but my finger shape really doesn't play well with the latch, and one of the rifles today has a slightly dodgy latch anyway. Joining a club/club days next on the agenda .

Edit - disruptive pattern targets certainly add a twist.

 

[doodah]

Oooo yeah - we both passed and now have our cards .

I'm going to join a local club and do a club day at Bisley, similar to a module for £34 and you should get 30-40 shots. We're also booking a guest day in August to take our partners/friends, plus a day just to ourselves with a Savage 308.

Certainly not something I thought I would be doing if you asked me a year ago but really enjoyed it so far.

 

[doodah]

Nice ^. Got our first guest day booked for May at Bisley. Taking 2 people who will get to have a go on scoped 308 under supervision, should be good.