Discussion: Politics and Pettiness in British Shooting Culture

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What Sorts of Shooting Diciplines Do you Do?

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    91
Jamoy1993

Jamoy1993

Well-Known Member
As a younger newer shooter, I am incredibly enthusiastic about shooting. But in the few years I have been a member of a shooting club I can't help but notice the amount of pettiness and politics that is involved in the shooting community. I get it, no matter where you go there will ALWAYS be some sort of politics. I am not saying that it is the same everywhere but I cant help myself but wonder what the hell sometimes?

For example, we shoot 12 gauge slug as a 25-meter range that is well more than capable of withstanding up to 50 BMG for example. Its built into the side of a cliff. We have a rubber pit as a layer on our range. It went around that apparently someone from another club complained that our plastic wads are a fire hazard because he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark.

1742580217565.gif

Like I mean, we are not shooting some top-secret metallic polymer wads or anything. Just regular plastic. But this guy is worried that our wads are the issue and not the metric ton of chopped-up rubber tyre that our backstop consists of that are made out of the exact same primordial ooze as the wads. This is just pure pettiness in my opinion :(

I have heard quite a few issues like this. In particular, I have a feeling there is an aversion to the idea of practical shooting. I have to say I am certain that this is the future of shooting sports no matter what anyone else says. It's dynamic and way more competitive than simply putting holes in paper.

Another example of gatekeeping would be another story of a range warden getting their undies in a bunch at Bisley for someone shooting their .22lr semi-autos too fast for their liking. They said to him "You cant shoot that here! Thats section 5!". It was a M&P 15-22...

These are the parts of British shooting culture that really pains me. People look down on other formats of shooting, almost gatekeeping what is acceptable just because they don't like what you are doing. We should all be happy that other people are out there ENJOYING themselves however they see fit in a safe manner, not working against each other.

I am wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me? I am 100% willing to die on a hill alongside anyone who participates in any discipline of shooting no matter how i think of it. If its legal and done safely then its got a green light from me! Even if I would never do that discipline myself I would 100% fight in your corner. If all you want to do is sit at 25 m and put hole over hole in targets? Bash on! The thing that worries me is that there are people who are not like me and won't.
 
You forgot pest control. ;) I do most things and know what you are saying. Our club is quite good and has a good mix of people. Whilst you do get the odd moaner there are sensible rules in place for good reason that most cope with.
 
Smallholder said:
You forgot pest control. ;) I do most things and know what you are saying. Our club is quite good and has a good mix of people. Whilst you do get the odd moaner there are sensible rules in place for good reason that most cope with.
Click to expand...
Aw im sorry, it wont let me add it now :( But aye, thats how it should be. It just makes sense. I think people that moan are affraid that the powers that be / tabloids would use what we do against us (the very type of person that would throw others under the bus to save themselves). Like the "Mini rifle Loophole". In reality we are probably the most stringent in safety and sticking to the rules.
 
Jamoy1993 said:
As a younger newer shooter, I am incredibly enthusiastic about shooting. But in the few years I have been a member of a shooting club I can't help but notice the amount of pettiness and politics that is involved in the shooting community. I get it, no matter where you go there will ALWAYS be some sort of politics. I am not saying that it is the same everywhere but I cant help myself but wonder what the hell sometimes?

For example, we shoot 12 gauge slug as a 25-meter range that is well more than capable of withstanding up to 50 BMG for example. Its built into the side of a cliff. We have a rubber pit as a layer on our range. It went around that apparently someone from another club complained that our plastic wads are a fire hazard because he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark.

View attachment 411889

Like I mean, we are not shooting some top-secret metallic polymer wads or anything. Just regular plastic. But this guy is worried that our wads are the issue and not the metric ton of chopped-up rubber tyre that our backstop consists of that are made out of the exact same primordial ooze as the wads. This is just pure pettiness in my opinion :(

I have heard quite a few issues like this. In particular, I have a feeling there is an aversion to the idea of practical shooting. I have to say I am certain that this is the future of shooting sports no matter what anyone else says. It's dynamic and way more competitive than simply putting holes in paper.

Another example of gatekeeping would be another story of a range warden getting their undies in a bunch at Bisley for someone shooting their .22lr semi-autos too fast for their liking. They said to him "You cant shoot that here! Thats section 5!". It was a M&P 15-22...

These are the parts of British shooting culture that really pains me. People look down on other formats of shooting, almost gatekeeping what is acceptable just because they don't like what you are doing. We should all be happy that other people are out there ENJOYING themselves however they see fit in a safe manner, not working against each other.

I am wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me? I am 100% willing to die on a hill alongside anyone who participates in any discipline of shooting no matter how i think of it. If its legal and done safely then its got a green light from me! Even if I would never do that discipline myself I would 100% fight in your corner. If all you want to do is sit at 25 m and put hole over hole in targets? Bash on! The thing that worries me is that there are people who are not like me and won't.
Click to expand...



It your fault for thinking you can go to the range and enjoy yourself. Heaven forbid that you have fun as well. My old mate who is 86 is really into practical pistol he's also bought a 9mm carbine and he told me he was going to buy a shotgun for practical shotgun as well. I'm sure he will give me an update when we meet for lunch next week.
Shooting slugs is fun. I must put a target up and shoot some of my stash.
You will always get a few people whinging and moaning whether it's a shooting club or game syndicate. Has always been thus.
 
Jagare said:
It your fault for thinking you can go to the range and enjoy yourself. Heaven forbid that you have fun as well. My old mate who is 86 is really into practical pistol he's also bought a 9mm carbine and he told me he was going to buy a shotgun for practical shotgun as well. I'm sure he will give me an update when we meet for lunch next week.
Shooting slugs is fun. I must put a target up and shoot some of my stash.
You will always get a few people whinging and moaning whether it's a shooting club or game syndicate. Has always been thus.
Click to expand...
For real mate. Thats exactly what 95% of the folks say. You are not allowed to have fun with your firearms! (Sarcastically ofc) Pssh! :lol:
 
Another issue you'll encounter is the divide within shooters over game shooting. Far too many smallbore/fullbore shooters are overtly vocal about their distaste for game shooting, and how they'd happily have it done away with. For whatever reasons they have personally, politics of envy or just at odds with the practice,it's a divide which can, and is, exploited by those who'd see us all without any personal firearm ownership.
 
Jamoy1993 said:
As a younger newer shooter, I am incredibly enthusiastic about shooting. But in the few years I have been a member of a shooting club I can't help but notice the amount of pettiness and politics that is involved in the shooting community. I get it, no matter where you go there will ALWAYS be some sort of politics. I am not saying that it is the same everywhere but I cant help myself but wonder what the hell sometimes?

For example, we shoot 12 gauge slug as a 25-meter range that is well more than capable of withstanding up to 50 BMG for example. Its built into the side of a cliff. We have a rubber pit as a layer on our range. It went around that apparently someone from another club complained that our plastic wads are a fire hazard because he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark.

View attachment 411889

Like I mean, we are not shooting some top-secret metallic polymer wads or anything. Just regular plastic. But this guy is worried that our wads are the issue and not the metric ton of chopped-up rubber tyre that our backstop consists of that are made out of the exact same primordial ooze as the wads. This is just pure pettiness in my opinion :(

I have heard quite a few issues like this. In particular, I have a feeling there is an aversion to the idea of practical shooting. I have to say I am certain that this is the future of shooting sports no matter what anyone else says. It's dynamic and way more competitive than simply putting holes in paper.

Another example of gatekeeping would be another story of a range warden getting their undies in a bunch at Bisley for someone shooting their .22lr semi-autos too fast for their liking. They said to him "You cant shoot that here! Thats section 5!". It was a M&P 15-22...

These are the parts of British shooting culture that really pains me. People look down on other formats of shooting, almost gatekeeping what is acceptable just because they don't like what you are doing. We should all be happy that other people are out there ENJOYING themselves however they see fit in a safe manner, not working against each other.

I am wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me? I am 100% willing to die on a hill alongside anyone who participates in any discipline of shooting no matter how i think of it. If its legal and done safely then its got a green light from me! Even if I would never do that discipline myself I would 100% fight in your corner. If all you want to do is sit at 25 m and put hole over hole in targets? Bash on! The thing that worries me is that there are people who are not like me and won't.
Click to expand...
What and where is Bisley? Is it some mythical place where people swap their day job as Assistant Traffic Warden training officer to Cloak Room Manager
 
Last edited:
It isn’t just shooting…never been involved with a club, society, committee or organisation in this country that wasn’t infested with pedantic, obtuse bellends who get satisfaction from obstructing their fellows…sadly I think it’s a feature of our national identity.
 
VSS said:
Not wanting to sound petty or anything, but I can't respond to your survey until you put stalking separate from game shooting. As a stalker, I wouldn't like to think of myself as being in any way connected with that driven game bird mob.
Click to expand...
Not at all, my bad! Its not petty to want yo be represented!
 
toaster said:
It isn’t just shooting…never been involved with a club, society, committee or organisation in this country that wasn’t infested with pedantic, obtuse bellends who get satisfaction from obstructing their fellows…sadly I think it’s a feature of our national identity.
Click to expand...
The "someone else will do it" mentality springs to mind too.
 
"For example, we shoot 12 gauge slug as a 25-meter range that is well more than capable of withstanding up to 50 BMG for example. Its built into the side of a cliff. We have a rubber pit as a layer on our range. It went around that apparently someone from another club complained that our plastic wads are a fire hazard because he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark."

What a twit!
The rubber granules pose a much greater potential fire load than a few plastic wads. The MOD range construction notes make a note of this especially when this form of bullet catcher is used on indoor ranges.

"he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark." What was he using, .22 tracer? That doesn't sound plausible.
 
Can't really understand why there is so much of the "I hate xxxx type of shooting", given the chance I'd be more than happy to have a day on a driven shoot or a day on a grouse moor. I'm just happy to get behind a gun or a rifle when the chance comes up. Similarly with fishing - having fished for sea fish, coarse fish and game fish, I can never understand why folk get uptight about other peoples choices....
We're only here once, so just enjoy it!
 
8x57 said:
"For example, we shoot 12 gauge slug as a 25-meter range that is well more than capable of withstanding up to 50 BMG for example. Its built into the side of a cliff. We have a rubber pit as a layer on our range. It went around that apparently someone from another club complained that our plastic wads are a fire hazard because he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark."

What a twit!
The rubber granules pose a much greater potential fire load than a few plastic wads. The MOD range construction notes make a note of this especially when this form of bullet catcher is used on indoor ranges.

"he shot a .22 into the backstop and saw a spark." What was he using, .22 tracer? That doesn't sound plausible.
Click to expand...

The range was built by our club. Its to MOD standard as well!
 
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