DSC1 manual arrived today [GULP!] practical question

[rainman_l]

First and foremost congrats to all admin and members for making this a superb forum, well managed, and full of great advise and debate from supportive experienced members.

Just booked up for the BDS DSC1 in December at Essex Shooting School.

I acquired a 243 this month and starting to develop home loads and finding factory ammo that it prefers but to avoid some initial traps could use the guidance on the direction of my testing and practice (prone/kneeling/standing).

When using your own rifle for the practical:
1. SP ammo: Do you have to use factory ammo? Or are home loads accepted?
2. Does the ammo need to conform with law on For England/Wales or Scottish guidance - 1700 vs 1750ft/lbs + 100gr. I assume if course is taken in England it will follow English law?
3. Is there a restriction on the ammo to ensure its Deer legal for specific (largest) species?
4. How long is permitted for the practical test ? Is there time to a) take a barrel fouling shot/check zero?
5. Anyone else on here attending The course?

The reason for question 2 is I have not found a suitable 100gr bullet (factory ammo) as yet that groups well through 22" barrel at 100yrds.

I have avoided references to ballistic tips for obvious reasons but would interested if these are frowned upon during the practical.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and guidance?

 

[bowji john]

Keep it simple

You are only shooting over 100 / 70 and 40 - you and your rifle wont know home load from shop bought at that range

Find a range and practice with the kit you have got and the kit you will use

You will have opportunity to zero - others on here know the routine better than I

You have only got to hit a 4" (or is it 5"?) target at 100m - there isn't a rifle made today that can't do that

 

[Tim.243]

Good luck with the course, tune the gun for a 100 yds put the x hairs on the target and shoot it...

I shot the whole test off my quad sticks....

Don't make it into a fuss just shoot the target.

Tim.243

 

[gsorense]

+2
Don't overthink it. The people who struggled when I did mine were the ones faffing about dialling in their scopes in etc trying to get it perfect. If you plan to shoot live quarry then the level of accuracy required in the DSC1 shooting test should be a walk in the park.

 

[Fireman sam]

If i remember right i was told we could'nt use home loads in shooting test, may have changed now

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Why don't you just ask your course provider? Regards JCS

 

[labrador77]

On my dsc1 at Epping, BASC stipulated factory ammunition only. Must be a deer legal calibre ie .220 and up, you can take as long as you wish but we encouraged just to get on with it (less than 5 mins from start to finish). Make sure it's zeroed in advance and don't feel the need to clean/fiddle etc if it's on, just leave it alone. In effect, you are allowed 9 shots to zero at a 4" target) before the deer target test so make sure you are happy with that beforehand. Practice the different positions with whatever aids work for you and stick to them, even if it's with a .22 rimmy or air rifle, don't try and be a benchrest champion either, just get settled on the kill zone and pull the trigger, you won't win a smallest group prize. Don't overthink things, it really is simple but your brain will be trying to tell you otherwise! Relax, breath, safety first and all the best.

 

[rainman_l]

Thanks everyone - "keep it simple stupid" will be my adopted moto for the test!

JCS -booked it through BDS and didn't receive any contact details of whom is running the course - the advise slips states further information to follow.

 

[Tim.243]

Why don't you just ask your course provider? Regards JCS

Because he will get other views/points of interest etc also other people might read it and decide to sign up (or not ) !!

Tim.243

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Thanks everyone - "keep it simple stupid" will be my adopted moto for the test!

JCS -booked it through BDS and didn't receive any contact details of whom is running the course - the advise slips states further information to follow.

Call the BDS office on 01425 655 434 and ask your questions. Regards JCS

 

[zambezi]

...I shot the whole test off my quad sticks....Tim.243

Mmmm. Pretty sure my BDS run DSC1 involved prone and standing shooting positions.Not sure if we were given a choice or if certain positions were mandated at different distances. Regardless, once you know the discipline required, rehearse beforehand and it will be a doddle. As stated already, it is a 5" disc at 100m. Pretty hard to miss if you are using a rig with which you are familiar.

 

[User00001]

First and foremost congrats to all admin and members for making this a superb forum, well managed, and full of great advise and debate from supportive experienced members.

Just booked up for the BDS DSC1 in December at Essex Shooting School.

I acquired a 243 this month and starting to develop home loads and finding factory ammo that it prefers but to avoid some initial traps could use the guidance on the direction of my testing and practice (prone/kneeling/standing).

When using your own rifle for the practical:
1. SP ammo: Do you have to use factory ammo? Or are home loads accepted?
2. Does the ammo need to conform with law on For England/Wales or Scottish guidance - 1700 vs 1750ft/lbs + 100gr. I assume if course is taken in England it will follow English law?
3. Is there a restriction on the ammo to ensure its Deer legal for specific (largest) species?
4. How long is permitted for the practical test ? Is there time to a) take a barrel fouling shot/check zero?
5. Anyone else on here attending The course?

The reason for question 2 is I have not found a suitable 100gr bullet (factory ammo) as yet that groups well through 22" barrel at 100yrds.

I have avoided references to ballistic tips for obvious reasons but would interested if these are frowned upon during the practical.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and guidance?

Give me a call on Tuesday on 07920 452448 and I can answer all these questions for you. (They will be covered in the Joining Instructions in due course). Some incorrect advice on this thread already.

 

[Kalahari]

You don't have an opportunity to zero before the test. Get your rifle zeroed and handle it carefully until after the test.

Best of luck, it really isn't difficult even I passed.

David.

 

[Tim.243]

Mmmm. Pretty sure my BDS run DSC1 involved prone and standing shooting positions.Not sure if we were given a choice or if certain positions were mandated at different distances. Regardless, once you know the discipline required, rehearse beforehand and it will be a doddle. As stated already, it is a 5" disc at 100m. Pretty hard to miss if you are using a rig with which you are familiar.

If you only use one rig then that would be the best thing to use! The more you are used to something the better shot placement will result in a humane kill shot. The whole idea is to be familiar with your set up.

There were people missing a 4" target prone! I shoot off quad sticks 95 % of the time with the other 5 from my seats....

Remember not all sheep follow the one in front just most of them.

Tim.243

 

[User00001]

Guys, the Assessment criteria is laid down by DMQ not the individual training providers. Have a look on the DMQ website for details or call the training provider directly; so much misinformation on these forums.

 

[rainman_l]

Give me a call on Tuesday on 07920 452448 and I can answer all these questions for you. (They will be covered in the Joining Instructions in due course). Some incorrect advice on this thread already.

cheers Glynn.

 

[rainman_l]

Position Yourself for the DSC1 Shooting Test - Deer Stalking UK Magazine

Great link thanks will review.
cheers
lee

 

[rainman_l]

Position Yourself for the DSC1 Shooting Test - Deer Stalking UK Magazine

From DSUK:

"Here is a recap on what the shooting test entails

• 100 metres 3 shots to be placed into a 4″ circle from prone or simulated high seat.
• 100 metres 2 shots into the killing zone on a deer silhouette from prone or a simulated high seat.
• 70 metres 2 shots into the killing zone on a deer silhouette from sitting or kneeling.
• 40 metres 2 shots into the killing zone on a deer silhouette from standing
• In each of the positions ordinary stalking aids may be used, but they must be what you would use and carry in the field."

 

[zambezi]

Position Yourself for the DSC1 Shooting Test - Deer Stalking UK Magazine

Bingo. Its been a while since I did my DSC1, but I was fairly certain multiple firing positions formed part of the shooting test I completed. That link rings true of my experience: prone, standing and kneeling. But Tim.243 stated he completed the requisite tests at all distances using sticks. Like him, I do most of my shooting from sticks, so I would have opted for that from 100m as well as closer ranges if allowed. The phrase in that link that suggests it would be permitted is "In each of the positions ordinary stalking aids may be used, but they must be what you would use and carry in the field."

 

[User00001]

Bingo. Its been a while since I did my DSC1, but I was fairly certain multiple firing positions formed part of the shooting test I completed. That link rings true of my experience: prone, standing and kneeling. But Tim.243 stated he completed the requisite tests at all distances using sticks. Like him, I do most of my shooting from sticks, so I would have opted for that from 100m as well as closer ranges if allowed. The phrase in that link that suggests it would be permitted is "In each of the positions ordinary stalking aids may be used, but they must be what you would use and carry in the field."

The only time alternative shooting positions can be substituted is in the case of injury or disability preventing the Candidate adopting the correct ones. This is at the discretion of the Assessor.