Firearms training or help......

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Hairy Spiker

Well-Known Member
This is a random one. Having come to stalking a bit later on in life, I'm fairly new to it. Is there anyone decent you would recommend to do some rifle training with? By that I mean, scope set up, bullet drop, allowing for cross wind, getting out to further distance etc?
I looked at Orion firearms training in wales. Further south would be better! (Devon based)
I have a few calibres of rifle, and completed dsc 1, so its not like I cant shoot!
Has anyone else done this or have you just picked up tips from friends etc and trial and error? Not everyone is in this position.
Preferably it would be in the south west. Even if its not an organisation like above, could be an individual who really knows their stuff. Any input greatly appreciated.
 
Hairy Spiker said:
This is a random one. Having come to stalking a bit later on in life, I'm fairly new to it. Is there anyone decent you would recommend to do some rifle training with? By that I mean, scope set up, bullet drop, allowing for cross wind, getting out to further distance etc?
I looked at Orion firearms training in wales. Further south would be better! (Devon based)
I have a few calibres of rifle, and completed dsc 1, so its not like I cant shoot!
Has anyone else done this or have you just picked up tips from friends etc and trial and error? Not everyone is in this position.
Preferably it would be in the south west. Even if its not an organisation like above, could be an individual who really knows their stuff. Any input greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...


www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Available: - Field position rifle coaching / Intro to Deer Stalking

Folks, Summer 2024 is coming - what about coming down and enhancing your abilities as a rifleman? It is a sad fact that obtaining any 'practical' rifle coaching is quite hard to come by in the UK - especially when you are looking for techniques that are biased towards the needs of the mobile...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
 
kip270 said:
Are you looking to take deer at extended ranges??
Click to expand...
Looking to help my shooting all round, fox's aswell as deer. Not really a case of wanting to shoot deer at 500m, more a fresh set of eyes, pick up some tips from more experienced people than myself. Like I said, I can shoot, i'm safe, but looking to improve. The post in this thread looks positive. 👍
 
Depending on where in Devon you are based you could th @IanF. I had a 1 on 1, 4 hour session with him on Friday and all I can say was it was fantastic. I have shooting experience however it's all self taught and he has opened my eyes to various techniques which I now need to practice and master!
 
Hairy Spiker said:
This is a random one. Having come to stalking a bit later on in life, I'm fairly new to it. Is there anyone decent you would recommend to do some rifle training with? By that I mean, scope set up, bullet drop, allowing for cross wind, getting out to further distance etc?
I looked at Orion firearms training in wales. Further south would be better! (Devon based)
I have a few calibres of rifle, and completed dsc 1, so its not like I cant shoot!
Has anyone else done this or have you just picked up tips from friends etc and trial and error? Not everyone is in this position.
Preferably it would be in the south west. Even if its not an organisation like above, could be an individual who really knows their stuff. Any input greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
WMS Fire Arms Training - Andrew Venables. Can train for target, cull, pest & more. Blaser use him for a reason 👍
It's the best money I've spent on shooting (including the rifle!) He's Lampeter area, the South of Wales & worth the trip.
 
Take a deep breath, and just take that 180 yard neck shot..... in high wind!

On serious note I 100% commend you for reaching out and looking for a way to improve your skill set.

well done! Hats off to you (emoji) if I knew how to post it.
 
Nothing replaces a good mentor in my opinion. If you can find someone local to accompany on stalks or range days, that would be a lot more rewarding. Plenty of Youtube videos as well as I have learnt quite a lot from the web as well, but do be careful. The more time you spend behind the rifle, the better you get.
 
Contrary to some here, I believe that a guide/coach can only take you so far.

Mistakes (obviously, not fatal or dangerous ones) are how you learn, but you need to understand what 'mistake' is being made first, then find the cause and eventually the solution.

Being told/shown that in case of A, do B, you might have trouble when you get to C,D,E etc.

I coached myself to an international level with a bow, and know my way round a rifle.

Time and money spent on training is rarely wasted, but you can only make the journey down the path of 'enlightenment' by yourself.

If you rely on a guide, you are just sightseeing, whether it be stalking, rifle shooting etc...
 
There are some very good training videos on you tube by well qualified trainers (ex USA military)covering everything you mention and much more. Once you have a good theoretical knowledge of rifles , bullets trajectory ,minutes of angle,milliradians etc you need practice, practice.
 
caberslash said:
Contrary to some here, I believe that a guide/coach can only take you so far.

Mistakes (obviously, not fatal or dangerous ones) are how you learn, but you need to understand what 'mistake' is being made first, then find the cause and eventually the solution.

Being told/shown that in case of A, do B, you might have trouble when you get to C,D,E etc.

I coached myself to an international level with a bow, and know my way round a rifle.

Time and money spent on training is rarely wasted, but you can only make the journey down the path of 'enlightenment' by yourself.

If you rely on a guide, you are just sightseeing, whether it be stalking, rifle shooting etc...
Click to expand...
Totally understand where you are coming from. I also see it from the other side. In a work situation, you could of been doing it for 10 years perfectly well and to a good standard. Then someone comes along and says, why not do it like this? It can make it easier or quicker, and you think, why didnt I think of that? I take on board what you said, if someone more experienced can offer advice to make your shooting better or easier then that must be a good thing also. I appreciate everyones input.
 
Don't underestimate the value of shooting .22LR at range

A loopy round that is vulnerable to the effects of wind means that distance calls, wind reading and good dope are essential for first time hits

The skills you acquire with the humble .22LR at ranges out to 200m give you a very good skill set that is applicable to similar centre fire shooting out to 1000m

Practice is dead cheap and finding somewhere to shoot out to 100m, 150m or so is much easier than finding somewhere to shoot 600 plus
 
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Passing dsc1 is like passing your driving test. There is a lot more to learn after that. In imho being able to hit a 4 inch circle at 100 yards isn't difficult

Seeking guidance is good but make sure you find the right guide. I have came across some guy's with decades of experience that makes me question their safety(and other people's) and their abilities. I think going to a highly recommended professional for some lessons is money well spent

I explained to one of these guys who has decades of experience that 1 outing I shot several deer but couldn't shoot 1 of them because it was on the skyline. He looked surprised and said "awk, what's the chances of hitting someone". To which I replied "what's the consequences if you do"

Practice makes perfect. The 22lr and airguns are cheap tools to run compared to cf rifles and can be used to hone your skills.
 
Best teacher for correct hold and follow through on a rifle is a cheap old WITH A GOOD TRIGGER PULL break barrel .177 air rifle (such as a BSA Cadet Major) shot at six yards indoors or in an enclosed back garden or garage.

If you've a longer distance, say twenty plus yard, then a .22 air rifle such as a BSA Airsporter.

Whilst the make, as such, isn't important what is vital is that the air rifle is both ACCURATE and WITH A GOOD TRIGGER PULL elsewise it is a waste of time as you won't recognise when your are at fault.

As to learning about drop, wind drift, hold over and etc. with a stalking rifle I'd say you are better to learn to stalk in to one hundred yards to one hundred and fifty yards where NONE OF THESE FACTORS MATTER.

Regardless of if it is "on the hill" or in woodland, or from a fixed high seat, the sport is deer stalking. Not deer sniping.

Culling red hinds may and will be different but that is not the same as recreational stalking.
 
Take a trip up north and come to one of our range days. Some most excellent people to help you who not only can shoot, but can teach. Check the NW BDS site for our dates.
 
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