Pre DSC 1 shooting skills training

[Alantoo]

Perhaps the mentoring condition that is already applied to new, inexperienced firearms licences…this allows an experienced/proven safe firearms user to impart their knowledge and skills into an inexperienced user and only when they have proven to be safe, are they allowed to use a rifle on their own? Eliminating the need for a test while still gaining hands on practical experience

Who vets the mentors?

Alan

PS It was effectively a bunch of mentors getting together that came up with the DSC1. Pooling knowledge and experience to create a standard syllabus to pass on.

But what the OP is suggesting is purely a formalised “mentoring” or informing course opportunity regarding just the firearms aspect.

 

[kenbro]

I don’t know, good point worth discussing.

I had only been thinking in terms of prior to being granted a SGC or FAC. But I have looked down too many barrels to think grandads should automatically be allowed to carry on apparently oblivious to the fact they are putting others at risk!

I wonder what they did when driving tests or gas fitters qualifications were introduced?

I wouldn’t fear being tested personally. If I didn’t past muster, I would rather find out in a safety assessment, than after having caused an injury through ignorance.

Alan

Alan,
My dad was born in 1916 and owned a motorcycle at 16, when he left the Army (Conscripted) he bought a car.
Never required to pass a test, just had a license issued.
Suppose they’d have to do the same now if they brought in new conditions for applying for an FAC.
Ken.

 

[Tikkat3xl]

Just to be devils advocate.........how do you know the mentor is safe??

You’ve got me there

 

[75]

Apologies, I’ve not read all 6 pages (and I’m sure we’ve wandered off topic a bit by now!) but in answer to the original question from @Ronin I did exactly such a course with BASC (who I’m no longer a member of!) years ago before I got my first rifle.

One day course, classroom am on basics of rifles - safety, ballistics, cleaning etc. PM was on the range with .22 and CF including .308, 7x57 and an old Lee Enfield 303 (which I remember being the highlight).

Useful course in general for someone new to rifles but it wasn’t until many years later and a lot of deer that I took DSC1.

 

[disco_ike]

I will own up to not reading the whole thing too. BUT BASC do offer a 1 day Pre DSC1 course and take you through the shooting test, you go into the range zero a rifle and run through the test a few times. This was invaluable and gave me something to go try out at my local range.
On that one - My local range if you become a member will allow you to shoot the club rifles and being a 100m indoor full bore range it is perfectly safe to practice the DSC1 test. It may just be worth finding out from forum members which ranges could support this type of thing and make a list for those studying their DSC1 to refer to to go practice.

 

[IanF]

So

Other than the fundamentals of safety, weapons handling and practicing for the test

Should there be any more to a course ?

Something could be put together pretty easily using circa 50-100 rounds of 22 and twenty rounds of CF for sub £100 per person per day

Factor in a refresher session prior to the actual DSC test (which in my view should remain in the old format) using RF ans CF for additional “at cost” for candidates wanting extra help

I apreciate this may add to the cost but the quality of candidates shooting should be improved if this type of thing is put forward to help them

From my perspective it isn’t a cash cow but something to provide future deer stalkers with the basics for humane killing of their quarry

I have been offering this service for upwards of fifteen years & the need is as vital as ever.

Why is it not more common? After all, you can go to any clay ground and a professional will take you through the basics, ensuring that bad-habits are avoided - not so with firearms.

Initially out of self-defence (Clients gut-shot three Roe in the first month of commercial guiding) I started demanding a check-zero on arrival, but soon observed such lamentable technique that I would end up coaching the shooter through his grouping practice. This soon extended into field positional training that covered improvised supports, sticks and occasional free-hand technique.

The coaching syllabus is flexible to take into account the shooter's requirement/standards and is conducted over a four hour session that hits the points that Ronin mentioned. C/F & R/F rifles are used and the shooter can clearly see how minor adjustments to technique, result in a huge increase in consistency throughout all positions likely to be encountered in the hunting field.

The result for a pre-DSC candidate, 'he' (insert your preferred pro-noun) goes to the course and flies through the shooting elements, with the confidence and knowledge that his abilities are far in excess of the DSC requirements. Shooting technique develops through practice to become instinctive, without (hopefully) the number of follow-ups caused by poor shooting.

This topic highlights the DSC shooting test, however in reality, ensuring we can make a humane and accurate shot is always the main priority.

Just my thoughts - and probably worth what you paid for them!

Rgds

Ian

 

[bfltd0]

Of the 8 people that did the shooting element of my DSC1, 2 were re-treads, having failed on their original DSC1.

On the day, 3 failed the shooting assessment - twice (2 of the first-timers, one re-tread).
2 passed on the second attempt (one first-timer, one re-tread).
3 passed first time (all first-timers).

This suggests to me that there is a need to practice a) shooting a full-bore rifle suitable for deerstalking with the appropriate deer loads and b) specifically the DSC1 shooting assessment PRIOR TO turning up to the DSC1 course.

Anything that replicates and/or practices the DCS1 assessment and/or gives coaching in shooting techniques must be a good thing.

Clearly, there should be some checking on the quality/experience of the instructors/course content............

 

[finnbear270]

I have to support IanF's work in this arena, without going into un needed detail, his background is far and away understated, whoever you are a visit would pay a dividend.

 

[Ben rodge]

I think you are absolutely correct
On my dsc1 course we had a few guys who had no practical experience with a cf rifle .
I think they should offer an additional day (at cost) to get these people some time on the gun in different positions etc .

 

[Utectok]

Fully agree. I have my DSC1 later this month. Diligently reading the manual but I don't have my own rifle yet and have no way to practice for the shooting test.

Ask around I’m sure someone will
Let you shoot a center fire to practice for the price of the ammo… last time I did this the guy shot 70! Rounds and offered me sod all! Not sure where he thinks I get the bullets from?!

 

[Suilven]

Thanks sounds like good advice.

I passed anyway though

The instructors were first class and put everyone at their ease, but I would have enjoyed the experience more if I'd had some practice as you suggested.

And we paid for the BDS ammo used!

Interestingly, the two guys who struggled on my course had brought their own rifles that they couldn't get to zero.