Pre DSC1

[Bowland blades]

I've done it twice in the last ten years. Both on muntjac kids couched up close to where their mother died. I'm glad that DSC1 has moved with the times to make a stalker more complete and knowledgeable about their kit.

you can just tell someone that though , i figured it out at about 11 year old killing rats with airgun waste of ammo and range time . when i did dsc1 i got a big booklet with all these answers in . The instructors covered it all in class with better pictures and took questions from candidates as they came up . Anything live in a trap gets the same

 

[bazoo]

I agree with your comment about joining a rifle club Sampo, but I would add that you need to make sure that it is the right type of rifle club.
Some clubs can be very restrictive in the type of shooting that they allow e.g., shooting from the prone position only, or only allowing certain specified targets. This can be very discouraging to new shooters trying to get into stalking and possibly wouldn't be what you are looking for.

What would I need to look out for in a club then 8x57?

Thanks in advance.

 

[sy247]

What would I need to look out for in a club then 8x57?

Thanks in advance.

One that shoots fullbore but isn't compeition focussed. You could always consider the British Deer Society who have range days around the UK where you can practice shooting at typical deer distances from a variety of positions, off sticks etc.

BDS Branches - The British Deer Society

BranchesThe British Deer Society has sixteen regional branches and one special interest group. Use the drop-down for contact details, news and events of the branch you’re after. Photo by: Mark BridgerVIEW BRANCH MAP BDS REGIONAL BRANCHES The map below highlights the areas covered by each BDS...

bds.org.uk

 

[8x57]

What would I need to look out for in a club then 8x57?

Thanks in advance.

As sy247 says one that isn't completely focused on "gravel belly" shooting.
I know of two local small bore rifle clubs that only shoot prone and don't allow any positional shooting. Also, they won't allow more than one round to be loaded in a rifle at a time, so no magazines. They also insist that only NSRA official targets are used. Yes, you may learn good accurate shooting technique e.g. hold, breathing, and trigger control with these clubs, but for someone mainly interested in sporting shooting membership would be totally frustrating and of limited value.

There was also another club fairly local to me who regularly hired a 600 metre MOD range. They would then invite members from other clubs to come along and share the cost. The problem was that they were too formal and used to insist on only the NRA bull type targets being used, again no positional shooting and all details were a maximum of 10 rounds plus sighters in 20 -30 minutes. They couldn't understand it when the number of guest shooters turning up got less and less until hiring the range became financially unviable.

What you should be looking for is a club where a fair proportion of the membership has an interest in sporting shooting and where you will be able to zero and practice technique in the various shooting positions. It's already been mentioned that the BDS organises range days for its members in some areas on a fairly regular basis and this would be one option, but there are also many clubs that also allow this so, it's just a matter of asking around and finding a club that matches your needs.

 

[Morkai]

I've just got back from my DSC1.

I had an idea what was involved but you could put someone who didnt know what a deer was and they would know enough by the end of the course to pass the paperwork, safety assessment and simulated stalk.

Unless the pre DSC1 offers any shooting practice I see it being a complete waste of time and money.

 

[Oracle]

Unless the pre DSC1 offers any shooting practice I see it being a complete waste of time and money.

And, from my experience, that’s exactly what the BASC Pre DSC1 offers.….the learning of Principles of Marksmanship, delivered by qualified shooting instructors, within a classroom and practical range environment. The emphasis being on the accurate shooting of deer legal calibre rifles, from the required shooting positions, at a non-descript silhouette deer target, in order to successfully complete the DSC1 shooting module.

I have no experience of other training organisations or individual providing such similar courses, so could not comment upon either overall learning content or value for money.

 

[Morkai]

And, from my experience, that’s exactly what the BASC Pre DSC1 offers.….the learning of Principles of Marksmanship, delivered by qualified shooting instructors, within a classroom and practical range environment. The emphasis being on the accurate shooting of deer legal calibre rifles, from the required shooting positions, at a non-descript silhouette deer target, in order to successfully complete the DSC1 shooting module.

I have no experience of other training organisations or individual providing such similar courses, so could not comment upon either overall learning content or value for money.

I take back the statement of it being a waste if they do put plenty of time into actual shooting.
Sometomes these things sound good but they fluff them out all day and you only end up shooting 10 rounds.

Would you say its worth £135 for the amount of shooting you get to do?

 

[Oracle]

I take back the statement of it being a waste if they do put plenty of time into actual shooting.
Sometomes these things sound good but they fluff them out all day and you only end up shooting 10 rounds.

Would you say it’s worth £135 for the amount of shooting you get to do?

Basic aims of the course, achievable learning objectives and assessment - regularly monitoring, quality assurance, CPD of trainers/instructors and, most importantly, feedback from students should hopefully weed out those prone to“fluff out” the day.

As for costs - hiring of classroom, village hall or similar for say 4 hours in morning. Hire of suitable range for 4-5 hours in afternoon. Instruction on firing points on a 121 basis, so provision of qualified trainer/shooting instructors on 2 shooting lanes. Second qualified shooting instructor to assist lead trainer, both should hold shooting qualifications recognised by the National Governing Body (Range Conducting Officer/RSO/Club Instructor/Coach). If not then provision of a qualified RCO/ RSO to oversee the shooting element. Trainers/assistant mileage or accommodation expenses, refreshments, suitable insurance cover. Overall cost of ammunition, say approx 150 rounds of factory ammunition with six students on a course, say £1.50 a pop.

Finally what are the trainers overall fees. Would they charge by the hour or by the day?
The question of whether it represents value for money is subjective and best left to those who have attended the course

 

[The Grouse]

I take back the statement of it being a waste if they do put plenty of time into actual shooting.
Sometomes these things sound good but they fluff them out all day and you only end up shooting 10 rounds.

Would you say its worth £135 for the amount of shooting you get to do?

I think I got my moneys worth, not just from the amount of shooting we did but also the tuition and guidance received.

It's certainly more of a range day than a classroom lecture, and the classroom portion was focused on the requirements of the shooting test in DSC1 and then mainly hands on dry training with sticks and rifles before we moved to the range.

It's going to depend on who is taking the course, but our instructor was excellent, and really made sure that it was a rewarding experience.

 

[Morkai]

Basic aims of the course, achievable learning objectives and assessment - regularly monitoring, quality assurance, CPD of trainers/instructors and, most importantly, feedback from students should hopefully weed out those prone to“fluff out” the day.

As for costs - hiring of classroom, village hall or similar for say 4 hours in morning. Hire of suitable range for 4-5 hours in afternoon. Instruction on firing points on a 121 basis, so provision of qualified trainer/shooting instructors on 2 shooting lanes. Second qualified shooting instructor to assist lead trainer, both should hold shooting qualifications recognised by the National Governing Body (Range Conducting Officer/RSO/Club Instructor/Coach). If not then provision of a qualified RCO/ RSO to oversee the shooting element. Trainers/assistant mileage or accommodation expenses, refreshments, suitable insurance cover. Overall cost of ammunition, say approx 150 rounds of factory ammunition with six students on a course, say £1.50 a pop.

Finally what are the trainers overall fees. Would they charge by the hour or by the day?
The question of whether it represents value for money is subjective and best left to those who have attended the course

Im aware of cost breakdowns, it was more a question of aee you getting 12 shots for £135 or 30+

 

[Oracle]

Say 9 round practice; 3x3 at required distances at a DMQ zero target. Followed by 2 practice rounds at each of the 3 positions required at the DMQ Deer Target. Finally 2 rounds from each of the 3 positions required, again, at the the DMQ Deer target, but conducted under the “shooting assessment“ conditions.… About 21 rounds in total for each of those shooting…..less punters on the course = more shooting time…..more on the course = less shooting time. Down to the course provider to strike a balance as to how many should attend in order to provide the “value/cost” aspect.

 

[bottletopbill]

Ask other shooters to take you out with them .
For my FAC with the Met they wanted me to be mentored and two great guys from Dover area took me out and gave training.
I have now done this to a policemen for his ticket.

 

[bazoo]

Ask other shooters to take you out with them .
For my FAC with the Met they wanted me to be mentored and two great guys from Dover area took me out and gave training.
I have now done this to a policemen for his ticket.

Hi Bottletop.

Thanks for the advice. It is my intention to try and find active shooters in the area to go out with and observe. I know a lot of people are busy at the moment but hopefully will get something sorted in the new year. There seems that there are plenty of people around me in the Angus area.

Cheers
Baz

 

[bottletopbill]

Baz that is my sons nickname as well also try on Pidgeon Watch asking for help all the best.

Bill

 

[25 Sharps]

What is the new size?

Ive not been able to view the shooting assesment video sent by BDS for my DSC1 as its a fb link and I have no account.

Im also not sure on my poi for the head shot at 10m.

Are you asking about POI (impact) or POA (aim).

Not seen the target but POI needs to be the brain (between the eyes of face on, nose down) or base of the ear of side on.

POA at that range basically needs to be whatever the height of your scope is above your bore line. So if you scope sits 1.5” above your bore then aim 1.5” high, 2” aim 2” high etc.

 

[25 Sharps]

According to BASC you can't be competent at anything unless you go on one of thier courses.
The FLO has a set of conditions that will refuse your ability to own a Fireaem, not having completed or not applying for a DSC isn't one of them.

The BASC (IMO) is angling to be the 'training authority', the "look we've trained more people that anyone else" choice for if/when the Gov decides we all need a common certificate.

As long as you have permission to shoot over land and any legal quarry on it and don't have any criminal history and satify the other conditions regarding healt and safety then you 'should' be able to satisfy your CC that you are eligable.
There are other 'satisfying conditions' - i've just highlighted the hunting aspect above.
Have a look on Police Scotlands website for a more detailed and accurate assesment of ehat the FLO is looking for.

You’ve neatly skipped over the suitable experience with that type of firearm requirement….

 

[RM100]

@bazoo DSC1 is an initial qualification for deer stalkers and managers. It is a largely knowledge based qualification which enables candidates to demonstrate their understanding of basic deer management principles and meat hygiene, and to show competence in safety and shooting at simulated targets.

It's not really an introduction to shooting full-bore rifles (although there is a bit of that involved) nor will it help with getting your FAC.
Holding a Deer Stalking Certificate is not one of the requirements for getting a Firearms Certificate.

Cambs told me unequivocally that it was required by them. I quite enjoyed it, in fact I wish the DSC2 has more of an instructional element too. As you may be able to guess, I do like life-long learning.

 

[Morkai]

Are you asking about POI (impact) or POA (aim).

Not seen the target but POI needs to be the brain (between the eyes of face on, nose down) or base of the ear of side on.

POA at that range basically needs to be whatever the height of your scope is above your bore line. So if you scope sits 1.5” above your bore then aim 1.5” high, 2” aim 2” high etc.

I wasnt sure how low my POI was compared to my POA.

Passed the shooting so its all good.

 

[bottletopbill]

Glad you passed the test I know our nervous it was for every one on my course.
We had rain and cold but i just aimed and just done it as one entry was close to the circle a couple of mil away.