Is Shooting Dangerous?

No, not if you obey the rules, act sensibly and listen to saftey instructions. As a sport, Target Rifle is one of the safest you can find; things rarely ever go wrong and when they do (such as a rifle misfiring) then the strict saftey protocols ensure no-one gets harmed. If you are looking for more danger in your sport then take up fishing.

So You Shoot Animals, Right?

No, No, No. We shoot only at big black circles on even bigger white rectangular backgrounds. Since the earliest days of target shooting it has always been about precision - not Game. There are plenty of clubs out there for those who would like to pursue hunting but the OJRC isn't one of them.

How Far Do You Shoot?

In fullbore shooting we consider 300, 500 and 600 yards to be 'short range'. Competitions at 300 yards are often very close as scores tend to be universally high. Long range is usually shot at distances of 900 and 1000 yards and here competition really gets tough. There are also matches that take place at more unusual distances such as 200, 800, 1,100 and 1,200 yards and at 300 metres.

Do You Use Telescopic Sights?

No. It may seem strange to some people that peep-hole sights without any 'optics' can actually render a distant target relatively clear. You can test the principle yourself: if you are short-sighted then try looking at your TV through a pin hole in a piece of paper - it should appear clearer. By adjusting the size of the pinholes in peep-sights we can make small, distant targets look quite sharp.

You Shoot Outdoors So What Happens When It Rains?

Rain is just part of the game. We don't run under cover whenever a little rain falls but it does have an effect on the accuracy of our shooting. If water gets into the breech, for example, then there is greater pressure when the rifle fires and so the bullet flies faster and strikes the target higher. Since it is impossible to calculate this variable we try our best to keep everything dry.

Is Shooting Expensive?

It can be, yes. Top-of-the-range kit can cost thousands of pounds and then there are competition fees, club membership fees and maintenance costs. When I started, however, I was able to buy old, second-hand equipment for only a few hundred pounds. Some of my original kit stays with me today and continues to serve me very well.

How Old Do I Have To Be? Is There A Separate Category For Me?

Fullbore Target Rifle is probably unique in that people of both sexes and of all ages and abilities shoot against each other for the same top prizes. In many competitions there is a handicap system to take account of experience and ability and there are some competitions that are open only to women or to novice shots.

How Do I Get Into Shooting?

If you have never shot before then it would be best to find out whether Target Rifle is really for you before you spend lots of money. Look on the web (particularly the NRA web site) to find your nearest club. All clubs are different and you may end up joining several but it's important to find one you like. Get to know a club before forking out for membership fees; if you want to find out more about shooting without committment then all good clubs will welcome you, show you around and happily answer your questions.

Shooting is a sport that is tightly controlled in law and while you don't necessarily need to worry about all of the legal regulations at first, if you want to shoot it is important that you are a member of a club. This will cover you from a legal perspective but it will also ensure that you are given proper safety instruction and all the support you need to make a balanced decision on the sport. If you have a clean past and good references then it should be easy enough to get probationary membership to a Home Office-approved club.

Basic kit, including a rifle, can usually be provided by clubs but you may prefer to purchase some of the less expensive items from specialist shops or classifieds. If you want to buy your own rifle then you are in for a bit of a wait. You first need to be a full member of an approved club, having spent a minimum probationary period. Then you will need to apply for a licence (known as a Firearms Certificate or FAC). For more details on the process talk to your local police or to your club or visist the Met Police web site.

How Do I Join The OJRC?

If you are a former student of St John's School, Leatherhead, or are the immediate family of a former student (did your son or daughter go to St John's?) and you are interested in finding out more about Target Rifle then please send an e-mail to the fullbore captain, Tom Spencer. The OJRC is a small club and cannot provide the same level of tuition as you might find with larger clubs, but you certainly don't need any prior experience to get involved.