Where do I start?

David Turner takes newcomers to shooting through their first stages

- David Turner

In this series of articles we have looked at gun fit and the importance for newcomers to the sport to have an understanding of the aspects that will affect them and their performance. Barrel length, stock length and comb height are critical factors that will help. Also, a gun that is not too big, too small, too light or too heavy.

Now you have a licence, bought a gun and installed a cabinet in which to keep it safely under lock and key, we can look at how to get started.

So, where do you start?

A local shooting ground with an instructor is a good place to get you going. It is also an idea to look into joining one or both of the shooting organisations here in the UK: the British Association for Shooting Conservation (BASC) and the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA). Joining one or either of these will connect you with various clubs, competitions, and information that will be enormously helpful. It will also give you the third party insurance you must have.