Overview

Shooting is a sport combining nerves of steel with precision aiming at a target. The sport is open to all ages and has been contested at the Olympic Games since 1869. The sport of target shooting involves the use of air rifles and pistols, muzzle-loading rifles and pistols and cartridge rifles, both rimfire and centrefire. ELEY supply rimfire ammunition to rifle and pistol disciples. Competitors shoot at a fixed target consisting of ten concentric rings, with the innermost being the X ring worth 10 points - hence the naming of Tenex. The targets in the rifle discipline are placed either 10m (air) or 50m (cartridge) away and shooters fire from the standing, kneeling and prone positions. Targets for pistol are placed at either 10m, 25m or 50m away and shooters use one hand to fire the pistol. For more information on the different rifle and pistol disciplines visit the Ammunition Section. Target shooting is largely conducted within clubs and is strictly controlled by firearms safety laws.

How to get involved?

Shooting is a great sport to get involved in, but obviously due to the nature of the sport – safety is your top priority when starting out. Therefore it is recommended you receive proper instruction in an organised setting.

Contact your local Shooting Club

Target shooting is largely conducted within organised local clubs. These clubs will usually have guns and equipment so that beginners can try the sport at minimum expense. Clubs welcome new members and provide you with all necessary supervision and guidance whether you want to shoot for fun or are aiming for competition. If you get a real taste for shooting and want to shoot regularly and improve, join your local club and start to build up your own equipment.

To find your local club contact your National Governing Body or Confederation of Shooting for information on local clubs and qualified coaches to ensure you get first class instruction.

Visit the International Shooting Sport Federation website for a list of National Shooting Organisations:
http://www.issf-shooting.org/theissf/member_federations.asp?continent=europe#start

Firearms Safety

The most important element in the sport of shooting is safety. There are controls on firearms and shooting seasons and what is considered a legitimate target are strictly controlled by law.

Anyone shooting in an organised setting will receive proper instruction and be more thoroughly aware of their responsibilities, making the sport a very safe one. The law ensures that young people only have access to firearms on a progressive basis as they grow in age, maturity and responsibility, overseen by the police and other adults. For further information on Firearms guidance contact your National Governing Body or Federation of Shooting.

Before you start using your firearm, you need to know how to stay safe, here is a list of essential safety tips:

1. Never point a gun at anybody¸ always assume every firearm is loaded.
2. Secure firearms for safe storage and transportation - Keep your gun locked up in a cabinet out of sight. Transport your gun safely by locking it in the boot or place it in the back of a car under a cover like travel rugs or coats.
3. Keep your ammunition safe and secure, firearms ammunition must be locked in a separate container to the gun.
4. Read the owners manual of your firearm, to know how to safely load and unload, select the right ammunition and know how to use the safety catch.
5. Before you use your gun: Keep it in its container until you are ready to use it. Carry the gun to the location in its slip so that if it rains, there is somewhere dry to stow it. Open the gun as you take it out of the container, that way it can immediately be seen to be unloaded and the barrel(s) clear.
6. Inspect your firearm for clear barrels and safe operating condition before shooting.
7. Keep your finger away from the trigger until ready to shoot.
8. Wear ear and eye protection.
9. Always wash your hands after handling firearms and ammunition.
10. Thoroughly clean your firearm after use.

Equipment

Air rifles and pistols are a popular and cost effective way to enter the sport. "Small-bore" rifles (of .22 calibre) are generally used at shorter range such as 25 yards, typically 50m but sometimes out to 100 yards, whereas larger rifles (termed "full-bore") are shot at targets over much greater ranges, even up to 1000 yards.

Competitions

There are very many different competitions that shooters can enter once they feel competent enough - from very simple short-range club competitions right up to Olympic standard. The great thing about the sport is that you can choose your own level of competition and compete against others of similar skill. In fact you compete against yourself every time by trying to improve your last score and aim eventually move up to a higher grade.