The NRA is hosting an Armistice Commemoration Match on Saturday 10 November (1 day ahead of the centenary to allow people to attend services the following day). We invite anyone visiting Bisley to join us on Saturday when we will be marking the Centenary with a service of Remembrance.
Conducted by the Reverend Mark Chester CF(V), the service will take place at 8am on Century Range near the 300 yard car park, and will comprise of a 20 minute service including the laying of a wreath and playing of the last post.
The Service will be live streamed via our Facebook page if you are unable to make it on the day.
This Service will be followed by a commemorative match featuring 120 British SMLE, French and German rifles, and a special firing of a Vickers machine gun at approximately 15:30.
Silences will be observed on Sunday 11th November at 11 o’clock across all ranges.
Continue reading →Today we welcomed new and returning competitors to the NRA/ARA Military Adaptive Championships on Melville Range, the first match of HM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Imperial Meeting.
Faced with three different shooting challenges: Advancing Target, Snaps & Rapid and Mini McQueen, a competitive spirit was still viable amongst all the smiles and friendly chatter on the range.
Lunch for competitors and support staff was kindly sponsored by Qioptiq and Heckler & Koch, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Full Results are available HERE
Continue reading →This weekend has seen the European Target Rifle community brave the elements on Stickledown to compete in the European Long Range Championships. While Saturday produced generally favourable conditions, this morning competitors were greeted with varying levels of precipitation, from light drizzle to heavy monsoon! The challenge in achieving a decent sight picture was tough on shooters, and variable winds made for interesting calls by the coaches.
The team championship was followed by the individual event, shot at a single distance – 1000x. With clouds and rain moving in shortly after the match began, only 3 competitors managed to see through murk to complete all 15 shots!
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UPDATE – UK REACH – Public consultation on lead in ammunition
We have been working closely with other shooting organisations to coordinate our responses to the consultation.
The questions, numbered for convenience, posed on the online consultation are found here
The key points for the target shooting community and the NRA’s responses are as follows:-
Question 1 Transition Periods (prohibition of the sale or use of lead shot)
Any transition must take account of the need to allow time for the cartridge trade to import and install manufacturing machinery suitable for loading steel shot cartridges. Furthermore, the transition period must allow sufficient time for the development of robust supply lines for components. There is a serious risk to the viability of the commercial infrastructure which supports GB shotgun shooting, namely the shooting grounds and game shoots, in the event of a ‘cliff edge’ in which future supply of ammunition is uncertain.
We recommend that a 5 year transition should be reviewed in year 4, at which point 80% of required ammunition should be available, measurement of availability to include both importers and UK manufacturers and to be assessed by a disinterested agency or contractor. If 80% of required ammunition is not available at this point, then an extension to the transition period should be triggered.
Question 4 (Use of different bullet types for live quarry shooting and target shooting)
The principal use of expanding ammunition in target shooting is that of .22 rimfire, in which a standard soft nosed lead bullet is universally used both for target shooting and for the shooting of pest species and small ground game. The same round is marketed both for target shooting and for live quarry.
All non-jacketed ammunition is by its very nature expanding and is used extensively in target shooting. Other types of target shooting in which solid lead projectiles are used Include:-
Question 6 (General Comments)
It is noted that the HSE’s proposed derogation for the use of lead ammunition on outdoor target shooting ranges with rifles as drafted would not permit target shooting by civilian shooters on military or police ranges. These ranges provide shooting for thousands of target shooters. This oversight should be corrected; we suggest the following amendment to
Page 15 Table 2 – Proposed Text of the Restriction – at item 6:
This restriction on lead in ammunition shall not apply to the following applications: indoor target shooting; police, security services, military, including target shooting on outdoor ranges under the control of those agencies by users authorised by the operator; technical testing and/or proofing; testing and development of materials and products; forensic analysis; historical and other technical research or investigation.
The NRA is concerned about the proposed publication of lists of ranges or shooting clubs which may be approved for target shooting with lead bullets, since this would potentially compromise the safety and security of the ranges, the range operators and the users of such ranges. We would be content with the publication of lists of contractors designated as competent to remove lead from stop butts.
Members may wish to refer to these points when responding, in their own words, to the consultation.
The deadline to the online consultation https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/crd-reach/lead-in-ammunition/consultation/subpage.2023-07-27.8019028924/ is Monday 10th December.
Andrew Mercer
Secretary General
Continue reading →Since April, there have been three accidents involving hand-loaded ammunition that have resulted in injury and damage to property.
The NRA’s investigations show the underlying cause to be errors made during the hand loading process. In all three accidents, an incorrectly loaded case caused a breech explosion.
The NRA Rules of Shooting para 116 places a duty on the firer to ensure the safety of their firearm and ammunition individually and in combination. Responsibility for an accident lies in the first instance with the individual.
Club officials responsible for shoots on MoD ranges are reminded that the Club agreement with MoD includes a statement that the Club will obtain confirmation that hand loaded ammunition used under the Club’s supervision on MoD land ranges falls within the safety limits for the range.
All members should comply with manufacturer’s instructions for the use of reloading equipment, in conjunction with reputable load data. Failure to comply can result in serious injury to the shooter and others.
All members that hand load ammunition should use only reputable sources for load data and should not exceed manufacturer’s minimum and maximum loads. Members interested in home loading are encouraged to attend a training course provided by a reputable organisation.
Continue reading →The NRA continues to receive questions about Covid-19 Policy and procedures on MoD ranges in the UK.
We can confirm that there has been no change to Defence Policy and the supporting Covid-19 procedures for affiliated Clubs using MoD ranges. Club officials are reminded that range bookings should not exceed 30 people, members must comply with 2m social distancing rules and any local Covid-19 restrictions set by MoD/DIO range safety staff.
The Ministry of Defence Policy seeks to safeguard the workforce and civilians employed by the MoD including Landmarc staff from occupational exposure to Covid-19.
Club officials and RCO’s are reminded of the requirement to conduct a range recce prior to the booking and familiarise themselves with any recent changes to range orders and local restrictions.
Many target shooters rely on access to ranges on the Defence Training Estate . All members and licenced Clubs are encouraged to comply with Covid-19 procedures when on the Estate.
Please contact Nic Couldrey, Regional Ranges Manager, directly if you require further clarification.
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Range Managers Guide & Code of Practice for safe use of NRA and affiliated clubs’ ranges.
This new document has been produced to provide guidance to operators of existing outdoor and indoor ranges and follows our experience of operating ranges at Bisley and the ballistic safety principles contained in JSP 403. We hope that the guide will help clubs maintain and operate safe ranges. I’d welcome feedback on the initial issue. Let me take this opportunity to thank Maj (Retd) F S Compton MBE who was instrumental in producing the document.
Copies are free for NRA affiliated organisations; please refer to the NRA website here for more details
https://nra.org.uk/range-managers-guide-and-code-of-practice-for-safe-use/
DIO Ranges & Training Areas Safety Conference
The annual conference is hosted by our DIO colleagues in Warminster and provides a forum for users and those responsible for the delivery and range safety to share updates. Not surprisingly, safety is the key focus of the meeting. Access to military ranges is vital for more than 120 of our affiliated clubs, particularly those that want to shoot at distances greater than 300 yards. Building on that point, it’s great to see that RFCA Altcar will host the All Distance Challenge and Laurels Rutland Challenge on November 10th and 11th. This event will provide a rare opportunity for competitors to shoot at distances up to 1,000 yards.
There are two significant changes coming for users of military ranges; a) the RASP process and documentation will be enhanced, more details to follow in November and b) new training safety vehicles in red and white livery will be implemented across the UK estate. Finally, industry partner range operative staff will become more visible and be supported by MoD Police as appropriate. So look out for these changes in the coming months.
East Holme Range, Dorset
Members in Dorset will know that East Holme, a 400 yard gallery range near Swanage has been closed for some years. We have been in discussion with MoD about plans for the range. MoD has advised that the range is to be repaired and brought back into compliance with current MoD design and construction policy. No timescale has been set but we expect the range to be returned to service in 2019. Needless to say this is good news for our affiliated clubs in the South West, more to follow.
South Yorkshire Shooting Show
Finally, an update from Doncaster; I was joined by the Chief Executive, Head of Membership , Head of Shooting and Training and members of the team for the show last weekend. The NRA has not attended a regional shooting show for some time so this was something of an experiment/learning experience. The weather was kind and we had an opportunity to meet a variety of attendees including individual shooters, members of affiliated clubs and the public. The show provided an opportunity for the NRA to be present at a regional event and to promote several of our Yorkshire based clubs. Our thanks to Baildon Rifle and Pistol Club and the event organiser. The experience will certainly inform our decision about attending a regional show in future.
See you on the ranges!
Nic Couldrey
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Bisley Ranges – 152nd Imperial Meeting 2021 Competition Schedule
Friday 16 July 0800 to 1830
Saturday 17 July 0800 to 1900
Sunday 18 July 0800 to 1900
Monday 19 July 0800 to 1900
Tuesday 20 July 0800 to 1900
Wednesday 21 July 0800 to 1930
Thursday 22 July 0800 to 2000
Friday 23 July 0800 to 1700
Saturday 24 July 0800 to 1730
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