robjp wrote:

If you're ever by Chester, try North Wales Shooting School (just outside Chester), as a beginner for lessons.
I've also heard good things about Kelbrook Shooting Lodge (lancs), they are supposed to be good for beginners too.....SNIP

All GREAT advice. There is a lot around NW and Chester; as well as some lovely scenery! Catton Hall near me in Frodsham has a variety of turn up and shoot options including tuition etc.

The notes about the SGC are spot on. Great information on a great sport. I've been in the BASC & CSA for several years now and they are both great.

Best of luck anyhow as you've read it's a addictive yet accessible past time where guns can be from the cost of lunch to £100,000!

robjp wrote:

If you're ever by Chester, try North Wales Shooting School (just outside Chester), as a beginner for lessons.

second this, they are very good at giving advice and usually have a selection of guns for sale.

For ammunition and general supplies Monk's in chester are superb.

Orvis in Tarporley are good for getting the gear too, depends what you're after!

Another good shooting school is at Catton hall, which is more atmospheric IMO.

Gun choice is something very personal, and entirely budget dependant. The sky is the limit, with Holland and Holland and Purdey at the top. As a starter gun, I would recommend a Beretta Under and Over, which isn't as pretty as a side-by-side, but is very easy to use and a solid beginner's gun. However, guns are often chosen more as a piece of fine craftsmanship, and they all operate in a similar fashion! I learnt on an Edwardian single barreled bolt action 4/10, so anything is possible

Get in touch if you need any more local info. Are you looking for game shooting? If so I can put you in touch with people

seems im coming across a lot of Beretta ones when looking. I think I will take advice and go shooting a few times first before buying one and applying for a licence.

good idea, it can be a huge undertaking and can become a bit of a lifestyle. Catton Hall use brand new Berettas so try that for a taster

Beretta do make a very good, high quality, long lasting gun. You'll find a lot of shooting schools use Berettas, and those guns really get some hammering. 20,000+ shells a year through them, and an instructor I know won't buy anything else.
Because they are renowned for that build quality, they don't seem to depreciate that much. Buy a (basic) Beretta O/U new now for £1.3k, and you'll lose the VAT (so down to 1000). In a decade, if you've taken care of it, it will still be worth £800, without much difficulty.

they are solid, but seem a little the obvious choice at times: if you were buying solely as a piece of machinery then they are a surefire bet, but I prefer a side-by-side, and like something more beautiful and interesting than a Beretta I.e. something older

but then I'm a bit odd like that

Any repairs needed, I'm a gunsmith near bath, do all aspects at my workshop Un like most who ship out to people such as myself

a very useful and informative thred! often thought about this but never got going on it. What laws etc cover/govern the transport of guns? ie from home to place of shooting etc? [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

For transporting a shotgun : it should be concealed from casual view (car boot, gunslip/bag/case), if the car is left unattended then the car MUST be locked. Apart from that, the term 'reasonable precautions' is used a lot. As a certificate holder, you are recognized as having a brain, and you are expected to use it.
For example, if stopping at a busy motorway services, ensure you park somewhere nice and visible, not out of the way. You can buy cables to lock the gun to the car body, but not really needed unless a 'dodgy' area. In which case you probably shouldn't be leaving it in a car in the first place.

Rifles (FAC) are slightly different. When you leave the car, you are supposed to carry the bolt on you, so that the rifle cannot be readily used if stolen. Personally, I'm reluctant to leave the car for more than a couple of minutes if I'm carrying a hunting rifle, so I usually grab a coffee/food from the petrol station, and have a break in the car.
Shotgun cartridges should also be stored out of sight. Rifle ammunition should be stored securely, and seperate from the rifle or bolt (usually in glovebox, if this can be locked)

as above, its basically down to common sense.

Another local ground choice would be Kelbrook (near Colne). A really nice relaxed sporting layout, and a great location for a drive in the RR, especially when we've a bit of snow. They do lessons, gun hire etc too, and have a little hut on site that does great snacks. Worth a try.