Q. WHAT IS THE ARMY TARGET SHOOTING CLUB (ATSC) ?
A. The ATSC comprises four disciplines; Small bore (.22), Target Rifle, Target Pistol (Air rifle/pistol) and Clay Target. The SB section is the focal point sub-organisation within the ATSC that represents small bore shooting within the Army.
Q. HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ATSC SB SECTION ?
A.
Full Membership
Serving and Retired members of the Regular Army, Army Reserve and Cadet Forces may apply for Full Membership of the Club. Applications from serving members of the Army are to be proposed by a full member of the club and countersigned by the applicant’s superior officer of at least field rank; retired personnel are to be proposed and seconded by existing full members of the Club who have personal knowledge of the applicant.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership of the Club may, at the discretion of the Committee, be granted to members of other Services and to such other individuals as the Sub-Committee may wish to invite. Any application for Associate Membership made to the Committee must be proposed and seconded by Full Members who have personal knowledge of the applicant. Associate Members are entitled to receive all the benefits of Full Membership except that they may not vote on any matter affecting the Constitution of the Club nor may they propose any other person for any form of membership. Associate membership is not to exceed 20% of the total ATSC SB Section membership.
If you are interested in applying for membership please enquire via the Contact Us page for further details.
Full Membership
Serving and Retired members of the Regular Army, Army Reserve and Cadet Forces may apply for Full Membership of the Club. Applications from serving members of the Army are to be proposed by a full member of the club and countersigned by the applicant’s superior officer of at least field rank; retired personnel are to be proposed and seconded by existing full members of the Club who have personal knowledge of the applicant.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership of the Club may, at the discretion of the Committee, be granted to members of other Services and to such other individuals as the Sub-Committee may wish to invite. Any application for Associate Membership made to the Committee must be proposed and seconded by Full Members who have personal knowledge of the applicant. Associate Members are entitled to receive all the benefits of Full Membership except that they may not vote on any matter affecting the Constitution of the Club nor may they propose any other person for any form of membership. Associate membership is not to exceed 20% of the total ATSC SB Section membership.
If you are interested in applying for membership please enquire via the Contact Us page for further details.
Q. WHAT IS SMALL BORE SHOOTING ?
Small bore rifle shooting involves target rifles firing .22 rimfire ammunition fired at targets at distances from 25 yards up to 100 yards. The practical skills involved are very similar to those used for both full-bore and air rifle shooting with the main difference being the type of rifle and ammunition used.
There are over 600 clubs with over 10,000 people shooting smallbore rifle on a regular basis in the United Kingdom alone. For some people shooting is a recreational sport to be enjoyed with friends and provides an environment to meet like minded people. For others it is an intense challenge requiring discipline and effort with the goal of competing at club, county or international level. Rifle shooting is one of a small number of sports that is open to almost anyone irrespective of any disabilities, age, gender and fitness, which do not by themselves define who will be good or bad at shooting as they do with some other sports. Each person takes something different from the sport. Some find it helps with concentration and patience, for others it provides them with an experience that is very different from their usual day to day activities.
Although target shooting was one of the original founding sports for the modern Olympic Games started in 1896, its popularity amongst civilians only really took off in 1900 as a consequence of the Boer War. The Boers' superior marksmanship lead to increasing concern at the capability of the Army to defend the population against invasion. The call went out for the populace to learn to shoot to defend their country and in due course civilian small-bore shooting clubs were formed from which the sport grew.
This is one of the few sports where male and female and the able and those with disabilities compete equally against one another. Age is no bar to competition*. You can start as soon as you are physically strong enough to hold a firearm safely (with supervision) and you can continue well beyond retirement age. Once you are proficient there are many competitions around the country open to you so you are not restricted to just one venue.
There are over 600 clubs with over 10,000 people shooting smallbore rifle on a regular basis in the United Kingdom alone. For some people shooting is a recreational sport to be enjoyed with friends and provides an environment to meet like minded people. For others it is an intense challenge requiring discipline and effort with the goal of competing at club, county or international level. Rifle shooting is one of a small number of sports that is open to almost anyone irrespective of any disabilities, age, gender and fitness, which do not by themselves define who will be good or bad at shooting as they do with some other sports. Each person takes something different from the sport. Some find it helps with concentration and patience, for others it provides them with an experience that is very different from their usual day to day activities.
Although target shooting was one of the original founding sports for the modern Olympic Games started in 1896, its popularity amongst civilians only really took off in 1900 as a consequence of the Boer War. The Boers' superior marksmanship lead to increasing concern at the capability of the Army to defend the population against invasion. The call went out for the populace to learn to shoot to defend their country and in due course civilian small-bore shooting clubs were formed from which the sport grew.
This is one of the few sports where male and female and the able and those with disabilities compete equally against one another. Age is no bar to competition*. You can start as soon as you are physically strong enough to hold a firearm safely (with supervision) and you can continue well beyond retirement age. Once you are proficient there are many competitions around the country open to you so you are not restricted to just one venue.
Q. WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN SMALL BORE SHOOTING AND THE ARMY ?
Target shooting is a test of marksmanship skills, concentration, self discipline and motivation. It has considerable military training value in improving individual marksmanship ability, while competition helps individuals cope with the pressures and stress inherent in operational shooting.
Small-bore target rifle shooting is a recognised Army sport, carried out using rifles which are designed specifically for the sport in accordance with rules laid down by the national shooting body, the National Small-bore Rifle Association, and the International Shooting Sport Federation, the body governing target shooting up to Olympic Standard. Shooting is conducted from the prone, standing and kneeling positions indoors at 25yds and outdoors at 50m, and from the prone position outdoors at 100yds. While the distances aren’t great, the precision required is - the 10 ring at 50m is only 10mm in diameter for all positions, and the light .22 bullets are deflected by even slight winds.
Many members of the ATSC have shot for the Army Team over the years. We have a strong team and a healthy development squad, and benefit from access to excellent equipment as well as having County coaches within our ranks. There are opportunities to participate in competitions both at unit level, and as an individual at the Army Championships. Results from these events and performance in training are used to select members for the Army and Combined Services representative teams. The calendar includes matches against Police Sport UK, national teams, short and long range inter Service championships and team entries in the Gibraltar Rifle Association Open Championships. Entry in the British Rifle Meeting at Bisley is also supported.
There are a number of excellent courses available, delivered by members of the Army Team on behalf of the Army Rifle Association. These provide the best possible introduction to the sport, with instruction from qualified and very experienced coaches. Please enquire via the Contact Us page for further details.
Small-bore target rifle shooting is a recognised Army sport, carried out using rifles which are designed specifically for the sport in accordance with rules laid down by the national shooting body, the National Small-bore Rifle Association, and the International Shooting Sport Federation, the body governing target shooting up to Olympic Standard. Shooting is conducted from the prone, standing and kneeling positions indoors at 25yds and outdoors at 50m, and from the prone position outdoors at 100yds. While the distances aren’t great, the precision required is - the 10 ring at 50m is only 10mm in diameter for all positions, and the light .22 bullets are deflected by even slight winds.
Many members of the ATSC have shot for the Army Team over the years. We have a strong team and a healthy development squad, and benefit from access to excellent equipment as well as having County coaches within our ranks. There are opportunities to participate in competitions both at unit level, and as an individual at the Army Championships. Results from these events and performance in training are used to select members for the Army and Combined Services representative teams. The calendar includes matches against Police Sport UK, national teams, short and long range inter Service championships and team entries in the Gibraltar Rifle Association Open Championships. Entry in the British Rifle Meeting at Bisley is also supported.
There are a number of excellent courses available, delivered by members of the Army Team on behalf of the Army Rifle Association. These provide the best possible introduction to the sport, with instruction from qualified and very experienced coaches. Please enquire via the Contact Us page for further details.
Q. WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED ?
We have all the equipment needed to help you get started in the sport, then as you develop you may wish to begin to purchase some of your own kit.
The basic kit includes:
- Rifle
- Rifle Case
- Rifle Cleaning Kit
- Sling
- Shooting Jacket
- Shooting Cap/Headband with Blinder
- Ear Defenders
- Glove
- Shooting Mat
- Spotting Scope with Stand
The basic kit includes:
- Rifle
- Rifle Case
- Rifle Cleaning Kit
- Sling
- Shooting Jacket
- Shooting Cap/Headband with Blinder
- Ear Defenders
- Glove
- Shooting Mat
- Spotting Scope with Stand