Starting out in target shooting can be daunting, especially when faced with the myriad of accessories and gear available. However, not everything is essential straight away. This guide breaks down what you genuinely need to get started, what you might want to invest in later, and what gear is often overhyped or unnecessary for beginners.
Understanding Your Discipline
Before investing in any equipment, it’s crucial to understand which discipline you’ll be pursuing. The gear required for prone rifle shooting differs greatly from that used in air pistol competitions or gallery rifle. Consult your club or a coach to confirm your discipline before purchasing.
The Essentials – What You Absolutely Need
1. Eye and Ear Protection Regardless of the discipline, these are non-negotiables. Even small calibre firearms can damage hearing over time, and eye protection shields you from potential ricochets or flying debris.
2. Shooting Mat For prone rifle shooting, a mat offers stability and comfort. A basic mat is sufficient to start with. Avoid thick yoga mats as they tend to compress unevenly.
3. Ammunition Box or Holder Keeping your ammunition organised, clean, and accessible is vital, especially when shooting under time constraints.
4. Range Bag A sturdy range bag allows you to carry all your essentials in one place. Look for one with compartments and strong zips.
5. Notepad and Pen For tracking scores, sight settings, group sizes, and environmental conditions. Many competitive shooters log every session.
6. Basic Cleaning Kit Firearm maintenance is essential for safety and longevity. A kit should include:
- Bore rod or pull-through
- Appropriate solvents and lubricants
- Bore brush and jag
- Cloth patches
7. Appropriate Clothing Clothing should be weather-appropriate, non-restrictive, and provide a full range of motion. For outdoor ranges, waterproof gear is often a must.
Nice to Have – Items to Add As You Progress
1. Spotting Scope or Binoculars For long-range shooting, these let you see your hits without walking to the target each time.
2. Shooting Jacket and Gloves Especially useful in prone or standing rifle disciplines. They improve stability and reduce muscle fatigue.
3. Shooting Stool or Seat Helpful when waiting during detail changes or scoring breaks.
4. Custom Ear Protection Moulded plugs provide superior comfort and better sound attenuation. Electronic hearing protection also allows normal conversation.
5. Chronograph Allows reloaders and competition shooters to measure bullet velocity. Not needed for beginners but invaluable for load development.
6. Slings and Bipods Depending on your discipline, these can enhance accuracy. Be aware that some competition formats prohibit their use.
What to Avoid as a Beginner
1. Expensive Scopes or Optics Until you know your discipline and budget, avoid high-end scopes. Basic optics often suffice initially. Choose known brands with good warranty support.
2. Multiple Firearms Stick to one firearm and learn it thoroughly. Once you have experience, you can expand your collection purposefully.
3. Reloading Equipment Reloading is complex, and best left until you’ve fully grasped the fundamentals of your chosen calibre and firearm. It's also only beneficial for certain disciplines and not applicable to rimfire.
4. Tactical Gear While it may look appealing, a lot of tactical gear is unnecessary for target shooting and can hinder mobility or draw undue attention.
Budgeting for Your First Year
Here’s a rough breakdown of starting costs:
- Eye and ear protection: £30–£80
- Cleaning kit: £25
- Shooting mat: £30–£60
- Range bag: £40–£100
- Club fees: £50–£250 depending on club and discipline
- Ammunition: Varies (e.g., .22LR at £5–£10 per 50 rounds)
- Rifle or airgun (if not using club guns): £200–£600 used
Aim to invest incrementally. Focus on safety and reliability before performance enhancements.
Final Tips
- Visit ranges and talk to fellow shooters before buying
- Try equipment through your club or other members
- Don’t be swayed by marketing hype—prioritise fit and function
By understanding what’s truly essential and avoiding unnecessary purchases, you’ll save money and focus more on improving your shooting. Gear should enhance your performance—not complicate it.