Part One .
Right All . the first thing to consider is your self . fitness and attitude . plus Kit .
No you don't have to be a superman to do FT . any age any , within reason condition . any sex . strong , nope . you have be able to think on your feet . but as ever a decent amount of fitness is desirable . i cycle . gets you out . works the heart and lungs . loses weight . next kit . in other words , what you are wearing . any fool can get cold and wet . if you have the money no problem , if not then E Bay is you friend . starting from the bottom . boots . i like fabric boots , with Gore Tex Liners . reason , cos you don't have to polish em . just walk through long wet grass , cleaned . if you cannot afford those . then ex army waterproof socks in any boot you like . golfing shoes with spikes on are good . they stop your feet slipping in the sitting position if muddy . you will want boots really summer and winter as we shoot across a lot of quite rough ground . in the winter long johns are a must trousers . i use ron hill tracksters . they stretch . are warm in the winter and good in the summer . if wet then a pair of waterproof bottoms are good . lots of those on e bay . gore tex if you can . plastic or rubber will make you sweat . now for the top of your body . as a newby . then a fleece is good with a waterproof top if wet . BUT if your ambitions are higher and you have the money . a GIMP coat ( e bay again ) is a help . what that is , is a shooting jacket . usually for ten meter indoor shooting . they are very stiff and can help you control a shakey body . around £80 secondhand ish . mind you £400 up if you want the best . for the neck in the winter a snood ( motorcycle ) is good . to seal that gap beteen jacket and head . on top a decent peaked hat . if not that a hooded top . so if the sun is directly behind you . it won't go down your scope and white you out . for those who need glasses to see the side wheel / turrets , get a pair of clip on sun glasses . take the lenses out and put a pair of reading glasses in it . ( the pound shop ) clip it to the brim of your hat . so you can flip it down to see your markings , then flip it up afterwards to get it out the way . a small camping seat to take with you is good to sit on . whilst waiting to shoot is good . a bottle of water and maybe a banana , no chocolate . it raises the pulse . or pictures of me ladies . as that will have the same effect . HOLLY
I have been asked what i thought was the best beginners scope , for FT ? . the scope that springs to mind is the Big Nikko 10 to 50 by 60 . The MK 111 . this model is the best of the three types of Nikko . lighter and brighter . things to look for secondhand are as many extras as possible . to include , sunshade , extended top turret , coaster , pointer , large side wheel . price secondhand around £ 450 to £ 550 ish . new price around £800 . lots of em about . places to look are e bay . forums such as shooting the breeze and the BBS forum . preferably try before buy . you want good optics , nice and clear . defined clicks on the adjustment turrets . no play in the side wheel . or ring marks or dents HOLLY
PS quite a few of these down the club to try by the way .
PART TWO
OK now we get to the fun bit . what to shoot , where to shoot and which part of FT/HFT do you want to try . the very first thing to do , is to go to a club . BUY NOTHING till you have seen how we roll . 177 is a must for most . PcP or Springer , full size rifle or bull pup . which scope . as said go to a club . buy secondhand to start with . as what you start with . well you may not finish with . i have seen shooters spend thousands and a month later , be selling it at a loss . if you buy wisely , you can sell it without a loss if it is not what you need . as said do you want to just plink , casual shooting , are competitions your thing . FT . HFT . big difference between em . we have shooters who do both . young Alan does HFT . there is a rumour going around that he once hit a target . all these things can be talked about over a cuppa and a piece of cake ( we like cake ) . if you ask nicely the members will be happy to let you try there rifles . never touch a rifle without asking . always be safe . nobody cares if yReou are the best or the worst shot in the world as long as you are safe . at the club you will be taken around the ground and you will get a feel for what we do and how we do it . come along . don't be shy we don't bite . no snobbery . we have a good ground but it can be wet . so a decent foot wear is a good idea . give me a shout at holliesfolly@aol.com and we can arrange a visit . Cheers HOLLY
PS Remember Buy Nothing , till you visit .