shooting – The Activity People Blog

November Activity Focus – Air Rifles

With new venues being added to The Activity People network every day, we’re delighted to be able to offer more exhilarating activities than ever. One of our favourite activities is one we’ve been offering from day one though, and we still think nothing beats a trip to a rifle range! But just in case you need some persuading, here’s everything we love about air rifle shooting.

Anybody can give it a go

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The great thing about air rifle shooting is that you don’t need any experience to give it a go, and even if you’ve never held a gun before you can master the technique needed to take out the targets. Children as young as 7-years-old can try their hand at air rifle shooting too, which makes visiting a rifle range the perfect place for some family fun.

Experienced and enthusiastic instructors

Our instructors love air rifle shooting even more than we do, which means there’s nobody better to learn the basics of this brilliant target sport from. Safety is always paramount, as is having fun, and whether you’re new to air rifle shooting, or a seasoned pro they’ll always have some expert advice to help you improve your accuracy.

Friendly competitions and fun games

Our air rifle venues boast a variety of different targets to take aim at, and they’re perfect for fun competitions and games. So whether you’re setting your sights on traditional paper targets, spinners or knock downs you’re guaranteed some serious fun. At certain venues you can even focus your fire on a range of exploding targets, which means your day will really go with a bang.

Huge choice of venues

As air rifle shooting continues to grow in popularity, rifle ranges are popping up all over the country, and you’ll now find over 40 different venues to choose from on The Activity People website. With both indoor and outdoor venues to choose from too, not even the winter weather can spoil your fun!

The best way to find out why we love air rifle shooting so much is to give it a go yourself. So why not take on the targets and unleash your inner marksman!

To find your nearest venue enter your location in the search bar at the top of the page

Archery, Air Rifles and 4×4 in Horsham joins The Activity People

Want to take part in an adrenaline fuelled activity in Horsham? Well, you don’t need to settle for just one exciting thrill, when we have 3 awesome adventures to offer at our new location in the Sussex town.

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One of the oldest sports in the world and one of the fastest growing in the UK, Horsham is your first port of call for an archery adventure that really hits the target. Our outdoor site boasts some of the most qualified archery experts you’ll find anywhere in the country, who will offer one on one tuition that will help you hit the bullseye in no time.

But this isn’t the only target challenge that we have at the site, as we have an exclusive air rifle shooting range. Not only will you be getting professional tuition throughout in order to improve your shot, you’ll also be be taking part in a variety of shooting games in order to put your new skills to the test. You’ll feel like an action hero when you hit the targets!

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But if you fancy a spot of motor mayhem instead, you’ll definitely want to get behind the wheel of one of our 4×4’s for a cracking driving experience. We have a custom built off road track that lets you zoom across all the humps and bumps in your way. If this isn’t exhilarating enough, we also offer a blindfolded driving challenge. With no sight and only your team mate’s orders to lead you in the right direction, this isn’t for the faint of heart!

These thrills are all suitable for everybody aged 10 and over.

Visit our website for more information.

New to Clay Pigeon Shooting? Our 5 useful hints

1.Determine your dominant eye

Prepare for your shoot by finding out which is your dominant eye before you go to the clay shooting venue. It is important to bear in mind that dominant eye does not always follow dominant hand, however by using this simple test you can decide which eye to use to look down the barrel of the gun to focus on the target

Focus on an object in a room and point at it. Close your left eye and if you can still see that object at the end of your finger this means that you are right eye dominant. If it has moved away from your finger open your left eye and close your right eye, be careful not to move your hand. If you are left hand dominant that same object will be back at the end of your finger. Simple as that!

2.Mounting the gun correctly

Holding the gun correctly is crucial to firing the shot comfortably and accurately. With the help of your instructor you need to aim for the butt of the shotgun to sit in the groove in your shoulder joint. Hold the shotgun tight to ensure that the kick of the gun doesn’t impact on you when fired.

Your front hand should be placed as far down the barrel as possible whilst still allowing you to hold the gun tightly.

3.Comfortable and strong standing position

Your standing position is important to maintain accuracy when firing the gun. Both feet facing forward, with the foot opposite your trigger finger being the furthest forward. Use this foot for the majority of your weight to lean on as it is this that keeps you steady and helps maintain your balance.

4.Bring your head to the shotgun

If you are a first time shooter it will be very tempting to bring the gun upwards instead of bringing your head to the shotgun. If you can bring your head down to the shotgun you should be able to see right down the barrel and see your target much clearer. Don’t worry if you don’t get this right at the start, the instructor will always be on hand to guide you with this.

5.Stay steady and calm while firing

Hitting your clays generally comes down to two factors – your positioning and not delaying your shot. You will get lots of hints and tips but here’s some more that will impress even the most experienced instructor.

Follow the clay as it comes out of the trap, keep your eye down the barrel and be sure to keep the bead at the end of your gun inline. Resist the temptation to follow the clay with just your eye, you need the barrel to follow your line of sight too. Squeeze the trigger just as the clay disappears out of your line of sight.

One last tip, shoot the clay as its rising, once it starts to fall it may be best to wait for the next clay!

This time of year is simply perfect for clay shooting so why not give it a go?

Clay Pigeon Shooting – How it all started

Continue reading Clay Pigeon Shooting – How it all started

Game to improve your aim !!

Practice makes perfect and you can hit the bulls eye every time !

This simple and fun game will help improve your aim.

You will need:

Rubber Bands
Sticky tape or blu tack
and lots of paper.

MISSILES (heh, only paper ones!)

Get lots of regular pieces of printer paper and cut them into strips about 1 inch wide.
Fold each strip in half long ways 2 times. Then fold it short ways once. Then long ways 2 more times. Do this with all the 1 inch wide strips of paper until you have a nice stockpile of paper missiles!
Get a rubber band and stretch them between your index (pointer) finger and thumb.
In order to shoot load a missile on the half of rubber band closest to your target.

TARGET

Stack 5 pieces of paper so they lay on top of each other (the extra layers protect the surface behind the target from marking).
Draw a bulls eye on the front sheet.
Tape it or blu tack to a vertical surface (but not a wall as the missiles can leave a mark on paintwork or wallpaper if you fire with enough power and miss!).
Practice shooting the target until the bulls eye is an easy target!

WARNING (we know you will be sensible but just in case!):

If fired with enough power the missiles CAN HURT, so be careful.
NEVER shoot at the face.
DO NOT play this game at School – you could be suspended or, worse, expelled.
NEVER EVER add nails or staples to your missiles – you could really hurt someone.

Now to put your expert aim to the test…………..sites nationwide:

Essential Bond

1. How to make the perfect martini:

There are numerous way to make a Martini: gin or vodka, little or no vermouth, stirred or shaken and an olive or lemon twist garnish

The following recipe is for the classic Martini – remember to shake if you want to go Classic 007:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 green olive or lemon twist for garnish
orange or Angostura bitters (optional)

Preparation:

Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass or shaker filled with ice cubes.
Stir or shake for 30 seconds.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Add a dash of orange or angostura bitters if desired
Garnish with the olive or lemon twist.

Variations in the classic Martini:

Dry Martini- Traditionally uses more dry vermouth, however recent trends define a Dry Martini as using little or no vermouth.
Bone Dry or Desert Martini- No vermouth.
Gibson- Garnish with a cocktail onion.
Perfect Martini- Use equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.
Dirty Martini- Add a small amount of olive brine.
50-50-Use equal parts of gin and dry vermouth.
Vodka Martini- Replace gin with vodka for a nice alternative.

2. Drive an Aston Martin

Experience the thrill of driving a Supercar at one of the many superb venues available nationwide. These experience days are truly unforgettable, a must for Petrolheads and Bond enthusiasts alike.

3. Perfect your aim

Take some time to perfect your aim in paintball, lasercombat, clay pigeon shooting or even archery. Bond is an expert in all 4 and more besides………………moderately good at 1 is a good start and probably a damn sight better than any of your friends!

4. Learn the art of seduction

Some basic (but useful nevertheless) pointers in the minefield that is seduction:

Read the body language of the object of your attentions. And adjust your approaches accordingly – if you are being met with blocking signals…..back off gracefully, desperation isn’t particularly suave.
Flirtation should be subtle but unmistakable. Flirtation should never be coarse.
Be funny and fun – making someone laugh can be hugely attractive.
Don’t be pushy about your feelings. Gentle persuasion always yields better results.
And should you strike out, don’t be disheartened. Your Bond Girl is out there somewhere.

5. Learn the art of survival.

Watching back to back Bear Grylls could give you a few pointers on this! Alternatively taking part in some outdoor activities such as horse riding, orienteering or land yachting will definitely start you off on the right track.

Have fun out there!