Go Shooting– Get Started in Clay Target Shooting

How To Get Started in Clay Target Shooting

Did you like your shooting experience with Go Shooting? Did you find it amazing and are you now thinking it is worth doing it again? Remember, shooting is for everyone, no matter your age or level of fitness. If you are thinking about taking up the sport and becoming a recreational shooter here are some suggestions for you.

1)You can start by visiting your nearest clay target club during operational hours.

The club will allow you to attend on 3 occasions without a firearms license, as long as a licensed shooter stays besides you at all times while you are shooting. It is important that you call the club prior to attending.Safety reasons require that you sign the visitor’s book upon arrival. Clubs generally have a member on hand that can assist you in learning gun safety and shooting some clay targets. Clubs are also able to lend you a firearm if you don’t have one.

Gun Clubs often organise Inductions or Open Days for new and unlicensed shooters that want to try the sport.

A list of gun clubs in Melbourne is available below.

2)As you have experienced during your outing with Go Shooting, a large emphasis is put on Gun Safety. Shooting is one of safest and most enjoyable sports in the World, as long as you adhere to the following basic safety rules at all time. We also recommend that you listen to your instructor at all times.

-Wear Hearing Protection and Shooting Glasses at all times

-Point the gun forward atall times

-Always close the gun up. In other words don’t shut the gun so it is pointing at your feet or in any other unsafe direction

-Load one cartridge only until you are confident with safe gun handling

-Close gun with finger out of trigger guard

-Pull cheek firmly onto gunstock

-Feet shoulder width apart

-Two thirds weight on front foot

-Don’t look at the sights when you shoot. Once you are down the middle (if there are two beads, make a snowman or figure 8), point and shoot

-Pull trigger

-Open the gun immediately

3)Take the next step and get further involved in the sport.

  • In order to apply for your firearms license you have to become a Member of a registered Clay Target Club. Club membership rates vary between clubs; please contact your nearest gun club to enquire about membership rates. Below is a list of the 3 largest Clay Target Shooting clubs in Melbourne.

-Werribee Victorian Gun Club (Werribee)

Address: Ballan Road (Po Box 806), WEERIBEE - VIC 3030

Website: - Phone: (03) 9749 730

-Melbourne Gun Club (Lilydale)

Address: Victoria Road LILYDALE – VIC 3140

Website: – Ph: (03)9739 1771

-Frankston Australian Clay Target Club (Frankston),

Address: 123 Rossiter Road CARRUM DOWNS VIC 3201

Website: - Phone: (03) 97821626

Other clubs can be found here:

(check which have shotgun shooting facilities)

(enquire to find your closest club)

  • Apply for your firearms license through your local police department. All firearm related application licenses, permits and forms can be downloaded and printed from the website: . he First you will need to sit the safety course, It is free of charge so you will only pay for the license upon application.
  • If you don’t have a firearm already available to you, it is now time to purchase one.

-Go to gun shops/dealers and get a chance to handle a variation of available firearms. You will quickly get a better understanding of which firearms feel best and an idea of the price range. The dealer will assist you in your choice to ensure that gun fit is optimal.

Just Google ‘Gun Shops in Melbourne’ for a full list of guns shops.

-All of the guns you shot today are made by Beretta. Beretta Australia is located in the Dandenong area and they will be glad to assist you in getting your gun fitted correctly and serviced as necessary. Beretta Australia offers complimentary gun fitting on all Beretta and Franchi shotguns purchased. Please visit the Beretta Australia website for more information and a complete range of products:

Go Shooting hopes this document will assist you in becoming a recreational shooter. Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Go Shooting

Phone: 1800 - SHOOTING

Address: PO Box 8176, Tarneit, VIC 3029

Website:

Email:

Look forward to seeing you all ‘around the traps!’