Popham Shoots

Popham Shoots and Club Grading

The dates for 2024 Popham Club Shoots are as follows

The Committee wishes to remind all club members that Popham is available to all club members to shoot at and it is everyone's choice to opt in or out of club grading by simply deciding if they do or do not wish to complete a score card, we do recognise some members do not wish to score themselves and wish to simply shoot. Members can shoot the plink area, shoot from a chair / and or table (if they want to carry it), shoot a selection of HFT / FT targets, shoot the same target as many times as they want etc in summary members can shoot any target in any way as long as they comply with club safety rules and RO instructions. Members can also enjoying shooting the HFT Pistol targets (with a 6ftlb pistol of course). We do however require that members not shooting a grading card do step back from a target or move to another if a member shooting a grading card is passing through.

All Popham shooters can use air rifles/pistols of any calibre, these must comply with the Clubs safety rules and UK Statutory Regulations. Only lead, copper coated lead, tin, zinc, alloy and frangible (Dust Devils TM) pellets/BBs may be used. Under no circumstances is ammunition containing steel or plastic to be used. The Committee reminds all shooters at Popham to THINK OF AND ADHERE TO CLUB SAFETY AT ALL TIMES

The course layout of one big loop for all 3 disciplines (Hunter Field Target (HFT), Field Target (FT) and Sporter Field Target (SFT) has worked so well over the last couple years, we plan to keep it for this year, although we will move a few targets around every so often to keep people on their toes

This year we will be making a few changes to the shoot arrangements in order to make it easy for members who want to be graded to achieve the minimum required number of shoots as well as making it easier for members to perhaps partake in multiple disciplines over the year. As such we will run from January 8th to November 8th with a presentation of prizes to the graded shooters after the Not the Turkey shoot (Usually 1st Popham weekend in Dec). This will give shooters wishing to be graded the full 11 months to achieve their minimum number of shoots.

THINK SAFETY AT ALL TIMES

For those Members wishing to be graded

  1. For an equal playing field and out of respect to your fellow club members, these procedures/rules must be strictly adhered to.
  2. Club members wishing to get a club grading can elect to mark score cards and leave them in the plastic envelope on the Popham hut door.
  3. There will no longer be designated FT / SFT or HFT shoot dates on a monthly basis
  4. There will be a MAXIMUM of 8 shoots per discipline allowed, these 8 shoots can be spread over the shoots in the calendar.
  5. Only the members best 5 scores will count towards their grading. After 5 scores have been recorded, members can still shoot 3 additional cards to try and better and thus replace a previous card. Any more than 8 will not be counted
  6. Members can nominate to shoot their chosen discipline on any of the Popham dates throughout the year and must mark their card with the discipline before commencing that day
  7. Members MUST nominate that a card will count as one of their 8 shoots BEFORE commencing that day
  8. Members may only shoot one card for each discipline per calendar month. In other words, members have 12 months in which to shoot their 8 cards, but of course can elect to record cards in multiple disciplines in a month
  9. If ran, the scores from the Bunny Bash must count as one FT/SFT round.
  10. Grading results will be published on the BARPC Forum and Web page

FT

  1. The FT course consists of 20 Gates with 2 targets per gate, total 40 targets.[/li] [li] FT Targets will be placed between 10 and 55 yards, any 15mm hit zone targets will be set out to a maximum distance of 25 yards and any 25mm hit zone targets will be set out to a maximum distance of 35 yards.
  2. All Shooters will follow CSFTA FT rules for this discipline, if in doubt ask an RO. The club adopts the following differences to CSFTA
  3. Shooter and gun to always be within the indicated gate.
  4. There will be no forced standing or kneeling lanes.
  5. No timers are mandated, however shooters are encouraged to complete a lane within 3 minutes to keep the flow for everyone working
  6. Scoring: 1 (one) point if the target falls and 0 (zero) for the faceplate or complete miss.
  7. Scores to be as a percentage of total possible points, not percentage of highest score on the day.

SFT

  1. The SFT discipline is shot on the FT course and generally follows the clubs FT procedures shown above with the following differences
  2. Any form of sighting system may be used with the exception of Laser sights. No separate device designed specifically for range finding may be used.
  3. The power of any telescopic sight must be limited to 12 (twelve) times magnification,. If fitted, larger power sights MUST be turned down for the shoot and magnification must NOT adjusted during the shoot.
  4. The sight can be set for distance, magnification (up to 12 times) and elevation in each lane before looking through the sight at the first target. The sight settings from the first target may not be varied or adjusted before shooting at the second target in the same lane.
  5. If a SFT member is partnered with a Field Target shooter the former must shoot first, this is to ensure no unfair advantage is gained.
  6. No timers are mandated, however shooters are encouraged to complete a lane within 3 minutes to keep the flow for everyone working
  7. Normal FT Scoring shall apply, 1 (one) point if the target falls and 0 (zero) for the faceplate or complete miss.
  8. Scores to be as a percentage of total possible points, not percentage of highest score on the day.

HFT

  1. The HFT course consists of 20 lanes, 2 pegs and 20 targets for 40 shooting positions.
  2. HFT targets will be placed between 8 and 45 yards, any 15mm hit zone targets will be no closer than 13 yards and no further than 25 yards and any 25mm hit zone targets will be placed at no further than 35 yards.
  3. All Shooters will follow CSFTA HFT rules for this discipline, if in doubt ask an RO. The club adopts the following differences to CSFTA
  4. Normal HFT shooting positions in force, eg., no sitting.
  5. Each lane will have two shooting positions marked by a wooden peg driven into the ground.
  6. Competitors will take one shot from each peg, with a part of their body touching the peg. Only the shooters rifle and arms can be over the virtual firing line which will be no further than 1m closer to the target than the peg
  7. If for hygiene reasons, the shooter does not wish to touch the peg, a part of the shooters body must be as close to the peg as possible
  8. Bean bags can only be used if/when shooting in a kneeling position.
  9. No timers are mandated, however shooters are encouraged to complete a lane within 3 minutes to keep the flow for everyone working
  10. Scoring: 2 points for a knockdown; 1 point for a face plate; zero for a total miss.
  11. Scores to be as a percentage of total possible points, not percentage of highest score on the day.

Please honor these rules with grace.

NOTE: ALL TARGETS ARE REGULARLY TESTED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. IN EVENT OF A DISPUTE PLEASE CALL A RANGE OFFICER. THE RANGE OFFICER'S DECISION IS FINAL.

RANGE SAFETY.

Notice is drawn to the detailed BARPC RANGE SAFETY RULES.  In addition, each shooter is responsible for their own and their fellow competitors safety. Please ensure you follow ALL safety rules, follow any instructions given by a Marshall/RO and remember that shooting is a safe sport when due respect is given to the gun and the environment in which it is used. Shoot safely and enjoy your visit to Popham.

  1. Warning to cease fire will be given by a single whistle blast.
  2. On the signal for cease fire all guns will be discharged into the ground immediately in front of the shooter.
  3. Only BARPC marshals/RO's are permitted to cross the firing line.
  4. On two blasts of the whistle shooting may recommence.
  5. Guns must only be loaded at the firing position. When moving to the next peg the gun must be unloaded. This specifically includes multishots.
  6. Guns to be carried in a gun bag or barrel down only.
  7. There will be no sighting of guns anywhere on the grounds unless at the zero range or the firing point.
  8. Any person infringing safety regulations will be warned or asked to leave the shoot as deemed appropriate. There will be no refunds of any fees paid in the event of safety regulation breaches.
  9. The shoot may use both non-shooting marshals and roving shooting marshals.  RO's / Marshalls may be identified by the use of fluorescent jackets or via declaration on the Club Reservation system.  If a Member is unsure, they should ask.
  10. All shooters must attend regular safety briefing when deemed as required by the Outdoor Secretary / Chief Marshall
  11. Any shooter under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, or guardian over the age of 21 who accepts responsibility for the junior shooter at all times.

In all issues, the Chief Marshals / Outdoor Secretaries decision is final.

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