Category Archives: Range

Sunday 2 February Practice Shoot

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Well as you can see a fine bunch of shooters turned out for a busy practice day. We had 31 in total so we must be doing something right!

The rain has fallen in torrents lately and more to come but the all weather track up the range avoided nearly all the mud and we have nearly forgotten how difficult it used to be just getting up the range. (Anyone want to go back to the old muddy field days? – No I thought not)

The weather has impeded some of the work on the range and we have a full program this year including repair to the Backstop (people keep Shooting it). The Target Hut Roof (getting very suspect) and some seating at 200 and 300 yards. It will have to dry out a bit.

There was something else – Oh I know – The contractors are available to start the Pavilion project from the third week in February so we may get some hut action this spring and it can then rain all it wants as we can retreat to the clubhouse for a cuppa etc. There’s something to look forward to.

And where did I disappear to in a hurry? – Altercation with a legal but non locking multi-tool rendered a large cut in the trigger finger requiring medical attention. Pity I was looking forward to a decent blast with the M41B and the AR15. Will have to wait till next time.

Bah Humbug!!

Dorking 2014

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To keep you informed I thought you should be updated where we are with the strategic plans for 2014.

Most importantly we are about to start building the much anticipated George Arnold Pavilion. As you will be aware there has been much said about this over the years and I won’t bore you with the problems this has caused so here is where we are.

The committee decided that in the interest of fairness that the whole project should be handled independently so the project is being managed by an independent project manager who has organised the re-tender outside of our influence. There has also been a massive effort in organising all the building and planning requirements that are too numerous to mention here.

It has been recommended that the proposed wooden structure was more expensive than we needed and it was in fact cheaper to build this out of block being more sturdy and cheaper.

The tender process has completed and based on the recommendation of the project manager we have now appointed a contractor who will start work as soon as possible with a view to completion in June 2014.

So that’s it. In a nutshell we are finally moving along and we will see the evidence of works starting very soon.

This will disrupt our program for 2014 and we won’t be using the 600 yard point for the first half of the year. The program has been adjusted to reflect this and so some competitions that used to be shot at 600 will have been moved to other distances. So what was a 500/600 yard comp previously will be a 300 and 500 yard instead for this year. No point in getting worked up about it, it will be worth it in the end.

The new program for the year has been posted on the Program 2014 page. A printable copy can be found on the following link

 2014 Shooting Calendar Post

Shooting Records

The Yellow Form that we remember will no longer be issued.  There is a shooting record that you can use here 2014 Record 2014 to cover your Dorking shoots.

The club will maintain a central record of shoot attendance as we are obliged to do. It is up to you to record your attendance to satisfy the police you are using your firearms enough to justify retention of your certificate.

If you don’t turn up for a year and don’t keep a record of your shooting then its YOUR PROBLEM not ours. So Use your Firearms and keep a record it will make renewals a whole lot easier.

 I recommend you keep your shooting records in a safe place and preferably scan a copy somewhere on the web as well as a back up.

 I think that’s all for now. Check out the program (that is subject to change depending on circumstances) download the forms and keep your records up to date.

1 September Garvett & Marlow Cup

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Well we had better call this one the Chichester, Bookham & Dorking Team Shoot. We had over 35 shooters and this in itself is something of a record. Invited teams from Chichester and Bookham shot alongside the home teams and there was enough to make 5 teams of 4.

The results are on the results page and photos on the photos page with the top team being Dorking A (581.66) closely followed by – well look up the results I can’t repeat them all here. George Cotton shot an impressive 150.21 (he complained about some dropped V’s and funnily enough didn’t get much sympathy)!

We have wanted to the the facilities to a point where we can invite other clubs for a shoulder to shoulder competition and are delighted that Bookham and Chichester could join us so we will definitely do that again (the Boar Hill on Remembrance Day is an obvious one for that).

I think I can safely say that everyone enjoyed themselves and the results show some excellent scores. The new seating at 500 was very welcome and will be added to 300 and 200 in due course.

For me it was a joy to be able to have somewhere to put your kit to sort it out and not get covered in mud. Many years ago I said you should be able to walk up the range in a pair of slippers. Well that wouldn’t be practical but deck shoes are just fine. We have come along way with the range this year so thanks to all who put the positive effort into the club to move it forward and for those who turn up, shoot, smile and make it all worth while.

To those who said ‘We don’t need that’ it turns out we did need it, and what a difference it has made.

The next shoot is the 303 trophy at 300 and 500 with categories for 303 rifles, SRa, SRb and Scoped.

Drilling for Oil?

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No Not really!   The Survey team drilling the test bore holes for the new pavilion. We need to get this right so bore holes are being drilled to fully explore the ground so we get the base right for the development. We don’t want it sinking in a few years.

The next step will be an engineers report on the dimensions for the base.  This project is really moving forward (at last).

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The Barclay Cup & Range Updates

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Well we had a fair turn out today given the promised weather. It was a bit windy but we stayed dry. It was all shot form 600 yards as the 500 firing point has been re turfed (see the photos Section). It also would have been handy had it rained (Luckily it didn’t).

Top score went to Tim Hammond who proved his hand loads are just as good as the club GGG ammo that we are now stocking for members. Its proved to be better than the MEN and the other alternative stuck in a number of guns so its GGG for the time being.

If you want to buy ammo for use on the range or use one of the club guns then remember to contact Mike Ball prior to the shoot. We only bring the minimum we need so if you don’t want to be disappointed then ASK IN ADVANCE.

We have added a number of photographs to the site showing the spanking new firing points at 200, 300 & 500 Yards. These have been built by Mike and Andy from Facility Solutions Ltd and are a big improvement. In the next few weeks we will be adding seating and some fencing along with some rests to keep the kit out of the mud. You can see from the pictures that the roadway is grassed over nicely.

We will be aligning the wind and danger flags soon so we can try to fathom the wind changes a bit better. If you take a look at the photo of the target number you can see that wind is the least of some shooters problems.

What About the Hut (AKA The George Arnold Pavilion)? – The site survey for the footings is being done next week so we will be able to determine the exact dimensions and thickness of the base and pilings required. Then our (independent) Project Manager is organising a re-tender for the build. We still want this done by the end of the year but as I am sure you know these things take time.

So for now take a look at the new range photos and if you have not shot recently then why not? The days of cattle rutted ground, uneven firing points and mud are history. We are moving the improvements forward for all of us to enjoy.

The next shoot is TR being 2&10 at 300, 500 & 600 Scoped rifles can shoot alongside TR just in case anyone doesn’t realise this.

And finally Jeff wanted everyone to know that he borrowed Mike’s AI and shot a higher score than Mike. Proof that it is unwise to lend you gun to anyone as they always beat you!