So where and why?

[Skeetfreak]

I was talking to some guys at my local club the others day and they asked if i ever thought about shooting ESP now and again. This has put the thought in my head

I do shoot some practice now and again for a relax away from my skeet obsession - but looking back through my CPSA scores i have not shot a ESP registered event since Somerley 2002!!

I used to be be OK (A class) but get the feeling i would be no-where near that again if i went to a shoot. My old regular haunts used to be Grange, Kingsley, Shugborough, Grimesthorpe, Doveridge, Barrow Heath.... plus venture now and again to a few others.

My question is though.......

If i was to shoot a registered ESP now where would you say would be a good place to go - nothing too tricky (but still a good variety of targets and presentations) and somewhere I'd enjoy a 100 target shoot at.

Know nothing about any of the new grounds around so a bit in the dark so to speak. Any advice / thoughts?

 

[maddmatt]

Well some of your old stomping grounds would be a good place to start. If you are shooting a lot of skeet the only targets that might cause you an issue are ones that require more lead then station 4, so you might not trust yourself to put 5 to 6 feet (at the target end!) of lead on. If you are happy to travel Southdown ESP's are generally good, most of the targets show their bellies so you should be fine

 

[Hamster]

Just pick the closest reg ground to you and go from there.

 

[Lock Stock & Barrel]

Well some of your old stomping grounds would be a good place to start. 

This ^^^^^ Grimsthorpe have a 100 ESP Reg Comp on this Sunday (28th April).

 

[Richard59]

Firstly I'd say that if you were once a A class that's worthy of more a claim of being OK, suggest as above go somewhere you've been before would be a steady start back.

 

[Will Hewland]

Firstly I'd say that if you were once a A class that's worthy of more a claim of being OK, suggest as above go somewhere you've been before would be a steady start back.

And why do a reg shoot? Find a nice open somewhere for the toe back in the water. Enjoy the proper discipline though!

 

[Richard59]

As Clever points out no need to do a reg shoot, visit a ground on a practice day to see if and how target presentation had moved on etc,

 

[Paul]

Try Northampton Greg, local for you and good targets, plenty of folk enjoy it and not much travel for a toe in the water mate. Just don't let it distract you from your main goal!

 

[Skeetfreak]

Thanks All,

Will find something in the next week or two.... busy this weekend (i think) but got an itch to shoot a hundred sporting.

Reason i would prefer to shoot a registered is that we (I) pay an chunk of money to the CPSA and they kindly keep my scores / work my averages etc. I see little point in paying them and then shooting "open" shoots.

CirenRich50 - Reason i say i did "OK" is that i never really won anything. Couple of class wins at some of the shoots and some good scores but no-where near a High Gun (Best i did was around 3 or 4 behind @ Southern Counties for the British Open in the late Nineties)  which is after all the big picture and is always how i base my performance - "How did i compare to the top score?" / "Am i able to compete for the win?"

Did think about Northampton but it used to be pretty flat and i am really after an "experience" - If WMSG did registered events i would be there in a flash. Like the idea of a pretty ground were you see few (if any) traps and differing terrain / back drops. From what i can remember of it (Last shot it in 1996) it very much fulfils that criteria.

Paul - Don't worry mate - skeet is fully on track and i still VERY MUCH have my goals in mind for this season when it comes to that. I'm just looking to get out and shoot some stuff "for fun" - might even shoot a UT Reg with the good lady wife! 

 

[sarachambers]

Given your location, any of Steve Lovett's shoots are challenging and interesting (Westfield is a fantastic shoot). Grange puts on a great shoot too, as does Northampton - the new (for you) banking means they can throw some interesting stuff! I'd recommend Orston too.

 

[Skeetfreak]

Cheers Sara,

Looking at the fixtures lots of options nearby (within 1hr 30min) so will see how things pan out for the weekend.

On another note shot my usual midweek place but sporting today... they had a 30 bird ESP on - managed a 25 which was OK but watched two people demolish it with 29's and another shoot 27 by time i left.

Stand 1). 30yd right to left rabbit followed by a quartering standard from behind you about 15-20yds - dropped a single rabbit. (5 ex 6)

Stand 2).  Going away standard off a 40ft tower followed by a chondel at about 45yds - dropped one of each (4 ex 6)

Stand 3). 40yd left to right crosser  followed by a standard driven - dropped a single crosser (5 ex 6)

Stand 4). Orange going away from about 15yds in front of you followed by a high quartering target over your right shoulder - dropped a single going away bird (5 ex 6)

Stand 5). 40yd Midi left to right crosser and a standard incomer (at about 25yds) as a pair - got en all (6 ex 6)

Could have done better i think but had some other stuff to do so only had time to have a quick blast at it. Just a bit clumsy on some shots and only used skeet chokes as that it is all i had.

 

[Guerini Guy]

Hi Greg  -  see that you have shot Barrow Heath before.

This is now under new management, and Phil Moss sets some good targets. Registered ESP's always starting the first and third Sundays of each month at least. Usually always a pool shoot as well, and if my memory is correct I think the current pool shoot is a 25 bird compact, and the registered sporting I understand is now over 12 stands?

We have been up there a few times now and it is always very enjoyable. Always a few "snorters" to sort you out but generally a nice test. 

We can't make it next week as we are shooting the Express Skeet in Nottingham, but we'll be there next on the 19th May, so maybe we'll see you there?

 

[Skeetfreak]

Guerini Guy,

Barrow is very much on my radar as i can make it work with Lakenheath NSSA skeet as they are both within striking distance of each other. Problem i have is finding a free date that works. Used to have a regular squad at Lako over winter but time constraints have meant i have let it slip the last few shoots there.

Cannot do either days in May as have non shooting commitments this weekend and then the 17th-19th May is the UK Open Skeet and i am booked on all three days.

Sure i'll make it at some point!