Full Bore Rifle

Full bore rifle shooting involves precision shooting at long range — typically 300 to 1,000 yards — using high-powered rifles chambered in calibres from .223 Remington (5.56 mm) to .308 Winchester (7.62 mm). Wind reading, marksmanship fundamentals, and mental composure are tested at distances where a 10 mph crosswind can move a bullet more than 100 inches at 1,000 yards.

Pinhoe TSC specialises in .22LR smallbore and air rifle/pistol disciplines. We do not offer full bore rifle shooting. Many of our members also shoot full bore at Bisley and other approved ranges. For full bore in the UK, contact the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Firearms Certificate required. Centrefire rifles above .22 rimfire require a Section 1 Firearms Certificate.

Main disciplines

Target Rifle (TR) is the most traditional full bore discipline in the UK. Shot from the prone position with iron (aperture) sights at 300–1,000 yards. The standard calibre is .308 Winchester (7.62×51 mm NATO). No optics are permitted — the demanding combination of iron sights at extreme distances makes wind reading the defining skill.

F-Class is long-range precision shooting with telescopic sights and a front rest (bipod or bench rest). More accessible than TR for shooters with vision limitations. Two divisions: F-TR (limited to .223 or .308, 8.25 kg maximum) and F-Open (any calibre up to .35”, 10 kg maximum; 6 mm and 6.5 mm calibres popular for superior ballistics).

Gallery Rifle is indoor shooting at 15–25 metres with pistol-calibre rifles (9 mm, .38 Special, etc.). Combines precision and practical shooting elements. Note: Pinhoe TSC does have facilities for Gallery Rifle for members with the appropriate Section 1 firearms — contact the club for details.

Bisley

Bisley Camp in Surrey is the world’s premier fullbore shooting facility, with ranges from 100 to 1,200 yards. The NRA Imperial Meeting in July is the sport’s flagship event, attracting over 1,000 competitors from across the world for two weeks of competition including the Queen’s Prize Final, Donegall, and Grand Aggregate.

Location: Brookwood, Surrey GU24 0PB — approximately 45 minutes from central London. The camp includes multiple ranges, a clubhouse, accommodation, and rifle hire. Regular visitor days offer opportunities to try full bore shooting.

Getting started

You can shoot full bore at approved ranges (including Bisley) using range rifles before obtaining your own certificate. Most ranges offer supervised sessions with equipment provided.

To own a centrefire rifle: apply for a Section 1 Firearms Certificate through your local police constabulary. Cost: £88 for a five-year certificate. Requirements include a good reason (target shooting at an approved club qualifies), secure storage (approved gun cabinet), character references, and a medical records check. Timeline: typically 8–16 weeks.

Competition

Imperial Meeting (Bisley, July): Two weeks, 1,000+ competitors. Queen’s Prize Final, Daily Mail Match, Donegall, Grand Aggregate. Open to all with a valid Firearms Certificate and the appropriate calibre on their FAC.

F-Class British Championships (Bisley): Separate F-Open and F-TR classes. World Championships and Palma matches (international team competitions) are held every four years.

County and regional matches: Devon County Rifle Association and other regional bodies run county championships and inter-county matches throughout the summer, providing the entry-level path to representative shooting.

Not offered at Pinhoe TSC

Pinhoe TSC specialises in .22LR smallbore and air rifle/pistol disciplines. If you are looking for target shooting at our club, we offer:

• 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Pistol — no certificate needed
• .22LR Prone Rifle — Section 1 certificate required
• .22LR Benchrest — Section 1 certificate required

Our Give it a Go programme lets you try target shooting for £50 across three sessions — no experience or equipment needed.