In February 1992 a group of Fermoy lads met in Charles Brownes bar, Fermoy with the purpose of setting up a rifle club. A committee was formed and Fermoy rifle club started with seven rifle shooting enthusiasts. Their first task was to find a suitable site on which they could set up a rifle range. In December 1993, the members secured a two year lease on a portion of ground at Ballydague, Ballyhooly. This land was part of what was locally known as O'Leary's sand pit and was developed into a full 100 meter rifle range. The use of the range is confined to .220 ins. low velocity ammunition. Initially the sport carried on there was 'Mexican silhouette' rifle shooting or 'sporting rifle shooting'.

The club now has thirty members all of whom regularly participate in social activities, and competitions which are held through the year. The club has had a good deal of success with some of its members achieving a high standard of shooting and acquiring national titles in indoor and outdoor competitions.

Mexican silhouette shooting

In the Mexican silhouette , the shooter shoots at shaped metal targets in the standing position. Twenty targets (5 x 4)make up a course of fire and are spread over four distances. The targets are split into four different sizes and are shot at 5 each of one size per distance. The targets consist of metal cut - outs of ;

1. Chickens ; shot at 40 meters (2.5" tall).
2. Pigs ; shot at 60 meters (3" tall).
3. Turkeys ; shot at 77 meters (5" tall).
4. Rams ; shot at 100 meters (5.5" tall).

1. Shoot from left to right.
2. Shoot in sequence.
3. Knock the target clean off the stand.
4. Only shoot each distance as instructed by the time keeper.

Silhouette shooting requires all the skill of marksmanship and a very cool nerve as;
It is shot in all weathers outdoors;
It is shot in the standing position;
It is a spectator sport.

Being able to see immediately how each person is scoring can make it interesting or embarrassing depending on whether you are a competitor or a spectator, but it is always fun. The sport is designed to facilitate as many shooters as possible. No specialist equipment such as jackets or slings, as in prone target shooting, are necessary. Any individual having a .220ins rimfire rifle may participate. However, only .220ins standard velocity ammunition may be used on the range. Open sights or telescopic sights are allowed with no restriction on the magnification of the scope.

The Rifle ;
The sporting rifle is the most common rifle in use. While manufactured primarily as a hunting rifle its use with the NASRC is strictly for target shooting, i.e. paper and metal targets. The sporting rifle may be fitted with a telescopic sight for improved accuracy. The most popular rifle discipline is Mexican silhouette shooting. The most suitable rifle for silhouette shooting is a magazine feed, bolt action rifle. Like all other sports the best rifle for silhouette shooting is also usually the most expensive, however all rifles will show good scores in the right hands.
An idea of suitable rifles are the Brno (CZ); Anschutz; Krico; and Ruger.

Paper shooting

• Prone (lying on the ground)
• Kneeling
• Standing.

1. Prone;
2. 3P ( 3 position)

National Organisation

The current member associations to the SSAI (formerly NRPAI) are ;

• The National Target Shooting Association (NTSA)
• The National Association of Sporting Rifle Clubs (NASRC)
• The National Silhouette Association Ireland (NSAI)
• The Irish Pony Club Rifle Association (IPCRA)

The SSAI (formerly NRPAI) is recognised by the sporting body of the Dept. Of Education, headed by former athlete John Tracey, as the official 'umbrella' organisation catering for rifle shooting in Ireland. Fermoy Rifle Club is affiliated to the SSAI

Objective

Other

Fermoy rifle club is governed by a constitution and an executive. It has a set of rules which are enforced rigidly to ensure that all shooters will shoot safely. Some of its members have completed a course in range control and are in a position to pass this instruction on to its members. This course was completed in Dublin and each year new members are sent to undergo the course. On completion the member will be issued with a certificate of competency.

Fermoy Rifle Club also have the facility to organise corporate shooting evenings which will cater for small groups who wish to hire the range facilities and rifles at a small fee. All shooting will be supervised by competent range officers and insurance can be arranged. The range has to be booked in advance to avail of this facility.

Rifle shooting is the true sport for all. Throughout the world, shooting is enjoyed by men and women, young and old alike, and you do not have to be super fit to enjoy all that shooting can give.

Should any person wish to obtain further information on the club or the sport in general, they should use the contact details below.

K.B. April '97

For information on Silhouette Shooting- click chickens, pigs, turkeys, rams.

For Shooting Links and resources- click bang!

Fermoy Rifle Club- click chicken in the grass.
For NASRC & NSAI Competition Calendars click    HERE

For Further Information:

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