A Century of Marksmanship: Ross-On-Wye Target Shooting Club's Story

The Ross-on-Wye club's roots stretch back nearly a century to around 1910. This era saw a surge in the formation of shooting clubs across the country, driven by concerns over poor marksmanship within the army ranks. To address this, the government actively encouraged civilian shooting sports and competitions, often modeled after military disciplines. A prominent figure in establishing our club was the esteemed General Lord Roberts.

From Camp Road to Our Modern Home

Initially, the club utilized a 1,000-yard outdoor range located on Camp Road, stretching across the railway line towards Monmouth. This range was later shortened to 600 yards and eventually to 400 yards and is still in use by the military today. In the early days, members primarily used miniature rifles (.22 caliber), but over time, small-bore and full-bore long arms also became commonplace. Around 1980, the military gradually took over the Camp Road site, leading the civilian club to seek a new home.

While the club had limited access to the indoor range at the TA center, scheduling conflicts with TA activities became increasingly challenging. Recognizing the need for a dedicated facility, the club acquired land on the outskirts of Ross-on-Wye. In the 1970s, planning permission was granted for a purpose-built indoor shooting range, and the club embarked on a fundraising campaign to bring this vision to life.

Expanding Horizons: Pistols and Air Weapons

The mid-1970s marked a new chapter with the introduction of pistol shooting. The club's first acquisition was a single-shot .22 Webley pistol, which quickly became a favorite among members.

Around the same time, air weapon shooting gained popularity, particularly in the Midlands. This trend resonated within our club as well, with regular competitions held at the Prince of Wales pub. In those days, it was common for pubs to host shooting competitions, with teams vying for bragging rights, much like darts and pool teams today. A popular event involved shooting at a small aperture in a box containing a bell – a successful shot would be announced by the ringing bell.

By 1984, the dream of a dedicated shooting facility was realized. Our current clubhouse and range were constructed, and all shooting activities were relocated to this new site, marking a significant milestone in our club's history.

Our Facilities: A Welcoming Space for Shooting Enthusiasts

Our club provides a comfortable and well-equipped environment for all types of shooting disciplines. We offer ample off-road parking for your convenience, though please note that the club accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to vehicles.

Club Room and Range

Inside the clubhouse, you'll find two main areas: the club room and the shooting range. The club room is a cozy space, approximately 6 metres by 6 metres, with plenty of seating and facilities for making hot drinks. It's the perfect place to relax and socialize with fellow members before or after your shooting session.

The shooting range itself is an expansive area, measuring approximately 30 metres by 6 metres. The maximum shooting distance is 25 metres, and we can accommodate up to six shooters at a time.

Gallery Rifle Setup

For Gallery Rifle shooting, we have six dedicated firing points set up at the 25-meter distance. One lane is specially reinforced to handle the powerful .44 Magnum rounds. Our Gallery Rifle setup features electronically programmed turning targets that move rapidly and are pneumatically driven, adding a dynamic element to your shooting experience.

We also occasionally set up a full-width target for friendly challenges and fun shooting sessions. While not used for formal competitions, this target provides an exciting way to test your skills and enjoy some informal competition with fellow members.

Prone Rifle and Air Weapons

Prone rifle shooters can enjoy comfortable shooting at a 25-meter distance. We provide carpeting on the floor for your convenience, but dedicated prone shooters are welcome to bring their own rolled-up mats for added comfort.

Air weapons are shot from the 25-meter point, but over shorter distances of 10 meters for rifles and 20 meters for pistols. On air weapon nights, we set up dedicated equipment, including an electrically driven target retrieval system for efficient and convenient shooting.

Shooting for Everyone: Accessibility at Our Club

The Ross-on-Wye Gun Club is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all shooting enthusiasts, regardless of physical ability. Our range is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring wheelchair access throughout. We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to participate in our shooting programs and compete at the highest levels.

We are incredibly proud of our members who have overcome challenges to achieve remarkable success in the shooting world. One of our shooters represented the country in the Paralympic shooting events, even winning a Bronze medal in Beijing! Another member has competed in two Muzzle Loading Pistol World Championships (in Portugal and Germany) and has claimed numerous UK titles. Their achievements are a testament to their dedication and the inclusive nature of our club.

Shooting for the Blind and Visually Impaired

We are also pleased to offer air rifle shooting for individuals with visual impairments. Our specialized equipment allows everyone to experience the thrill of target shooting.

We utilize match air rifles equipped with innovative sights that convert light reflected off the target into sound, transmitted to the shooter through headphones. This is made possible by the use of special targets with contrasting rings – the nine and ten rings are white, while the rest of the target gradually darkens towards the outer rings.

Shooters can choose between two challenging yet rewarding styles:

• Stand Supported: The rifle is supported on a stand for enhanced stability.
• Unsupported: The shooter holds the rifle in the traditional manner.

We hold regular summer and winter competitions, and the British Championships take place in March. Our club is fortunate to have an experienced coach specializing in this form of shooting, ensuring that everyone can receive expert guidance and support.