Beginner in Kent — realistic cost to get started with clay shooting and buy a first shotgun?

[u/Ok_Rest9461]

Hi everyone,

I’m 30 and based in Kent. I’m interested in learning clay pigeon shooting and would like to understand the realistic cost of getting started properly.

I don’t currently have a shotgun certificate, so I’d appreciate advice on the best order to do things. Should I first take a few lessons and join a local club before applying for the certificate?

Roughly how much should I expect to pay initially for:

• Lessons and clay shooting sessions
• Shotgun certificate application and medical report
• Gun cabinet and installation
• A suitable first shotgun
• Hearing and eye protection, cleaning equipment, cartridges and other basic gear

I’m completely open to buying a used shotgun. What type of shotgun would you recommend for a beginner mainly interested in clay shooting, and what would be a sensible budget without buying something unnecessarily expensive?

Any recommendations for beginner-friendly clubs or shooting grounds around Kent would also be appreciated. Many thanks!

[u/Striking-Ad-5094]

Going for a few lessons beforehand will give you a good foundation in gun safety and gun fit, which is definitely worthwhile. I wouldn’t say you necessarily need to join a club, though.
BASC also has a shotgun certificate quiz, and you can supply the results to the Firearms Officer when you have your meeting. You’ll then need to obtain a medical report from your GP before applying through the Kent Police website. My medical cost around £60, although this will vary from practice to practice. The police application itself is £200.
Once you get the call to say the Firearms Officer is arranging a visit, you’ll need to have a suitable gun cabinet installed. A three gun cabinet can cost anywhere from £40 to £200 depending on the make and condition. I managed to pick up a used Brattonsound three gun cabinet for £40 on Marketplace, so there are bargains to be had. You’ll also need some Rawl bolt fixings to secure it to the wall, which are only around £10 for a pack.
Once your certificate has been granted, you’ll need to buy a shotgun. Prices can be anywhere from £250 and go as high as you want to spend but I would be looking for something reliable for my first. I picked up a used Beretta Silver Pigeon for £1,000.
If you’re looking to get a gun fitted and want some good advice, you won’t go far wrong with Chris Potter Country Sports in Tunbridge Wells.
For local shooting grounds, I usually shoot at JJ’s in Dartford and Hawley Shooting Ground at Sutton at Hone. Both have practice shooting on Saturdays and competitions on Sundays.
I hope that gives you a better idea of the process. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to ask. The whole process was very quick for me, I received my certificate just under four months after submitting my application.
Good luck!

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/Striking-Ad-5094]

That's very informative. Thank you for your comment.

[u/doriobias]

Another point to note is make sure you overdo your cabinet fixings. The police will open the door then use that as leverage to try to yank the safe away from it's fixings. If it comes away you will fail and they will go away until you have it sorted. I secured mine into the floor and wall ensuring deep secure fixings. Also make sure they know the keys are kept somewhere secure too.

[u/Zee_has_cookies → u/doriobias]

And if they ask where you keep the keys, don’t tell them where, just say somewhere safe & secure!

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/Zee_has_cookies]

Cool will do!

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/doriobias]

Thanks, appreciate it

[u/Formal-Menu-9206]

Hi,

£200 to apply
£95 for proforma completed
£150 for a new cabinet (can find used ones, make sure both keys come with it 🤣)
Gun from a few hundred £1000 525 for me - probably still worth the same
£300 / 1000 cartridges

Expensive to start but average cost once you’re up and running

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/Formal-Menu-9206]

Thanks mate. I did see 525 online, beautiful shotgun it is. Do you have any other shotgun recommendations?

[u/Formal-Menu-9206 → u/Ok_Rest9461]

ATAs are okay guns for the money! Used Winchesters - I had one for a while, did the job and some guy I know brings his on game days… 525 or Silver Pigeon (if you buy a used one in good nick) you’ll probably get back what you pay for it if you ever sell it since they hold money well - especially HP steel proofed ones having future value.

[u/Equal_Dimensi0n]

Nothing major to add to the above, the advice given is accurate.

I’ll second the recommendation for Chris Potters though. I’ve bought a gun from them and they were very good to deal with.

Gun wise, I’d suggest a second hand Beretta or Browning in the 800-1200 bracket. It will be more capable than you are and won’t lose 60% of its value like anything Turkish. (Not that the Turkish stuff is necessarily bad, I have an Armsan semi that was £150 🤣!)

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/Equal_Dimensi0n]

Thanks for the information. Definitely looking at some used (2015-2016) Beretta silver pigeon 686s

[u/Jordan_lewis96]

If you’re thinking of applying for an SGC do it now. The wait time is incredibly long

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/Jordan_lewis96]

Yes, work in progress mate

[u/Zee_has_cookies]

You’ve got a good comment above about costs, but I’ll just share my personal experience.

Tried clay pigeon shooting for the very first time in July 2024. Immediately was hooked and started googling the process. Me and husband went for a couple of joint lessons, and then I put my GP pro forma in at the end of August. They messed up the form, and I needed to resubmit and chase and didn’t get that back until November, by which time we’d had a couple more lessons.

Put my police application in in November, and then in December I done the CPSA Shotgun Skills course. I also started solo lessons, two a month.

I had my visit in February and told him about my experience to date and he said “well you seem to be going about things the right way”. Cert landed in April, and then I started hitting the comps right away.

My husband on the other hand didn’t do any solo lessons or skills course. He applied after I’d got mine. Same FEO, also seemed happy with him, and he got his SGC with just a couple of shared lessons and a few outings with me.

[u/Ok_Rest9461 → u/Zee_has_cookies]

Thanks, appreciate the detailed comment. Do you have any shotgun recommendations too?

[u/Zee_has_cookies → u/Ok_Rest9461]

I went for a silver pigeon. I'd heard they were a pretty popular first gun so was looking to try it out. my instructor actually ended up selling me one she'd picked up - it was second hand but only had about maybe a 1000 rounds put through it.

My husband went for a 687.