All new members are required to undergo a defined training schedule to ensure all range rules and safety procedures are understood and that the member will be safe to operate a firearm. This applies to all new members, those members joining WRPC that already hold a FAC will be required to attend a reduced number of sessions and a safety briefing.
Full Membership Training
New members are required to attend a minimum of 10 hours of training over 5 training sessions during their three month probation period. There is a small fee for each training session based on a menu provided in the new members welcome pack; allowing the trainee to choose how much they want to spend on training. Experienced shooters that already hold an FAC may not have to attend all 5 training sessions and will be individually assessed by their Training Officer however, a condition of membership is completion of a mandatory black powder training day.
The training program covers all aspects of target shooting. The highlights of the training program are:-
Safety
- Safe Handling of firearms
- Use of eye and hearing protection
- No Smoking rule
- Loading & firing precautions
- Action in the event of a misfire or hang fire
- Fiream and ammunition security – At Home, In Transit, On Range
- Range Classification – Maximum muzzle energy of 1496 ft/lb, Maximum velocity of 2150 ft/second
Types of Firearm
- Rimfire – .22 short, .22LR, .22 Win Mag (rifle only)
- Centre Fire – Pistol calibre + ones which fall within the range classification (rifle only)
- Centre Fire – Black Powder breech loading (rifles only)
- Flintlock – Black Powder (rifle and pistol)
- Percussion – Rifle and Pistol
Types of Ammunition
- Rimfire
- Centre fire rifle
- Centre fire – pistol calibre rifle
- Black Powder – bullet or ball
- Black Powder – centre fire breech loading cartridge
Types of Ignition Systems
- Match Lock
- Wheel Lock
- Flintlock
- Percussion Cap
- Rimfire
- Centre Fire
Breathing
- When to take breath
- When & how to exhale
- When to hold breath
- When to fire
Legal
- Application for Firearms or Shotgun Certificate – Grant, Renewal, Variation
- Application for Explosives Certificates, RCA Document
Range Conduct
- Taking charge of the range (RCO)
- Checking all firearms on the range,
- All firearms on the firing point (bolt open and clear)
- All magazines (empty and clear)
- Under levers (open and clear)
- If Black Powder is part of the detail guns may only be capped/primed at the firing point
- 3 degree rule
- Check the number of members who are shooting on the range
- Calling safe to go forward and change targets when happy all firearms are clear
- Calling when happy that it is safe to commence shooting
- Use of approved targets
- Calling CEASE FIRE when required
Sighting & Aiming
- Target Rifle
- Sporting Rifle
- Black Powder Rifle
- Black Powder Pistol & Revolver
Position & Support
- Prone
- Standing
- Kneeling
- Sitting
- Cross
- Sticks
- Bipods
- Slings

