Bullets, Rounds & Cartridges

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Is it a bullet ? a round ? or a cartridge ?.  These names are often used incorrectly so let’s look at a good way to describe it all.
A bullet is a projectile that can be made of metal alloy or lead.
A round of ammunition comprises the bullet, case (usually brass but can be steel) , powder and a primer. A round of ammunition is used in rifles and is most often bought in a box of 20.   Most clubs collect the spent cases for re-use or re-cycle so please do collect them up to support your club.
Generally speaking a cartridge is the name for the ammunition that is used in shotguns.  A cartridge comprises a case, wad, primer, powder and the shot. Cartridges are most often bought in boxes of 25. The wad may be fibre or plastic.  Generally speaking, cartridges with fibre wads are used for game shooting (they are less harmful to grazing animals and they bio-degrade so they do not necessarily need to be cleared up after a shoot.)  Plastic wads are used on Sporting grounds and competitions.   On all shoots there should be bins for the used cases, so do clear them up so that the shooting grounds can send them off for re-cycling into a variety of stuff.
Trivia:  I was once told that many years ago you could swap a  .45LC cartridge for an ounce of whiskey.  Hence the term a “shot of whiskey”..
M14 762

Calibres – The .308 vs .762

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.308 and .762 are calibres of ammunition and rifles. On a Firearms Certificate you may be permitted to own a .308 rifle but you may notice that your ammunition is .308/.762 (so you could buy either) Why is this ?
Once upon a time there were only muzzle loading rifles.  The bullet and black powder were stuffed down the end of the rifle barrel.  This was time consuming, messy and involved carrying round a bag of the various bits.  The size of the bullet was determined by the size of the barrel but it was not a precise method.
So, someone decided that it was a good idea to put the components (bullet and powder) together and put it into a case that you could then insert into the rifle  via a slot called the breech.  Fast forward to the turn of the century and you get a round of ammunition called a “3030” round.  This number came from 30 grains of powder and .30 of an inch in size.  The American army adopted a .30-06 sizing but the case was so big that it made the rounds  heavy so they were difficult to carry around.
Then Winchester Rifles developed and produced a round whose diameter was exactly .308 of an inch.   This design is still popular today as our .308.  However NATO use metric measurements so they translated this to be a .762.   Generally speaking both .308 and .762 bullets fit in .308 rifles.  However a .762 rifle will not always accept .308 ammunition due a a small difference in the construction of the .762.
When it comes to metric vs imperial sizes for ammunition and rifles you can have a .22,(5.6 metric)  a .223 (5.56 metric) , .243 (6 metric).
For pistol rounds you have 9mm, .45, .357  but they are on a different blog post.

Trivia:   In 1878 John Moses Browning (then 23 years old) designed the 1885 Winchester single shot rifle.  It is said that he designed his first rifle whilst working in his fathers gun shop aged only 13 years old.  In the UK today you have to be 14 years old to shoot rifles unless you apply for special permission – how times change !

The Clubhouse

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The clubhouse itself is open 51 weekends over the year with shooting on at least 40 of them.  We hold regular guest shoots, allowing members to intruduce their family and freinds to the joy of shooting sports.

We cater on shoot days and for affiliate club functions, favouring game meats alongside the more usual shooting offerings.

We have this web-site, a facebook page, twitter account and we use email to contact our members, but above all this technology, we love a good chat at the bar, long discussions on the lastest shooting gadgets, friendly banter in the armoury, a beer on the excellent verandah and whats more, the kettle is always ready for a warming cup of tea or coffee.

The club is the first on the right as you enter the Bisley NSC site and we can be contacted on info@osmshootingclub.co.uk or 01483 799998.  We welcome visitors every weekend, so please do join us for a beer or a brew when you are on camp.

Wishing you all good, safe shooting  !

OSM History

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Historically the OSM has been known as the club that specialises  in Scoped Rifle Shooting, McQueen and Fieldcraft,  as well as Shotgun expertise and excellent training.

The McQueen shooting and training is supported by C.Sgt.Jan Berry, who has won a trophy or two at the Imperial Meetings.  He runs regular courses in this challenging discipline, encouraging others to complete and improve their skills.  The OSMSC and the British Sniper Club are now affiliated, allowing us to develop our expertise and take this sport further in 2015.

Fieldcraft is another specialist skill.  A good shot has developed fine shooting skills, keen senses and intuition.  Unlike competition where you get sighting shots and 10 tries, the Field Shooter spends many hours looking for a suitable target and may only use 2 rounds per month on cold barrels.

Over the last 3 years, we have developed our reputation in Gallery Rifle.   We have also expanded into the world of Shotguns.  Under the expert eyes of Dan Archer, we have regular summer shoots in DTL, Skeet and Trap, and winter shooting at 4 sporting layouts in the Surrey area.  We also offer Black Powder in association with London All Guns and target shotgun with the support and guidance of James Harris. Pistol shooting is available on our regular trips to Northern Ireland & Poland.

The Old Sergeants Mess S.C.

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The Old Sergeants Mess is a vibrant, happy and sociable club, dedicated to the sport of shooting.

Our members tend to be individuals who enjoy shooting, whether for competition, practice, or as quality time with themselves after a busy work schedule.

The Old Sergeants Mess Shooting Club (OSMSC), offers members, regular shooting (3 or 4 times a month), tuition in a variety of disciplines, probationary courses, support for all shooting activities and a character clubhouse.

All this with firearms storage, armoury services, quality catering and member services, make the OSMSC a very good place to be on Bisley National Shooting Centre.

Hedgehog Hut

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By Jo Archer, Feb 23 2019 07:21PM

So, finally we are successful at a bid for accomodation on site. !!. Over the years we have bid on the building next door (now Hogleas), One of the smaller cabins, Bullet Lodge, Atholl Row and the English XX. A successful bid has been slow but I am delighted to say that it all worked out quite nicely in the end.

Hedgehog hut is at the end of Elcho Road, just before you pass the blue and white striped cabins, on the left hand side. It has plenty of room at the front for cars, BBQ and a little seperation from the caravans. It is a 2 bedroom bungalow, with a double bed (sealy posturpaedic with gel topper :)), single bedroom, lounge with sofa bed, kitchenettte and bathroom. The verandah has a big ol’ leather chair on it with a foot stool and it will soon have a gun cleaning bench. We have furnished it in an eclectic style. A mix of steel grey shooting theme, tactile fabrics, candles and a splash of colour. The TV works now and we will soon have its own internet supply.

When I am away for a day or two I want to stay in a place that suits my purpose, allows me to work and comforts me at the end of the day. I think we have achieved this with the gun lockers, gun cleaning bench, access to the ranges, internet, table to work at, TV, bathroom, kitchenette and a cosy bedroom thats warm and inviting. The whole place has a good feel to it, but I credit that to the previous occupant and the lovely chap who was doing the painting and decorating. This place has been loved and you can feel it when you go in there. Maybe its a girl thing, but I like to feel safe and warm in a clean and cared for home, even if the stay is just for a day or two.

From the bedroom window you can see Stickledown :). Well you can see just enough of it to know if you have missed the hooter and everyone is shooting without you ……oops. Its a short walk round the building to Stickledown, Melville, Butt Zero, The Clays and Bisley Shooting Gound (or whatever they will be calling it in the future. To me it will always be the Old Council Club, even if it has been very expensive to use ;).

To the left of Hedgehog is Cheylesmore. Behind it is the Air Rifle layout and BSRC. Perfect position really.

I have my little day dreams about the BBQ’s that might be held there, the memories that people will create and the friends who will tell tales about “that evening in the Imperial meeting”. To that end we have a multi-picture frame that we invite our future residents of Hedgehog to add their pictures.

Hedgehog is perfect for a cabin share. It makes the stay really economical and adds to the fun.

It amuses me so much to read on the facebook group that someone feels we are part of the “gentrification of Bisley”. When I first came to Bisley 17 years ago, the showers were deeply connected to the local plant life and full of insects. The camping spaces were mostly in puddles, the basic accomodation allowed you close contact with your neighbours bodily function noises, you had to bring your own bedding and the markers were often worrying. If Hedgehog Hut is contributing to a more civilised stay at Bisley, then gentrification is a fabulous step forward.

We need to upgrade generally if we are to attract more people into our sport, particularly women and children. If shooting at Bisley is to have a future, then it needs to be a good place for everyone.

Hedgehog is a fabulous bungalow with a touch of class. So, give it a chance if you are staying at Bisley. Tell your friends, tell your colleagues and tell us what you like or dont like.

Happy shooting.

Jo