Myles Robertson, the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) chief firearms instructor, welcomed us with a bold statement: “By day four of this course, you will all be hitting the bullseye at 1000 yards, and you’ll be doing it safely.” My 12 fellow students on the NRA’s Probationary Course exchanged looks of disbelief, and you could have heard a pin drop. Most of us were relatively new to fullbore rifle shooting, and some were complete beginners. We had already toured Bisley’s various ranges and seen the targets stretching far into the distance, over half a mile away. Frankly, I could hardly see the targets at that range, let alone imagine hitting the bullseye in just a few days.
If anyone else had made such a claim, we probably would have laughed it off. But Myles is no ordinary instructor, and the NRA’s Probationary Course is unlike any other firearms training I’ve attended. Sure enough, by day four of the six-day course, every student was hitting the bullseye at 1000 yards. More impressively, each of us also hit at least one V-bull, with several students managing five or six V-bulls out of a 10-shot string. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the NRA’s rigorous teaching methods.
So, how does the NRA manage to get a group of relative newcomers to such a high standard of accuracy in such a short time? First, they have been perfecting this for a long time. The NRA was founded in 1859 (three years before its US counterpart) “to promote and encourage marksmanship throughout the King’s Dominions.” This focus on excellence has been carefully maintained and refined over the years and modernized by Peter Cottrell (head of shooting and training) and David Camp (national training manager).
The NRA’s instructors are exceptionally qualified and personable. Our chief instructor had served in a police firearms unit, while the support staff were either decorated military veterans or experienced competition marksmen. It’s not just their individual capabilities that make the NRA course so effective—it’s the way they work together. Each instructor seamlessly hands off to the next, maintaining a constructive tone and method. As a student, you feel in very safe hands. One of my classmates, a military veteran, even remarked, “This is better teaching than I ever got when I was in uniform.”
Another reason for the NRA’s success is its ability to stay clear of the petty politics often associated with Bisley’s shooting community. Bisley can sometimes feel like a school common room with simmering rivalries between clubs, but the NRA fosters a welcoming and meritocratic atmosphere. This is a place where egos are left at the door, and safety combined with fun is the top priority.
The depth of the syllabus is another factor. The course is designed to walk students through every aspect of rifle shooting. We began with smallbore shooting, learning the fundamentals at ranges from 25 to 100 yards, before moving to fullbore at 100, 300, 600, and finally 1000 yards. Over the six days, we used a variety of calibres, from .22 LR to .308, and shot with semi-automatics, lever actions, bolt actions, and straight pulls. We also practiced with different sighting systems, including iron sights, scopes, and red dots.
The course is very thorough, using a “tell, show, do, review” teaching method. Instructors guide students through firearms terminology, principles of marksmanship, ballistics, windage, safety, and even misfire drills. For the first two days, we practiced on shorter ranges from standing and bench positions, focusing on consistent groupings. Once we had turned our “shotgun patterns” (as our instructor Graham humorously put it) into tighter groups, we moved on to longer ranges, adding windage and elevation adjustments.
By day four, we were shooting on the 1000-yard range. The final two days were spent experimenting with other disciplines, such as snap shooting with red dot sights, and learning how to make the most of Bisley’s ranges after completing the course.
No prior fullbore experience is required to enroll. The course assumes no prior knowledge, ensuring that everyone meets the same baseline standards. For those with some experience, the course helps identify and correct bad habits. My fellow students came from a range of backgrounds: IT professionals, a catering manager, a student, a military reservist, and others. The instructors worked hard to create a real sense of camaraderie among us.
The course is flexible, allowing you to schedule your modules according to your availability. You can take one module a month or complete them over consecutive weekends. However, do make sure to read the Training Manual provided on day one thoroughly, as there’s a written test at the end that requires a pass mark of 35 out of 40. I’m pleased to say everyone in my group passed on their first attempt.
The course isn’t cheap. At £137 per module, with six modules to complete, the total cost comes to £822. However, there is a discount for those under 25. While it’s a significant outlay, the NRA is determined to ensure you leave feeling it was worth every penny.
Upon completing the modules and passing the written test, students are awarded a Shooter Certification Card (SCC) and invited to join the NRA. Membership costs £78 for the first year, including comprehensive insurance. This gives you access to Bisley’s ranges, the ability to rent firearms, buy ammunition, and compete in competitions without extra fees. NRA members also enjoy access to twice-monthly shoots and a range of other benefits.
For those looking to continue their training, the NRA offers follow-on courses that focus on specific disciplines. NRA-trained shooters are often regarded as among the safest on the range, and the high standards promoted by the NRA are widely appreciated by other clubs.
Would I recommend the course? Absolutely. It’s an incredibly comprehensive training program run by exemplary people. While it comes at a cost, the quality of the training and the number of rounds fired over six days make it well worth the investment. Every one of my fellow students gave positive feedback, and the improvement in their shooting skills was clear.
I’ve attended other courses that felt like mere checkboxes for a firearms certificate application, but the NRA Probationary Course is different. The NRA ensures that every person who earns an SCC understands their responsibility to uphold the highest standards in the shooting community. As Myles Robertson often reminded us, “Shooting has to be fun, with safety.” I applaud the NRA’s unwavering commitment to these principles and look forward to taking one of their follow-on courses—if only to hear what Myles promises we’ll achieve next!