I am Prasad aka airsnipper from down south - Mangalore. I was a guest viewer for a crazy longtime. Firearms were not my favourites, recreational ones (harmless type) have a place in my heart though. My first love was a muzzle loaded vintage SB Rifle which my late grandfather used. He used to meticulously make the charge-mix (gunpowder,coir,charcoal powder,coir,pellets -single or multiple) -- use the long rod to make the mix. Fix a cap against the hammer (not the flint type) and aim and pull the trigger.
It used to give a booming sound, to which i used to close my ears every time he fired. He had also innovated how to hold a torch (4-6 cell) to shoot in the night (jackals & foxs - vermin that used to run havoc to crops/cattle in the farm)
Back in the days`when hunting was legal, He used to hunt down - wild boars, porcupines, eagles and hawks. His best kill was a leopard (which used to harrass the cattle in the village). His last kill was a wild boar. He turned away from the SB after that, when the Calling came.
I lay my hands on my grandfather's rifle when i was 12 years old. I fired a loaded one, only to bring down some papayas
(all mashed up with some pellets in it) I got ridiculed, i was a pretty poor shot for the first one.
I bettered it (aimwise) as days progressed.
I have also observed him in the art of stalking or snipping, how he used to explain the tell tale signs left by the animal.
I used to be all ears to him.
Had a few stints with my friends' air pistols, Target practicing in the backyards.
So for me, it is strictly recreational with no blood.
What's my next steps:
1) KSRA membership (don't have a clue about it)
2) Buy Air Pistols - (good professional make, suggestions any)
3) Participate in Events (once i get ample professional exposure)
4) Better myself everytime (buy papayas from groceries without pellets in them)
PS: I enjoy the way gunrunner, pramodsid, arshad, etc have honed the newbies into this recreational profession.
Need some tips and guidance regarding what to go for in Bangalore.
Happy Gunning ..
Prasad aka airsnipper
I will get the pictures some how.