Hi guys,
Powder and primer situation is normal, i.e. we have what we need. We have good supply of European powder (Vitha, Swiss Reload, Vectan, Norma). Not much of the other brands, but thats normal. Primer wise, no issues. CCI, Federal, Muroms all are available in all specs from what I just checked. Price wise, no change either.
But the market is VERY different in France and in Europe in general. A lot less shooters. And even the ones who shoot don't shoot a lot. Then you have a few enthusiastics that shoot quite a bit and reload.
Europe is more densely populated so a lot of older ranges are under pressure from neighbours that try to get us to close. The classic is people that buy a property close to a range at a discounted price and then start a legal battle to get the range to close because of the noise. Shooters have absolutely no local authority supports....
Still, close to where I live (Quimper at the extreme west of the country) Eric Grauffel (ISPC legend) is investing some serious bucks into a top of the range fully enclose range / training center, supported by CZ.
Within 2hr drive I have access to 2 ranges with 200/300m shooting distance and pistol 25/50m lines. Also I own quite a bit of land so I can shoot at home (no semi, just bolt action). Long Range and ELR is growing fast. Within 6hr drive I have access to a place to shoot up to 2 miles. I'll go there 3-4 time a year. We have a French king of 1 miles and a king of 2 miles competition every year, both held on military grounds in the southern part of France. Also with a 22LR ELR comp for each. This is attracting a lot of focus, with the enthusiastic all building special rifles for them. In France our proofing office (all custom assembled firearms have to be proofed) is refusing to proof anything not CIP. So we are very limited in caliber or we have to get them made abroad. I had to get my Dasher and 33XC chambered and proofed in UK. Then import them in France...
From a legal point of view, if you are a registered sport shooter, you can own as many bolt actions as you want (except "military" caliber, i.e. 5.56 NATO/ .223 rem, 7.62x39, 50 cal and barrel less than 45cm). Then you can have up to 12 semi-auto (rifles or pistol) or military caliber bolt action. So overall it is not too bad.
Voila,
Rgds,
Gwen
