Q. Can I shoot?
Q. So how do I get started?
Q. How much does it cost?
Q. But isn't shooting dangerous?
Q. What is smallbore (and is there a big bore too)?
Q. So what do we shoot at?
Q. Sounds easy... so what's the challenge?
Q. Still sounds easy?
Q. Can I arrange a corporate/social group competition?
Q. Can I purchase gift vouchers?
A. Of course you can shoot! (but please note: minimum age is 15). [You didn't seriously think we'd say anything other than that, did you? After all, we are a shooting club!] Assuming that you don't have the kind of drug or psychological problems that mean you may be unsafe around firearms, then the question really becomes one of "How well do you want to shoot?". Being a great shot at smallbore is not dependent on your strength, your size, your gender, or even much your eyesight! Once you've picked up the basics, which doesn't take long, it quickly becomes a mental game - how aware are you of your body, how calm can you be, how well can you concentrate, how confident are you feeling? Oh and of course, the more you practice, the luckier you get!
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| 9 - good shot! | 10 - even better shot! | 10.1 - the perfect shot! |
A. Come up and have a go yourself! Register your interest and we will book you in one of our visitor nights, which we schedule between our club competitions.
College students are welcome to join our special four-week $120 Introductory Package commencing at 6.30pm on Sunday 6 March 2022 which includes personal guidance on firearm safety and range etiquette, use of specialised club equipment, coaching, targets and ammunition for two rounds of shooting (13 bullets per round).
A. Casual shooter: $30 per night (includes ammunition and use of club equipment)
The annual BSRC membership fee varies depending on age and membership. As an indication, in 2021 it started at $185.00, plus national affiliation fees.
Q. But isn't shooting dangerous?
A. No, shooting is not dangerous. Being shot is dangerous! If you are new to shooting, or are just coming along for the first time, then we will always give you a run down on the basics of firearm safety. This will ensure the safety of yourself and of others who will be shooting. The smallbore shooting that we do is not the gung-ho, camouflage clothes, face paint, war cries, bayonet tipped, jump out, shoot 'em up type of shooting that others may enjoy. Smallbore shooting is a precision sport, taking place in controlled conditions, where safety is of paramount importance.
Q. What is smallbore (and is there a big bore too)?
A. Smallbore is really just the joining of two words - small and bore. The bore is the hole down the middle of the rifle's barrel, and in the case of the rifles we use, the bore is .22 of an inch in diameter, which is pretty small - a small bore! Other rifles have a much larger bore, for instance a .303 rifle has a bore that is .303 of an inch in diameter, so those rifles are called fullbore rifles.
A. We shoot at a cardboard target "card" from a distance of 25 yards (22.86 metres). The card has 11 diagrams (black circles) on it. You can shoot up to three "sighter" shots at the centre diagram and then you shoot one shot at each of the other diagrams. When the card is marked, you get given a score for each of the 10 diagrams (the centre one isn't scored since that was your sighter one) and those 10 scores are added up to give you a score for the whole card.
So, it's pretty easy. All you have to do is to shoot two or three sighter shots at the middle diagram and then one shot on each of the other diagrams. Each diagram score is added up and you get your final score for the card. You compare that final score with someone else's score and if you got the highest then congratulations - you won!!!
Q. Sounds easy... so what's the challenge?
A. Well, the tricky bit is that you're not poking holes in the diagrams with a knitting needle! The card will be 25 yards away from you. At that distance you can't even see the dot in the middle that you're supposed to be aiming for. And if you tense a muscle and move your sights by even half a millimetre then you won't have even hit the diagram, let alone got a good score!
A. Okay, then picture this. You're tied for first place and now you're in a shoot-off – just you and the other shooter, side by side. None of the other "hot" cards you've shot tonight matter – it's all down to this one last card. You select a bullet and slide it into the chamber and close the bolt. You're trying hard to relax and release that tension but you can't help it the excitement of the win is so close, and you're already tasting victory. You take a long slow breath ... and then another. The sights come up onto the target but they won't hold steady. Your brain is feeling that tension and it's started to pump that adrenalin around. You take another nice slow, breath but you can feel that bead of sweat starting to form on your forehead. The sights look good, you're right on target, but now your shoulder isn't relaxed and you just can't get the shot away. You take another long breath – the sights look good, but they're jumping up and down with every pulse. You're taking too long – you've got to get that shot away soon now. Now bang!It didn't feel good – instead of the sights resting back on the diagram, they ended up slightly high and to the left. You can feel another trickle of sweat forming. You lean over and glance into your scope and see that you've grazed a 9. You mutter a silent curse and know that the pressure is really on now. No more screw-ups. You slide another bullet into the chamber. Another bead of sweat begins to trickle.
Q. "Can I arrange a corporate/social group competition?"
A. Looking for a corporate challenge or social group activity with a difference? Target shooting is an ideal sport for trying something different. Males, females, young and old all compete on an equal footing giving everyone an equal chance of doing well.
BSRC can organise a "friendly" competition for up to 24 people in one session, split into teams if you wish. All equipment and training is provided. Firearms safety is a primary focus. Please note, as our club members all work full time, these social shoots need to be outside normal working hours – either evenings or weekends.
Social shoots can comprise a group of workmates, friends or relatives (minimum age is 15). The aim is – fun, enjoyment and some friendly competition.
Please note if you have consumed alcohol during the day you will not be permitted to shoot, as alcohol and firearms are not a good mix. So please leave your celebrations until after your shoot. Just contact Inge Little with the number required and we'll take it from there.
Cost: $200 for four people plus $35 for every additional person
Numbers: Up to 24 people
Estimated time: 6–12 people = 1 hour, 12–24 people = 2 hours
Format: 2 cards per person (with 13 shots per card)
Q. "Can I purchase gift vouchers?"
A. Are you looking for a Christmas or birthday gift with a difference? We have vouchers available. Just contact Inge Little with the number required and we'll take it from there.