New shooter Questions, NSW

[Stafford98]

Hi everyone, first post here on these forums.

I'm looking to get into the hobby of target shooting at a range but I'm having a hard time finding some answers to a few questions I have, hope you guys can help me out. This will be in regards to NSW legislation.

Question 1, If my gun safe is over 150kg do I still have to bolt it to the ground? I don't really want to drill holes into the floor of my house and I've heard mixed answers on this. Don't really want to be drilling holes in my walls either......

Questions 2, Where can I get the cheapest effective gun safe?

Questions 3, For my first gun I'm thinking about getting a .223 rifle to become proficient. But later I'd like to get a .416 Barrett or something similar for fun. However my question is, are there any ranges in NSW that will even allow this calibre to be fired? Only ranges I've been able to find on the net say max .308 only.

Question 4, Also, with regards to the Barrett's MRAD rifle. Is it possible to get the folding stock pinned or replaced to make it legal here? I'm just asking because the ability to change calibres on this gun intrigues me.

Question 5, Does anyone have any other tips they wish someone had told you before getting into the sport?

Thanks everyone, any replies are greatly appreciated!

[Baldrick314]

Welcome aboard. I can answer your first question, if your safe weighs more than 150kg empty then you don't have to secure it to the premises.

As for the other stuff hopefully someone else can help you, brett is our resident large calibre expert I'm sure he can help you out and he's a fellow new south Welshman so his info will be relevant.

Any other advice- if you think you need a 5 gun safe buy a 10 gun safe

[bluerob]

There's a few ranges in NSW, but, depends on where you live and how happy you are to drive. Then it depends on wht you want to do (full bore, F-Class etc)?

If you're interested in target shooting only, send me a PM.

As for your safe, even though it may not require to be bolted in because of the weight, I would still bolt it in. If you're renting, that might be a problem. I rented a unit in Sydney a few years ago and the owner gave permission to drill holes, so, I was lucky. That was for pistols only though.

I think that Central Coast Muzzle Loaders (located at Kariong) allow up to .338 Lapua and I've been told that you can shoot up to .50 cal at Seaham (located past Newcastle), but, the wait an be hours due to the number of shooters. I haven't been to Seaham as I'm a bit of a fanboy of Central Coast Muzzleloaders. Great people and somewhere to shoot mid week during the day, night shoots and various competitions. And No, its not being closed down in case anyone hears this rumour. Contact the Club Captain (Allan who owns LocknLoad Firearms at Wyong - very helpful bloke) who will set you straight. I'm not authorised to speak on the club's behalf, but, as a member, its a great club. Google it for more info.

Hope you enjoy it and as Baldy says, Brett is the resident guru on anti aircraft rifles

[Baldrick314]

Negative on large calibres at Seaham. Largest they let you shoot is 8mm. I think there is exceptions for lead loads though

[Stafford98]

Thanks for all the info so far guys!

I live in Kiama right now, so if anyone knows about a good range near there. If not, yes I'm willing to drive.

[Radagast]

http://www.nowrarifleclub.com.au/
800m range, maximum .308.

[David Brown]

Any other advice- if you think you need a 5 gun safe buy a 10 gun safe

…..And ONLY put 5 guns in it.

I have an 11 with 6 rifles….its full.

We have 4 safes, and not any room left so anything new needs a 5th

[brett1868]

Been in the garage playing with the new press and since it's after bedtime I'll make this as quick as possible.

First up, welcome aboard and you've come to the right place for answers.
Q1 Has been answered well by others.
Q2 Don't buy cheap, invest in quality as you'll sleep better on holidays knowing the guns are well secured.
Q3 Part 1 .223 is a good starting point to learn, low recoil and cheap as chips to shoot all day.
Q3 Part 2 Unless you have seriously deep pockets forget the .416 Barrett. But if you have the coins then they are awesome to shoot and ammo can be sourced locally from Magnum sports in East Roseville along with the actual rifles.
Q3 Part 3 There is no legally approved range in NSW for .416 / 50BMG that I'm aware of but you can book Tilterweira Station out near Wanaaring through the SSAA and you can shoot big guns there but check first as the rules may have changed.
Q4 Forget the MRAD as it'll never be legal here (Too scary for the anti's) but possibly you could buy one in the U.S and have a custom non folding stock made for it before importing it into Aus. The Desert Tech SRS or HTI are a much better option then the MRAD and available over the counter (NSW) in .375 Cheytac, .408 Cheytac, .416 Barret and 50BMG (Don't buy the .408 though)
Q5 The best tip is to ask questions, talk to the guys at the range and the bloke behind the counter at the gun shop and most importantly is to learn how to reload and practise practise and practise some more.

If you want to see some first class long range rabbit shooting, look for Elmer's threads on bunny busting.

I have access to a few thousand acres in N.W NSW and I have 400 acres (possibly 750 soon) of my own that I use to do load testing out to 1500m for the big guns. Even with all the big stuff in the safe I do most of my hunting with a .257 Weatherby or the Sako 22-250. I shoot at St Mary's at least once a week and quite often take the 22LR or Air rifle to practise trigger control, breathing, Cheek position etc etc cause if you can't group well with them then you'll suk a$$ with anything bigger.

[pomemax]

Ok so your in NSW and your new to shooting welcome you will have fun.I will try to answer your questions in point form .
1. no you do not need to bol a 150kg safe to anything unless it has pistols in it then if it say 2 ton you still have to bolt it .
2..there is no cheap way out if you would like a safe that's ok . first safe i would look at is a spika shc1 comes in at 155kg your going to pay for it about $1200 min
3 for your first gun get a .22 NOT .223 you will learn how to shoot cheaper .223 ammunition is round about $25 for 20 rounds .22 is about $ 75 for 1500 when you can shoot and if you still like it move up to a .223
.416 Barrett good luck with finding ammo you can get turned projectiles $78 for ten then load them in your own cases then find a range that you can shoot them at .
4 Schedule 1 Prohibited Firearms 11. number 3
A firearm, not being a pistol, fitted with a stock that is specially
designed so as to be readily detachable, or to operate on a swivel, folding
or telescopic basis. even if its pinned the pin can be removed
https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/as ... l_2013.pdf
Yes start small and work you way up to the big stuff when you know what to do with it
Stafford 98 is the 98 the year you were born?
I have not found a range that lets 416 on you will need private land and you rock up and ask a bloke to shoot with a 416 goodbye and most blocks would be too small for it . the shot may go over the boundary .
Most people when they start think they would like a large caliber till they fire one and find out I can only shoot 5 shots then it hurts small and precise placement are more important when starting out then as you learn move to slightly larger when you can handle it most people at the range when you starting out will let you have a shot of something bigger when you get chatting to them on the firing line .
Give it a go its a good sport I shoot at St Mary's at least once a week for the same reasons as bret plus you will never stop learning

[brett1868]

.416 Barrett good luck with finding ammo you can get turned projectiles $78 for ten then load them in your own cases then find a range that you can shoot them at

Ammo is available, reloading is about $4.00 a round so substantially cheaper then 50BMG. Andrew (Magnum Sports) and I went 50/50 and bought 2000 cases in from the U.S through NIOA so the brass can be sourced. Failing to find genuine Barrett brass early on I imported a set of CH4D forming dies and made 500 my own cases from used ADI 50BMG. Woodleigh have projectiles but you won't find them listed on the site as they were specifically made for me and are capable of 1/3 MOA groups so they are very good, primers and powder are available over the counter.

22LR would be a good first choice but you won't learn reloading with it so buy both I've got 3 22's and they're hours of fun for bugger all cost. The principles of safety and accuracy are common across all calibres.

[Stafford98]

Q4 Forget the MRAD as it'll never be legal here (Too scary for the anti's) but possibly you could buy one in the U.S and have a custom non folding stock made for it before importing it into Aus. The Desert Tech SRS or HTI are a much better option then the MRAD and available over the counter (NSW) in .375 Cheytac, .408 Cheytac, .416 Barret and 50BMG (Don't buy the .408 though)
.

I thought 50BMG wasn't legal in NSW.

Also thanks for the detailed reply, I have lots to think about now..

Stafford 98 is the 98 the year you were born?

Nar, Stafford98 is the start of my email address. I'm 24 yrs old.

Ammo is available, reloading is about $4.00 a round so substantially cheaper then 50BMG. Andrew (Magnum Sports) and I went 50/50 and bought 2000 cases in from the U.S through NIOA so the brass can be sourced. Failing to find genuine Barrett brass early on I imported a set of CH4D forming dies and made 500 my own cases from used ADI 50BMG. Woodleigh have projectiles but you won't find them listed on the site as they were specifically made for me and are capable of 1/3 MOA groups so they are very good, primers and powder are available over the counter.

Bullet reloading sounds like something I'd like to get into eventually. One of my hobbies is blacksmithing and forming bullets and stuff with dies catches my interest.

[brett1868]

50BMG is legal in NSW but places to shoot are limited to large blocks of private property. I have a few 50's and in the process of building another one, purpose built for 1000yrd FCSA Unlimited Class competition. Built and shot by a competent person the big 50 is capable of a 5 shot 2" group at 1000yrds which is very impressive for something originally designed to spray projectiles.

[Bourt]

I thought 50BMG wasn't legal in NSW.

It's just a regular cat B bolt action there

[Stafford98]

Just a quick update,

Finally got my registration papers in the mail after 3 weeks lol.

I went the the nearest firearms store and the guy said he does the safety courses every Thursday night for $145. Is that a fair price for the safety course or could I do better?

Also will membership to the SSAA be adequate enough genuine reason for sport/hunting & target shooting? How can I get my papers signed? Hope these questions don't sound too stupid, just don't want to mess it up.

Thanks all.

[YoungBuck]

Just a quick update,
I went the the nearest firearms store and the guy said he does the safety courses every Thursday night for $145. Is that a fair price for the safety course or could I do better?

Do you really have to pay for safety courses in NSW!?!? They are free in Vic...

[NuZo]

I shoot at St Mary's at least once a week and quite often take the 22LR or Air rifle to practise trigger control, breathing, Cheek position etc etc cause if you can't group well with them then you'll suk a$$ with anything bigger.

This is really really good info that I pass on to many new shooters. Start off with a 22LR or air rifle and actually learn to shoot. It's cheap and effective. When you're consistent then you can move up the ranks.

Cheers,

Nuzo

P.S.
- A pack of 500x .177 pellets can be as cheap as $7.
- A pack of 50x 22LR can be as cheap as $6.
- 20x 223 is around $20+.
- 20x 308 is close to $30+ these days.
- A single 416 Barret round would be $10 or more(probably more unless you reload)


..........you can see what I'm getting at.

[Fry]

IIRC correctly someone quoted $12 a hand load in another topic?