Sheffield Rifle Club, Tasmania

[Gwion]

Sheffield Rifle Club is the oldest rifle club in Tasmania and amongst the oldest in Australia.

For a while there it also had the oldest management in Australia but last year we had a clean out and are rebuilding the club from the ground up.

We are a Fullbore Rifle Club which means we shoot Precision Target Rifle at 300yds and greater. The longest range we can currently shoot is 600yds but with a little luck there is some possibility to shoot out to 800yd in future.

We shoot Target Rifle and Free Class (f-class) Standard, Open & TR.

We also shoot a modified variant of F-Class that has been adopted by another club in South Aust. This is based on what is called F-Practical in the States and we call it F-Class Hunter/Varmint Division. This division is restricted to hunting/varminting style rifles and there is no specialty target gear allowed. The idea is to give people with hunting style gear a chance to play around and develop some intermediate range shooting skills in a fun and relaxed competition. It also allows target shooters to get out some of their old hunting rifles or milsurps and give them a run and have some fun.

We occasionally set up targets at 100yds for sighting in and a bit of relaxed fun. We even have the odd rim-fire shoot.

We shoot every Saturday, weather and conditions permitting. through out the year but generally have a lay off during the worst of the Tassie winter because the range is just too wet to access with out churning it up.

We like to have fun and a bit of a joke but take safety extremely seriously. Various members of the club have other shooting interests in shotguns, pistols, hunting, etc but we are primarily concerned with promoting long range precision shooting and developing skills in that area.

In future we hope to offer F-Class Rim-fire at 100yds & 200yds but that is still a work in progress.

If you are in the Central North of Tassie and are interested in long range shooting you can email us at:

[email protected]

Also, if you have previously had involvement with the club and want to see what we are all about these days, please email us.

We are a private club based on private land so prefer an introductory contact rather than have people randomly rock up to the range. Just drop us an email and we'll fill you in on when and where to show up.

Cheers and catch you on the mound!

[Gwion]

DEER SEASON SIGHT IN

This Saturday, 24 Feb 2018, Sheffield Rifle Club is holding a sight in session for hunters who want to be sure of their zeros before heading out to bag a fallow.

Maybe you've got a new scope this season or maybe you are trying different ammo. Here's your chance to dial it all in before you head out as it's always a good idea to confirm your sights before a hunt.

We will have a session at 100yds to dial in and then throw a few down range at 300yd so you can test your drop if you plan to take those intermediate range shots.

After the sight in we will throw a few snags on the barbie, have a bit of a yack and then settle down to shoot a detail of F-Class Hunter/Varmint Division.

If you would like to give the F-Class Hunter/Varmint a go the detail is 2 rounds at 300yds comprising of 2 sighters and the 10 scoring shots. You don't have to shoot the whole detail but might find it fun to have a go.

If you are interested, email us on [email protected]

Cheers and good luck with the hunt!

[Oldbloke]

Very nice town Sheffield. Murals I think?

[Gwion]

Yep. Pictures all over the walls...

[Gwion]

Due to forecast rain on Saturday, we have pushed the shoot to Sunday 25th at 1pm.

Email as above for further details.

Bill. Got your email and will send info today.

[Gwion]

Below I will copy and paste the Shooting Rules for F-Class Hunter/Varmint Division:

F-Class Hunter/Varmint Division (a.k.a in the USA as F-PR)

Purpose: to allow people with sporter/varmint/long range hunter rifles an entry point into a form of precision shooting competition, representing that of medium to long range hunting type shooting, yet in a relaxed and friendly competitive format, as a recruitment tool and adjunct to F-Class Precision Shooting (STD, Open & F-TR).

Rules as per NRAA SSRs for Free Class, with alterations as follows:

1) Cartridges; Any cartridge up to 8mm calibre. (As per NRAA rule) Projectile should be considered suitable for ethical hunting practices: no FMJ or Target projectiles. Cartridge COAL must be kept within rifle magazine length limits.
2) Optics; Any optic, fixed or variable, but set no higher magnification than 16x power, at the time of shooting.
3) Action; Any action considered ‘fit for a hunting rifle’. (Repeating or single shot action permitted).
4) Barrel Length; Barrel length is not to exceed 26.5 inches from receiver to muzzle. (Muzzle breaks are not permitted in normal events.)
5) Trigger; Any trigger deemed fit for use by the range officer. After market triggers are permitted.
6) Bipod;Anyforwardfolding‘hunting’typebipod,suchasHarris,VersaorAtlas bipod. No other front rest types, other than typical hunting types, such as back pack, are allowed. Bipod must be attached to the rifle, in a traditional hunting type arrangement. Rear rest or rear bag cannot be used under 500yd; shoulder only. Shooting off the elbows with a sling is also allowed
7) Weight; Rifle/scope/bipod combination shall not weigh more than 15lb, not including ammo.
8) Scoring; Targets are to be marked & scored as per NRAA ‘TR’ (Target Rifle) scores (V5 max scoring shot, possible 50.10 in any one round)
9) Ranges; 300m, 400m, 500m & 600m (or yards) respectively
10)Course of fire; 300yd & 400yd events; 1st round = 2 sighters, plus 10 rounds with bipod and NO rear rest allowed. 2nd round = 2 sighters plus 10 rounds with bipod and NO rear rest allowed. 500yd & 600yd events; 1st round = 2 sighters, plus 10 rounds with bipod and rear rest allowed. 2nd round = 2 sighters plus 10 rounds with bipod and rear rest allowed.
11)Shooting positions; Shooting in the prone position (lying down). A bench is allowed for those not physically able to shoot prone.

[Gwion]

We also have fun comp that runs all season for financial members.
I call it the "Dead Eye".
Winner of the Dead Eye each year gets their name engraved on a beautiful hand made perpetual trophy and takes home a custom made knife by Wandering Trout Hand Forged Cultery (aka: me). 1st, 2nd, 3rd for the year take home some pretty neat medals.

Rules of engagement below:

Sheffield Rifle Club “Dead Eye” Perpetual Trophy

Aggregate points accumulated throughout the shooting season and a prize awarded to the highest point scorer plus 1st & 2nd runners up for the year.

Prizes:
- a perpetual trophy to remain in the club's possession and prize winner’s name added each year
- a handmade, serial numbered, knife in presentation box, engraved with “Sheffield Rifle Club Dead Eye (+ year)” and name of winner.
- silver medal for 1st runner up
- bronze medal for 2nd runner up

This intra-club perpetual aggregate has been devised to:
- Encourage shooters to focus on wind reading and know their rifle/load data well enough to calculate the first firing solution into the bull.
- Enable precision shooting cross over from target to hunting at range with effective wind calls and first round bull/kill shots.
- Reward shooters who take the time and effort to improve wind reading and calculate firing solutions for first round bulls.

Rules:
- Aggregate calculated from a shooter’s best 5 eligible scores.
- Financial membership of Sheffield Rifle Club Inc required for eligibility.
- Points are awarded on a RIFLE’S first shot of the day only.
- First shot of the day from any rifle must score a 4 or better to accumulate any “Dead Eye” points.
- Any shooter who places their RIFLE’s first shot of the day into the 4 ring is awarded 1 “Dead Eye” point.
- Any shooter who places their RIFLE’s first shot of the day into the 5 ring is awarded 2 “Dead Eye” points.
- Any shooter who places their RIFLE’s first shot of the day into the 6 ring is awarded 3 “Dead Eye” points.
- Any shooter who places their RIFLE’s first shot of the day into the X ring is awarded 5 “Dead Eye” points.
- All shooters across all disciplines and categories equally eligible to acquire points toward the aggregate.
- Shooters who share a rifle and wish to participate must alternate who calculates the initial firing solution and makes the first shot of the day; points are awarded on a RIFLE’S first shot of the day only, not a shooter’s.
- Shooters wishing to enter an eligible score should call “Dead Eye”. Scorers will then place “DE” next to that eligible score.
- Club Secretary will tally eligible scores two weeks prior to Sheffield Rifle Club Inc. Annual General Meeting and Presentation Day.

[Gwion]

If anyone is interested in joining in our Anzac Day Shoot, the rules and format are below:

ANZAC Day
First Place = Shooter with highest overall score: prize: Perpetual Trophy & Fruit Cake. GOLD Medal
1st Runner Up = Shooter with the 2nd highest overall score: prize: Tin of ANZAC Buiscuits. SILVER Medal
2nd Runner Up = Shooter with the 3rd highest overall score: prize: Bully Beef & Leaf Tea. BRONZE Medal
Cool Hand Luke = Smallest Group @ 300yd prone: prize: Hand knitted beanie and bragging rights


ANZAC Day Shoot is designed to be a level playing field for all shooters. The idea of the day is fun and comraderie. Prizes are of a novel nature in the spirit of a care trenches of WW1.
Basic Saftey Requirements

All firearms to pass a safety inspection by Range Officer (RO) prior to shooting
All shooters to attend pre-shoot safety briefing
Ear protection to be worn by all attendees
All shooters supervised by a second on the firing line to ensure safety brief is followed
All firearms to be placed in rack beside RO with bolt & magazine removed whilst not in use
All directions of the RO are to be followed immediately

Aim & Guidelines

*To create a fun, level playing field for all participants
*Have fun.
*Be safe.

Firearms and Equipment

*Military surplus or hunting (sporter/varmint) rifles only
*Any calibre from 5.56mm (.223") upto 8mm Use of military and hunting type slings allowed
*Scopes (maximum 16x mag setting) or open or peep sights allowed Hunting or field shooting type bi-pods allowed or back pack for prone rest
*No specialised "target shooting" equipment or clothing to be used
*Timed, single exposures make this shoot more about the level of equipment maintenance, familiarity and your ability to operate calmly and smoothly under pressure than it is about optics or specialised gear.
*There will be no reshoots for equipment failures or misfires within the time allowed. Combined with timed elements, this adds to the pressure of the event and levels the playing field.

Schedule for the Day

Time
Event or Activity
10:30am
Saftey briefing and firearm inspection
No Firearms to be removed from vehicles until Safety Brief completed
All firearms to be checked by RO and racked at firing line

11:00am
200yds sitting or kneeling.
1st exposure 2 mins, 2 sighters fired consecutively, both marked. Adjust sights.
2nd exposure 2 mins, 5 shots, all marked.
Adjust sights.
3rd exposure 2 mins, 5 shots, all marked. Score total recorded

12:00pm
200yds standing.
1st exposure 2 mins, 5 shots, all marked. Adjust sights.
2nd exposure 2 mins, 5 shots, all marked. Score total recorded

1:00pm
BBQ lunch: $10 all you can eat, $2 per soft drink, $1 water.

2:00pm
300yd prone.
1st exposure 2mins, 2 sighters fired consecutively both marked. Adjust sights.
2nd exposure 2 mins, 10 shots, all marked.
Score total recorded, group size photographed and measured

3:00pm
Presentation of prizes

4:00pm
Gates close

[Gwion]

Found an old archived article from the Examiner, 11 Jan 1927:

SHEFFIELD RIFLE CLUB.
On. Satuiday last a match was fired
at Sheffield over the 600 and 500 yards
ranges. This was the first of two
matches for a trophy donated by Messrs.
Monda. and Affleck. Conditions were
seven shots and two optional sighters
at each range. The weather was good.
J. H. Carey gained top place with a
total of 64, counting out three others
with the same total. The best scores
were as follow:
300 500
yds. yds.Hp. TI.
J 'H. Carey .. .. .. 30 34 sc-Cl
%% B. Ralph .. .. ..t 31, 33 sc-C4
E. Mannting .. .. .. .. 31 33 sc-64
R. J. Hope .. .. 33 31 'c-64
A. L. Edwards .. .. 27 33 1-61
T. R. Edwards .. .. 29 2S sec57
f-. J. Atkins ..o.. .. 25 25 6-56
L. Crichton .. .. 27 26 2-55
The second match will be fired on
Saturday next over the 600 and 700
yards ranges."

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51401130

[Gwion]

Shotting at 500yds this Saturday. Drop us a line if you're keen.
Target Rifle, F-class Std & Open & Hunter/Varmint.

[Gwion]

So we shot at 600yds today and the wind was harder to pick than a broken nose.

It was good to have the 7-08 out for the first time this season because I have been waiting on more 162gn bullets to arrive. Personally managed to drop my first two shots into the 6 ring so I posted a few points towards our Dead Eye comp but it all went pear shaped form there. Wind start playing up, as is typical on the Sheffield Range. I also forgot my comb riser so was resting on my hand to get a check weld. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!!

A lady shooter took the honours (I swear she just had a good patch of wind! ) with her Omark in 308. I was patching out and she dropped shot after shot into the 6 and X. Anyway, the wind started fishtailing again and her 2nd detail blew out somewhat. Still good enough for her to beat us boys with, though.

See you down there some time.

[No1Mk3]

Love it, Omark top scoring!

[sungazer]

Thats a nice looking website you have as well as all the landscaping work you have done.

[Gwion]

Love it, Omark top scoring!

Yep. Helps that she can shoot too!
Her hubby has a Barnard with some truck axle attatched in 6.5x55 but the Omark shot better!

[Heckler303]

There's still traffic down there? I would have thought everyone would have migrated to Westbury by now.

[Gwion]

Why would we want to do that?

[crows2332]

The, F-Class Hunter/Varmint Division, sounds like a good idea to have, for variation, and entry to people that can't or don't want to run expensive gear for FClass/Fullbore etc.
The variations in the example for the club there are great. I've seen another similar, that doesn't allow bipod, but allows sling, which to me didn't make much sense, considering the rules, referred to, if you are not using a bipod, you can use a sling, as part of the sling ruling!
Anyway, looks like a good format, and when given some flexibility/common sense applied like this club has, to the ruling adjustments, it would hopefully gather some interest, for folk that want to try.
cheerrs

[Gwion]

Thanks Crow. We're having some fun with it and an affordable entey point to precision shooting is exactly the point.
Cheers

[Member-Deleted]

I guess somebody has to be objective about this, and the club scene in general. More often than not, when a club goes through a major re-shuffle, it pretty well takes off like a rocket, or seriously dies in the arse. Political correctness and the brain washed media tells us that diversity is a good thing, and expands the mind etc, however.....no-one likes change, it is a simple statement of fact about the human condition, and we tend to be creatures of habit. When a club has been doing the same style of shooting for a long time, and then suddenly has a change of ethos, it takes an enormous amount of groundwork to re-shape everything. This is nothing more than an observation on my part, and is in no way meant to discourage your efforts to appeal to a wider segment of the shooting community.

The only club I am involved in is a pistol shooting one, and they have been adhering to the same rules and National standards as were adopted when the club first formed. If you want to shoot a different style or discipline, find another club; simple, no hard feelings. It is a constant, and I always know where I stand, and merely have to concentrate on improving my aim. And I stay right out of the politics, which put me off most clubs anyway. The different types of competition mentioned for the Sheffield club are probably more in line with the SSAA, than within the comparatively strict, exclusive ( and expensive) TRA .308 mindset. It would be a terrible loss to see such an old established club like that simply wither away.

[sungazer]

You are absolutely correct about the " no-one likes change, it is a simple statement of fact about the human condition, and we tend to be creatures of habit" I take my hat off to the Sheffield Rifle Club and hope they prosper in either attracting new members to the traditional (or much later introduced) f class sport or they introduce more types like they already have changing and moving with the times and cater to what is the current asking of the shooting community to keep the club and range financial and fun.
There are many State clubs by that I mean VRA, NSWRA, SARA, QRA ect that are undergoing change and moving away from the strict and exclusive attitudes of the past that may of in some way even come from the military days and just indoctrinated into the ongoing membership. I think it is time that people start going back to these clubs and seeing what is happening and if not now give them a few trys as nearly all the clubs know that they need to change to attract a new audience.
Some are trying to do it under the existing framework, which I think will fail others are trying to change the framework so the club can cater to change.

[Gwion]

I can assure you that Sheffield Rifle Club is in no way withering and dying. We are one of the few clubs in the TRA that is actively growing.

Given that the average age of the TRA membership is probably 60 odd years old, the way clubs will wither and die is by not adapting and attracting new shooters to the precision rifle dicipline. This isn't to be ageist. Just a simple fact of the rapidly aging membership base.

Precision rifles have changed a lot since the days when 303brit was the only cartridge available. The sport can reflect that by offering diciplines that cater for a wider selection of shooting platforms. We adopted the hunter/varmint division for this exact reason. The dicipline is known in the States as F-Class Practical. I know one other TRA affiliated club, Smithton, has recently taken up the F-C H/V and are having fun with it. Hopefully more will take it up. It is a great way to introduce people to precision shooting and provides a challenge to even the most seasoned shooters.

The Sheffield Range is one of the only places you can shoot past 200yds in the Nth of Tas and we want to be more inclusive rather than the restrictive closed shop of the past.

Hope to see you down at the range sometime.

[Oldbloke]

Hey, Gwion,
Do you blokes have a web site? Googled and couldn't find one.

[sungazer]

I dont want to but in on Gwions thread and as his club is in Tasmania I dont think this is stepping on any toes. For Victorian shooters a club you may want to check out is at Violet Town. The club is called ECDRA and has a website at www.ecdra.com.au also a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ECDRA/. I will start a new thread. It is a Target rifle club however visitors are welcome best to make prior contact as there are home and away matches like football. We also have other specialty days which I will keep everyone informed of and send out the invitation accordingly.

[Heckler303]

So how's membership going then? Any more members been arriving or old TRA participants turning up?

[Gwion]

Hey, Gwion,
Do you blokes have a web site? Googled and couldn't find one.

Not at this stage but it's something we need to look at getting up.

[Gwion]

I dont want to but in on Gwions thread and as his club is in Tasmania I dont think this is stepping on any toes. For Victorian shooters a club you may want to check out is at Violet Town. The club is called ECDRA and has a website at http://www.ecdra.com.au also a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ECDRA/. I will start a new thread. It is a Target rifle club however visitors are welcome best to make prior contact as there are home and away matches like football. We also have other specialty days which I will keep everyone informed of and send out the invitation accordingly.

[Oldbloke]

Hey, Gwion,
Do you blokes have a web site? Googled and couldn't find one.

Not at this stage but it's something we need to look at getting up.

Try. https://www.weebly.com/

It's free and easy peasy

[Member-Deleted]

I can assure you that Sheffield Rifle Club is in no way withering and dying. We are one of the few clubs in the TRA that is actively growing.

Given that the average age of the TRA membership is probably 60 odd years old, the way clubs will wither and die is by not adapting and attracting new shooters to the precision rifle dicipline. This isn't to be ageist. Just a simple fact of the rapidly aging membership base.

Precision rifles have changed a lot since the days when 303brit was the only cartridge available. The sport can reflect that by offering diciplines that cater for a wider selection of shooting platforms. We adopted the hunter/varmint division for this exact reason. The dicipline is known in the States as F-Class Practical. I know one other TRA affiliated club, Smithton, has recently taken up the F-C H/V and are having fun with it. Hopefully more will take it up. It is a great way to introduce people to precision shooting and provides a challenge to even the most seasoned shooters.

The Sheffield Range is one of the only places you can shoot past 200yds in the Nth of Tas and we want to be more inclusive rather than the restrictive closed shop of the past.

Hope to see you down at the range sometime.

My experience of a successful club or transition of such is usually indicated by membership AND participation. Since you had a "clean out' of the old management ( sounds like a gangland hit ) has membership and participation increased, and is it more popular than the club was previously? Obviously you would not oust the old guard if the majority of members were happy with the way things were. There must have been some level of dissatisfaction in the first place. No point in having 50 members, if only a hand full show up to shoot, attend working bee'e, meetings etc.

I did mention in my previous post that I considered the TRA some what exclusive, however, the restrictions placed are there for a reason, as if you wish to compete on a state/national level, you have to abide by their rules. Not surprisingly, few juniors and younger working class with families and a mortgage are involved, due to the financial constraints, and it does tend to cater for for the older more affluent types

[Gwion]

Hi Aradoar. In short, membership is growing and participation is steady taken over averages from previous years.

Without side tracking to a negative discussion, previous 'management' was one guy who kept the club as his own private range for many years whilst alianating all other local shooters who were interested in precision shooting. A long procession of members have come and gone due to the attitude of this one person. The 'clean out' was in no way a 'gangland hit' as the previous management volutarily stepped aside but it is important for anyone with previous experience with the club to understand that we have a new, more inclusive approach and want to encourage people to try their hand at precision shooting by offering an affordable entry point and mak8ng the range more accessable to shooters in Nth Tas.

[sungazer]

aradoar234 you are correct that in general it is more expensive membership wise. This is not the local club membership fee which is often very minimal. The larger part goes to the State body and National body. There are moves underway and motions have been made to reduce these fees and introduce other categories at much lower prices.There is a new Board in Vic that is much more responsive to modern thinking and the wishes of the membership. We will have to wait and see if these changes can take place. In vic we are trying to make it a more user pays system rather than all members pitching in to sponsor a state team ect. So those that want to compete at the elite level will pay more but the general grass roots member will pay less. I believe this is a wider approach being looked at by all the states and those states taking a similar motion to the national level.