Qld to need special permission for 300WM and larger?

Questions about Queensland gun and ammunition laws. QLD Weapons Act 1990.

Re: Qld to need special permission for 300WM and larger?

Post by bigrich » 02 May 2026, 3:58 am

alexjones wrote:
Harrison S wrote:Has this problem been nipped in the bud by SU yet?... are they still restricting pta approvals for 300wm and larger?... if so, does that include 45-70?


WLB are not issuing 338lapua PTAs unless you have huge amounts(thousands of acres) of land as no range is currently approved for it.

45-70 whilst big in diameter is not classed as a big calibre due to its low energy. Its just a big slow projectile that has an effective range of like 200 yards.

338lapua can hit 1500 yards all day long with ease and much much more with a lot of skill.


that's been my take on WLB approvals related to calibre , muzzle energy . as you have pointed out 45-70 is a large cal but the muzzle energy isn't right up there. one way around their restrictions might be rebarreling a rifle . going from 7mm rem mag to 300 win mag, 338 win mag with a barrel swap . ssaa big game comps have been canned from belmont qld because of energy restrictions brought in at that range and are now run at ripley range . ripley has energy restrictions as well , but it's right up there
User avatar
bigrich
General
General
 
Posts: 6245
Queensland

Re: Qld to need special permission for 300WM and larger?

Post by alexjones » 02 May 2026, 4:53 pm

bigrich wrote:
alexjones wrote:
Harrison S wrote:Has this problem been nipped in the bud by SU yet?... are they still restricting pta approvals for 300wm and larger?... if so, does that include 45-70?


WLB are not issuing 338lapua PTAs unless you have huge amounts(thousands of acres) of land as no range is currently approved for it.

45-70 whilst big in diameter is not classed as a big calibre due to its low energy. Its just a big slow projectile that has an effective range of like 200 yards.

338lapua can hit 1500 yards all day long with ease and much much more with a lot of skill.


that's been my take on WLB approvals related to calibre , muzzle energy . as you have pointed out 45-70 is a large cal but the muzzle energy isn't right up there. one way around their restrictions might be rebarreling a rifle . going from 7mm rem mag to 300 win mag, 338 win mag with a barrel swap . ssaa big game comps have been canned from belmont qld because of energy restrictions brought in at that range and are now run at ripley range . ripley has energy restrictions as well , but it's right up there



Yes ranges are approved for use based on muzzle energy / velocity not purely calibre size. Like a 12 gauge shotgun is a big diameter but can be used at any range.
alexjones
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1421
Queensland

Re: Qld to need special permission for 300WM and larger?

Post by Wapiti » 03 May 2026, 8:40 am

alexjones wrote:
Harrison S wrote:Has this problem been nipped in the bud by SU yet?... are they still restricting pta approvals for 300wm and larger?... if so, does that include 45-70?


WLB are not issuing 338lapua PTAs unless you have huge amounts(thousands of acres) of land as no range is currently approved for it.

45-70 whilst big in diameter is not classed as a big calibre due to its low energy. Its just a big slow projectile that has an effective range of like 200 yards.

338lapua can hit 1500 yards all day long with ease and much much more with a lot of skill.


Strange this isn't it... If I shot my super-tactical John Giles-built 300RUM with 250gn match bullets against my 338LAP with 250gn match bullets, the 300 has less drop and more speed out there anywhere you can point it.
But politics decides policy, or in this case uneducated decisions by people trying to creep in agendas, knowing that your fellow shooters out there are most likely to do the "doesn't affect me, so, who cares" kiddie response.
So say dumb things like "maybe it's bullsh*t :lol:" and reinforce why police and politicians get away with this stuff.
"The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing."
Aristotle.
Regards G,
AKA Dr. Doolittle
Wapiti
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2314
Queensland

Re: Qld to need special permission for 300WM and larger?

Post by straightshooter » 03 May 2026, 11:20 am

It's apparent that most posters haven't the slightest clue as to just how much influence the Work, Health & Safety bureaucratic empire has over many facets of life and especially shooting.
In the case of the extreme long range calibers, without a controlled angle of discharge or a safe backstop, the potential danger zone would be terrifying to a well funded bureaucrat.
So you see, safety is yet another cudgel to beat us plebs into submission.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds
straightshooter
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1437
New South Wales

Re: Qld to need special permission for 300WM and larger?

Post by alexjones » 03 May 2026, 7:25 pm

straightshooter wrote:It's apparent that most posters haven't the slightest clue as to just how much influence the Work, Health & Safety bureaucratic empire has over many facets of life and especially shooting.
In the case of the extreme long range calibers, without a controlled angle of discharge or a safe backstop, the potential danger zone would be terrifying to a well funded bureaucrat.
So you see, safety is yet another cudgel to beat us plebs into submission.


Wattle Grove was the only range in QLD approved for all calibres. It has 3km backstop into solid rock. WLB took 338lap off them last year after 15 years.


In order to get it back they have to change the range trajectory by a few degrees of angle.
alexjones
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1421
Queensland

Previous

Back to top
 
Return to Queensland gun laws