Moving up from 22LR, Where to shoot ?

[jonesy1970]

I have spent many an enjoyable afternoon punching paper at Springvale (Victoria) range (22LR only), with my own rifle, love it, but now looking to try something new.

I have looked around and asked around and searched this forum and my options look like the following.
1. Same gun, or Bigger calibre gun and off to Eagle park range (I've never been there)
2. Hunting (I don't have a reasonable reason to hunt, not to mention the skill, patience or time )
3. Other ( I cant see any legal scenario where I can set-up and plink a few cans or bottles or other target of my choice on any range and access to private property full stop, or to do anything other than hunt looks extremely difficult)

So it looks like option 1.
Questions ?

1. Is Eagle park, just a bigger Springvale - shooting larger weapons, but still punching paper. ?, or are there other target options there (Its a long drive for me to go there - I'm, near Fern tree Gully)
2. Anyone been to the Lillydale rifle club - actually in Wesburn , what's it like ?

Thanks in advance. Apologies is this is old ground, but I did search the site and couldn't get the right answers.

[scrolllock]

G'day Jonesy,

Little River is a completely different game.

500m range for all rim fire and centre fire.

Any centre fire stuff up to .50 calibre I think it is.

Punching paper or you can put metal gongs out at 200m and more.

Strictly speaking you're only supposed to shoot 'approved' targets but an apple or two has gone unnoticed at 100m and further

The only thing with 400m and 500m is you have to drive up. Before the ceasefire you get ready in your car and when it's time drive up, do your targets, head back. So the whole range isn't waiting ages for you to walk back.

[jonesy1970]

OK understood, Many thanks Scrollock, looks like I'm heading to Little river then.

[VICHunter]

I have looked around and asked around and searched this forum and my options look like the following.
1. Same gun, or Bigger calibre gun and off to Eagle park range (I've never been there)
2. Hunting (I don't have a reasonable reason to hunt, not to mention the skill, patience or time )
3. Other ( I cant see any legal scenario where I can set-up and plink a few cans or bottles or other target of my choice on any range and access to private property full stop, or to do anything other than hunt looks extremely difficult)

There is no reason 1 rifle couldn't do all those things.

Same gun - Not a lot of point taking your .22lr to Eagle Park IMO. 22lr is a 50m cartridge, you could shoot up to 100m for a bit of fun but the accuracy is questionable. Not worth driving that far for it.

I'd get something chambered in a larger cartridge. A few thoughts on that...

You're obviously not dying to get out and go hunting. Could make something in a smaller cartridges a smart choice.

.223 Rem is about the most common cartridge in the world. Any rifle you want will come chambered in it, ammo is plentiful and competitively price, recoil is bugger all and their easy to shoot.

(A little off topic here but relevant...) A .223 will typically come with either a 1:12 twist barrel or 1:9 twist barrel. If they're intended for longer ranges they also some in 1:8 and 1:7 twist. A faster twist lets you shoot heavier bullets which is better for longer range shooting.

A .223 with fast twist and heavy bullets would be a great 500m rifle Perfect for Little River.

If you changed your mind on hunting it would also be fine for hunting rabbits, foxes, feral cats and wild dogs. This could be done on private property or Victorian state forests.

The only thing you'd need a rifle chambered in something bigger is if you did plan to hunt game. e.g. Deer, pigs etc. There are some legal requirements around minimum calibre and you want something bigger than a .223. Realistically is that of any interest at all to you?

[jonesy1970]

Thanks Vichunter, yes the goal was to also own a 223 of some kind. Just wanted to milk all your knowledge to get the most fun out of what Ive got, shooting paper can get a little old

As a WW2 buff ,the end state is to own WW2 bolt rifles, but in no rush, at no skill level or financial state to do that just yet.

[North East]

Don't shoot "moose" with a .223 mate.

[handofcod]

Best get a lot of practice under your belt before attempting to shoot anything with four legs. Little River is great, bit of a drive from Ferntree Gully though. Most people just shoot 100m or 200m which TBH is plenty to keep you interested if you've only tried 50m targets with a 22lr before. Get yourself a cheapy second hand 223 and if you like it you can explore more options down the track.

[Oldbloke]

Vichunter has summed it up pretty well l think. Lots of options out there

[Spooner]

As a WW2 buff ,the end state is to own WW2 bolt rifles, but in no rush, at no skill level or financial state to do that just yet.

If that's your think you can pick up a good condition Lee Enfield for a few hundred bucks.

.303 British would be something new for you

[jonesy1970]

Thanks Spooner, I've looked at that as well as Mosins and K98's and will likely end up with an SMLE, but thought the jump straight from 22LR to a 303 might be a bit much. Don't want to develop any bad habits - I'm relatively new to the sport.

[Tiiger]

You might find SMLE recoil is less than you expect.

.303 Brit has a little less kick than .308 Win and the rifles we're talking about above are generally a bit heavier than a modern profile hunting rifle as well.

Between the bit less recoil and bit more weight there is noticeably less kick. IMO.

[AusC]

looks like I'm heading to Little river then.

It's worth a day to at least try.

Make sure you take a crack at a metal gong while you're out there

[Turtleburp]

I would give the Lillydale rifle club a call and see about a shoot with them on Saturday before heading to Eagle Park.
My bet is they'll have a club Omark in .308 that they'll let you shoot to see if you like target, especially if you get there early.

Its a bit more competition based than banging away at your own targets and gongs but gives you something to work towards

[Monty]

We're usually an agreeable bunch us shooters as well.

I've asked guys at the range for a shot on something interesting a few times before, offered them some cash for ammo, and never had someone say no.

There will be someone there with a .308 for sure, and probably someone with a .303