A SPORT FOR LIFE
NO MATTER WHAT GENDER, AGE, OR ABILITY
Whether you’re young or just young at heart, shooting could be the sport for you. Unique to this sport is the fact that you will find brothers and sisters, parents, aunties and uncles, and even grandparents, shooting side by side. A sport for all generations.
Many people shoot purely for recreation, however, if you’ve got a competitive streak there are great options to challenge your skills through State and (inter)National competitions. Don’t be surprised to see picnic baskets appear and lifelong friendships blossom while participating in this sport.
Learn valuable skills that you can use in daily life, skills such as breathing techniques that help you focus and perform under pressure. Did you know shooting isn’t just an exacting physical sport? It also requires a very special mindset, one that is every bit as demanding as that for yoga or meditation. Where else could you do all this while enjoying the outdoors and catching up with friends and family?
So where do you start? It can be a bit of a maze navigating your way into the sport. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Have a look at the different types of shooting, learn about firearm licenses and check out your options to try the sport first.
Why not give it a shot? It could be the best decision you’ll ever make!
shooting explained
A new adventure...
A new sport can be a bit scary to start with. Especially when everything seems to be new. Unusual sporting equipment, a new language and new people to meet. Let us guide you through and feel prepared for your first visit to the range.
RIFLE SHOOTING TYPES
Different rifle disciplines at different distances
TARGET RIFLE
Target rifle (TR) is shot at the longer ranges from a distance of 300 up to a 1000 yards/metres. It is known as the fundamental to competitive Fullbore shooting throughout the world. This type of shooting dates to the 1860s when it was used for training civilian militia and is now known for equality for all competitors.
It is shot with the bare eye or using prescription lenses. Scopes are not used in this discipline. Shooters wear a jacket with a sling connected to the rifle, for support while in the prone position. Rifles are loaded one shot at a time and fired on either paper or electronic targets. The rifles used are .308 or .223 (calibre) which reflects the size of the ammunition.
When starting out, a coach will instruct you with adjusting the rifle’s sights, as weather conditions like wind reading come into play. One of the most famous competitions to take part in is the ‘Queen’s/King’s Prize’, the bread and butter Championship of Long Range Target Rifle Shooting. The winning Target Rifle Shooter is traditionally celebrated.
CHARACTERISTICS
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Shoot with the bare eye - no scopes are used
- Rifle entirely supported by the shooter - using a firm coat and sling connected to the rifle while shooting prone position
- Shot over 300 to 1000 yards/meters - covering one or multiple distances during a competition shoot that can be organised over multiple days
- Specific calibres used - shooting with .308 Win or .223 Rem calibres only as per guideline of the (inter)national rules of the game
- Participation - can be enjoyed recreational and competitive at club, state and (inter)national level shooting side by side with the FClass disciplines
F CLASS
FClass target shooting is performed at the longer ranges from 300 up to a 1000 yards/metres in prone position, using scoped rifles. This sport is divided in three different categories, also known as FStandard, FOpen and FTR. Each of these categories has their own criteria of various calibres, weights and equipment specifications that effect the precision of the shot. What they have in common is that single rounds are loaded at a time.
FStandard is using .308 or .223 calibre rifles that can be held by a bipod or stand with a sandbag rest for support. It was developed in Australia in the 1990s to assist aging shooters transition from Target Rifle to scoped rifle shooting on rests. Now, the discipline attracts shooters of all backgrounds and levels of experience.
FTR and FOpen are very similar to FStandard, though FTR is using the same rifles but has no specifications on the projectile (bullet) weight, and Fopen can use a wider range of calibre (up to 8mm) . This means that FOpen and FTR provide greater potential accuracy, using projectiles that are less affected by wind.
CHARACTERISTICS
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Telescopic sights - using a scope for target sight improvement
- Rifle supported by equipment - a bipod or front rest can be used and a sand bag at the rear
- Shot over 300 to 1000 yards/meters - covering one or multiple distances during a competition shoot that can be organised over multiple days
- Different calibres per F Class category - FStandard and FTR using .308 Win, .223 Rem calibres and F Open up to 8mm calibres
- Participation - can be enjoyed recreational and competitive at club, state and (inter)national level shooting side by side with the Target Rifle discipline
FIELD & RIMFIRE
Field & Rimfire is a type of shooting for short to mid-range distances using multiple shooting positions. Rimfire Class is typically shot from 25 up to 50 metre, while Field Class is up to 300 metres.
The calibre used defines the Class, Rimfire is limited to calibers up to .22 and Field Class is open up to 8mm to cover the longer distance.
Both disciplines are shooting from multiple positions (Standing / Kneeling / Sitting / Prone (laying down)) at a specific range and using either Rimfire or Centrefire firearms based on the Class. These firearms types are defined by the position where the firing-pin strikes the back of the cartridge.
It is an outdoor sport and mainly enjoyed recreationally with club competitions in a casual and family friendly environment. Suited for those who intend participating in recreational hunting.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Rimfire & Centrefire Rifles - commercially 'off the shelf' rifles where any sighting system may be used
- Rifle Supported by the Shooter or by Equipment - a sling or bipod can be used, though gloves and specially constructed shooting jackets are not permitted
- Shot over short to mid range distances - from 25 up to a 300 yards/metres while shooting in the laying, standing, sitting and kneeling positions
- Calibres used - Rimfire Class is using up to a .22 calibre where Field Class can be up to an 8mm calibre
- Participation - can be enjoyed casual as a recreational sport with club level competitions
SPORTER/HUNTER
Sporter/Hunter is designed to allow shooters with standard shop bought sporting type rifles to shoot on the National Rifle Associations rifle ranges. The prime purpose for its introduction is to encourage participation, rather than competition. This doesn’t mean that there is no competition at all. There are still local competitions to be enjoyed.
This young discipline is growing from the eagerness of numerous shooters who own high quality hunting rifles that are accurate and ready to go at long range. Add a good quality scope and shooters are able to engage in long distance target shooting.
The regulations on what type of equipment can be used are pretty flexible, although your choice will have impact on the distances that you will be able to reach. Be aware that there are also range regulations like calibre and/or energy limits as designated in the Range Standing Orders and/or Police Range Approval.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Choose your own sights - shooting takes place in prone position and any sights can be used, including magnifying or telescopic
- Rifle supported by shooter or equipment - magazines are allowed, a hunting bipod can be used at the front, and a sand bag at the rear
- Shot over 300 to 600 yards/metres - with the option to go further, though the equipment may not reach further distances
- Max. 26inch barrel length - with range regulations or event rules determining the specific allowed calibre, mainly based on energy limits
- Participation - this sport allows the average hunter or sporting shooter to participate in the club environment and join organised events
MATCH RIFLE & BENCHREST
Match Rifle
Match Rifle Shooting is long range target shooting conducted over the distances of 1000, 1100 and 1200 yards/metres, but can go up to 1500 if the range allows. This discipline was established in the United Kingdom over 150 years ago.
Match Rifle shooting uses .308W rifles with telescopic sights. It can be shot either prone or supine, what means lying on your back in crunch position with the rifle in the direction of your feet. In the prone position a rifle rest is allowed.
1000 yard Benchrest
1000 yard Benchrest, also known as precision shooting, is shot from a bench. High performance scoped target rifles are used and mainly custom made. In competition two classes are used, known as Light Gun and Heavy Gun. The difference is that the Light Gun class has limitations to the weight of the rifle and the Heavy Gun class not.
CHARACTERISTICS
Match Rifle
- Equipment - any sights can be used; a rest is permitted to support the forward hand or forearm as long as the rest does not touch the rifle; .308 calibre rifles are used
- Distance & Participation - shot over 1000 to 1500 yard/metres from any shooting position, enjoyed recreational and competitive at club, state and (inter)national level
1000 yard benchrest
- Equipment - telescopic sighted rifles of less than 40 calibre, supported by a rear and front sandbag
- Distance & Participation - shot at 1000 yards while sitting at a bench to be enjoyed recreational and competitive at club, state and (inter)national level
BEGINNER TO MASTER
Where will your shooting journey take you?
From shooting just for enjoyment at your local club to participating in the most intense of competitions, everyone’s direction is different.
There is a pathway for everyone. What’s yours?
Try Shooting
Try Shooting and find out if one of the QRA shooting disciplines is the type of shooting for you. The specially designed GIVEITASHOT and ‘Come and Try’ events are a perfect starting point.
These programs are created for all sorts of people. Some are totally new shooters, others are people who have shot before and want to try a different shooting discipline, and there are those who’ve been away for a while and want to get back into the sport.
Find out more about the PROGRAMS and join an event.
No firearm licence is required. From 11 years of age.
Get a Firearm Licence
When getting into the sport of shooting you need to get your firearm licence. This allows you to be in possession of a firearm.
One of the mandatory steps of getting your licence is successfully completing a Firearm Safety Course.
You can either start with this process or try the sport of shooting first.
To become a member of a club you don’t need to have a licence. However, becoming a member could even support you in obtaining your licence.
And while going through the licence application process, check if you can borrow a club rifle to get you started.
The QRA offers Firearm Safety Courses on a regular basis and can support with your Firearm Licence Application.
Find out more about Firearm Safety Courses and where to book your spot.
Get introduced to a club
Ready to take on the sport? The QRA can help you find out where the Queensland based clubs are located and put you in contact with a club that is ready to take you on board. Being part of a club means you can shoot with your clubmates. The club can assist you to master the necessary skills, such as learning how to use and care for a rifle, how to create your own ammunition, , and to read the wind. And, just as important, they can also advise you on equipment selection to make sure you end up with appropriate equipment for the discipline you choose.
Quick Links
Our Location
Belmont Shooting Complex
- 1485 Old Cleveland Road, Belmont Qld, 4153
- PO Box 38, CARINA QLD 4152
- 07 3398 4309
- qra@qldrifle.com
- Duncan Range Standing Orders - Refer to the office
- Covid-19 Information
- GIVEITASHOT & FSC registration is via RevolutioniseSport management
Quick Links
About Us
The Queensland Rifle Association fosters target rifle shooting and firearms training through our clubs. Different classes of rifle shooting are conducted by our Clubs under the Standard Shooting Rules (SSRs) of the National Rifle Association of Australia (NRAA).
NRAA Quicklinks
Our Location
Belmont Shooting Complex
- 1485 Old Cleveland Road, Belmont Qld, 4153
- PO Box 38, CARINA QLD 4152
- 07 3398 4309
- qra@qldrifle.com
- Duncan Range Standing Orders - Refer to the office
- Covid-19 Information
- GIVEITASHOT & FSC registration is via RevolutioniseSport management
Queensland Rifle Association acknowledges the support of the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport. Through this financial support QRA is able to deliver a number of programs designed to meet the goals of Queensland Government’s Activate! Queensland Strategy.
