G'day all,

Just joined up and seeking other Aussie shooters who might help me out with shooters license info - I grew up shooting in the outback of Queensland as a kid - the usual .22's etc - but also shot big game in Africa when I was 11 years old with HH 375's and various French shotguns.

In any case I would like to begin shooting again and haven't touched a rifle for many years. If anybody could offer advice about the best way of going about all this - procedures etc, I'd be grateful. I am wanting to own my own rifle and keep it in the home also so any info on all this would be great.

For instance, do I have to be a gun club member? I'm looking for the path of least resistance and red tape basically ... fat chance, but still.

Best regards, Simon.

Welcome to the board, Simon - always nice to hear from another Downunder shooter.

There's a big handful of your fellow Ozzies here, so maybe a few of them will jump in and assist you with your questions.

Good luck - and, G'day!!

Gday simon,welcome.I dont know exactly how NSW policy goes,im from ACT.But heres a link to NSW firearms registry.


http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/firearms

Gday simon,welcome.I dont know exactly how NSW policy goes,im from ACT.But heres a link to NSW firearms registry.


http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/firearms

Thanks mate ... I'm going to have a chat to the SSAA here near me, join up most likely - as it will be good to hit the range and get involved in some club shooting - and take it from there. I guess once I have joined the SSAA I have a legitimate reason for owning a fire arm.

Thats the way,get into it.

Thats the way,get into it.

Got them sending the membership forms today ... shouldn't be long now. Now to see what other kinds of clubs are around shooting SMLE's so I can shoot a few while waiting for the paperwork to go through on liscence to purchase!

Got them sending the membership forms today ... shouldn't be long now. Now to see what other kinds of clubs are around shooting SMLE's so I can shoot a few while waiting for the paperwork to go through on liscence to purchase!
Simon, I hate to rain on your parade but in NSW you aren't even supposed to touch a firearm without a licence.
Here's the deal to get a licence.
You do a safety test.
Contact the SSAA and they can refer you to a local tester to run you throught he multiple choice section and the basic practical component.
Then join the SSAA and nominate as both a target shooter as as a hunting club member.
You have to turn up to athe odd meeting and shoot a number of times a year at a SSAA range but if you're an addict like us you'll manage.
Then you send the membership confirmation letter, the safety test pass slip and your licence application to the Firearm Regsitry......and wait.
You'll need to buy a safe too which has to be bolted to the floor AND wall if you want to keep guns at home.
And if you want to buy a gun or 2 as soon as your licence comes through get some Permit To Acquire forms and send them off with your licence application.
It's $30 a PTA and I'd say get one for a rimfire rifle and one for a centrefire as a starter.
I don't know where you live in Sydney but your best bet is to drive out to the SSAA Indoor Shooting Range at St.Marys and ask them what's required.
They'll line you up with testers and the right forms and you can join the SSAA right there.
So welcome to the fold, mate!

Simon, I hate to rain on your parade but in NSW you aren't even supposed to touch a firearm without a licence.
Here's the deal to get a licence.
You do a safety test.
Contact the SSAA and they can refer you to a local tester to run you throught he multiple choice section and the basic practical component.
Then join the SSAA and nominate as both a target shooter as as a hunting club member.
You have to turn up to athe odd meeting and shoot a number of times a year at a SSAA range but if you're an addict like us you'll manage.
Then you send the membership confirmation letter, the safety test pass slip and your licence application to the Firearm Regsitry......and wait.
You'll need to buy a safe too which has to be bolted to the floor AND wall if you want to keep guns at home.
And if you want to buy a gun or 2 as soon as your licence comes through get some Permit To Acquire forms and send them off with your licence application.
It's $30 a PTA and I'd say get one for a rimfire rifle and one for a centrefire as a starter.
I don't know where you live in Sydney but your best bet is to drive out to the SSAA Indoor Shooting Range at St.Marys and ask them what's required.
They'll line you up with testers and the right forms and you can join the SSAA right there.
So welcome to the fold, mate!

G'day Kombi!

Thanks for the welcome mate - I know these days I am not supposed to touch a rifle without a liscence so no worries there. Though I grew up in the days when if your uncle had a liscence and you went bush you shot anyway - your uncle standing over you and having taught you the rules etc! When I shot in Africa I had no liscence at the age of 11 and I shot game!!! How things have changed, eh?

With regards to joining the SSAA - I called them today and they are sending me the membership info etc - I live in the Blue Mtns not far from Lithgow actually so the St Marys branch of the SSAA is not too far for me. I was however under the impresion that some clubs can actually have you signed under some preliminary permit ( through the club ) to allow you to fire their weapons under supervision during the time waiting for liscencing in some cases - not all clubs have this facility or ability.

I do however plan to do as you say and go that route. As I said before to Wharf - can you recommend good sources for buying SMLE's etc in OZ or local in Sydney - what advice for purchasing do you have on that front. Wouldn't mind some window shopping while I wait for all the paper work to go through. By the way, how much are the home safes generally?

Best, Simon. :cool:

G'day Kombi!
Thanks for the welcome mate - I know these days I am not supposed to touch a rifle without a liscence so no worries there. Though I grew up in the days when if your uncle had a liscence and you went bush you shot anyway - your uncle standing over you and having taught you the rules etc! When I shot in Africa I had no liscence at the age of 11 and I shot game!!! How things have changed, eh?
Yes, they have....and not for the better! :mad:
In Victoria you can still take a non licenced person out shooting on the grounds that you are instructing them.
It's just the mongrels in NSW who are unreasonable.

With regards to joining the SSAA - I called them today and they are sending me the membership info etc - I live in the Blue Mtns not far from Lithgow actually so the St Marys branch of the SSAA is not too far for me. I was however under the impresion that some clubs can actually have you signed under some preliminary permit ( through the club ) to allow you to fire their weapons under supervision during the time waiting for liscencing in some cases - not all clubs have this facility or ability.
Good stuff about the SSAA membership.
The special permit you speak of is a Commissioners Permit and some clubs get them for public days so they can get people into the sport by having them try shooting.
If you're lucky you may be able to find a club not too far away who'd doing this.
Otherwise you'll just have to wait.

I do however plan to do as you say and go that route. As I said before to Wharf - can you recommend good sources for buying SMLE's etc in OZ or local in Sydney - what advice for purchasing do you have on that front. Wouldn't mind some window shopping while I wait for all the paper work to go through. By the way, how much are the home safes generally?
You'll be amazed by the facilities at St.Marys.
They have 50m indoor ranges and automated targets.
The shop is great as is the service.
Once you're a member there's also a decent discount on stuff, so much so that a 500gm container of ADI smokeless powder is $30 instead of $35 to $40 elsewhere.
As far as SMLEs go, you're probably best to keep your eye out in older gun shops, talk to members in your local SSAA branch as they may have them for sale and gunshows.
The next gunshow is Panthers in Penrith on the weekend of October 28th & 29th.
I haven't been to a show myself for a little while so I may try and get to this one.
Since Penrith isn't so far from you and St.Marys is just up the road from there perhaps you could do the entire tour in the one day.
Come down a little early and go through the paperwork at St.Marys then we might be able to meet up and go to the show at Panthers.
Believe me, you'll leave a trail of drool behind you.
I always do! :p

As far as safes go, how many guns do you want and how much money do you have?
If you want a 4 gun safe that's built like a gym locker then you can get one for around $250.
For $300 or more your'll get a heavier duty 3 or 4 gun safe.
For $350 to $500 you can get a 6 to 8 gun safe of good construction and then the prices keep heading up....digital locks, etc.
Presently I have a 4-gun locker and it's packed full so when we move into our new house in a month or so I'm buying an 8-gun safe from a mate to expand.
That'll expand my possibilities to 12 guns and even out to 14 with them packed in correctly.
Look at it this way.....if you have 2 guns they'll fit into a 4 gun safe but 6 guns won't. :(
I guarantee if you're anything like Wharf and DaveH and me that things can get out of hand quickly, even if you only buy one or 2 guns a year! :confused:
And also remember that if you buy a barreled action or even just a receiver it's viewed as a firearm and has to be stored accordingly.
If you intend to do pistol shooting you'll have to get a safe rated for Category H firearms too.
So when you go to St.Marys tell them what you need and how much you have and they'll help you out. ;)

I have been to a few gun shows,mainly canterbury racecourse.I wouldnt bother looking for a firearm there,mostly overpriced.I go to buy components only.If you want a smle it will be easy to find a good shooter,if you want a bit of extre value,find one with matching numbers.I dont think ive ever been to a gun shop that doesnt have a smle somewhere to look at.I know where theres a very nice smle no1mk3 for sale at the moment.

There ya go.
Wharf knows more about SMLEs than me.
But there is the odd deal at shows although clearly not in SMLEs.

G'day again mate! :)

Yes, they have....and not for the better! :mad:
In Victoria you can still take a non licenced person out shooting on the grounds that you are instructing them.
It's just the mongrels in NSW who are unreasonable.

Don't get me started!!!

Good stuff about the SSAA membership. The special permit you speak of is a Commissioners Permit and some clubs get them for public days so they can get people into the sport by having them try shooting. If you're lucky you may be able to find a club not too far away who'd doing this. Otherwise you'll just have to wait.

I believe the 18th Battallion club in Sydney does this - it's apparently not just for club open days but is provisional under the clubs auspices during the waiting period - they have specific info at their website regarding this - bloody good of them I reckon too!

You'll be amazed by the facilities at St.Marys.
They have 50m indoor ranges and automated targets.
The shop is great as is the service. Once you're a member there's also a decent discount on stuff, so much so that a 500gm container of ADI smokeless powder is $30 instead of $35 to $40 elsewhere.

I look forward to going and having a squiz! Apparently they only have 22 cal for hire though and nothing else.

As far as SMLEs go, you're probably best to keep your eye out in older gun shops, talk to members in your local SSAA branch as they may have them for sale and gunshows.

I found a gunshop in Sydney that has a stock of some Smellies - it's giving me itchy feet too. If I had the liscencing all sorted I'd be racing down to make a purchase asap!!! :D

The next gunshow is Panthers in Penrith on the weekend of October 28th & 29th. I haven't been to a show myself for a little while so I may try and get to this one.
Since Penrith isn't so far from you and St.Marys is just up the road from there perhaps you could do the entire tour in the one day. Come down a little early and go through the paperwork at St.Marys then we might be able to meet up and go to the show at Panthers. Believe me, you'll leave a trail of drool behind you. I always do! :p

I'll take you up on it mate - would be keen to meet up with another shooter and kick some tyres and do some window shopping - I'll PM you my email for good measure. :)

As far as safes go, how many guns do you want and how much money do you have? If you want a 4 gun safe that's built like a gym locker then you can get one for around $250. For $300 or more your'll get a heavier duty 3 or 4 gun safe. For $350 to $500 you can get a 6 to 8 gun safe of good construction and then the prices keep heading up....digital locks, etc.

I will most likely be starting off with 2-3 rifles ... looking at a couple of SMLE's and would like to snag a Kar98 also with the original German stamps etc - then move on to other things later on progressively. I have a thing however for WW2 rifles and the like.

If you intend to do pistol shooting you'll have to get a safe rated for Category H firearms too. So when you go to St.Marys tell them what you need and how much you have and they'll help you out. ;)

What's the deal with Cat H - pistols and revolvers anyway? I was under the impression that it's near impossible to keep those unless it's job related, no? I'd like to pistol shoot for sure -!!!

Best regards, Simon. :cool:

I have been to a few gun shows,mainly canterbury racecourse.I wouldnt bother looking for a firearm there,mostly overpriced.I go to buy components only.If you want a smle it will be easy to find a good shooter,if you want a bit of extre value,find one with matching numbers.I dont think ive ever been to a gun shop that doesnt have a smle somewhere to look at.I know where theres a very nice smle no1mk3 for sale at the moment.

Sounds good mate - not that I can buy right now anyway but would be interested in the Smelly you refer to - is it private sale by the way?

For cat H you will need to do a LOT more than what you do for cat A,B.You have to join a pistol club for starters.Then do your 12 week(thats how long in act) probationary shoots.After that and you have passed all the tests you can have your H class.I have mine,its great.

For cat H you will need to do a LOT more than what you do for cat A,B.You have to join a pistol club for starters.Then do your 12 week(thats how long in act) probationary shoots.After that and you have passed all the tests you can have your H class.I have mine,its great.

I'll start looking around for a pistol club in Sydney then - so do you own your own handguns and keep em at home? What pistols or revolver types are allowed and what are not?

Tikirocker, you'll find most towns have a pistol club.
Lithgow probably has one so ask around and find out who runs it.
If there's no closer one there is always the one at the Silverdale range near Warragamba and of course St.Marys, both of which are SSAA affiliated and require not extra membership fees.
Non-SSAA affliated clubs can cost up to $150 a year to be a member over and above your SSAA membership so keep this in mind.
As far as owning handguns, I'm not a pistol shooter myself but the amount of range visits required per year depends on how many guns you own and I'm pretty sure you must shoot in recorded club comps, not just plink away.
Tell you what, I'll PM the number of a friend who's the club armourer for the Silverdale club.

I'll start looking around for a pistol club in Sydney then - so do you own your own handguns and keep em at home? What pistols or revolver types are allowed and what are not?


Yes i do own and keep my handguns at home.Once you finish your probation and meet all the requirements,you are free to take your pistols home.I store mine in a cat h class safe.The required amount of shoots a year depends on how many catergories you have.By cat i mean how many different types you own.There are 4 different types.Rimfire,centrefire,blackpowder and air.And there is also a prohibited catergory(which is centre fire but not) which involves the banned over calibre stuff which you are still (legally allowed to own if used in metallic sillhouette handgun,or single action shooting 38cal plus).The amount of shoots goes like this,if you have one cat you shoot 6 matches a year,if you own more than one cat you shoot 4 matches for each cat.Sounds like fun hey.Well the first couple of years you wont have a problem.Its very addictive.

Tikirocker, you'll find most towns have a pistol club. Lithgow probably has one so ask around and find out who runs it.

I know they have a Pistol and small arms club at Lithgow but can't find any info or contact details online for it - I may have to try the SSAA and see if they have some kind of ph numbers.

If there's no closer one there is always the one at the Silverdale range near Warragamba and of course St.Marys, both of which are SSAA affiliated and require not extra membership fees.

Well if I can pistol shoot at the St Marys SSAA and I don't have fork out fee's for another club I'll just stick with them - I believe I can do Pistol at the SSAA so it makes more sense really.

Non-SSAA affliated clubs can cost up to $150 a year to be a member over and above your SSAA membership so keep this in mind.

Yeah, I doubt I'll be joining any of those!! :eek:


As far as owning handguns, I'm not a pistol shooter myself but the amount of range visits required per year depends on how many guns you own and I'm pretty sure you must shoot in recorded club comps, not just plink away. Tell you what, I'll PM the number of a friend who's the club armourer for the Silverdale club.

I have no problem shooting in comps - I like that stuff. Got your PM, you have a reply and my e-mail with it.

Best, Simon. :)

Yes i do own and keep my handguns at home.Once you finish your probation and meet all the requirements,you are free to take your pistols home.I store mine in a cat h class safe.The required amount of shoots a year depends on how many catergories you have.By cat i mean how many different types you own.There are 4 different types.Rimfire,centrefire,blackpowder and air.And there is also a prohibited catergory(which is centre fire but not) which involves the banned over calibre stuff which you are still (legally allowed to own if used in metallic sillhouette handgun,or single action shooting 38cal plus).The amount of shoots goes like this,if you have one cat you shoot 6 matches a year,if you own more than one cat you shoot 4 matches for each cat.Sounds like fun hey.Well the first couple of years you wont have a problem.Its very addictive.

Thanks for the info mate, I'm very much looking forward to getting into it - I'll ask at the SSAA about the Cat H stuff and talk to a contact Kombi has been kind enough to put me onto re all that also. By the way do you have handguns of the standard kind or the target pistol type - or both?

I have all sorts of handguns,All have uses for different matches and disiplines.I mainly shoot handgun metallic silhouette.Its a very challenging match.Big bore is my favourite.The handguns i use for silhouette are mainly rifle chambered pistols of the single shot type.I also use a smith and wesson 586 357magnum revovler.heres a pic of some of my silhouette guns.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/wharf/100_0935.jpg

heres a pic of my old cap and ball Walker and 1860 colt army

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/wharf/100_0354.jpg

This is a mate shooting in the creedmore position,bigbore silhouette

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/wharf/Picture_0012.jpg


And this is another mate shooting his standing match

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/wharf/Picture_0015.jpg

Love the Colts - I'm a huge fan of Western Shooters and the old time Blackpowder guns. Are the Colts Uberti or some other brand or are they real Colt versions? I hear the Walker has a hel1 of a kick on it too! I think I'd be highly addicted to the silhouette shooting ... that looks like a ton of fun.

Love the Colts - I'm a huge fan of Western Shooters and the old time Blackpowder guns. Are the Colts Uberti or some other brand or are they real Colt versions? I hear the Walker has a hel1 of a kick on it too! I think I'd be highly addicted to the silhouette shooting ... that looks like a ton of fun.
Mate i would just about give my left nut for a ridgy didge genuine Colt Walker,they are very rare now i think.I dont have much time for BP anymore.Its great fun but i have better thnigs to do on the weekends other than clean BP pistols.The walker kicks a little,especially when you jam 60gns of FFF Black into each cylinder.But its got nothing on the 30/30 contender or the xp100 7mmbr.

So what aftermarket brand are the Colt copies mate? As I said I know Uberti as being one of the better known makers - personally I'd love to get my hands on a couple of Navy and a personal fave the DA Lightning & Thunderer!

welcome tikirocker,
sounds like your more than passionate bout your militaria and older arms. good luck with the licensing and as you can see there are def some boys on here who are more than keen to help out.
cheerio and happy hunting fellas.
lockie

oh and btw where is that funny old fella daveh these days?

A good point, Lockie.
I think I'd better email him.

Hes out working

How can hunting be working? :confused:

Dave is a profesional shooter.He makes his living from it

Understand, but still ask - How can hunting be called working? :D

I think pro shooters would call it work,night after night of doing the same thing.Long hours during darkness and then trying to fit back into main stream life and time would take a bit of getting used to.But dave could explain it better.

Over the years I've known a lot of pro shooters and it is definitely work. In the main dirty hard work. Thats one of the reasons that they can't get enough of them over here.
Mostly you are in a remote location away from family and friends for extended periods. Its not really what I'd call hunting. Driving around at night spotlighting roos and shooting. But thats the easy part then what ever you shoot has to be dressed and put into chillers. To me pro shooting is more akin to working ain an abatoir than hunting. Spending half the night or day dressing out a heap of roos, donkeys etc.
Not my idea of fun.
Dogging maybe a bit different but its all in all a hard way to make a living.
Guess thats why we call them pro shooters not pro hunters.
No doubt those in the trade can give you an even better insight. But thats my takeon it from seeing it from the edge for 30 years.

Dave is a profesional roo shooting who works for the meat industry and he also has contracts to cull feral animals like goats, camels, wild dogs & foxes.
A lot of the shooting he does is in the middle of nowhere by himself and he's had plenty of lonely cold nights.
Ask him about it.
It's also no job for the squeamish and the government has tough rules for pro shooter to abide by.
All in all not a desirable job for most people.
In fact from what Dave has told me being a guide is a walk in the park compared to the life of a professional shooter.

Hope you Aussies and NZ's don't take me seriously. :p

Realize that professional hunting can get to be a drag, just like any other employment.

Met a government trapper/game control officer some years back. His job was to follow a large band of sheep from the summering pastures in the High Country to the wintering ones here in the desert area. All coyotes and cougars were shot on sight with silenced (moderated) rifles and traps were placed in the vicinities. He was furnished all his transportation and gear by the US government and drew regular monthly wages. Took pictures of all his kills and made monthly reports. Don't think he had to do anything with the carcasses other than to bury them.

He seemed quite happy for a young man away from home most of the time and enjoyed letting us shoot his "sniper" rifles to attest to their accuracy. This was a treat for a couple of us diehard hunters, as such firearms are prohibited in this country without a complicated and expensive permit.

wow daveh def has some stories bout his whacky adventures.
i vaguely remember him saying he got kicked by a camel that broke some ribs, or soemthing along thos lines. crazy fella!
does sound like there would be a lot of self discovery, albeit in the loneliest conditions a person could prob face.
still, to the average joe who doesnt do it everyday, and dreams of getting out there amongst ferals, it does sound like a lot of fun. **** id give it a go for awhile.
that does sound pretty amazing what the govt trapper did. if you liked the solitude it'b be a great, adventurous job. i do believe the one side of it all that would clearly be the wosrt by far would be the cleaning up after the shot. as it always is the longest, messiest and most boring part of taking game. i love goat hunting but i hate cleaning the stinkers.
cheers,
lockie

oh and kdub,
what rifles were hard to come by that the trapper had but average mr smith couldnt get his hands on?

Not the rifles themselves, Lockielegend - it was the silencers attached to them the average Mr. Smith is not allowed to have in this country.

His rifles were Remington Tactical (stainless steel actions/barrels, synthetic stocks with aluminum bedding blocks and Leupold tactical scopes) in 22-250 and 25-06 chamberings. These would be similar to the rifles issued to government agencies SWAT teams (FBI, Secret Service, BATF, etc). Guess the government buys them in lots for all it's needs. Ammunition came in government packaged boxes with Federal headstamps.

sound like nice pieces of equipment and pricy too.
thanks mate.
lockie