Getting into shooting sports - Bathurst/Lithgow area

[engo]

I'm relatively new to shooting but I've got a Zastava 223 and want to look at least at doing some range shooting to get my eye in, if not have a go at some competition shooting.

Has anyone had any experience with either of the Bathurst ranges or the Lithgow range? Is it simple enough to get involved in?

Besides the rifle, would I need anything else? I'm thinking of getting a bipod (I want to end up with a fox skin rug after this winter and most of my shooting will be geared towards that and a few rabbits for the dog/table) - are they OK to use at ranges?

Thanks

[Mulga]

Welcome. I have no idea about ranges. However the equipmnet you will need for fox shooting is long and varied depending on the type of hunting or shooting you prefer. Broken down there are three basic types. 1. Spotlighting - which can be very efficient. 2. Calling - it takes skill but is very rewarding 3. Driven Hunts - ususlly with dogs.

There are others here proably better experienced than I who are more than free with thier advice. Also there are already heaps of previous posts packed with infoemation for you to read.

Welcome

[Flash Gordon]

I'm relatively new to shooting but I've got a Zastava 223 and want to look at least at doing some range shooting to get my eye in, if not have a go at some competition shooting.

Has anyone had any experience with either of the Bathurst ranges or the Lithgow range? Is it simple enough to get involved in?

Besides the rifle, would I need anything else? I'm thinking of getting a bipod (I want to end up with a fox skin rug after this winter and most of my shooting will be geared towards that and a few rabbits for the dog/table) - are they OK to use at ranges?

Thanks

I am not from that area,but have shot Field rifle at the Lithgow Rifle Club.Your rifle would suit that style of shooting as the ranges are from 100 to 300 yards.

[Rinso]

NRAA Bathurst shoot from 300yds to 900yds but that wont suit your rifle all that well
SSAA Bathurst dont shoot any comp's (or at least the never have before) although they have a nice 200m benchrest range.

Best fox tactics round there are spotlighting and whistling.

[Steve 2141]

I recently moved to the area and have shot at ssaa Bathurst, they have a 100m range and the benches are under cover, you can google up their web site which will give you a monthly schedule, I’m think they are still running a rimfire comp 1st Sunday of the month, but it’s for field rifle

The nraa have a club in Lithgow, I’ve visited the range but don’t know anything of it, the nraa in Bathurst I shot there as a guest, I intend to join and do some f class again

Orange has a really strong ssaa benchrest rimfire club, I hope to start competing there soon

ssaa mudgee is about 1 hour from Lithgow, I haven’t shot there but am told it’s a good set up

just remember that all the ranges out here are run by volunteers staff and the opening hours can change without notice, I always track down the range officer rostered on duty before driving into town

cheers

[Camel]

G'day Engo, welcome
I cant help you with anything to do with ranges, Ive never been to one mainly due to not being interested in formal shooting. I can possibly help you with a bi-pod, Ive got an old Harris bipod from years ago, it used to be the long version but I cut it down to the shorter version, Its a bit rough but still works perfectly. Its been sitting in my bits a pieces box in my loading room, if you would like it drop me a PM with address and Ill send it up to you I wont use it so someone may as well get some use out of it.
Have a look at Fens posts on fox shooting, hes got a pretty good system, walking at night and shooting them by torch light, he gets good results. Have you got somewhere you can spotlight with a vehicle, thats the way to get good talleys. Good luck with the rug, are you going to tan the hides yourself ? I did a fair bit of tanning years ago, foxes, goats, snake skin and a few roo skins, use the Liedriter tanning kits, dont know if they are available now, but there will be some sort of kit available, they were pretty easy to use, just follwed the instructions and everything turned out fine.
Good luck mate.

[engo]

Thanks - I'll PM you and have a look for Fen's posts.

I've got a couple of contacts that are going to help me out with places to go - as far as tanning, I've got two skins I've dried from late last winter that I'll probably have a go at tanning myself, then I'll make my mind up from that...