The Katoomba Rifle Club ["KRC"] was established in 1893, and continues to be one of the oldest continuous sporting clubs in the Blue Mountains. We have not forgotten our over century of traditions and the clubs achievements while we continue today practicing one of the oldest registered sports in Australia.
The KRC meet each Saturday to conduct target shooting of rifle on the Leura Range, that is served tens of thousands of shooters, visitors and distinguished guests over its time, without incident.
The KRC practice several disciplines of competitive shooting, on a smallbore, fullbore (100y to 660y) and shotgun facility that is regularly maintained for compliance and safe operation.
Fullbore classes: This involves using a single shot target rifle and engaging static targets at multiple distances with optional sighters and predefined scoring shots.
Target Rifle (TR): Is a rifle in either .308 or .223 calibre with limits on the projectile and is aligned using aperture sights. The same as the that of the Commonwealth Games, this is shot over multiple distances in the prone (laying) position. The equipment is a rifle with aperture sights, and typically involves using a coat, glove and a sling. It is the most traditional form of shooting dating back to the Colonial Days using black powder rifles.
Target Rifle Optical (TR-O): Is a duplicate of TR (above) but with the use of optical sights. This allows those with reduced visual acuity to continue shooting this very authentic style of shooting.
F-Class: F-Class involves using a front rest, a rear sandbag and telescopic sights, typically fired in the prone position. There are 4 categories in F-Class to allow for many configurations and specifications of rifle.
- F-Open: is an international discipline for optical sighted rifles with unlimited features and options. Considered the Formula 1 of Fullbore shooting. Any calibre up to 8mm is permitted.
- F/TR: is another international discipline involving .308 or.223 without limit to the projectile used, but limited by rifle assembly weight and resting equipment.
- F-Standard: is a more local form of supported/rested version of TR with cartridges limited to either .308 or .223 and limits on projectiles.
- F-Sporter Production: is more for the factory off the showroom type rifle with limits on rifle assembly weight.
Shotgun Shooting: Shotgun shooting takes place one Sunday per month. There is one clay pigeon trap, where clay pigeons are shot using a double barrel shotgun. At the Katoomba Range it is mandatory to use steel shot during firearms practice.
Smallbore/Rimfire: Is a target or sporting rifle limited to rimfire and is shot at distances of 50m to 100 yards, generally. An ELR version can be shot out to 300 yards.
Field Rifle: Is the use of rifles being fired at bullseye targets at distances of 100 back to 300 using common field firing positions. This match is not shot authentically at the KRC due to the need for manually market targets which the KRC wish to avoid.
Service Rifle: Is the use of service rifles at common Classification distances using some service type courses of fire. Due to the reduced availably of many historical arms, it is common now for modern firearms to be used while following service rifle course of fire.
Getting your Shooters Licence: Unfortunately we do not have provision for unlicensed shooting on our range (eg. don't currently offer the P650 program). The KRC can help you obtain your shooter licence by helping you complete your Long Arms Safe Shooting Course and offering KRC membership to those seeking to engage in target shooting sports. The course certificate and membership, and passing legal background checks, allows you to apply for a Long Arm Shooting Licence with "Target Shooting" as your genuine reason to the NSW Police. Contact us for more information or if we can assist with this process.
Electronic targets
Katoomba Rifle Club shoots on a Silver Mountain Electronic Target System.
These electronic targets use sensors on the target frame to detect the sonic pulse created by the projectile flying through the target. The sensors are calibrated to measure the distance to the bullet passing through the target, and show this displayed on a wifi device back on the target mound.
For the most part this means that we can have a faster shooting session, without interruptions while waiting for marking. You don't need a high powered telescope to see the result of your shots.
Click on the example below to see what you see as the shooter.
