Normal Saturday competition is based on a handicap system so that
all members have a chance of winning. There are also annual handicap
and off-gun trophies presented at the end of year break-up.
50 Metre Pistol (previously called Free Pistol): 
A precision match consisting of 60 shots in 2 hours. The handguns
normally used are long barrelled 0·22 Long Rifle single shot
handguns, but there is nothing to stop you using any 0·22 Long
Rifle handgun. 50 Metre Pistol shooting is an excellent way of learning
how to shoot handguns, as there is no time pressure to hurry through
the match.
Standard Pistol: 
The Standard Pistol match is shot at 25 metres with a 0·22
Long Rifle semi-automatic. The match is divided into;
- Four series of 5 shots, in 150 seconds,
- Four series of 5 shots in 20 seconds and,
- Four series of 5 shots in 10 seconds.
The 20 and 10 second series start with the shooter’s arm
at 45 degrees to the horizontal. The handgun used in this event
must have a barrel no longer than 150mm and a trigger no lighter
than 1000gm. Recoil handling characteristics are important in a
Standard Pistol, especially in the 10 seconds series.
Centre Fire: 
The Match consists of two separate 30 shot stages of fire. One is
the “precision” stage with five minutes allowed for each
5 shot series. The other is the “rapid fire” stage that
is shot on turning targets. One shot is fired with each exposure of
the target as it turns toward the shooter for 3 seconds and away for
7 seconds, with the shooter lowering his arm to 45 degrees between
each exposure of the target. Any centre fire calibre from 0·32
to 0·38 can be used in a revolver or semi-automatic, with a
barrel no longer than 150mm and a trigger pull no lighter than 1360
gms. Many target grade handguns are available for this match, mainly
in 0·32, 0·38 Special and 0.357 Magnum. The heavier
trigger pull specified for Centre Fire requires firm control of the
handgun in both the precision and rapid fire stages, and this coupled
with the recoil of the centre fire ammunition makes this quite a difficult
event for the new shooter, although one that is universally popular.
25 Metre Pistol (previously called Sport Pistol, and Junior
Sport Pistol): Go Top
This match is identical to the Centre Fire match except that the
handguns are 0·22 Long Rifle semi-automatics that comply with
the Standard Pistol specifications. Some manufacturers make special
lightweight versions of their Standard Pistols for these matches.
Black Powder: Go
Top
There are two Black Powder matches, the Aggregate Match and the 50
Metre Match. Cap and ball revolvers must be used in the Aggregate
match, while single shot handguns are permitted in the 50 metre match.
The calibre is restricted to 0.46 maximum and projectiles must be
round balls or conical bullets. The Aggregate match is identical to
the Centre Fire match except that it consists of 20 precision shots,
and 20 shots rapid fire. The 50 Metre match consists of four series
of 10 shots, fired in 2 hours on an NRA 50 yard target which has a
larger ten-ring than the standard 50 metre target. The 50 metre match
can be shot with revolvers, but some interesting hybrid single shots
have been put together by black powder enthusiasts out of single shot
cartridge handguns like the Thompson Contender.
Air Pistol: Go Top
The Air Pistol match is a slow fire match demanding similar levels
of precision to 50 Metre Pistol except that it is shot at 10 metres
on a target with a 12mm ten-ring. The match consists of 60 shots in
the Men’s and Junior Men’s events and 40 shots for Ladies
and Junior Ladies. Air Pistol is a great teacher of handgun shooting
fundamentals, as the highly accurate handguns, with their minimum
allowable trigger weight of 500 grams are easy to control and have
no recoil. They are also very economical to shoot and are noiseless
compared to cartridge firearms. Most Air Pistol ranges are indoors,
and this offers shooters the advantage of shooting of an evening and
getting plenty of low cost practice.
Rapid Fire: Go Top
The match is shot on five turning targets, spaced 75cm apart. It
consists of four series of five shots each in 8 seconds, 6 seconds
and 4 seconds. The course of fire is in two 30 shot stages of two
series in each time sequence.
The shooter must wait with the shooting arm at 45 degrees to horizontal
until the targets start to turn. Rapid fire handguns must comply with
the same specifications as the Standard Pistol.
Service Pistol: Go
Top
The course of fire is shot at ranges from 50 yards down to 7 yards
and consists of 90 scoring shots. Shooting is done on turning targets
and throughout the course of fire competitors are required to shoot
prone, sitting, standing from a barricade position with both right
and left hand, left and right hand only, and from the “unsighted”
position where the handgun must be held below shoulder level. Time
sequences are as short as 4 seconds and several stages require reloading
during the time allowed. As all series are in 6 round sequences, revolvers
are equally well suited to the match as semi-auto’s. The Service
Pistol match is split into Service Pistol, and Service Pistol Unrestricted
categories. The course of fire is identical with the main differences
being that the Service Pistol course requires that the match be shot
from the holster rather than from the 45 degree “ready”
position, and that the ammunition used is of a minimum power determined
by multiplying the bullet weight in grains and the velocity in feet
per second. This “Power Factor” must be no less than 120,000.
Double action revolvers are very popular for this match, which combines
precision, control, speed and timing.
Service Pistol 25 Yards (previously called Short Barrel Match):
Go Top
Is similar to the Service Pistol Unrestricted match, but is only
shot at 25, 10 and 7 yards. Barrels are restricted to 105mm maximum
for a revolver and 125mm maximum for a semi-automatic. The match was
started in Victoria in 1992 and is growing in popularity throughout
Australia.
Practical Pistol: Go
Top
Practical Pistol shooting originated in the USA and is a freestyle
shooting competition with no set courses of fire. Originally conceived
as a training course for combat style shooting without the rules and
regulations of the more formal handgun shooting disciplines. Practical
courses are generally divided into two segments: the standard exercises,
where the shooter remains stationary and engages a number of nominated
targets, and the Comstock course, where the shooter moves around the
course and engages nominated targets, some of which may not be visible
at the starting position of the course.
The emphasis in practical shooting is speed, with some matches scored
against the clock rather than over a set time. Rapid reloading and
multiple shot capacity make semi-automatics the preferred handgun
for the match. All shooting is done from the holster, and the most
stringent requirements applied in the match are the operation of the
handguns safety and the security of the holster. The courses of fire
are designed on the day to present shooters with a set of shooting
conditions that will differ for each match. There is a power factor
requirement for the ammunition used, and outer scoring rings are scored
lower if lower powered loads are used.
International 1920 Match (previously Action Pistol):
Go Top
This match has been adapted from the Bianchi Cup type matches that
are very popular in the USA., it consists of 4 matches totaling 192
shots. These consist of the falling plate match, moving target match,
and 2 matches similar to the Service matches. All matches are shot
from the holster, and optical sighting equipment is permitted. Double
action revolvers are the most popular because of their reliability
and the ease with which they can be fitted with a scope. Ammunition
must comply with the 120,000 Power Factor minimum limit (there is
also a division for 0·22 Rimfire).
1500 Match: Go Top
This match only recently introduced, consists of 150 shots at distances
up to 50 Yards. It is derived from the National Rifle Association
of America P.P.C. rules and is very similar to the Pistol Australia
Service Match. The match has been adopted in a number of countries
and is governed by the World Association 1500, this provides for international
competition and a World Championship.
Rifle Competition: Go
Top
As with the handgun competitions, the normal Saturday competition
is based on a handicap system.
There are three divisions;
- Stock Rifle: This is for military rifles with iron
sights
 .
- Open Rifle: This is for any rifle with iron sights
that do not fit the criteria for Stock Rifle.
- Scoped Rifle: This is for any rifle with telescopic
sights.
Rules:
Centre fire rifles can only be used with lead projectiles at sub-sonic
speed (less than 1,100fps).
No loading devices are permitted.
Course of Fire;
50 Yards:
- Stage 1. Prone position. Rifle to be on ground with action open.
Load and fire 5 shots on target 5 in 60 seconds.
- Stage 2. Sitting or kneeling position, loaded. Fire 5 shots on
target 4 in 30 seconds.
- Stage 3. Standing, loaded, rifle in a horizontal ready position
(waist height). Fire 5 shots on target 3 in 30 seconds.
- Stage 4. Prone position, loaded (5). Fire 5 shots on target 2,
re-load and fire 5 shots on target 1 in 120 seconds.
25 Yards:
- Stage 5. Standing, loaded, with rifle in a horizontal ready position
(waist height). Fire 5 rounds on target 5 in 3 second exposures.
- Stage 6. Standing, loaded, with rifle in a horizontal ready position
(waist height). Fire 5 rounds on target 4 in 20 seconds.
- Stage 7. Standing, loaded, with rifle in a horizontal ready position
(waist height). Fire 5 rounds on target 3 in 20 seconds taking rest
off barricade.
- Stage 8. Standing, loaded (5), with rifle in a horizontal ready
position (waist height). Fire 5 rounds on target 2, re-load and
fire 5 shots on target 1, in 60 seconds.
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