SSAA Batemans Bay Branch

New South Wales Club Profile

The SSAA (NSW) Batemans Bay Branch was formed in 1991 after a meeting in November of that year, where local shooters got together to discuss their growing concerns regarding gun ownership.

From small beginnings, where members used the nearby 50m pistol range at Moruya, the branch has grown and now has 522 members and its own range at Deep Creek, which was approved in 1993.

Their 500m range has a fixed firing line, which caters for many shooting disciplines. The firing line is divided into four ranges that can all operate at the same time, allowing various rifle and pistol shooting.

Range A: Used for field rifle rimfire and centrefire, rimfire silhouette and pistol shooting.
Range B: 24 benches for various benchrest competitions from 25m to 500m, also for centrefire silhouette.
Range C: Prone and offhand shooting.
Range D: 18-bay pistol range and 200m centrefire field rifle, and to be later developed into a 200m benchrest range. All firing lines are covered.

The branch has a 500m hard plate template rating, and in 1996, held the first Centrefire Silhouette National and State Titles.

A SSAA (NSW) grant was used by the branch to purchase two clay target traps for Down the Line and Continental competitions.

The Batemans Bay Branch has a barn-style kitchen with a six-lane automatic return air rifle/pistol indoor range, kitchen and clubroom. The indoor facility came about through a $5000 grant from the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and a $20,000 interest-free loan from Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Most of the work undertaken at the branch was by members who volunteered their time, machinery and equipment.

The National Silhouette, BR30 and Black Powder shoots are held at Batemans Bay, bringing competitors from America, England, New Zealand and all states of Australia to the club. State competitions in Silhouette, Field Rifle, BR30 and Black Powder, one round of the Military Grand Prix and a Fly shoot are also held, as it’s an annual .303 commemorative shoot. Proceeds from this shoot go to a local charity.

The third weekend of the month is restricted to shotgun and air rifle/pistol; competitons are held all other Sundays. Non-competitors are most welcome. A Wednesday night competition is also in place for air rifle and pistol.

South Coast Police and the Tactical Response Squad, along with other government bodies, use the range for training and accreditation. There have also been many very successful open days held at Batemans Bay through the years.

The range is closed Tuesdays and Thursdays, is open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and Sundays from 8.30am, and may be opened other times by arrangement.

Disciplines shot include Silhouette Rimfire, Centrefire and Half-size, Field Rifle Rimfire and Centrefire, BR30 Rimfire and Air Rifle, Hunter Class, Fly 200m Rimfire and 500m Centrefire, 200 and 300m Fox, pistol competitions, clay target and others on request.

For contact information check the state branch list here.