SSAA Perth Big Game Rifle Club

Western Australia Club Profile

There has always been a small band of big game rifle enthusiasts in WA but establishing a big game rifle club was difficult. Following several unsuccessful attempts by various people, Barry Evans finally succeeded - in part due to the assistance and encouragement provided by Andrew Hepner (Big Game Rifle Club of Australia) and Ron Bryant (WA SSAA state president). Barry, the club founder and president, not only managed to establish an incorporated club, he also found a suitable range, managed the necessary construction works, gained police approval and welded together 19 dedicated big bore shooters.

The club’s objectives are to “create a unified body of people interested in the preservation, collection, study and field competition shooting of large bore, big game rifles, both black powder and nitro”. The club also promotes the safe handling and responsible use of firearms and fosters the use of all calibres and action types, including muzzleloaders.

The club was established in October 2002 and had its first official shoot in February 2003. It shares a range at the Pinjar Shooting Complex at Wanneroo about 40 minutes north of Perth. Club facilities are basic, as all available finances have been expended on meeting police requirements, constructing firing lines (25, 50, 75 and 100 yds) and creating access roads and parking areas.

The biggest challenges in setting up the club were finding a suitable site and getting all the necessary approvals. But now the site is approved for all rifle calibres, from .22RF through to .600 Nitro Express and shotguns. This means that all the events run by the national body (see March 2003 AS) can be run on this range.

Club members use a wide variety of rifles, including .22RF, old English rook calibres, double rifles, such as .360, .375 nitro and .500, and .577 black powder. Magazine rifles from .223 up to .458 also have a keen following.

The club plans to provide additional facilities as finances permit and is currently trying to attract new members to this exciting sport.

Members are seeking to purchase suitable rifles for club events, especially double rifles and big bore magazine rifles.

For more information contact: president on 0419 191 101.