You are interested in becoming a member of the North Sydney Rifle Club, you can expect to be a part of a club with a rich and long-standing history in the sport of rifle shooting. The club, located in the northern suburbs of Sydney, utilises the Hornsby Rifle Range complex.
The North Sydney Rifle Club conducts weekly competitions over ranges ranging from 300 to 800 metres. The competitions are held in three different disciplines: Fullbore target rifle, where shooters use . 308W or . 223R calibre rifles fired from the prone position using peep sights; F Standard, where shooters use .
223R calibre rifles fired from the prone position using telescopic sights and utilising a front rest and rear rest for the rifle; and F Open, where shooters can use any calibre up to 8 mm fired from the prone position using telescopic sights and utilising a front rest and rear rest for the rifle.
The club's history dates back to the 1860s, when it was initially known as the St. Leonards Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC). Over the years, the club has moved from various rifle ranges within the Sydney basin, starting from Paddington, then Randwick Racecourse, and finally settling at the Hornsby Range in the early 1950s. Until the late 90s, civilian rifle clubs had a direct link with the Defence Forces, but that association has now lapsed, with the control of the range and equipment transferred to the NSW Police.
The main objective of the North Sydney Rifle Club has always been to train and improve the skills of “Musketry” within the civilian population. The club has witnessed many changes in the equipment used over the years, with old rifles like “Henry,” “Whitworth,” and “Turner” being replaced by newer models. Calibres also shifted from the . 303 inch to the 7.
62 mm NATO cartridge and eventually to Australian-designed and manufactured target rifles. The club's clubhouse itself has a historical significance as it was relocated from the Bathurst Army Camp in the 1950s and now serves as a facility for the club's current membership.
As a member of the North Sydney Rifle Club, you will be a part of the North Shore District Rifle Association Inc. , which organises interclub competitions throughout the year. The range has been redeveloped approximately 25 years ago, transitioning from imperial distances to metric, necessitating the addition of targets and redevelopment of the mounds.
The North Sydney Rifle Club is open to new members, and if you are interested in the challenging sport of competitive long-range target shooting, you are encouraged to contact the club and come and have a go. By joining the club, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced shooters, improve your skills, and participate in competitions at various ranges.
