Thread: Rifle sight in Chch area

Kia ora Team,

Any recommendations on somewhere that I could sight in a rifle in and around Christchurch/ Canterbury. Ideally would have gone to the handloaders public night but was away Tuesday night and will be up to Blenheim monday morning for the week for work before heading to the West Coast?

Cheers for any responses in advance,

Matiu

not sure if it still goes on and i would look for further advice on legality but theres a fairly commonly used spot nr lake lyndon that may be of use. Never been myself so can't help much more but I'm sure these lads will point you in the right direction.

DOC have that Lake Lyndon site and any other home made ranges off limits. There was discussion on here a while back when some hunters/shooters were approached by DOC staff to move off.
Just a pity on the amount of rubbish/shell casings left behind i guess and other public concerns? Can't blame anyone but the some users of that particular site that ruined it for others?
With potential changes to the firearms bill, probably best to join a club - local NZDA - get range certified or other gun organisations out there? The days of willy nilly sighting in a firearm are coming to an end on some public land i feel?

Would you have time whilst here in Marlborough? I can show you somewhere here that is easy to get to.

Thanks for all the assistance team. Sussed it

Hey just wondering how you got on as I also have a new rifle to sight in and not sure about lake Lyndon in the current climate even tho i thought you could "sight in" a rifle on public land just not able to "target shoot"

Originally Posted by Kaimaikid

Hey just wondering how you got on as I also have a new rifle to sight in and not sure about lake Lyndon in the current climate even tho i thought you could "sight in" a rifle on public land just not able to "target shoot"

This has been the general rule of thumb I have come away with after my dealings with DOC on this issue.

I think some of the main concerns around Lake Lyndon being used as a "target shooting range" are the amount of rubbish left by disrespectful users, the damage to land caused by 4wds trying to get further and further into the back country - especially in poor conditions ruining roads and tracks and finally the risk to vegetation from fires.

Originally Posted by Kaimaikid

Hey just wondering how you got on as I also have a new rifle to sight in and not sure about lake Lyndon in the current climate even tho i thought you could "sight in" a rifle on public land just not able to "target shoot"

I thought there was a range in darfield or at least signposting for one?

It's only small bore and clay target. No rifle range out this way that I'm aware of

Ashburton has a range they shoot most Sundays and the guys and gals are very helpful, they are shooting this week end starts at 13:00 they might be able to help you.

They are at the end of Range Road look straight ahead at the left hand bend you will see the gates straight ahead and a red flag.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Phil_H

@Kaimaikid, I have the same problem. I live 22 km further west of you. In the end i just joined the NZ Handloaders Assoc. I now have 24 hours access to the hundred meter range. Was down there at 12:30 pm today sighting in a new scope on the wife's Baikal .243 and had the whole range to myself. It is an 82 km drive for me each way, but at the end of the day I know that i can do what I want and need to do and and it is all legal, safe and above board.

I have a colleague who uses a branch of the Waimakariri to sight in his rifles but I think he is going to fall foul of the law someday soon. Lake Lyndon is definitely out as covered by previous posts. Bite the bullet, join a rang and sleep easy at night.
My 2 cents worth.

Cheers
Phil

I so very liked arriving one night after work a few years back, about 1:00 in the AM (Finished work at midnight...) I was sighting in a couple of 20" Mosin Nagant Polish carbines that had been sporterised by a previous owner..A couple of illegally parked freedom campers that were across the road in the carpark decided to leave a little after 20 rounds or so...two points..Those short Mosin carbines burn half the powder of factory loads OUTSIDE the barrel and have a muzzle blast you can spot light with...And 20 rounds was me just getting started....

.I bet they had a lovely wake up call- That'll learn em for camping by a gun range!!!!!