Thread: Sighting in area - Birdlings Flat area

Morning all

Any ChCh locals know of an area out Kaitorete Spit way that is an unofficial sighting in area?. Evidently it is set up in the dunes with target boards etc. I heard about it from an NZDA guy, it's well down off Bayleys road somewhere. I went out yesterday (without a rifle) to see if I could find it but blimmin heck...a LOT of barren land for miles out there.

Pretty sure it's all private property out there,used to shoot rabbits out there 20 yrs ago and that was the case then.

There is farm land and fenced off space industry areas but not all is private, this sighting area will be in a neutral spot.
I drove for at least 20km down the track and didn't even get to the end, last time I was out there well over a decade ago I got to the end where the huts were. I got bored and wasn't fussed on driving to the end of the track to see if the huts were still there or not, as it was it was a bloody 3hr return trip from home (Pines Beach). I could have gone to Hokitika in that time.

This PDF shows DOC reserve along foreshore and to hunt requires DOC permit and Game Bird license and cross checking on Doc site only steel shot may be used.I would be cautious shooting on the Spit since Nahi Tahu took over the area and intend to commercialize it.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...r-christchurch
https://www.wet.org.nz/wp-content/up...s-Brochure.pdf

Don't go to these places. Just use the local ranges for sighting in such as the handloaders. You will prob spend just as much in petrol getting out there as for range fees and the local ranges are really well set up with rests, bags and spotting scopes at set ranges so will save you time too. At least, you risk losing your license if some locals get fed up and the cops end up cornering you, at worst you risk an accident. No need to draw any more negative attention to firearms owners.

If you really must perhaps go to the Lake Lyndon area where it is at least DOC hunting land, then again I don't really think people should be doing this either, it's obviously not hunting and DOC may get fed up with this sort of behavior too and impose restrictions. It's also an accident/near miss waiting to happen in my opinion, being fairly easily accessible, other recreational users are floating around the area. It only takes one irate tramper to complain to the media that they got shot at.

If you want to practice long-range, get all set up at a local range. Hire a chrono (gunworks for example) get all your speeds and bullet data, calculate all your trajectories (from my experience this usually gets you pretty spot on). There are various clubs around that do longer range stuff in canterbury. Im sure you could go along to one of those to verify your distance calcs.

Not trying to target you specifically, I used to do stuff like this in my younger days, I guess gumpy old bastarditis is setting in!

Originally Posted by Juicy

Don't go to these places. Just use the local ranges for sighting in such as the handloaders. You will prob spend just as much in petrol getting out there as for range fees and the local ranges are really well set up with rests, bags and spotting scopes at set ranges so will save you time too. At least, you risk losing your license if some locals get fed up and the cops end up cornering you, at worst you risk an accident. No need to draw any more negative attention to firearms owners.

If you really must perhaps go to the Lake Lyndon area where it is at least DOC hunting land, then again I don't really think people should be doing this either, it's obviously not hunting and DOC may get fed up with this sort of behavior too and impose restrictions. It's also an accident/near miss waiting to happen in my opinion, being fairly easily accessible, other recreational users are floating around the area. It only takes one irate tramper to complain to the media that they got shot at.

If you want to practice long-range, get all set up at a local range. Hire a chrono (gunworks for example) get all your speeds and bullet data, calculate all your trajectories (from my experience this usually gets you pretty spot on). There are various clubs around that do longer range stuff in canterbury. Im sure you could go along to one of those to verify your distance calcs.

Not trying to target you specifically, I used to do stuff like this in my younger days, I guess gumpy old bastarditis is setting in!

I believe the areas around Lake Lyndon that were generally used for sighting in have been changed from being part of the open hunting areas to stop this. Best to play it safe and use one of ranges.

Quick check of the DOC site and yes, the area where people used to sight in their rifles is now prohibited for hunting. So don't go there either

There used to be a fullbore range up one of the side valleys near Taitapu.
Would be interesting to hear if it was still in use.

I would echo what others have said, use a properly established range. Handloaders is open to public on Tuesday nights, $25 range fee, not as far to drive either.

Originally Posted by distant stalker

I would echo what others have said, use a properly established range. Handloaders is open to public on Tuesday nights, $25 range fee, not as far to drive either.

The NZDA range (which has 50, 100, and 200m) next door also has a public day - usually the second Saturday of the month

I'm familiar with the NZHA & NZDA ranges and have used both more than once. I'm heading to HH this weekend for a few days so will try and get it sorted over there, just need more time between the RO calling cease fire between groups as trying to set a rifle up with night vision and dealing with the buttons and instructions lol. It's not a new setup, it's something I've had for donkeys and just haven't got round to doing it. Hopefully we get some good weather over there and a deer or two for the freezer.

I won't bother with the area out Birdlings flat way, for all I know it may not exist anymore.

If you can find someone who is a member you can go in 24/7 at the handloaders and spend as long as you want. Or even better become a member. Its quite worth while having easy access to a legit range.

Originally Posted by Juicy

If you can find someone who is a member you can go in 24/7 at the handloaders and spend as long as you want. Or even better become a member. Its quite worth while having easy access to a legit range.

Many of us are members of Handloaders.

Ask if you wish to go with someone (pay the $25 fee) to use the 100m range under their supervision as their guest.

Go to Handloaders or NCDA ranges and keep yr FAL.