Thread: Taupo range

Pity Gillie, they don’t engage your expertise and experience in writing these compliance’s. but your probably seen as a bias person, in their eyes.

Originally Posted by Maca49

Pity Gillie, they don’t engage your expertise and experience in writing these compliance’s. but your probably seen as a bias person, in their eyes.

Absolutely, i am biased!

But that bias is based upon a firearms safety incident rate on ranges that is so low it is basically non-existent... and has been for a long, long time now (decades, and then some). So when we come to measure the effectiveness of this Police "range certification" regime in making us all safer what will this be based on?

The truth of the matter is that no matter how much we think we understand , that at the end of the day it is going to take a court case and a judge to decide what means what and a crap load of money . Until then we will have to labour under the benevolent Police until they decide it is the time to wield the hammer.But then life at the moment is pretty much like that anyway , much like our present government trying to govern by press releases .

Taupo is an excellent range , I've shot there my whole life - Hell , My grandfather even donated all the concrete for the mounds and the smallbore range when he was running Firth Taupo a fair few years ago.

I've made some excellent memories meeting people at that range , and shit , I never would've me one of my best buddies if it hadn't been for a chance encounter on that range.

I've taught people how to shoot on that range , I've experienced all sorts of shooters and enthusiasts on that range from PRS guys to Cowboy action shooters.

It's not uncommon for people who are on holiday to Taupo from other parts of the North Island to bring their hunting rifles to zero while they're in town.

If the NZDA get precious about who can use the range , It'll be a real shame.

I've not experience unsafe behaviour on that range at any time , over what must have been hundreds of range trips.






I'll be interested to see how NZPOL start to regulate the ranges. If anything It will just take away ranges like this , and remove a safe place for people to practice.

SF70 will be a range in no time!!

End of the day we can try to think we know what's going to happen.

But realistically It's just a shot in the dark until nzpol policy is released.

People will think that all of this change is going to be for the bad , but as always change can be for the good ,as things will be different . As it stands now Ranges are for Target shooters and people who turn up shoot from a bench & then tell you how accurate the rifle is . But how accurate is the shooter? and how can you test the shooter if he only shoots static targets from a bench or a no rush set position .
With a more structured range it may lead to better utilization of ranges for better practice to be more realistic to hunting and at the same time make it more enjoyable for everyone.

Originally Posted by Tankd

People will think that all of this change is going to be for the bad , but as always change can be for the good ,as things will be different . As it stands now Ranges are for Target shooters and people who turn up shoot from a bench & then tell you how accurate the rifle is . But how accurate is the shooter? and how can you test the shooter if he only shoots static targets from a bench or a no rush set position .
With a more structured range it may lead to better utilization of ranges for better practice to be more realistic to hunting and at the same time make it more enjoyable for everyone.

I would venture to suggest most good shooters are that regardless of the wheres and hows. Not to mention I have seen people who turn up at a range and struggle to hit the side of a bus yet they are some of the most successful hunters I know and get deer almost every time out.

This will mean all ranges will be hit with the same hammer including "your mates stag doo shooting targets in the back paddock. Total bollocks

Originally Posted by Tankd

People will think that all of this change is going to be for the bad , but as always change can be for the good ,as things will be different . As it stands now Ranges are for Target shooters and people who turn up shoot from a bench & then tell you how accurate the rifle is . But how accurate is the shooter? and how can you test the shooter if he only shoots static targets from a bench or a no rush set position .
With a more structured range it may lead to better utilization of ranges for better practice to be more realistic to hunting and at the same time make it more enjoyable for everyone.

That's the purpose of a shooting range though , what you're saying is a pretty closed mindset mate.
Not everyone who buys a rifle buys so with the intent of going hunting.
Someone might buy a .22 for the cathartic release of target shooting on a one way range.
Someone might buy a rifle with the intent of ringing steel at 1000m and he needs to zero.

What this range does is provide somewhere for people to do just that, rather than blasting road signs with buckshot on the Napier taupo , or being away from cell reception when Zeroing out on DOC land.

I'm interested in what you're calling a "No Rush set position" , as with hunting you should never be in a rush anyway, that's just the sign of a bad hunter. The range doesn't need to be "More realistic to hunting" , and that's not the purpose of the main range in the first place . It's to reinforce the fundamentals of marksmanship , and as with any skill , you apply this to other areas of activity.

In case you didn't know , there is a 50m running Boar range on site and the NZDA do use this , so may pay to be informed before making comment.

As with everything , there are process' to shooting. I've taken roughly 50 people to this range to shoot my .243 before taking them out shooting their first deer during my time as a guide. Teaching and maintaining those fundamentals of marksmanship is just as important if not more so than actually pulling the trigger on an animal. I'd hate to think how many times old mate has given his rifle to a mate to go shoot a deer and then a deer has been wounded because the rifle isn't zeroed or the fella behind it isn't experienced on the firearm.


Like you say , "How accurate is the shooter" - Most modern rifles will outshoot the person behind them , no matter how skilled, It's just a matter of mechanics. However to imply that one can not be a good shooter without the fundamentals learned on the flat range is just ignorant.

I suppose there is an element of freedom as well , to the point I don't want someone sniffing my arse as im fumbling with a hunting rifle that may have an issue feeding / or making a new shooter nervous by screaming out commands as RO's generally do.

Lastly , "Better utilization of the range" would be what exactly? None of what I have in mind for range improvement comes cheap , and none of it makes it any closer to real hunting unless we start chaining deer to the 100M mound.

Something to think about.

For shear number of people who use their Rifles for hunting,I think the Taupo range would probably rank the highest.

I used to go there alot when I lived in Taupo,never had any problems and Curly was always up for a yarn if he was about.

Originally Posted by Masperjay

That's the purpose of a shooting range though , what you're saying is a pretty closed mindset mate.
Not everyone who buys a rifle buys so with the intent of going hunting.
Someone might buy a .22 for the cathartic release of target shooting on a one way range.
Someone might buy a rifle with the intent of ringing steel at 1000m and he needs to zero.

What this range does is provide somewhere for people to do just that, rather than blasting road signs with buckshot on the Napier taupo , or being away from cell reception when Zeroing out on DOC land.

I'm interested in what you're calling a "No Rush set position" , as with hunting you should never be in a rush anyway, that's just the sign of a bad hunter. The range doesn't need to be "More realistic to hunting" , and that's not the purpose of the main range in the first place . It's to reinforce the fundamentals of marksmanship , and as with any skill , you apply this to other areas of activity.

In case you didn't know , there is a 50m running Boar range on site and the NZDA do use this , so may pay to be informed before making comment.

As with everything , there are process' to shooting. I've taken roughly 50 people to this range to shoot my .243 before taking them out shooting their first deer during my time as a guide. Teaching and maintaining those fundamentals of marksmanship is just as important if not more so than actually pulling the trigger on an animal. I'd hate to think how many times old mate has given his rifle to a mate to go shoot a deer and then a deer has been wounded because the rifle isn't zeroed or the fella behind it isn't experienced on the firearm.


Like you say , "How accurate is the shooter" - Most modern rifles will outshoot the person behind them , no matter how skilled, It's just a matter of mechanics. However to imply that one can not be a good shooter without the fundamentals learned on the flat range is just ignorant.

I suppose there is an element of freedom as well , to the point I don't want someone sniffing my arse as im fumbling with a hunting rifle that may have an issue feeding / or making a new shooter nervous by screaming out commands as RO's generally do.

Lastly , "Better utilization of the range" would be what exactly? None of what I have in mind for range improvement comes cheap , and none of it makes it any closer to real hunting unless we start chaining deer to the 100M mound.

Something to think about.

That is worth the read, like when I take my grandboys to the range, I want to teach them with my arms wrapped around them helping and telling.
Of course, it’s seen,I’m introducing future killers to the woke world, in which we live.

Originally Posted by norsk

For shear number of people who use their Rifles for hunting,I think the Taupo range would probably rank the highest.

I used to go there alot when I lived in Taupo,never had any problems and Curly was always up for a yarn if he was about.

He still is, lives in a rest home now and, I think, about 90. Loves his chats

This whole thing is a solution looking for a problem. My take on it is police were so shaken by Chch, that they now have a zero trust mentality towards FAL holders. They want a strangle hold on all firearms related activities such as sport shooting, buying and selling etc. Over bearing regulations on shooting ranges is another feather in this cap. They want more eyes and ears around people using firearms. Forcing people to shoot under the direction of an RO, having an attendance register etc achieves this and also pushes the fit and proper onus back onto clubs and ranges. They can be held accountable in future if an individual goes off the rails. It will really make people rethink their positions on club committees I reckon.

Greetings All,
Agree with the last few posts. Marksmanship is only developed through practice. I used to be a reasonable shot in our club competitions and even had my name engraved on a few trophies. At the national shoot I went to in the 1980's (at the Taupo Range) I was well back in the pack. I didn't do much practice but those in front of me certainly did. Our local NZDA used to have a strong 4 position shooting programme but there were always the moans about it being a hunting club and not a target shooting club, at least from some. Some of our top hunters that actually shot the target shoots scored well. The others who would know.
The Taupo NZDA does not shoot bench rest competitions to my knowledge. The benches are there for sighting in. Four position matches are held for both rimfire and centre fire at 50 and 100 metres for the former and 100 and 200 metres for the latter. There are also running boar shoots over 50 metres for both rimfire and centre fire and also rimfire metallic silhouette. These are little steel targets shot standing at 40 to 100 metres. I don't know of any better practice for developing marksmanship than these last two shoots. Most other NZDA ranges will offer some or more of these shoots. Get into it.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Maca49

He still is, lives in a rest home now and, I think, about 90. Loves his chats

Greetings @Maca49,
Curly was at the range last time I was there in August. He still drive his little van about cleaning up and still walks like a man 20 plus years his junior.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Beavis

This whole thing is a solution looking for a problem. My take on it is police were so shaken by Chch, that they now have a zero trust mentality towards FAL holders. They want a strangle hold on all firearms related activities such as sport shooting, buying and selling etc. Over bearing regulations on shooting ranges is another feather in this cap. They want more eyes and ears around people using firearms. Forcing people to shoot under the direction of an RO, having an attendance register etc achieves this and also pushes the fit and proper onus back onto clubs and ranges. They can be held accountable in future if an individual goes off the rails. It will really make people rethink their positions on club committees I reckon.

Problem being they created the problem, maybe their inability to own their problem is a problem? They’d like us to be the culprits!