Thread: My first taste of hunting for far too many years...

Hi everyone,

I had a wander in the hills last weekend that resulted in a few less wallabies bouncing about the place. It felt great to be hunting again after nearly 25 years.

I'm based in Christchurch, so once my license gets sorted I'll be looking for places to go sight the rifle in and test handloads. At present I'm aware of the Handloaders and NZDA ranges, and possibly Lyndon for some longer range.

Does anybody have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Marc

Hello again,

Very pleased to report that my firearms license has finally come through (turns out my file didn't make it to a vetting officer until I called to check 5 weeks later...).

Now that's sorted I'm very keen to spend some time behind my new rifle. I've been down to the Handloaders public night to see how it works. I'll definitely be doing the 3 public nights to apply for membership as soon as possible as it is a fantastic facility!

In the meantime however I would like to be able to put some rounds through the rifle to get familiar and get started on sighting in and load development.

The friend that took me wallaby hunting is helping out with reloading gear in the interim, as I have all the components to roll my own from the start.

I've read about the potential issues with shooting at the Lyndon/Rabbit Hill area that make me think it might not be the best place to go.

Any suggestions are most welcome.
Cheers,
Marc

PS I have extensive experience as a bicycle mechanic if anyone who can assist me needs help in return!

Hi Marc,
Missed your intro. Good to hear the licence thing is sorted. Good luck with the Creedmoor

Just going through the intro's, welcome and good luck with your hunting

Welcome Marc,
good luck with your hunting, armed cycling down a remote road is a good way to see a few deer
Reloading is a lot of fun
cheers

its 2 hours down the road but plenty more wallabies around and middle of the day when it gets slow is a good time to fire a few rounds at a target.Ive always managed to find a quiet safe spot to sight in a rifle and if you are only looking to fire 6-10 rounds and arent being a dick about it there are plenty of SAFE places to do so.a suppressor to make things a bit less noisy makes it easier still.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

its 2 hours down the road but plenty more wallabies around and middle of the day when it gets slow is a good time to fire a few rounds at a target.Ive always managed to find a quiet safe spot to sight in a rifle and if you are only looking to fire 6-10 rounds and arent being a dick about it there are plenty of SAFE places to do so.a suppressor to make things a bit less noisy makes it easier still.

Hi @Micky Duck - I'm really keen to head your way very soon to have another go at the wallabies.

I've had two range sessions now at the Handloaders and the rifle has exceeded my expectations. I've managed to shoot some pleasingly small groups and got it shooting 50mm high at 100, so I should be good to go for hunting. I've shot it from the start with a Gunworks 41mm suppressor on it and it's brilliant!

Thanks to everyone here for the advice and help so far