Mysteries and hidden ranges.

hey guys, recently moved to Motukarara just outside CHCH, (can view my introduction post). Of course the first thing as any of us do is look for somewhere to shoot.

lFew big places in the city but a fair drive away a shotgun range at the end of the road is a bit of a blessing and looks a really cool place but no rifle stuff. I hear the odd firing of a rifle from time to time if I'm home in the day, even stranger.

After some sleuthing i find theres a place in Taitap, or just outside, thats not on any maps, or websites. its down Rifle range culvert i think and her say says its only open to members, but i can't find anything more about it, no club house, no members, no pages.

i appreciate if its fully members only and they don't want me around, but if its just a case of filling in a form and paying a price id love the opportunity to make some friends and have a little practise closer to home.

can anyone shed light on the situation?

Charlie

i'm new to lincoln so pretty close too. i have a couple of rifles that need sighting in so any info would be appreciated as the nearest range i have access to is in rangiora

sure thing bro, if your ever heading outdoor a days hunt or pest control or well hell anything that gets me outdoors hit me up. Always good to have likeminded friends.

there is the range at Mcleans island

There's the hand loaders range at Mcleans island.

Folk used to set up targets and shoot at Lake lyndon, not sure if it still goes on.
Don't know it's particularly legal, as it's DOC land and target shooting is not permitted under a hunting permit.

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Originally Posted by charlie1991

hey guys, recently moved to Motukarara just outside CHCH, (can view my introduction post). Of course the first thing as any of us do is look for somewhere to shoot.

lFew big places in the city but a fair drive away a shotgun range at the end of the road is a bit of a blessing and looks a really cool place but no rifle stuff. I hear the odd firing of a rifle from time to time if I'm home in the day, even stranger.

After some sleuthing i find theres a place in Taitap, or just outside, thats not on any maps, or websites. its down Rifle range culvert i think and her say says its only open to members, but i can't find anything more about it, no club house, no members, no pages.

i appreciate if its fully members only and they don't want me around, but if its just a case of filling in a form and paying a price id love the opportunity to make some friends and have a little practise closer to home.

can anyone shed light on the situation?

Charlie

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The NZDA had a range out there some years ago, that maybe what your referring to....

There is a clay shooting club at motukarara use to be a rifle range in that area taitapu if I remember correctly moved out to Malvern hills goes out to 1000yards I think Then as mentioned. Hand loaders at mcleans Island also deer stalkers have a range out there Tuesday nights is public night at handloaders and deer stalkers do have a public day once a month. Not sure think it's a Sunday once a month hope this is of some help (also if lookin for like minded. People chch rod and gun club has a meeting at cashmere club every 2nd Thursday of the month no range but good bunch guys)

I'm from Akaroa and come past there all the time.

The Rifle Range Culvert range used to be used occasionally, but I haven't seen any activity there in a few years.
Maybe since they cut down the pine trees near it.
There is a raised shooting area and from memory it would have been 200 to 300m long to the target area against the hill.
Might have been a gentleman's agreement with a local farmer.
Might have been a compliance issue ?
There are a few 10 acre blocks around there now and that might have spelt its demise.

If you can't google it up then I would suggest visiting the farm house a bit further along on the other side of the road.

cheers

I think we shot fullbore out there a couple of times in the 1980's. So it would be 300, 500 and 600 yd.
Can't remember more than that or it would be just one of those "synthetic created memories".
Robbie Tiffen would have known. It truly is a mystery and hidden range.

Your best bet is to make acquaintance of the NZDA and use their Macleans Island range.

There is / was a Tai tap long range gun club out that way, but it is seasonal. It is out to 1000 yards or so, but often has stock on it so is not always available. Handloaders is open for the public to use (100m) every Tuesday and they do shotgun clays etc there as well. Deerstalkers goes out to 200m and is next door. I dont now much more about that range.

It could be worth popping out to Handloaders and having a chat to them one Tuesday and look into joining if you wanted to shoot there regularly as members have access outside the open nights.

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

There's the hand loaders range at Mcleans island.

Folk used to set up targets and shoot at Lake lyndon, not sure if it still goes on.
Don't know it's particularly legal, as it's DOC land and target shooting is not permitted under a hunting permit.

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Correct. But sight in shots OK, AFAIK - please someone correct me to reduce my risk of getting arrested.

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

I'm from Akaroa and come past there all the time.

The Rifle Range Culvert range used to be used occasionally, but I haven't seen any activity there in a few years.
Maybe since they cut down the pine trees near it.
There is a raised shooting area and from memory it would have been 200 to 300m long to the target area against the hill.
Might have been a gentleman's agreement with a local farmer.
Might have been a compliance issue ?
There are a few 10 acre blocks around there now and that might have spelt its demise.

If you can't google it up then I would suggest visiting the farm house a bit further along on the other side of the road.

cheers

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Tai Tap shoot 6 months of the year, off season is over winter. They shoot out to 1000y. The club is still in operation and has been since about WWI.

Where does it say on a DOC permit no target shooting @Beetroot? I have specifically asked at my local office about crown land near my place which is fine for target shooting with a permit.

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Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Where does it say on a DOC permit no target shooting @Beetroot? I have specifically asked at my local office about crown land near my place which is fine for target shooting with a permit.

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I also asked about sighting in a rifle on a doc permit and was told that apart from upsetting other hunters in the area it was ok??

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I'm not the best person to ask about this, but whilst it doesn't say no target shooting it's a permit to hunt on public land, so the intention is for hunting.

While setting up some gongs and shooting them from a 1000m can be done safely, when it's in a shared area were other members of the public can be without your knowledge the risk to the public is much higher than firing one or two shots at a deer.

Whilst I'm sure if you exercised common sense you would likely be fine, but I don't believe that if a ranger or someone from DOC took exception to your target shooting saying it doesn't say you can't on the permit would pass as an excuse, when clearly the intention of a hunting permit is for hunting.

Again I'm not someone in the know, but if someone from your local office said its ok then you should be fine. I'd want it in writing though as anyone who has dealt with local government knows ones persons word isn't worth a dam if the next person you talk too doesn't agree.

Hi Charlie, The TaiTapu range is 'the Christchurch rifle club' it's for target shooters only. They will except new members to join their club and compete in regular events if thats your thing. I contacted them early this year but they are not interested in casual shooters like us who want to hone their skills and know where their bullets are going at different ranges [which would be super handy as they have targets from 300~1000yds].
I found their page by chance on allaboutenfields.co.nz
Give them a go you may be able to charm them into it!

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Originally Posted by Buzo

Hi Charlie, The TaiTapu range is 'the Christchurch rifle club' it's for target shooters only. They will except new members to join their club and compete in regular events if thats your thing. I contacted them early this year but they are not interested in casual shooters like us who want to hone their skills and know where their bullets are going at different ranges [which would be super handy as they have targets from 300~1000yds].
I found their page by chance on allaboutenfields.co.nz
Give them a go you may be able to charm them into it!

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I found that to be the case last time I was at Tai Tapu they changed the day or visitors fee from $20.00 to $40.00 I did not shoot nor have I returned.

Ashburton has a good range out to 700 yards and are very friendly with highly experienced knowledgeable international shooters who are very accommodating and helpful and will assist you with your hunting rifle.

They also have electronic targets ( you see on the club tablet instantly where you hit the target and correction values, projectile velocity at the shooting distance and the shots are numbered which you can keep for reference on your phone or tablet you don't need a spotting scope or marker in the butts) and a well maintained range $20.00 for non members I believe.

Ashburton shoot most Sundays starting at 13:30 hours.

Damn 40 dollars is a little steep but at the same time it’s on my door step, might be worth me having a chat with them and see what they say, no interest in competitions though :/. Really great replies guys thank you , good to know there’s a nice community on here

Thanks for the post @xtightg that place sounds ideal. Might be just what the op was looking for.

Bear in mind some of the clubs are not set up for people outside the club to simply rock up and use the facilities. Especially when the land is shared use.If they have difficulty finding enough time for the members who turn up to shoot then they high price may be to discourage non members. Often members put more than just money into membership. they look after the facilities, clean up and mow grass and make the butts etc. Then to be unable to use it when it is available because some casual users want access to their hard work can be difficult. Remember that a club is technically a private range for members, and if they choose to allow non members use of the facilities then that is their choice. If they choose not to, then that too is their choice as a club. And I have spoken to members of some clubs where the facilities cannot handle any more members so there is restricted access for members only. remeber the members have paid for it, maintain it and it is there for them to use.

I would suggest rather than looking at casual use and comlaining about how much it costs, look at what it takes to become a member and put something into it. In the long run you will get far more out of your hobby that simply "buying access"

The McLeans Island one is a bit frustrating.
Sat there all night while people banged away with .22lr (all I wanted to do was sight in and leave)...
Got to about 5 mins before closing, fired 2 shots and they said yep ur done, its sighted in.
Both rounds went unseen by me, because of the 500 other holes in the paper target.
3 hours and $20 to do that.

@Tribrit could you pm me and let me know who was on that night? You should've had the chance to of seen your hits and fire a group. Had I been there I would of stayed behind so you could do so. I can understand that it would be frustrating when we're busy but we try to accommodate for guys and girls when they are wanting to quickly sight there rifles in.

You fellas are welcome to come and shoot on our place if you talk nicely to me, can shoot out to as far as you want depending where I have my cows on the day. We are up near the end of Rakaia Terrace Road

That's a very nice offer @Ryan_Songhurst :thumbsup:

sounds good ryan

Wow nice offer! I’ll happily take you up on that! Any chance you can shoot me a pm I can’t figure out how to send you one?

@Ryan_Songhurst have pm'd you - Maybe could organize one weekend to come out to yours for a shoot. Am happy to car pool with anyone? @charlie1991, @gonetropo.

I've got some gongs you could keep there if you wanted too.

Will pm you this evening, run off my feet..

Happy to jump in an come with yah bro, would be great. Got a 308 I wanna have a practise with before I go off anywhere :)

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Originally Posted by charlie1991

Happy to jump in an come with yah bro, would be great. Got a 308 I wanna have a practise with before I go off anywhere :)

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Sounds good man :-)

No worries Ryan.

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

You fellas are welcome to come and shoot on our place if you talk nicely to me, can shoot out to as far as you want depending where I have my cows on the day. We are up near the end of Rakaia Terrace Road

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Does your offer still stand @Ryan_Songhurst?

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Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Does your offer still stand @Ryan_Songhurst?

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Yeap

i wouldnt mind re-sighting a couple of mine either. happy to contribute a few amber fluids to the RS emergency christmas refreshment fund

Pm'd ya.

handloaders -talk to Gadgetman-hes had me out there a few times and i can truly say it was $20.00 well bloody spent. I still have the paper target where I used timeriders cackhanded 7mm mag to literally castrate a blowfly -i kid you bloody not.first time id ever fired a howitzer of this size and bugger me!mind you even with ear protection the concrete firing bay fairly throws the percussion right through ya swede!!
gadget though always a gentleman -full of good sage advise,couldnt wish for a better bugger in my corner!Not a bad hand with ye old 12g either.