Where do I begin? First gun ownership...Target shooting with military rifles...

Hi guys,

I have done a lot of pistol and rifle shooting overseas, however it has been unlicensed-just at ranges with a licensed operator. I shot once a week and really enjoyed it.

Since returning to NZ Ive really missed it and would like to take it up again, However I am not sure how to go about it. I have done a lot of research but I don't quite understand if the guns I want to buy are allowed.

I would like to target shoot with military rifles at an approved range. Does this happen? I am based in Tauranga and cannot find anything except a pistol club or clay bird ranges...

The weapons I am interested in purchasing and using are the m1 bolt action springfield rifles, K98 rifles (the two I would like to purchase) - I cant find if they are legal or not :/

I know ill have to initially get a gun safe, and then sit my firearms license test which is fine....
Then I guess ill be able to purchase a gun - are the ones im interested in...ww2 style rifles readily available? allowed in NZ? Where would I look? Ive searched and searched and am now wondering if they are either not allowed or hard to come by...
Then ill hunt down a range / club to join and look at getting my pistol endorsement at a later date.

Does this sound ok?? Any advice really appreciated as I am struggling to find information and although I have a few friends who hunt no one really knows haha....

Cheers :)

Welcome aboard Equity.
I am sure someone will be along very soon to clarify, but as far as I know, the rifles that you mention are not prohibited here, and are fairly easily available.

Welcome Equity!

There are no restrictions on bolt action rifles provided they're over the legal minimum length of 762 mm/30" buttplate to muzzle. Get your standard A-category licence and get into it.

Central north island gun club are dedicated to the sort of shooting your talking about-service rifle matches etc. probably the closest such club to you https://www.facebook.com/groups/1467088660174048/ also check out the New Zealand Service rifle association https://www.facebook.com/New-Zealand...57449/?fref=ts

Bay of plenty service rifle association is the closest club to Tauranga. The club shoots at tect park deerstalkers range monthly on the second Saturday of every month. There is a shoot this Saturday starting at 9am. They shoot a range of matches and provide for both bolt action and semi auto service rifle shooters

Email Bopsra.inc@gmail.com if you require further details or go to the clubs Facebook page

Bay of plenty service rifle association is the closest club to Tauranga. The club shoots at tect park deerstalkers range monthly on the second Saturday of every month. There is a shoot this Saturday starting at 9am. They shoot a range of matches and provide for both bolt action and semi auto service rifle shooters

Email Bopsra.inc@gmail.com if you require further details or go to the clubs Facebook page

Wow...I'm stoked...really appreciate the answers! I'll get onto my license and look at those clubs :)

Appreciate the help guys.

One last question, where would I source the above guns? Any good recommendations

Rifles | Hunting & shooting | Trade Me Militaria Auction Carvells Gun Auctions The NZ Antique and Historical Arms Association – Dedicated to the discovery, collection and preservation of arms or from a gun shop or forum buysell board QUOTE=Equity;592388]Wow...I'm stoked...really appreciate the answers! I'll get onto my license and look at those clubs :)

Appreciate the help guys.

One last question, where would I source the above guns? Any good recommendations[/QUOTE]

The central north island gun club is a strong service rifle club and shoot at a range in Rotorua.

As far as buying military style WW2 rifles, you will find plenty of them on Trademe.
The most common being Lee Enfields, but Mausers and Mosin Nagants are not infrequent, and every now and then a Swiss straight pull or a Springfield will pop up.