October 2026 (1) - Flipbook - Page 8
2026 SSAA Australian Long
Range Black Powder National
Championship
After months of preparations,
the Fashions Mount Ri昀氀e Range
at Wuuluman hosted the 2026
SSAA Australian Long Range
Black Powder National Championship this October long
weekend. Competitors from
QLD, Vic, SA and NSW arrived
to compete at the home of host
club, the Bu昀昀alo Ri昀氀e Association of Australia. With a mix of
seasoned competitors, long time
and newer club members and
new to this discipline shooters,
we were set for a great weekend
of competition shooting.
The event started early
Friday at 300 yards which is
considered a tough target despite the close distance. After
each relay had completed the
yardage, they then moved to
500 yards and then 600 yards.
8
These are mid range distances
and competitors have 3 convertible sighters and then 10 scoring
shots on bullseye paper targets
with the highest score per shot
being a 5. An additional 0.1 is
scored for the V bull, being the
çentre of the centre circle of the
target which makes the maximum score per shot 5.1. The 0.1
are used to split a tied score.
Saturday saw the competitors
move back to 900 yards which
is long range. At this distance
the shooters have 5 convertible sighters and 15 scoring
shots. We managed to dodge
the rain, 昀椀nishing just prior to
some lighting and hail as the
front moved through. We then
held our competitor’s dinner in
the club shelter and spent the
evening socialising over a home
cooked meal.
The next distance was 1000
yards on Sunday. The extra 100 yards
makes a distinct di昀昀erence. The gazebos that had been set up for the rain
were now set up for the sun and the
day warmed up. The heat and distance
can produce a mirage that appears as a
haze and can alter the way the shooter
sees the target. Range owner Lindsay
Hough assured us the range was well
known for the mirage and tricky conditions. The wind also plays a large part
in reading the conditions and staying
on target. This is all part of mid and
long range shooting.
This event has been in the
pipeline for many years and we would
like to thank our hosts Lindsay and
Dawn Hough for their hospitality and
the work they have done to ensure
the range was ready to host a national
championship. We would also like to
October, 2026, Issue #4
