All about West Australian Gun Club

Facilities:

The WAGC boasts a comprehensive range of facilities designed to support its shooting activities and provide a comfortable environment for members and visitors. These include:

• A fully licensed bar, providing refreshments for social gatherings.
• A commercial kitchen, capable of catering for events of various sizes.
• A large function hall with a capacity to hold up to 260 people, ideal for banquets, presentations, and large club events.
• Three meeting rooms of varying sizes, offering versatile spaces for smaller gatherings, committee meetings, or training sessions.

The club emphasizes creating a family-friendly atmosphere, welcoming individuals of all ages and genders to participate in clay target shooting.

Ranges and Disciplines:

The West Australian Gun Club specializes in clay target shooting and is equipped to host a variety of disciplines, indicating a diverse array of ranges. The primary disciplines offered include:

• Down The Line (DTL): This is one of the most common trap disciplines. The setup involves five shooting positions located 15 meters behind a single trap. The trap throws targets up to 45 meters at a fixed height, with the angle of release randomly varying within a 44-degree arc. Shooters are typically allowed two shots per target.
• Skeet: A round of skeet consists of 25 targets shot on a semi-circular layout with two trap houses (a high house and a low house). There are eight shooting stations, and only one shot is permitted per target. This discipline also includes "doubles" where two targets are released simultaneously.
• 5 Stand Sporting Clays: This discipline is a sub-category of sporting clays, utilizing between 6 and 10 machines on a layout with five individual shooting stations. It incorporates various target sizes (standard, midi, promatic, super mini, battue, rabbit) thrown in singles and pairs, offering a dynamic and challenging experience. WAGC also hosts ACTA Sportrap and ACTA English Sporting.
• Olympic Trap and Skeet: For those seeking a higher level of challenge, the WAGC has dedicated Olympic trap and skeet layouts. These targets are thrown at faster speeds, greater distances, and wider angles compared to standard trap targets. Olympic skeet also incorporates a delay on the target release, requiring the shooter to hold the gun down until the target appears. The Olympic trap layouts feature 15 trap machines in a trench.

The club's capacity to host national championships in disciplines like Trap and Skeet confirms that its ranges are designed and maintained to high competitive standards.

Services:

The West Australian Gun Club provides a range of services aimed at introducing new participants to the sport and supporting its active members:

• "Come and Try" Program: This structured entry program is designed for individuals or small groups interested in trying clay target shooting. It consists of four sessions, each costing a fee plus the purchase of ammunition on the day.
  • Session 1: An introduction to shooting.
  • Sessions 2 & 3: Coached sessions focusing on safe shotgun handling, shooting rules, etiquette when shooting in a squad, and fundamental techniques for hitting flying targets.
  • Session 4: Participants join a squad and shoot alongside other experienced shooters.
  • During these sessions, participants are provided with a mentor, shotgun, ammunition, hearing protection, eye protection, insurance, and targets. Completion of all four sessions is a prerequisite for club membership.
• Corporate and Social Shooting Packages: The club offers customized packages for corporate events and social gatherings. These packages provide groups with the opportunity to experience clay target shooting with professional coaching, and often include catering options such as barbecue lunches.
• Membership Support: For new members, the WAGC offers guidance and assistance with the necessary documentation and processes required for obtaining a firearms license from the Western Australia Police.
• Events and Competitions: The club regularly organizes and hosts various shooting competitions, ranging from local club events to significant state and national championships in various clay target disciplines.

Overall, the West Australian Gun Club stands as a comprehensive and welcoming institution that caters to the diverse needs of the clay target shooting community, from beginners to experienced competitors.