Shotgun Range

Firearms / other rules 

SSAA rules permit the use of any smoothbore shotguns, providing the gauge does not exceed 12-gauge and the barrel/overall length complies with QLD laws. The most commonly used shotgun is the 12-gauge as there is a wide selection of cartridges available that are generally cheaper to purchase.

A maximum of two cartridges is allowed in the shotgun at any one time. Shotgun cartridges may be up to 32g (1 1/8oz).  

The discipline includes four main competitions.

There are many clay target shotgun competitions, which vary in the type of targets thrown, the angle, height and speed at which they are thrown, and the field layouts from which shooters shoot.

Sporting Clays

This competition is usually set with traps presenting clay targets that simulate hunting a variety of game such as ducks, rabbits, quail and pheasants. The traps can be concealed in the bush or on towers, with the targets only visible in cleared areas.

The targets can be shot over a course of six or seven ‘stands’, where shooters are shown targets in singles or doubles of various sizes and colours, and shoot each station with their squad of five or six-shooters in turn. Most courses comprise 25 targets and the degree of difficulty can vary from easy to extremely hard.

5-Stand

5-Stand has five shooting stands or stations that are lined up in a straight line close to each other. The stands are surrounded by six to eight numbered traps, which throw targets in every possible direction, including from behind, towers, vertical shots and rabbits, with all targets generally converging in an area in front of the stands. Competitors rotate through the five stands and receive an identical mix of targets in a random order, with single and double targets presented. This provides a real test of a shooter’s ability to read targets quickly and shoot them before they get beyond the effective range of a shotgun.

There are several other versions of 5-Stand, including COMPAK and Birdbrain, where the rules vary slightly.

Trap and Skeet

We do not currently operate trap and Skeet as a subdiscipline. If you would like to become the Discipline Captain for this please contact the committee.

Low Field

Low Field (or Field) Shotgun is shot off pads that are either level with or 1m back from the front of the trap house. They may also be 1m either above or below the trap. There are 10 shooting pads, five on either side of the trap house, that are placed 1.2 to 1.8m apart. The shooting pads are 3 to 5m from the trap house. Squads of up to six competitors shoot alternately from their designated positions. Competitors will rotate over the 10 positions, five at a time, until the competition is completed.