After months of preparations, the Fashions Mount Rifle Range at Wuuluman, via Wellington NSW, hosted the 2026 SSAA Australian Long Range Black Powder National Championship this October long weekend. Competitors from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia arrived to compete at the home of host club, the Buffalo Rifle 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. These are mid range distances and competitors have 3 convertible sighters and then 10 scoring shots on Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC) paper targets.
Saturday saw the competitors move back to 900 yards for the long range. At this distance the shooters have 5 convertible sighters and 15 scoring shots. We managed to dodge the rain, finishing just prior to some lightning and hail as a storm 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 difference. 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 and can significantly 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 thank all our competitors for travelling and helping us with the event. Thank you to our club members who had put so much work into the preparations so we could welcome everyone. We would also like to thank Richo’s Guns & Ammo Dubbo and Woolworths for their contributions. The Buffalo Rifle Association can be seen in action on the second weekend of most months at the Fashion’s Mount Rifle Range.
Congratulations to our new National Champions and all the placegetters.
| Black Powder Cartridge Rifle (BPCR) |
| 300 yard 1st R Teale VIC 41.2 2nd G Dignam NSW 37.1 3rd J Barling NSW 36.1 |
| 500 yard 1st R Teale Vic 42 2nd G Dignam NSW 41.2 3rd P Radin NSW 39.1 |
| 600 yard 1st R Teale Vic 41.1 2nd G Dignam NSW 39.2 3rd P Radin NSW 38.1 |
| Mid Range Aggregate |
| 1st R Teale Vic 124.3 2nd G Dignam NSW 117.4 3rd J Barling NSW 107.1 |
| 900 yard 1st R Teale Vic 63.1 2nd K Illingworth NSW 52.1 3rd G Dignam NSW 51.2 |
| 1000 yard 1st P Radin NSW 50.1 2nd R Teale Vic 49 3rd J Barling NSW 40 |
| Long Range Aggregate |
| 1st R Teale Vic 112.1 2nd P Radin NSW 98.1 3rd K Illingworth NSW 83.1 |
| Grand Aggregate BPCR (total of mid and long) |
| 1st R Teale Vic 236.4 2nd P Radin NSW 197.3 3rd G Dignam NSW 181.6 |
| Muzzle Loading |
| 300 yard 1st M Sobierajski NSW 37.1 2nd S Barnsley NSW 35.1 3rd F Verdini SA 34.1 |
| 500 yard 1st A Wilson QLD 46.2 2nd M Sobierajski NSW 42.1 3rd D MacDonald NSW 41.1 |
| 600 yard 1st A Wilson QLD 41.1 2nd S Barnsley NSW 37.1 3rd M Sobierajski NSW 37 |
| Mid Range Aggregate |
| 1st M Sobierajski NSW 116.2 2nd A Wilson QLD 115.3 3rd S Barnsley NSW 112.3 |
| 900 yard 1st A Wilson QLD 58.1 2nd M Sobierajski NSW 54.2 3rd S Barnsley NSW 54.1 |
| 1000 yard 1st A Wilson QLD 60.3 2nd D MacDonald NSW 45.1 3rd S Barnsley 36 |
| Long Range Aggregate | ||
| 1st A Wilson QLD 118.4 | 2nd S Barnsley NSW 90.1 | 3rd M Sobierajski NSW 87.2 |
| Grand Aggregate |
| 1st A Wilson QLD 233.7 2nd M Sobierajski NSW 203.4 S Barnsley NSW 202.4 |
Article Credits
Dan MacDonald
Buffalo Rifle Association of Australia -Secretary
