Lever Action Shooting

The first SSAA Lever Action Nationals were held in 1976, and the discipline has continued to thrive ever since.

The matches replicate the excitement of real-world field shooting while maintaining the structure and safety of range conditions.

Rimfire 

Shot with a lever-action rifle featuring a two piece wooden stock and any open sights. Common rimfire calibres include 22LR or 22WMR, though 17HMR and 17MK2 are also permitted. 

Centrefire 

This match is shot with a lever-action rifle chambered for any centrefire ammunition. Any open sight can be used, and the rifle must have a wooden stock. 

Classic Calibre 

This match is shot with a centrefire lever action rifle with a two-piece wooden stock and post-and-vee open sights. Rifles must use cartridges in factory production before 1939, though a few modern classics are allowed (including .32 H&R Magnum, .44 Rem Mag, .307 Win, .375 Win, and others). 

Classic Calibre remains true to the traditional lever action rifle, utilising post and vee sights only. While the rimfire and centrefire matches allow precision target peep sights and customised rifles. 

Open Match: For SSAA NSW Lever Action State Titles Centrefire and Rimfire are combined into a single Open Match where either rifle type can be used. 

Traditional Rifle: Any competitor using a Traditional Rifle in the Open Match is eligible for the Traditional Rifle Medals. A Traditional Rifle is to comply with the specification of a Classic Calibre Rifle.  

The competition uses multi positions - prone, sitting, kneeling, or standing positions, with or without the use of a post rest. No artificial clothing support is allowed. 

Targets are paper silhouettes of feral animals and 50-metre pistol- targets, with distances ranging from 25 to 100 metres. Time limits also vary, from 5 minutes for Precision to as little as 10 seconds for Rapid Fire, making it an exciting and fast-paced event.

• It’s friendly, welcoming, and inclusive - a true crowd favourite at ranges across NSW. 

• It allows shooters to use classic and modern lever rifles alike. 

• It combines speed, skill, and heritage in one of the most enjoyable shooting formats in Australia. 

• It is one of the best Disciplines for hunting practice 

SSAA Guidelines for Use of Black Powder

Lever Action fox head target

Lever Action

SSAA Standard Rules No 9.2 Rev Nov 2022

National Lever Action Grading Card – guidelines for completion (2023)

Lever Action rabbit target

SSAA official practice targets

Discipline posters 2019 Lever Action

Lever Action Rule Book, revised nov 2022, no. 9 – For publication

Hall of Fame 2025

Lever Action Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame 2023

National Lever Action Championships 2025

Lever Action Postal Shoots 2025

2024 National Lever Action Results

2024 QLD Lever Action Comp

National Lever Action Championships 2023

National Lever Action Championships 2022

WA Lever Action State Championship 2022

2021 Queensland Lever Action Open Postal

2019 Lever Action Classic Calibre Postal Shoot

2019 Lever Action International Postal Shoot

2019 Lever Action Open Postal Shoot

SSAA 2019 Lever Action National Championships

2018 SSAA National Lever Action Championship

2019 Queensland Lever Action Championships

Queensland Open Lever Action Postal Shoot 2019

2018 SSAA Queensland State Open Lever Action Postal Shoot

Lever Action Open Postal Match 2018

Lever Action International Postal Shoot 2018

Lever Action National Classic Calibre Postal Shoot 2018

SSAA NSW Lever Action State Title

SSAA Lever Action National Classic Postal Shoot

2017 Lever Action National Shoot Results

SSAA Lever Action National Open Postal Shoots

SSAA Lever Action National International Postal Shoots

2016 SSAA Queensland Lever Action State Championships

SSAA National Lever Action Open Postal Shoot

SSAA Lever Action International Postal Shoot

SSAA National Lever Action Championships

SSAA National Lever Action Classic Calibre Postal Shoot

SSAA National Lever Action Championships

SSAA National Lever Action Championships

SSAA National Lever Action Classic Calibre Postal Shoot

SSAA Tas State Lever Action Silhouette Title

2026 SSAA WA Lever Action State Championships

Lever action matches are held across  NSW, and newcomers are always welcome. Whether you’re looking to compete, learn more about your rifle, or simply enjoy a great day at the range, lever action shooting in NSW offers a perfect blend of tradition and challenge. 

Rimfire - Marlin 39A, Winchester 9422, Browning BL-22

Centrefire Browning BLR, Miroku MLR, Winchester 94 & 92, Marlin 336 & 1894

Classic Calibre Winchester 94 & 92, Marlin 336 & 1894

Common calibres used:

Rimfire - Any Rimfire - 22LR & 22WM

Centrefire Any calibre - 222Rem, 6x47, 6mm, 308 - including any wildcat

Classic Calibre - factory cartridge produced prior to end of 1938, 30-30, 218Bee, 25-20, 32-20, 357M, 32-40, 35Rem, 38-55, 444Marlin & 45-70.