28/04/2026
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The Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club is a sporting target shooting rifle club in which the competition is shot, typically prone, at distances from from 300 to 1000 yards.
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We shoot under the Victorian Rifle Association Standard Shooting Rules (SSRs) that define the following disciplines:
๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ (๐๐). This is the OG target discipline, using slings and shooting jackets and critically, iron or peep sites. Quite the challenge at 1000 yards. Calibers are restricted to .223 Re*****on or .308 Wi******er (5.56/7.62 NATO) with a 155 grain projectile.
๐ ๐พ๐ก๐๐จ๐จ. There are three sub-disciplines here:
- F Standard using any centre fire rifle calibre in either .223 Re*****on or .308 Wi******er with a 155 grain projectile. Unlike TR, scopes are allowed and we use bipods.
- FTR is very similar to F Standard, the main difference is that you can use a heavier than 155 grain projectile and the overall weight of the rifle is less.
- F Open. This is the F1 of this class of shooting. Any calibre up to 8mm is permitted and any bullet weight, typically competitors use specialised front rests and the rifle weight is up to 10kg.
๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐พ๐ก๐๐จ๐จ. Sporter is the newest and fastest growing addition to the shooting disciplines governed by the VRA. It has been designed to allow new shooters to get into the sport using equipment that they may already have and use for hunting.
Scopes up to 20x are allowed, any calibre up to 8mm and any bullet weight allowed. Bipods can be used but need to be the standard hunting type of bipod vs the more specialised ones used in F Class.
There are two variations. Sporter Standard and Sporter Open. The main difference is that in Standard, the rifle must be as-is from the factory. Any custom modifications push it into Sporter Open.
There are (of course) more rules than what I have listed here, but the rest can be found in the VRA SSRs which are publicly available on the web and a link to this can be found in our FAQ pinned post.
The last thing to mention is that most ranges have muzzle energy restrictions; and we are no exception. While your 300 Win Mag is probably fine, you won't be able to shoot a 338 Lapua Magnum. Contact the club for specific limitations if you have any concerns.
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BMRC like all VRA affiliated clubs, is its own independent club and follows a typical club process for new members.
If you think you might be interested in membership, the best thing to do is to contact our club captain or leave a message here on the club page and arrange to come down to check it out. Giving us a heads up that you are interested in coming allows us to prep for your visit and get you started in the smoothest way possible. The club has rifles you can use for both TR and F Class and can supply match grade ammunition. Our club rifles are not fancy but they do shoot and we regularly have visitors posting decent scores on their first visits under instruction. As we are a fully licensed range, you don't need a fi****ms license to come and give it a go. If you have your own setup and want to try Sporter, you are more than welcome to bring your rifle down and give it a go - subject to the restrictions mentioned above)
Once you've come along for a few weeks and got to know the other members, the new membership application is then ratified by the rifle club committee.
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Our Range is only open on Saturdays with shooting generally starting between 10:30am and Midday. Per our range license, all shooting must be completed by 5:00pm. Typically members get to the range around 09:30am to set up and on most days we are all wrapped up by around 2pm. You can just drop in unannounced to have a look, but if you do, be aware the gates most likely will be locked by 3pm on most Saturdays and everyone will have headed home.
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The range near the Werribee Gorge, access on McCormacks Road on the Western side of Bacchus Marsh, Drive up the McCormacks road hill and you will notice a gate on the right side (with Red Flag) just before the bridge over the rail line, go through the gate and follow the track that run parallel with train line. It can be tricky to spot the first time, but Google Maps does show it correctly. Access to the club is via an access track next to the train line, be warned, it is pretty rough.
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Check out the FAQ for answers to other common questions (coming soon)
