Masterton Rifle Club (Inc.)

The Masterton Rifle Club has its range and clubrooms on Brancepeth Station 16km East of Masterton on the Stronvar Road.

The club has permanent mounds at 300, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000 & 1100 yards with provision to shoot at 1200 yards also. The range has 6 cantilever target carriers. The club meets at 1.00pm on Sundays for a 1.30pm start of shooting (for actual range being shot on the day check out the link at NRA Coming Events).

The club's shooting season extends from October to the end of April (the range is closed for the start of Duck shooting season 1st weekend of May). The actual opening day very dependant on the state of the access road to the mound and butts.

The club supports all forms of high power rifle shooting and is used by target & F Class shooters. The Wellington Service Rifle also use the range facilities several times each year since the closure of the Trentham ranges to military style of rifles.

The club encourages all forms of target shooting. Equipment and ammunition, at a price, are available to those who want to give it a try. Club members are available to coach and mentor new comers to the sport or shooting in general. If you want to give fullbore target shooting a try contact one of the people listed below so that arrangements for equipment and ammunition can be made.

A bit of Club History

The Masterton Rifle Club Incorporated was created in 1996 from an amalgamation of the Masterton-Opaki Rifle Club and the Papawai Rifle Club Inc. Both of which were clubs that had a long history of successful rifle shooting in the Wairarapa, including the honour of a number of Ballinger Belt winners amongst their membership.

The range at Branchpeth was developed about this time after the previous range at Papawai near Greytown was closed due the development of an orchard on the property on which it was located and safety concerns with the butts.

How to get there…

At the north end of Masterton, just north of the Waipoa River Bridge turn east into Te Ore Ore Road and follow the road out of town towards the coast. Approximately 3km out of town turn right onto the Stronvar Road (signposted with arrow to “rifle range”) continue on this road until you have travelled approximately 16km from town. The range is on the left about 500m before the Wainuioru Hall and School. (See maps below)

John McLaren's sketch map  Go there

Owen Whiteman's optional approach for Wellingtonians  Go there

Club Contacts