New electronic targets were installed through a 50-50 grant provided by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Club spokesman Colin Twigg said club days were a much simpler affair now and members were “very grateful for the good bit of gear”.

Right up until last year, club members would have to stand behind a custom built bunker to individually score each shot, but the new system is unmanned and has a “set and forget” appeal. 

“We centre a new target on the frame, check the systems through Wi-Fi on our tablets and away we go,” Twigg said. 

“[Classic marking] is back-breaking, pulling off targets each time there's a shot to mark.”

The changes mean scorers are able to join in the shoot and measure the scores live via a Wi-Fi app.

The club’s origins are military based, originally used for honing the skills of homeguard militia groups when each state maintained its own military. 

Producers in Australia were also taught to defend the region in case of invasion during war efforts, but it has since become largely a sport range. 

Adding a technology boost to the range, the new targets have been one of the biggest changes for the club, but Twigg said instant feedback through the system was a massive improvement. 

Electric tablets connect to the targets and display shot placement, groupings and bullet velocity. 

“It is very instructive for wind management and particularly useful at long ranges,” Twigg said. 

Despite marker flags for wind on the range, the feedback from the new system can improve the learning curve for beginning shooters and old hands alike. 

One of the biggest benefits will be for larger fields as the club looks to welcome new and interested members to the sport. 

The Rifle Club has three ready to use targets and a fourth as a backup, and will future proof the group for growing entries. 

With all four targets set up the club could host fields of around 40-50 people a week. 

At the end of a meet, the new targets are easy to pack down into a case for storage off-site and provide an extra level of security as valuable infrastructure is not kept on the grounds. 

Visitors and new members are already welcome at the club, but organisers are hoping the new targets will grow membership.

Shooting can be a daunting sport to take up with licencing requirements, so the club is in the process of building an information pack for interested shooters on everything required.

Club meets are held on Saturdays at Tarraganda from 12.30pm.

For more information or to join, contact Robert Lawler on 0417 409 647.