The SRC Cape Town officially participates in various Swiss based shooting programs. The club records and submits these official program result for all members to Switzerland for them to be adjudicated and verified. There are numerous awards, certificates or medals that various programs offer as recognition to the members in relation to their scores. These medals and certificates are issued in Switzerland and brought over to South Africa where the club distributes to the members at the annual prize giving. 

So what are these programs?

Here is a list of the most popular and participated in official Swiss Shooting programs:

Feldschiessen (Veld Shooting)

Obligatorish (Obligatory)

Grauholz (Greywood)

Schweizerische Sektions Mesiterschaft aka SSM (Swiss Sections Championship) 

Einzelwettscheissen aka EWS (Single discipline Shooting)

All the above programs are shot from the 300 Meter mark from the targets

Over and above the Official Shoots we participate in we also have some Club championships not only between the members of the Cape Town club but also against the Swiss Rifle Clubs in Johannesburg and Durban.

The club programs are administered locally by the club and some of the competitions are:

Presidents Mettler Cup                                                          Metzger Stich

Freddy Schweizer                                                                   Inter Town

Willy Wyman                                                                           Piggy Shoot

Bench Rest

The Piggy shoot is the clubs annual fun family shooting day. Here we use the old K31 rifles chambered in .22LR. The .22LR is a very small round and has virtually no recoil. For this reason, children can shoot this round without being scared off by a strong and unpleasant recoil. The shoot is very popular and there are normally many prizes in the form of Traditional Swiss Sausages and Ham’s. 

All the programs above have various different shooting sequences, distances, and time frames to complete the program. These are best learnt on the range. There are always members available to explain how to shoot the different programs on the range. There is always a “scorer” at each shooting position who writes down the scores of the shooter. These members normally know how to adjust sights and how the programs are to be shot.

There are two main type of targets which are as follows:

The A5, A10 or A100 Target. (5,10,100 reference is to the maximum score one can achieve off one target)

The B4 Target. (The 4 again references the highest score one can shoot on the target)

So now you know what the main Rifles and Targets look like, shoot and shoot at.

We currently mainly run three different types of rifles. These are as follows:

Carbine K31 (1931) – Chambered in GP 11  –  7.5 x 55mm (Wooden Stock Rifle – Single Bolt Action) 

SIG 510-0 aka “Sturmgewehr” aka StG57 – Chambered in GP 11 – 7.5 x 55mm (Black Metal/Plastic Semi Automatic Rifle)

SIG 550 aka “Sturmgewehr 90“ – Chambered in the 5.6mm Swiss GP-90 round (Green Metal/Polymer Semi Automatic Rifle with a folding stock) Identical to the 5.56mm NATO

7.5 x 55mm GP-11 Ammumition 

5.6 x 45mm GP-90 ammunition

Now you know what Rifles and ammo the members of the SRC Cape Town club shoot.

Where does the SRC shoot?

The SRC Cape Town mainly shoot at the two military ranges in Cape Town. One being the SA Navy Range – Klawer Shooting Range and the other being the Army Range – Atlantis Military Range. 

On occasion we make use of the Western Cape Shooting Union’s shooting range which is basically in the same area as the Atlantis shooting range. 

What would a standard day on the range with the SRC look like?

Prior to a shoot day, the club secretary would send out a reminder of the shooting day approaching and ask for members to confirm their participation or absenteeism. It is necessary to know which persons will be participating on the day, as the club committee needs to supply a name list of participants for the day prior to the shooting day. Therewith, it is important for members to advise if they will be attending or not. In addition, it also assists with the ordering of sausages and rolls for the day, in advance. 

On the day, members are required to arrive timeously. This in turn facilitates a good early start to the days shooting. 

Once members arrive, they are required to note their presence with the administrator on the day. This is normally at the clubs shooting trailer and admin area. 

Once the member has presented him or herself then they must sign in on the range register and fill in the required indemnity if not done previously. 

Once the indemnity and any other forms are signed one can then approach the administration table to receive ones shooting booklet and score sheets. Here one also pays for the program and ammunition and refreshments. 

Once this is done there is normally a short welcome and explanation of the days proceedings done by one of the committee members and then the range is handed over to the Range Master.

Once a member has their score sheet, book and ammo, they will then advise the Range Master that they are ready to shoot and advise the Range Master which programs they will be shooting, so that the Range Master can know which targets the member needs to shoot. The member then waits for the range master to call them up for their turn to shoot at an available shooting spot. 

Once all members have shot the range will be closed and packing up will commence. Once the packing up has been completed then there is an opportunity by those members who wish to join other members for food and drinks at the club house or other. This is where many can relax after a fun day shooting and enjoy some Swiss sausages and a beer. It is always a pleasant and relaxing time where members get to chat and catch up with each other. 

On occasion there will be a prize giving after the shoots, but these will be announced at the introduction earlier. These are mainly for a small portion of the local shooting competitions. 

What do I wear and what do I bring to the range?

Members are required to dress appropriately for a shooting day. Normally in a long-legged pants with a neat shirt of any kind, with decent closed shoes. Some members have officially accredited Shooting Jackets, but this is not essential. Ear and eye protection is provided by the club at all shoots, but it is good for members who shoot a lot to invest in their own for their own comfort. Hats and sunscreen are optional and recommended for those hot sunny summer days out on the range. Water and soft drinks are normally available as are sausages and rolls with mustard, but members are welcome to bring any refreshments they fancy. There is a very strict no alcohol policy on all ranges and no alcohol drinking or even presence will be tolerated by the Range Master. Those that smoke are to do so with courtesy and away from all ammunition, firearms and the firing line. 

Members that have rifles, ammo and other shooting accessories normally bring those for their own use. The club rifles will be available to all members who do not have a rifle or wish to shoot a different type than their own.

What are the obligations of members to the club?

Swiss citizens can join the club at anytime through contacting the club chairman or president. Non Swiss citizens can apply for membership through a members proposal. The club may not have more than 49% non Swiss citizens as members and so these places are limited. The application will then be reviewed at the AGM by all members and if the application is seconded then the person will become an official member of the club. 

All members should attend the annual general meeting (AGM) and also the annual prize giving. Other than these two official events the members may attend shooting days and other events at their convenience.  

On shooting days, the club members normally assist in the general days chores of setting up and packing up. This is done voluntarily by members who are able to do so, as it can be physical. 

There is an annual club “Cleaning” day which is a day where all members join into clean rifles and equipment and is a great casual day for interactions and discussions between members. It is also a good way to learn the finer details about the rifles and how they operate etc. 

What does it cost to be a member of the SRC?

All members are obligated to pay the annual club fee which is nominal. There is a first registration fee for those that join the club for the first time after a successful application. 

Other than this there are no other obligatory fees. 

The only other costs are for the ammunition and program costs on the day of shooting. 

Is it safe?

Safety is a responsibility of every single person that enters a shooting range. There is always an accredited and qualified Range Officer on the range at all times during each shooting day. It is important for members to understand the rules of the range and to adhere to them. Members are to respect the instructions of the range officer at all times, and comply with their requests or commands. 

Nobody may handle a weapon unless permission is given by the range officer. 

Can I participate as a visitor?

Visitors are welcome to join on any given day, unless it is an official Members day only, like the Feldschiessen day. Normally a visitor will be invited to attend through a club member.

What does a person benefit from being a member of the Swiss Rifle Club?

There are numerous reasons for people to join the SRC. Some do so to enjoy the sport they love. Others to continue in the Swiss competitions and to compete against, not only other members, but also against themselves. Others join simply to be a part of a community of people who hold similar interests and the Swiss culture. 

Over and above these mentioned above, being a member one can qualify as a dedicated sports shooter by scoring points through participation in the club and shooting programs. This allows one to be able to purchase a sports shooting firearm, which isa requirement of the state when applying. 

Over and above this one also has the opportunity to buy the Swiss GP-11 and GP-90 ammunition for the Swiss rifles, for personal use, if one holds the relevant license. 

Every 5 years the Swiss Federation holds a worldwide shooting festival in Switzerland where all Swiss Club Members can enter and shoot for their clubs’ glory! This is a great privilege for avid shooters as it is always a great event to attend.

So where to from here?If you are interested in what the club stands for and has to offer, then feel free to contact any of the club members or club committee members for an application form. We take it from there.