Sporting Shooters' Association - All
Australian Hunter
Australian Hunter is Australia’s favourite hunting magazine. This quarterly glossy publication is produced by Australia’s premier hunting and sports shooting organisation - the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA), who represent 200,000+ dedicated sporting shooters throughout the country.
Dedicated to all things hunting, from small to large and dangerous game, it caters for hunters of all persuasions, including those who hunt for animal management, trophies and of course, for the family table.
The magazine features firearm, ammunition, knife and general product reviews from experienced hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as practical advice for choosing and using these tools in the field. It also includes mouth-watering camp kitchen and game meat recipes, incredible competitions, overseas adventures and more.
#Australia #AustralianHunter #Hunt #Hunter #magazine
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA)
The Australian Hunters Association (SSAA) is one of the largest organizations in Australia representing the interests of hunters, shooters and gun owners. SSAA is dedicated to protecting the rights of hunters, promoting the safe and responsible use of guns, and preserving wildlife. The Association actively participates in the development of legislation related to hunting and weapons, and organizes educational programs for its members.
The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) is a federated non-government organisation established in 1948 as a representative body to promote shooting sports and protect the legal rights and interests of firearm owners in Australia. As of 2024 the SSAA has a membership of around 220,000. In addition to the state branches overseeing various clubs and gun ranges, SSAA also has a national political lobbying department and an insurance arm. State branches run local- and state-level shooting competitions, while the SSAA also coordinates competitions at the national and international levels.
The SSAA offers a wide range of activities designed to cater to diverse interests within the shooting community. Sporting Shooters' Association Activities and Programs:
Shooting Sports in Australia: The association organizes various shooting disciplines, including target shooting, field shooting, clay pigeon shooting, and long-range precision shooting. These events provide opportunities for members to hone their skills, compete at different levels, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts.
Conservation Initiatives in Australia: One of the SSAA's key focuses is on wildlife management and habitat preservation. Members actively participate in feral animal control programs, helping to protect native species from invasive pests like rabbits, foxes, and feral cats. The association also supports reforestation projects and wetland restoration to enhance biodiversity.
Education and Training: Safety and proficiency are paramount in the SSAA’s philosophy. Sporting Shooters' Association provides comprehensive courses on firearm handling, marksmanship, and first aid, ensuring that members are well-prepared and confident when engaging in shooting activities.
Youth Engagement : To inspire future generations, the SSAA runs youth programs that introduce young people to shooting sports in a controlled and educational environment. These initiatives aim to instill lifelong values of responsibility, discipline, and respect for nature.
Advocacy and Representation : As a leading voice for recreational shooters, the SSAA works tirelessly to represent the interests of its members in discussions with government bodies, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders. The association advocates for balanced policies that recognize the legitimate role of firearms in sport, recreation, and pest management.
Association Community Involvement.
Beyond shooting and conservation, the SSAA plays an active role in local communities. Many branches organize fundraising events, charity shoots, and community service projects, strengthening ties between members and the broader public. This engagement helps dispel misconceptions about shooting sports and highlights the positive contributions made by responsible gun owners.
Structure and Branches of Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA):
SSAA branches are organized at the state and regional levels, ensuring that members have access to localized programs, events, and facilities. As of the latest data, there are over 1,000 branches nationwide, catering to diverse interests within the shooting community.
Each state and territory has its own governing body under the national umbrella of the Association (SSAA).
State-Level Organization:
SSAA New South Wales
SSAA Queensland
SSAA Victoria
SSAA Western Australia
SSAA South Australia
SSAA Tasmania
SSAA Northern Territory
SSAA Australian Capital Territory
These state bodies oversee the operations of individual branches, coordinate regional events, and liaise with local authorities on matters such as licensing and regulations.
Local branches are the backbone of the SSAA. They organize regular meetings, shooting competitions, training sessions, and conservation activities tailored to their specific region. Members can join a branch near their location, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals and participate in activities close to home.
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) has both National and International Impact. The SSAA collaborates with international organizations to share best practices and promote global standards in shooting sports and conservation. By participating in conferences, exchanges, and joint ventures, the association ensures that Australian shooters remain connected to the wider world of sport and environmental protection.
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) is one of the largest and most influential organizations dedicated to promoting responsible shooting sports, conservation, and outdoor recreation in Australia. Through its extensive network of clubs, programs, and advocacy efforts, the SSAA continues to shape the future of shooting sports in Australia while fostering a legacy of respect, safety, and sustainability. Whether you're a seasoned marksman or a newcomer to the sport, the SSAA offers something for everyone who shares a love for the outdoors and a dedication to preserving it for generations to come.
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) National Office
PO Box 907,
Deakin West, ACT 2600,
Australia 🇦🇺
+61 2 6282 7333
https://www.ssaa.org.au/
Hardware: Browning A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen
A legendary early 20th century shotgun, the 16-gauge dropped off the map in 1989 when skeet shooting rules were finalized by the newly formed National Sporting Clays Association, and the gauge didn’t make the cut. As much as field shooters favored the shotgun’s lightweight, functional, easy-on-the-shoulder nature, skeet shooters press the trigger more than upland and waterfowl hunters combined, and ammo manufacturers couldn’t justify the cost of production.
Browning A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen Semi Automatic Shotgun.
Today, however, this near-perfect gauge is making a remarkable comeback. Why? Efficiency. Not only do 16-gauge loads hit with a wallop, especially with modern-day tungsten and bismuth, the guns are simply a joy to tote. Weighing less than most 12-gauge options and comparable to 20-gauge models, a quality 16-gauge makes a tremendous all-day field gun for any shooter.
I’m a Browning fan, and my 12-gauge A5 has been my waterfowl go-to for over five years. The gun is a shooter, and I’m deadly with it in my hands. I was elated when Browning’s all-new A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen arrived at my local gun shop. My grandfather had an old, beat-up 16—I couldn’t tell you the make and model—and I loved that shotgun. I was excited to put Browning’s new-for-2022 beauty through the paces.
The shotgun is a showstopper. The composite stock and forearm on the tested model were cloaked in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat camo, and the humpback receiver and 28-inch (26-inch barrel available) barrel sport a Cerakote Burnt Bronze camo finish. The camo pattern is continued onto the receiver, laser etched onto the Cerakote finish giving the Wicked Wing some extra eye appeal.
Of course, the legendary gold Browning trigger stands out, and I loved the over-sized bolt release that mimics the look of a shotshell head. The two-bead sight system is back, and shooters will appreciate the red front fiber-optic, visible in nearly any lighting condition. Another sweet, no-pun-intended addition is the extended Invector-DS Goose Band choke tube. Browning went to great lengths to ensure that when consumers look at this shotgun, they know it was designed to be a waterfowl wrecker. Metal parts adorned in Cerakote, the A5 Sweet Sixteen passed all of my scratch tests and should be able to withstand even the nastiest ducking weather.
Assembly of the A5 is about the easiest I’ve come across. There’s a pleasant lack of tricks and jostling required to seat the barrel and action correctly.
The shotgun shoulders brilliantly at just 6-plus pounds, and the slim, ergonomic forearm only sweetens the build. Chalk up this slim forearm to the recoil-operated Kinematic Drive system, as opposed to a gas-operating system with springs and buffers usually located around the magazine tube. Cheek weld on the composite stock feels natural—no raising, lowering or canting of my head was necessary to look down the barrel and line up the sights. More on this later.
Browning A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen Shotgun Action.
The action is smooth, and the Cerakoted operating handle is perfectly curved and gridded for increased purchase. The action lock is located on the bottom of the shotgun just in front of the trigger guard, and the oversized bolt release will be appreciated when Mother Nature is being cruel and hands are covered with monstrous gloves. The push-button safety, though not huge, sits outside the trigger guard, above and behind. Black is cold, and red is hot; you know the drill. The Sweet Sixteen is fitted for a sling, and two attachment points are found, one at the rear and the other on the fore-end cap.
Built to accept 2¾-inch 16-gauge loads, shells glide into the chamber gently and create an audible click once seated. Browning’s effort to create an uber-balanced gun shines when you shoulder the Sweet Sixteen; Browning dubs this Ergo Balance. This technology blends the shotgun’s zero point of impact (50 percent of the pattern above the target and 50 percent below the target) with the legendary humpback receiver and flat-rib barrel design to give the shooter a larger sight plane. A larger sight plane means less opportunity for shooter error. While duck and goose seasons had ended by the time I got my hands on the Sweet Sixteen, I crushed trap, skeet and sporting clays for days using popular duck and goose loads. The shotgun swings effortlessly and fits me like a glove. I laid flat in my layout and had my son launch clays over my head to add additional in-the-field realism. I could rave about the balance and shootability of this gun forever, but all that ink will do you no good. You need to shoot this new A5 Sweet Sixteen for yourself.
Recoil is another place where the A5 Sweet Sixteen ranks high. The Kinematic Drive system robs kinetic energy that would be transferred into the shooter’s shoulder and utilizes that power to eject spent shells cleanly and chamber the next. Of course, Browning’s Inflex recoil pad works like a wonder, and less recoil means quicker target acquisition and more accurate shooting on second and third shots. Over two weeks, my family and I put more than 300 rounds through the shotgun and experienced zero issues. Make no mistake: This 16-gauge is a shotgun that can be used successfully by a wide range of shooters because of its light weight, slim build and lack of recoil. My wife and 16-year-old son fell in love with it, meaning I see yet another Browning purchase in my future.
Browning A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen Shotgun Barrel with Choke Tube.
I’m an Invector-DS fan, and three tubes come with the gun: full, modified and improved cylinder. I tested each at various ranges, and the modified and improved are what you’d expect. The full, though, was extra impressive. My 50-yard pattern shooting Hevi-Bismuth No. 4 was remarkable, and for grins—and because I planned to jelly a turkey head with the gun in the coming weeks—I put numerous pellets in the head of a Birchwood Casey Reactive Paper Turkey target at 60 yards with Hevi-Bismuth No. 6. Both tests were conducted from shooting sticks using the shotgun’s standard ivory mid-bead sight and front fiber-optic sight. Impressive.
My son is a snow-goose killer, and while we were taking apart the gun and putting it back together for cleaning purposes, he pointed out the TurnKey Magazine Plug. It’s a win. Use your truck key (or just about anything else), and in seconds, you can remove the shotgun’s plug, which is handy for springtime snow goose pursuits.
If you’re a serious waterfowler looking to tote a light-recoiling yet plenty powerful shotgun that performs flawlessly and swings beautifully on even the fastest flying teal, the A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen is the shotgun for you.
Technical Specifications
• Type: semi-auto shotgun
• Gauge/Chamber: 16/2¾"
• Capacity: 4 rnds.
• Barrel: 26"; vent rib; interchangeable choke tubes
• Trigger: 6-lb. pull weight
• Sights: mid-bead; red fiber-optic front sight
• Safety: cross-bolt
• Stock: synthetic; multiple camo options available (Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat shown); 14¼" LOP; 2" drop at heel; 1¾" drop at comb
• Metal Finish: Burnt Bronze Cerakote
• Overall Length: 47⅝”
• Weight: 6 lbs., 1 oz.
• Accessories: Invector-DS choke tubes (M, IC, F)
• MSRP: $2,379.99; browning.com
