The Big Game Rifle Club was first formed, in Victoria, in 1983 with branches subsequently being formed in NSW and Queensland and, later, in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
The charter of the Big Game Rifle Club is to foster the collection, preservation, and use of classic big game rifles in competitions that are designed to replicate, as near as possible, the style of shooting that these rifles were originally designed for; hunting big game animals in Africa, India and America.
Some of these animals, such as the fabled 'Big Five" (Elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) were (and still are) exceedingly dangerous to hunt and powerful rifles were needed to ensure a clean kill and the survival of the hunter. However, many smaller, non-dangerous animals were also (and still are) hunted and so the competition also includes events for less powerful rifles.
Big Game Rifle includes events for rifles from .22LR up to serious big game stoppers, like the .700 Nitro. Events also include bolt actions, single shots, double rifles, lever actions and black powder cartridge rifles.
Many of the rifles used in Big Game Rifle competition are collectors pieces, from the golden age of hunting in Africa and India in the late 1800s and early 1900's.
However, you do not need to own an expensive, investment firearm to join in the fun at a Big Game Rifle shoot. Many competitors shoot with BRNO, Ruger, Mauser or 'Remchester" firearms. The only requirements are that your rifle fit the calibre and performance criteria and that it is configured in a style that fits with the Classic Big Game Rifle theme (see BGR Rules and Rifles for BGR).

As previously stated, this competition is designed to simulate the traditional uses of the classic big game rifle. Accordingly, the emphasis is on offhand shooting and the use of open sights. Slings, rests and shooting posts are not permitted. Telescopic sights may be used but will incure a scoring penalty for each shot (see BGR Rules).