RETRIEVING AUSTRALIA FORUM

Hi all, looking at dummy launcher options, handheld forstly and then possibly the field type later on. Is anyone using them?

I believe they use 22 blanks, but my local gunshop told me that blanks are illegal where can you buy the charges? (i'm in NSW)

Also are any of them batter than the others? hand held? shoulder mounting? any particular brand?

In regard to the field type, bumper boy seem to be popular, however slightly unreliable. What are your opinions?

Hi Luke,
Welcome to the site.
.22 blanks may be available in NSW as "Hilti" gun loads. These are nail guns used by the building industry,so try your local builders merchant. They come in different colours which represent the velocity from memory I used to use purple and yellow varieties, just be aware some are "short" some are "long" so you need to make sure they suit your particular launcher.
as for launchers minewas a Turner & Richards from the UK, I just found the application to be limited AND noisy for lots of training, ended up selling it as i hardly used it.

Best regards
Allan

Thanks for the feedback Allan, interesting point in regard to the noise etc. To be honest it was all looking a bit "to hard basket" as i was getting conflicting info in regard to regulations etc from different sources. I did however speak to the firearms registry in NSW today and they said that they are exempt from legislation. If I were to use one though, I would probably just give the local police a heads up call with the aim of avoiding a SWAT team turning up.

I'm also interetsed in Bumper boy types, but it seems that they have some serious reliability issues which is concerning me.

Luke,
Just remembered that "Ramset" are another breed of nailgun that you might be able to source blanks for.
The licencing of the things (handheld) varies from State to State ...we in WA at one time had to get the barrels engraved with a seriel number which was then added to your gun licence. Most folk were oblivious to this and used them unknowingly illegally !! Most of these things are imported as "dog training devices' and seem to pass customs OK.
As far as I know no-one has had to licence a Bumper Boy.
Cheers
Allan

Thanks again Allan,
yes the legislation seems to be a bit "murky" hence my phone call to Firearms registry. However, the lady categorically quoted a section from the firearms legislation saying that these type of devices are exempt (in fact naming turner richards) in NSW. I'm going to contact my local hardwear stores and see what the G.O is with the cartridges.

Thanks again, and if anyone has one of the RRT shoulder mounted launchers, I would love to know what length cartridges it takes and where you get them from in NSW., if you have a good source.

Hi Luke

I have a Turner and Richards hand held unit, but it is really not very useful - most trainers now are using launchers available from :

http://www.specdog.com.au/competition_throwers.html

Cheers
Alan

Hi All,
They are legal in Victoria.
But be very weary where you use them as a friend had a visit from the police as there was a report of shots fired.
The police have to attend any such call and were not happy as the paperwork is huge

That looks very interesting, any idea of a rough cost?

Joe Law is the NSW rep for specialised dog Accessories Australia Luke. I don’t know where in NSW you live but Joe lives on the Central Coast Morisset area. You will find him on this web site just check out the members list under J.
Our little training group in the Hunter region get our gear through him including throwers.
Steve.

Thanks Steve, I'll contact him and see what I can find out.

I used a dummy launcher only once, many years ago. I did not like it one bit. It was very noisy, had kickback, and didn't achieve what I wanted for my dog, as the dummy was not out in front of my dog, but coming from where we started the retrieve. I trained alone for many years without any form of throwing machine, except those worked by hand, then I bought a 4 shooter bumper boy. What a godsend it was, and living in the country, the noise from it was not an issue that I have ever had to contend with. I have since, bought another 4 shooter and they are linked to the one transmitter. A friend has bought 4 x 2 shooters (Derby double) and between us when we go out training, we have the ability to set up triples very easily. BB's do need looking after, and careful handling. I have replaced several of the servos over the years, and can do this myself easily. The dogs love the BB and with the ability to have a duck call or "hey hey" from the speaker, makes it great for two birds and doublefall retrieves.

Specialised Dog Accessories does have the hand held launchers in stock Priced at $160.00 + P.p this comes complete with a canvas dummy.Additional canvas dummies are priced at $26.00 each.we also have the plastic ball dummy used for a running rabbit retrieve.

Just recently I have been in negotiations with a company that has developed a twin remote controlled launcher, the same principal as the bumperboy type.Just looking into the freight costs to bring them into Australia.
I will notify you all when they arrive.
The blank cartridges I carry in stock Priced at $20.00 per pack (100)
Specialised phone number is: 03 97433788.