NORTHERN INTERCLUB SHOOTING RULES
Preface:
These rules are abroad set of guidelines to help foster the sport of shooting and provide friendly competition between our clubs regardless of affiliation. They can be modified after a majority vote from participating clubs.
The following rules are as a result of the meeting held at Glen Innes on the 6/11/2011
1. Benches will be drawn for and rotated at all venues. Wind flags will not be permitted to be shifted during the match.
2. Trophies will be awarded to the overall winners of the year based on the best 4 scores:
Open Custom class
Open Hunting class
Ladies Custom class
Junior Custom class
3. Glen Innes will arrange purchase of the four overall trophies and each of the above clubs will provide a contribution of $50.00 when nominating to hold a match for the following year.
4. Presentation of trophies to be presented at the first shoot of the calendar year. This provides adequate time to collate the results.
5. It is the responsibility of each club to provide full details of each competitors category and results to the Glen Innes club to enable the best four scores to be collated.
6. Rifle specifications:
a. Custom rifle .22LR max weight 14lbs no restriction on trigger weight or scope power. Trigger manually operated with safe operation. Competitors responsibility. The stock shall not exceed 3" in width at the fore-end i.e. The part of the stock that contacts the front bag.
b. Hunting Class rifle .22LR max weight 8lb 12ozs no restriction on trigger weight or scope power- Trigger manually operated with safe operation. Competitors responsibility. The stock shall not exceed 1.75" in width at the fore-end i.e. The part of the stock that contacts the front bag. The stock must have a profile such that a 10c coin can lay flat on the stock and there must be a visible gap on both sides between coin and stock.
The following alterations are allowed:
Stock bedding or floating
Stock shortening
Butt spacers to lengthen stock.
No other additions or alterations are allowed.
7. General rules will be based on the World Benchrest Shooting Federation with Modifications to suit our requirements.
AMENDMENTS TO RULES FOR THE NORTHERN NSW RIMFIRE BENCHREST
1. Target and Scoring
The target will consist of 25 scoring bulls with 1 shot on each in a 30 min time limit with unlimited sighters, each target is out of a possible 250.25 and will have 3 relays throughout the day to a total of a possible 750.75 Once a detail has been called to the line and made ready, the Range Officer will ask for each shooter to identify their target which will be labelled with the corresponding bench number, detail number and relay letter (A, B or C). Then the Range Officer will ask ”Is any shooter not ready?” Once every shooter shows ready an insert bolt and load command is given. A “Commence fire” command will follow and each shooter will have 30 seconds to put one (1) shot in the top left hand sighter known as a target recognition shot. A “Cease fire” command will be given and each shooter will inspect their target to ensure that there is only one shot on the target. If there are two shots on the sighter the shooter must put their hand up and inform the Range Officer. The Range Officer will then determine who has shot on the wrong target and address it. If the target recognition shot happens to go into any of the scoring targets, as with most Benchrest rules, the shooter must notify the Range Officer and this shot will not count and the scorers will be notified by the Range Officer. If no shot is recorded on the sighter because the gun is not sighted in for the 50m distance, the Range Officer is able to give the offending shooter an additional one minute to bore sight the rifle and put one shot on the sighter target. If the shooter is unable to get the rifle on paper after the extended one minute period the shooter will be asked to step back from the line and if there is room are able to slot into another detail. As most clubs offer access for practice the day before a match there should be no reason that a rifle is not sighted in for match day.
In the event of a crossfire during the match a shooter must inform the Range Officer but, and we stress this point, with the minimum amount of disruption to all other shooters. A 5 point penalty will be given to the offending shooter if it can be determined and if the crossfire shot was on an already shot target the higher of the two shots will be given to the victim of the crossfire.
It is also suggested that clubs ensure that large numbers hang above or below each target for each corresponding bench number so that each shooter can better identify their target.
If a shooter puts two shots on the same target the lower of the two shots will be the recorded shot minus one.
If no shot is placed in a scoring target a zero will be given as the score.
If a shot is placed in the scoring square but not in the target circle the score will be four (4) which is one less than the outer scoring circle.
If a shot is cutting the square between the scoring targets, which ever square the majority of the bullet hole as judged by the scorer will be counted as that targets scoring shot. If a shot has blown in from the sighter target and cut the line of the scoring square that will be judged as the recorded shot.
The scoring of the target will be done immediately after targets are returned by the target crew with no-one to touch the targets except the scorers until they are put on the Wailing Wall/ It is up to the scorers discretion what value the scoring shot is, but any shot that is very close to the line must be inspected with an Eagle Eye or if not available a .22 cal plug is used to determine if the shot is touching the next scoring circle and a ‘P’ must be marked within the scoring square to indicate to the shooter that the shot has been inspected by the scorers.
A shooter may ask a match official to have a target rechecked if it does NOT have a ‘P’ indicated on that scoring square. If it has a ‘P’ marked on the scoring shot in question then that is final and it will not be rescored. A shooter may not approach a scorer directly. Each club will nominate a match official to handle any scoring complaints or mishaps. Each shooter upon entering a match must understand & accept that scoring is a difficult job that not many people put their hand up to do. They are doing their best to score as quickly and accurately as they can but they are human and mistakes may occur. This is not a personal attack on the shooter and they are not trying to rob points off of you.
2. Nominations.
A shooter must indicate on the nomination form which category they wish to enter. Categories are:
Custom
Open Hunter
Ladies
Juniors.
Whichever category is nominated is the class in which the shooter will be competing. The only exception to the rule is Juniors - if they score high enough points to win an Open Custom trophy they will be given the choice to either the Custom trophy or the Junior trophy. If they choose the Custom trophy the next junior in line will move into their forfeited junior position.
WORLD BENCHREST SHOOTING FEDERATION
OFFICIAL RIMFIRE RULE BOOK
B.1 DEFINITIONS
B.2 Championship:
The Championship shall be defined as the conduct of the total tournament.
B.3 Event:
The Event will be those events separately listed in Section D.
B.4. Aggregate:
An Aggregate will be the averaged score of each Days matches and/or all matches
B.5 Match:
A Match will be single event (one target) in a Championship.
B.6 Rifle Specifications
The Championship will be completed under one class of rifle, this to be any rifle chambered in 22LR with a maximum weight of 14lbs (6.35kg) without restriction on trigger weight or scope power. The trigger must be manually operated and it is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure its safe operation. The stock shall not exceed 3 inches in width at the for-end and be of conventional design.
*See local rules for Hunting Class
B.7 Ammunition
Ammunition must be of lead projectile type in .22LR and commercially produced and available from regular outlets.
B.8 Rests:
A front rest shall only support the front portion of the rifle. The rear rest shall only support the rear portion of the rifle. Neither rest may be attached to the bench, the rifle or each other i.e.: Both parts shall be moveable independently of each other.
B. 8.1 Front Rest:
The front rest must incorporate a pliable bag containing sand. The front portion of the rifle shall contact no portion of the rest (other than a stop at the front of the rest that can be used to locate the distance that the rifle is moved towards the target) other than the bag containing the sand. The bottom of the fore end of the stock must form a 100% contact with the top of the sand bag. The rest can incorporate vertical and horizontal adjustments.
B.8.2 Rear Rest: To be a bag or series of bags containing sand. The rear bag can incorporate a vertical spacer as long as it does not contain horizontal or vertical adjustments. The vertical spacer shall not contain any protrusions which can be inserted into the bench top or the sand bag. The rear bag/s shall not be contained in any way.
B.9 Sand Bag: The front and rear sand bag will be a bag without additions, containing sand only and at least ½ inch / 12.7mm thick over its entire surface. A bag must be able to be indented at least ¼ inch / 6.4mm with finger pressure at any point other than the base.
B.10 Restraint of Rifles: Rifles shall be fired from rests which may be supported on a pedestal, which shall not co-act with the sandbag to restrain recoil or form a guiding means; and a rear rest, comprising a sandbag supporting the rifle between the rear of the pistol grip and the toe of the butt stock. The rifle must be able to be lifted freely from the sandbag in a vertical direction with all attachments in place. Tape on the sandbag is legal.
B.11 Guiding means:
Any device, addition, contour or dimension on a rifle, designed to co-act with any equipment to guide its return to the firing position, without the necessity to re-aim the rifle optically for each shot shall be deemed illegal.
B.12 Firing Line:
The firing line shall preferably be coincident with the forward edge of the bench. If not, the line must be clearly marked on the bench.
B.13 Bench:
A bench shall be a rigidly constructed table approximately 32 inches / 812mm in height at which a shooter may sit. The shooter should be able to adjust personal height by the provision of a seat or stool which is adjustable. Benches should be constructed to allow firing by either right or left handed competitors.
B.14 Position on the bench:
The rifle shall be so placed that the muzzle extends forward of the bench and the entire receiver of the rifle is behind the firing line.
B.15 Unused Benches:
No competitor or Team Official shall occupy any bench in any match in which they personally are not competing.
SECTION C Conduct of Championships
C.11 Standard Range commands – First Match General Instructions:
Prior to each relay of the first match of the day, general instructions shall be announced by the Range Officer. They should be the same or similar to the following, acknowledging local requirements: “During the match, should an emergency arise which requires an immediate ceasefire, I shall command “Emergency – cease fire – unlock your bolts” This will permit all rifles to be in a safe condition without extracting the case from the chamber. This command will only be given in cases of such emergency that we cannot permit you to clear your rifle by firing. If a condition should arise which requires temporary suspension of firing, I shall command “Hold your fire – clear your rifle by firing or by removing your bolt” Do not place any ammunition in the action until the command ‘Commence Firing”
C.12 Standard Range Commands – Each Match: To ensure the championship is conducted without confusion, the following range commands are to be used.
1) This is Relay………Match………..
2) Are all shooters ready
3) You have ………..minutes to complete this match.
4) Place bolts in your rifle
5) Commence Fire
6) Half Time
7) You have two minutes to complete your firing.
8) You have one minute to complete your firing
9) You have 30 seconds to complete your firing.
10) five seconds
11) Cease Fire
12) Remove bolts from rifles.
Interpretations
a)No live ammunition may be placed in the rifle until the Commence Fire command is given.
b)Timing commences at the beginning of the word “commence”.
c)Timing ceases at the end of the blowing of the whistle.
d)Any shots fired before the command “Commence Fire” or after the Cease Fire, will result in the shooter beingdisqualified from, and not taking part in the rest of the days shooting.
C.13 Emergency Commands:
In the event of an emergency, the Range Officer will issue a “cease fire” command per C.11. Such command must be obeyed immediately and no further shots fired. Prior to recommencement of firing, the Range Officer will allow 2 minutes additional time and advise the shooters accordingly, however this allowance cannot exceed the original time for the match.
C.14 Protest Committee:
It is the responsibility of the Organising Committee to arrange a Protest Committee to hear any grievances raised by competitors in regard to any matters associated with the conduct of the championship.
C.15 Composition of Protest Committee:
The Protest Committee shall consist of the Championship Director, and two experienced Competitors (not from the host country) appointed from those entered. It is preferred that competitor appointees are changed daily for the period of the championship. Alternatively, the Organising Committee may appoint a Technical Committee of experienced individuals to act as the Protest Committee, who are not competitors and who have the ability to act independently of competing teams.
C.16 Lodging Protest:
All protests are to be lodged on the prescribed form (see Appendix Form A) together with a Protest Fee of USD25 or equivalent local currency.
In the event of a successful protest, the fee will be refunded in full; otherwise all fees will be retained by the Organising Committee.
All Protests must be submitted within 30 minutes of the alleged grievance, or posting of the results of the daily aggregate or final result so disputed.
C.17 Decisions of Protest Committee:
The decisions of the Protest Committee are final and binding and there is no provision for appeal of such decisions.
SECTION D Approved Events and Time Limits
D.1 Approved Events:
The approved events for conduct at the World Rimfire Benchrest Shooting Championship are as detailed:
D.2 Mandatory Events:
Day One 50 yards/m - 3 x 25 shot cards
D.3 Time Limits:
Score matches - the time limit will be 30 minutes. There shall be no exception to the requirement for all competitors to complete their string of fire within the time allowed.
Section E Technical Provisions:
E.1 Range Officers:
In the selection of technical and volunteer staff, special consideration must be given to the competence of Range Officers. It is preferable to seek well experienced individuals who have a known ability to conduct the matches in a manner compatible with the event. Particular emphasis should be placed on the ability to administer issues such as crossfire’s, target system failures etc
E.3 Bench Rotation:
Bench rotation shall be mandatory.
E.4 Relay:
Six (6) Relays should be the maximum programmed to allow for orderly competition.
E.6 Results Service:
There is a need to provide a timely and accurate results service to the competitors. It is preferable that a computerised score programme be used to process the results to ensure an adequate style of presentation and accuracy. However a hard copy of all results is to be maintained in the event of computer failure.
E.7 Results Posting:
Adequate notice boards are required to post results progressively during the competition. Such should be easily accessible both to competitors and the public. It should be clearly stated in the Championship instructions, where Official Results will be posted to ensure no confusion over protest requirements. Aggregate results so posted shall have included on the results the exact time of posting and the time of the expiry of protest rights (30 minutes)
E.8 Inspection Area:
It will be necessary to establish a facility for the implementation of inspection procedures to ensure firearms are in compliance with these rules.
E.8.1 Manpower Requirements:
Inspections should be carried out by staff that is fully familiar with the rules.
E.8.2 Documentation:
It is desirable that a standardised inspection form be used to provide consistency and be recognisable to range staff if further inquiry is required. See Appendix E for suggested form.
E.8.3 Certification Sticker/s:
An Inspection / approved sticker, which are suitable for attachment to the rifle, are to be available. These should be unique to each championship and retained under security.
E.8.4 Certification Equipment:
The following list is recommended. Certified Weighing Scales (preferably electronic) with a rated capacity of at least 15kgs.
Rule (Tape Measure.) Gauge to measure stock width. The stock must not be more than 3 inches wide regardless of where measured.
E.8.5 Inspection Mandatory: All competitors must present at the subscribed time, all rifles intended to be used in the Championship for inspection. Failure to do so will mean disqualification from that event. E.8.6 Inspection Failure: Rifles that fail inspection may be re-submitted for re-inspection following any adjustments, but prior to commencement of competition. E.8.7 Weight Allowance: At the time of weighing, an additional allowance of ½ ounce/15g will be granted. E.8.8 Random Inspection: At the discretion of the Championship Director, shooters may be required to resubmit their rifle/s for re-inspection at any time during the Championship. The Director is not required to give advance notice of such inspections.
E.9 Scoring error.
Where a competitor considers an obvious error has been made, a request can be made of the Target Marking Officials to view the target and have the matter resolved. Where there is doubt, the competitor can submit a formal protest in accordance with the Protest Procedures.
E.10 Target re-score Procedure:
The Official Scorer will re-score the disputed target in the presence of the second Official and the Team Leader of the Competitor concerned using the same equipment as originally used.
E.11 Removal of Bolts:
All rifle bolts must be kept out of all rifles, except on the command of the Range Officer. Rifle that are unable / do not have bolts to be removed, must have inserted into the chamber a device that visibly shows that the chamber is empty. This provision includes behind the firing line and in all other range areas including Competitor Facilities, Parking areas etc. Breach of this rule could lead to disqualification from the championship at the discretion of the Championship Director.
E.12 Cross fire procedures :
It is the responsibility of the shooter who cross- fires to immediately advise the Range Officer of such event, and then fire the balance of their shots on their own target. A shooter who cross-fires and only the required number of shots are counted on their own record target plus the cross-fired shot/s, and does not notify the range officer, will have been deemed to have inadvertently cross-fired and shall not be disqualified, but shall be penalised as per E.12.2.
E12.1 Cross-fire transfer: A notified cross-fire will be transferred to the correct target and included in the match score.
E12.2 Cross-fire Penalty: The target of the cross-fired shooter will be penalised 5 points. If the cross-fired shot cannot be identified (2 shots on target) the innocent party will be awarded the highest scoring shot.
E12.3 Innocent Party: The competitor, on whose target a cross fire has been placed, is obliged to advise the Range Officer of such a happening.
E12.4 Failure to Notify: Any shooter found to have cross-fired, and not notified the Range Officer, and whose target shows more than the required number of shots, including cross-fires, shall be deemed to have tried to conceal the fact and shall be disqualified from the event.
E12.5 No additional time: No additional time will be awarded to a shooter who cross-fires.
E.13 Wind flags:
Competitors may place wind flags on the range as desired, however all flags on the range must be no higher than level with the bench tops and the bottom of the target card, and retained within the competitors shooting lane. Flags may not be moved during a match but may be shifted during target changes etc.
Range Officer has the discretion to remove or drop any wind flag that is interfering with any shooter. For clarity moving flags is under the control of the Range Officer, whose permission must be sought, and may not interfere with the orderly conduct of the match.
Range Safety and Procedures
Safety of Competitors, Officials and Spectators is considered paramount. It is the responsibility of all participants to ensure that all safety standards are complied with, and breaches will not be tolerated.
I.1 Range Officer:
It is the responsibility of the Range Officer/s to supervise all matches and enforce all safety rules. Refusal to comply with an order of the Range Officer shall be grounds for barring a competitor from the range.
I.2 Standard set of commands:
Range Rules at each facility may vary. It is the responsibility of the Organising Committee of each Championship to ensure any individual requirements that may apply are advised to participants. However as a minimum, a standard set of commands are provided (see C11 and C12).