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Precision Rimfire Rifle Match

(an adjunct to our PR200 Matches)

At the Blue & Gray Rifle & Pistol Club

CLICK HERE FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS
(or set your GPS coordinates to
N34.43427, W086.39418)
or

CLICK HERE FOR MAIN CLUB WEBSITE

 

 




  
SATURDAY June 19, 2021

MATCH RULES AND FORMAT

 

1. WHO CAN SHOOT:  The match is open to rifles of all modern rimfire calibers (typically 22 short, 22 long, 22 long rifle, 22 WMR, 17 HMR, 17 HM2 and 17 WSM). You may use open sights or scope, and you may also use a separate spotting scope if you wish. Muzzle devices are acceptable, including suppressors.

There will be up to five separate Classes available for scoring:

[1] .22 iron sights

"Open/Iron Sights" in Class 1 include any type 22 rifle with non-scope, non-magnified sights, including v-notch, peep sights, buckhorn, bloop tube, and others.

[2] .22 scoped SPORTER rifle

"Sporter Rifles" in Class 2 include factory sport rifles used for target, hunting and other recreational shooting. Modifications to a factory rifle, such as improved trigger, bedding of stock/action, etc, are ok. Note: Class 2 ("Sporter") is intended to be similar to NRL22's "Base Class" and ARA "Factory Class" but with extra leeway: The MSRP (or replacement value if no longer in production) of the rifle plus scope (alone, without counting the value of other accessories) must be $1500 or less.


[2A] .22 scoped SEMI-AUTO rifle

Scoped semi-auto 22's have a separate scoring class. However, if there are less than three semi-auto slots participating in a given match, they will be combined with Class 2 "Sporter" (independent from the $1500 MSRP limit).

[3] .22 scoped MATCH rifle ("Unlimited")

"Match Rifles" in Class 3 include premium-built rifles (manufacturers such as Anschutz, Grünig-Elmiger, Vudoo, Volquartsen, etc, or premium models from more conventional manufacturers such as Winchester or Remington) or combination of bolt rifle and scope with an MRSP or replacement value of >$1500 that takes it out of the Sporter Class and into this more "Match/Unlimited" class. Also, if your rifle is listed as a branded model exception on ARA's Factory Class list, it's almost certainly in this Match/Unlimited class (though the Match Director may make exceptions for JUNIOR age shooters).

[4] non-22 Rimfire (such as .17 HMR),

Contact the Match Director if you have any questions regarding the classification for your rifle. If not predetermined, classification will be made by the Match Director at registration or at scoring.

2. RIFLE RESTS. You may use front and/or rear rifle rests during the match. The front and rear rests cannot be attached/connected to each other in any way (no "Lead Sled" types).

ANY form of front rest may be used for this match, including soft, bipod or bench-type. You may use your front rest with supports or risers to get it to the height and stability that you need. Any form of separate rear rest is acceptable for this match.

Slings may be used in place of or in combination with any acceptable rests.

3. The COURSE OF FIRE is fixed and the total time to engage all stages will be limited. These matches are generally designed so that you can complete them with ONE 50-round box of your chosen rimfire ammo, including all scored shots and allowance for sighters and/or foulers. For this month's match, the total time allotted is 30 MINUTES TO SHOOT 41 SCORED ROUNDS as described below in #6 (20 minutes are for the main timing section, plus a separately timed 10 minutes for the 100-yard target).

4. MISCELLANEOUS

No “sighter shots” or “warm-up shots” are allowed *before* the match on match day. However, sighters *are* allowed *during* the match, with any limitations or restrictions on them specified in Rules/Format #6.

You may use magazine feed or single shot feed. Removable magazines must be kept out of the rifle until/unless otherwise stated by the match director. Integral magazines must be left empty until otherwise stated by the match director.


Participants may bring and set up wind indicators/flags if they wish. They must be set out and retrieved only when the match director has called the range COLD while targets are being put up or taken down between relays. Competitors may also use sticks, clips or other devices to secure their target frame against wind movement.

ALL RIFLES WILL HAVE CHAMBER OPEN WITH CHAMBER EMPTY INDICATOR IN THE RIFLE UNTIL THE MATCH DIRECTOR GIVES THE COMMAND TO DO OTHERWISE. LIKEWISE, BOLTS WILL REMAIN PULLED BACK, ALL MAGAZINES OUT OF THE RIFLE, ALL SEMI AUTO CHAMBERS OPEN AND ALL ROUNDS OF AMMO OUT OF ALL FIREARMS - ALL CHAMBERS EMPTY UNTIL THE MATCH DIRECTOR GIVES THE COMMAND TO DO OTHERWISE. (If you do not have an Empty Chamber Flag, they will be available at the range for purchase at $2 each.)

Unless otherwise specified, one penalty point (and any score achieved with the penalty round fired, always presumed to be the "best" shot on the target regardless of where the actual "extra" shot hits) will be deducted for each and every round fired in excess of the mandatory number of rounds to be fired at each stage or target, and/or 5 penalty points for any shot engaging another competitor's target (presumed to be the "worst" shot on the target towards that competitor's scoring if actual crossfire problem shot can not be determined... that competitor can only benefit from the stray shot). It is each shooter's responsibility to identify any crossfires on their target, point them out to adjacent shooters AND the match director at the end of the relay so that they can be marked accordingly on the target sheet for proper score adjustments.

An ACCIDENTAL OR EARLY/LATE DISCHARGE in an unsafe direction will result in disqualification for the day. SAFETY FIRST!! An accidental or early/late discharge in a safe downrange direction results in a 10-point penalty (or a 15-point penalty if you've done it at our matches previously).

5.  All competitors will shoot from a BENCH POSITION.

  

For some of our PRR matches, we shoot prone in front of the 50-yard benches, but for THIS match, we will be shooting from the benches themselves. It is suggested that you bring your own shooting stool or suitable chair for comfort, but upturned 5- and 6-gallon buckets and other seats will also be available to use on a first-come-first-served basis.

See Rule #2 above for allowable rifle rests.

  

6. COURSE OF FIRE AND SCORING:


The shooter will engage only the targets on the numbered target stand assigned. The course of fire will consist of all shooters engaging targets at nominal 50-yard distance for this match plus two targets at 100 yards and as stated below:

Any number of shots may optionally be used as non-scored “sighter” shots, using the small target paster dot in the upper left-hand corner of the target sheet. These must be accomplished AFTER timing starts; no additional time is set aside for "sighters". If a “sighter” inadvertently engages a scored target, it will be counted or penalized, as appropriate. "Fouler" shots intentionally put directly into the berm may be used after timing starts and are not counted as sighters.

The first 35 scored shots will consist of five shots at each of seven “color-splash” or “shot spotter” targets attached to one target backer/stand for each shooter, 40 shots total in this segment. The shooter may engage the eight primary bullseye targets on his/her numbered target stand assigned in any order but completing all five shots at a single bullseye target before moving to another. Presented will be one 6-inch target (click here for sample), followed by one 5-inch target (click here for sample), followed by one 4-inch target (click here for sample), followed by a different 4-inch target (click here for sample). followed by one 3-inch red and black bullseye targets (click here for sample), followed by two 3-inch black and green bullseye targets (click here for sample).

NOTE: All participants have the opportunity to add one or more extra sighting dots in the upper left hand corner of their target sheet if they wish (some shooters find it beneficial to use additional sighters during the match to adjust to wind changes). Class 1 (iron sight) participants have the opportunity to optionally use a larger upper left sighting dot and a larger high contrast center on the 6" yellow target. It is the shooter's responsibility to bring their own supplies to add dots or change these out if they wish while the range is cold as targets are being put up immediately before their relay.

Note: Determination of ring hit and resultant score will be at the sole discretion of the Match Director. Unless stated otherwise, if a bullet hole (not the color splash) breaks the dividing line between scoring rings, the higher score area is considered hit. Target scoring gauges will be used when scoring shots with questionable placement relative to a target ring. In any case, the Match Director will use consistent methodology when scoring all similar targets of all competitors. Center sighting dots are generally not treated as separate scoring rings but if hit on some matches may provide bonus points. This month's 5-inch target has a center red sighting dot inside its center scoring ring, and the blue 4-inch target has a white sighting dot inside its center scoring ring. The entire 1-inch black area of the red 3-inch target is its center scoring ring. The inside of the heavy black circle of the 6-inch target is the outer edge of its center 1" scoring ring. The entire 1-inch black area of the red 3-inch target is its center scoring ring.

Points will be scored as follows (number of rings may vary by target size and type):


- X (center) Ring of 6" target = 10 points, going down one point less each ring. Shots breaking the line of the inner-center thin circle get an extra 2 points each. (60 points max possible on this target)


- X (center) Ring of 5" target = 5 points, going down one point less each ring. Shots breaking the red center sighting dot get an extra 1 point each. (30 points max possible on this target)


- X (center) Ring of blue 4" target = 5 points, going down one point less each ring. Shots breaking the white center sighting dot get an extra 1 point each. (30 points max possible on this target)


- X (center) Ring of black 4" target = 5 points, going down one point less each ring. Shots breaking the smaller white-edged inner red center circle get an extra 1 point each. (30 points max possible on this target)


- X (center) Ring of red/black 3" target = 5 points, going down one point less each ring. Shots breaking the red center sighting square get an extra 1 point each. (30 points max possible on this target)


The two other bullseye targets in this segment have a 25 point maximum on each one, with scoring of the center ring 5 points each hit, going down one point per ring as they extend outwards.


       

typical target backing sheet
for this match

 

Our TOP SHOT Twist this month is worth a maximum of 60 points. The TOP SHOT stage's targets are at the 100 yard line and will be TIMED SEPARATELY, and you will have 10 minutes to complete them.

After you have finished shooting at your bullseye targets, REMOVE ammo from your gun and put in an EMPTY CHAMBER FLAG. You may realign your sighting but WAIT IN PLACE until the match director gives the signal to begin the TOP SHOT stage.

Who doesn't like blowing stuff up? After you finish your 50-yard bullseye targets, for this month's TOP SHOT Challenge, at your 100-yard target stand you will see a separate mount with an orange disc on the container -- loaded with White Lightning Rimfire TANNERITE explosive compound. The Tannerite target diameter is aproximately 2 MOA at 100 yards.

You will also see a sheet of target paper with your slot number on it, along with a 2 inch sighter dot, and a (5.5" black/orange Caldwell colorsplash target to be shot BEFORE the Tannerite. ONCE IT IS ANNOUNCED THAT TIMING HAS STARTED FOR THIS TOP SHOT STAGE, you will shoot across the course from your current position only at YOUR numbered 100 yd target. You may use as many sighters as you wish before shooting 5 shots at the 5.5" black/orange target, and then finally engaging the Tannerite. The 5.5" black/orange bullseye target is scored as follows for a maximum of 30 points: 5 points for the 2" center (x-ring) black circle, with points going down one point lower as each circles extend outwards, and any hits to the orange outer border are worth 1 point. X-ring hits also breaking the center orange sighting dot add 1 point bonus each.

AFTER your five shots at the bullseye target, a detonation hit of the Tannerite target will be your last shot of the relay, and you may use as many shots as you need. If you explode your Tannerite before time runs out, it is worth 30 points. If you do not detonate it before the ten minutes are up, it is worth zero, even if you hit the container but it did not detonate (click here for an example of an edge hit that did NOT cause detonation).

If you are not familiar with TANNERITE, it is a legal binary explosive mix that can be set off by a rifle bullet as a reactive target. The White Lightning version is more sensitive than regular Tannerite, and although it can be set off by a good hit from a subsonic rimfire bullet at 100 yards, it is more reliably detonated by a supersonic/high velocity bullet (strongly recommended*) at that distance. We are only shooting at about one ounce of compound so that the club's target stands are unlikely to be damaged (yes, the Match Director has already tested it) but enough to produce a loud BOOM along with a bright flash and white smoke. If you displace, shift or knock off the Tannerite target so that you can no longer shoot at it, STOP -- you're out of luck.

*If you want to use high velocity 22LR ammo for the explosive target but don't have any, a limited number of 20-round packets of Federal 22LR 36gr high velocity hollow point will be available for $3 each.

NOTE: If you haven't sighted in at 100 yards, expect a .22LR bullet to have an approximately 5- to 8-inch drop compared to your hits with a 50-yard zero. This depends on your ammo... for example, CCI High Velocity 22LR drops about 5.5", while CCI Standard Velocity (subsonic) drops about 7.5".

Total scored rounds needed per competitor is 41  but you may want to bring extra rounds in case you want to use sighters or foulers or need extras for the Tannerite. Maximum match score possible = 290 points. In the case of a tie in overall match score, the top-score shooter with the smallest 5-shot group from their regular bullseye targets will be considered the winner.

7. UP TO EIGHT shooters will simultaneously shoot the entire match course of fire from the position line. UPON COMPETITOR COMPLETION OF SHOOTING THE COURSE OF FIRE, after the match director calls the range “COLD/SAFE” and gives the command, ALL COMPETITORS IN THAT GROUP ARE REQUIRED TO GO TO THE BERM, COLLECT THEIR OWN TARGETS AND SET UP TARGETS FOR THE NEXT GROUP OF COMPETITORS. 

Each shooter is required to write his or her name (and scoring class or slot/group number or rifle type, if shooting multiple slots) on BOTH of their target sheets. You must also write the results of your Tannerite target (either "boom" for a detonation, or "no boom" if not) -- don't expect the Match Director to remember what you did... if you don't put a "boom" notation about the Tannerite target, it will be scored as zero.

8. HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE MATCH:

Competitors will register for the match by email to the match director Mike Charness, [email protected] (be SURE to reply to the anti-spam message you'll get if this is your first time) after match announcement, and no later than 4pm on the Thursday prior to the match. Earliest registrations get priority as far as scheduled shoot times (usually first groups of the day unless you request otherwise). Limited walk-on registration may be accomodated on a space available basis, either as fill-in for no-shows or late cancellations, or if there is room in the last scheduled group of the day. If you have questions, Mike can also be reached by phone at 256.509.8115.


Each competitor can shoot as many as THREE slots. If you shoot the same rifle more than once, only your FIRST slot will be considered for prize eligibility (see Rules section #15 about prizes). To maintain full eligibility for prizes for multiple slots, each slot must be with a different rifle. In any case, no more than two rifles/slots may be within the same scoring class.


Because we have a LIMITED number of explosive targets,
this match is limited to 24 slots. Priority will be given
to earlier registrations that have requested multiple slots.


When you pre-register, inform the match director of the rifle(s) you plan to shoot and in which class(es) you believe it/they belong. If your plans change before match day, that's ok... just inform the match director as soon as possible to aid in match planning.


All competitors will each pay to the match director a match fee of $10.00 for their first shooting slot no later than at the time the shooter signs in prior to shooting the match, to cover the cost of targets and supplies. If you wish to shoot an additional slot (either the same rifle or a different one), add $5 each for a second or third shooting slot to cover the cost of targets. Payment is due no later than at the time the shooter signs in prior to shooting the match.

Prepayment is optional... but it is preferred so we don't have to deal with it on match day. If you do wait and pay on match day, please try to bring the exact amount due as the Match Director can't guarantee the ability to make change depending on how others have paid. Pre-payment can be made via mail or PayPal, and should be received no later than the Thursday before match day. If you prepay but then have to cancel before the Thursday before match day when the schedule goes out and target sheets are made up, you're entitled to a refund or credit towards a future match. Even if you do not prepay but cancel after the schedule goes out or just "don't show", there will be a $5 materials fee per slot for the target sheet(s) that were made up for you -- even if the match was otherwise free -- unless we have a late sign-up that uses your slot(s). Pre-payment is NOT optional if you've been a no-show more than once.

NOTE: If you have an equipment failure during the match and are unable to finish the target set, let the Match Director know immediately following "RANGE IS CLEAR" command and if you paid a match fee of more than $5 for the set, the overage will be refunded to you on the spot and you can take your incomplete target sheet home. The $5 "retained" is merely to cover the supplies used for your target sheet.

Any accumulated surplus will be periodically turned over to the Blue & Gray Rifle & Pistol Club.

9. SCHEDULING:

The match director will schedule in advance the time of day that each shooter will commence the course of fire and shoot the match, and distribute the schedule to all participants the Thursday night prior to match day via group email.   These will be at fixed 45 MINUTE INTERVALS STARTING AT 10:15am (immediately following our PR200 match that day).

 

Competitor "shoot times" will be scheduled on a first come first served basis by the Match Director (preference is given to those whose registrations were received first -- which generally means an earlier shoot time on match day unless you state otherwise).

In order to ensure match safety and due to range limitations we can expect to run no more than one group of shooters every 45 minutes through the match. Therefore, there will be a limit to the number of competitors that can shoot the match.

In the case of high probability of rain, notice will be sent by email the night before the match and the match will be postponed or rescheduled. For those that pre-paid and can not attend the rescheduled date/time, they have a choice of a full refund or to have it held as a credit until their next PRR match.

10. SAFETY ON THE SHOOTING LINE: SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION AT ALL TIMES DURING THE MATCH.

IN ORDER TO PROMOTE SAFE SHOOTING AND AVOID CONGESTION AT THE SHOOTING LINE OF FIRE.   SPECTATORS AND/OR SHOOTERS WHO ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY AFTER THEIR DESIGNATED “SHOOT TIME” WILL BE REQUIRED TO STAND BEHIND SHOOTER AREAS AND/OR CONCRETE PADS. Exceptions may be made for "coaches" of novice or junior shooters only with the specific approval of the Match Director.

11. COMPETITOR ARRIVAL & ARRIVAL TIME:

All shooters are required to arrive no less than 20 minutes prior to their appointed "match shoot time". Upon arrival, each shooter must immediately sign in, filling out full name, whether or not he or she is a member of BGRPC, rifle(s) to be shot, contact info, etc.

All shooters must be ready to bring to their assigned/designated shooting area all equipment, including their rifle, no less than 10 minutes before their assigned "shoot time". If everyone in the current shooting group is ready, we may start shooting a few minutes earlier than the published time.

12. Failure of any shooter to be ready to commence fire in accordance with the range officer or match director's direction at the designated "shoot time" will result in disqualification of the shooter and forfeiture of the competitor's opportunity to participate in the match that day unless a later slot becomes available.

13. At each “shoot time”, all competitors in the group will shoot the match simultaneously.

14. Match results will be tabulated and announced within 2 days after the day of the match (though normally the afternoon of match day) by email, and be made available for the website and/or newsletter.

15. PRIZES/AWARDS: If we have at least 15 slots filled, this will be a "prize" match. Eligible winners of this month's match will receive a Champion Folding Target Stand (see more at Optics Planet or Midway USA). If you won a target stand in a previous PRR match, you may choose to take another one for this month's prize, or alternatively receive an MTM CLEANING ROD CASE, an MTM WIND READER FLAG, a TOP SHOT logo cap, or have your next two PRR match slots be FREE. If we have 15 to 20 shooting slots filled, a prize will be awarded to within the largest Class. If we have 21 or more shooting slots competing, a prize will be awarded in the largest *2* Classes. No shooter is eligible to receive more than one prize per match, even if they choose to compete with multiple rifles, and the prize will pass to the next highest eligible shooter in that second Class (a "spread the joy" approach). For a shooting Class to be considered for a prize, it must have at least five participants (not just five slots) for score. If two Classes have the same number of slots taken, preference is given to the one with the higher number of participants, and if that is the same, then the one with the higher scoring shooter. Prizes will be available for pickup (southeast Huntsville) or can be brought to the next match.



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