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Precision Rimfire Rifle Match

At the Blue & Gray Rifle & Pistol Club

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

 

 




  
SATURDAY June 15, 2024

MATCH RULES AND FORMAT
(preliminary - subject to changes)

 

1. WHO CAN SHOOT:  The match is open to scoped 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 also use a separate spotting scope if you wish. Muzzle devices are acceptable, including suppressors.

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

[1] .22 scoped SPORTER rifle

"Sporter Rifles" in Class 1 include magazine or tube-fed 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 1 ("Sporter") is intended to be roughly similar to NRL22's "Base Class" and ARA "Factory Class" but with the extra leeway of the PRS Rimfire "Production Division": 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 $1600 or less. Note that it means the MSRP (including of the scope), and not the discounted price you may have paid.


[2] .22 scoped SEMI-AUTO rifle

Scoped semi-auto 22's have a separate scoring class (Class 2). There are no additional restrictions or limitations.

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

"Match Rifles" in Class 3 include premium-built rifles (manufacturers such as Anschutz, Gr�nig-Elmiger, Vudoo, Bleiker, DiOrio Turbo, etc, or premium models from more conventional manufacturers such as Winchester or Remington and others designed as single-shot competition/training rifles) or combination of bolt rifle and scope with an MRSP or replacement value of >$1600 that takes it out of the Sporter Class and into this more "Match/Unlimited" class. If your rifle is not on ARA's Factory Class list, especially if it's a single-shot, OR if your rifle is listed as a branded model exception on that 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, nor Caldwell Precision Turret Rest if you use the rear support).

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 20 MINUTES TO SHOOT 42 SCORED ROUNDS as described below in #6.


Note that the time is slightly shorter than usual, but you DO get unlimited shots in the Top Shot segment!

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, ask and we will provide you one.)

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.

  

Occasionally in our PRR matches, we have shot 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 one Top Shot element at 25 yards (sometimes our matches may have elements 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" or "barrel warming" shots intentionally put directly into the berm may be used after timing starts and are not counted as sighters.

The FIRST scored shot will be at an AR500 steel 3" disk knockover target. This target is actually designed for centerfire pistol or rifle, and weighs over 1 pound! However, a well-placed good hit from a rimfire .22 or .17HMR will still knock it over, though if the hit is such that it hits just the edge and only "pushes" the target instead of knocking it over, it may take more than one hit to push it off of its wood stand. A hit to the steel that knocks it over or off is worth 10 points. You can take as many shots as you need. If you shoot too low and hit the wood stand (don't do it!), you get no points for the steel and incur a -10 point penalty. If you have a single hit on the steel, and it is also in the bright yellow-green small (aprox 3/4") center dot, you get 5 bonus points.

EXTRA POINTS OPPORTUNITY: A 10 point bonus is awarded if you do not use ANY sighter shots until AFTER you have knocked over the steel target (though foulers into the berm first are ok).


NOTE: If you or your group are shooting the same rifle more than once, this bonus is only available on your first relay with it unless you change to a different brand of ammo for the next relay.

TIP from Match Director Mike Charness for our newer shooters: A phenomenon called "Cold Bore Shift" is common in rifles, including most rimfire rifles. It means that a rifle shoots differently when cold. "Cold" might mean the first few shots after you've cleaned the chamber or full barrel, or simply when the barrel hasn't been warmed up by the friction and burning powder of shooting through it that day. Each rifle is different -- some might even have NO noticeable cold bore shift -- so it's important for you to know what the cold bore shift is like in YOUR rifle. With our usual targets where we have a sighter dot as the first element, you've been able to see whether or not your very first shot goes where you aim it, or whether it's off a bit and subsequent shots "walk in" to the point of aim. I write notes in my shooting log about that... I know that both my Vudoos are generally "happy" and ready for the scored bullseyes after just 2 or 3 "fouling" or "warm-up" shots, and I also know where that first shot is likely to go compared to point of aim. My two CZs take more -- one takes five warm-up shots, the other does best after 8-10 shots, even though I do the same cleaning process on my CZs that I do on my Vudoos. I have similar notes for my Anschutz, my 10/22, and other competition rifles. If you know this kind of number for YOUR rifle(s), you'll know how many "foulers into the berm" you might want to do before shooting at any pre-sighter targets.

The next 40 scored shots will consist of five shots at each of eight �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 followed by a 4-inch target (click here for sample). followed by two 3-inch black and green (or black and yellow) bullseye targets (click here for sample), followed by one 3-inch green and black ringed bullseye target (click here for sample), followed by one 2.25-inch yellow and red bullseye target (click here for sample), followed by a 5-inch square white sticker with 5 small multi-colored bullseyes (click here for sample), where you will put ONE SHOT into EACH of the five bullseyes.

NOTE: All participants have the opportunity to add extra lane numbers (to help them not crossfire) and/or one or more extra sighting dots to their target sheet if they wish (some shooters find it beneficial to use additional sighters during the match to adjust to wind changes). 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, we use the "best edge" approach: 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. The center black sighting dot on this month's black 5-inch target does NOT count as separate scoring ring, nor does the white center sighting dot of the blue 4-inch target. The inside of the heavy black circle of the 6-inch target is the outer edge of its center 1" scoring ring (the heavy black circle is part of ring 9). The entire 1-inch red area of the black 4-inch target and the yellow center of the yellow/red 2.25-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 yellow 6" target = 10 points, going down one point less each ring as they extend outwards. 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 black 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 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 3-inch black 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.


- For THIS green & black ringed bullseye target only, you have to resist your natural inclination to put all shots as close to the center as possible, and INSTEAD PUT ONE SHOT in EACH of the five rings including just one shot in the center bullseye circle. For THIS target, the scored ring will be where the CENTER of the bullet hole lies. Each ring with its one shot properly placed is worth 10 points. A ring that has more than one shot placed in it is worth zero, but if you completely miss this 3" target and a shot lands in the backing paper (especially if you are shooting at the outer ring), you may shoot again (with no penalty) until you have five shots in this 3" target, but do NOT put MORE than five shots into the target or the usual extra shot penalties will apply. (50 points max possible on this target).


- X (center) Ring of yellow-red 2.25" target = 10 points, going down one point less each ring as marked. (50 points max possible on this target). For THIS target, again the scored ring will be where the CENTER of your bullet hole lies.


- Rings of 5 small color bullseyes are as marked, starting at 10 points and going down one point less each ring as marked, scored by the bullet hit's "best edge". A shot obliterating the center "x" dot adds 1 bonus point (11 points max possible on each bullseye, 55 points max possible this target). REMEMBER -- only ONE SHOT per each bullseye on this target set, five shots total. However, especially for our more NOVICE shooters, if you don't think you can hit the center smaller bullseye without ending up with the shot putting a second strike in one of the outer bullseyes, it is OK to skip the center bull rather than an extra shot penalty being applied for the stray hit.


       

typical target backing sheet
for this match

 

You might remember our previous Top Shot Challenge in November that involved a "trick shot", splitting a playing card ON EDGE with a bullet at 25 yards... and several of our shooters successfully did it!

For our Top Shot Challenge this month, we're going back to 25 yards for another classic trick shot... BREAKING A STRING WITH A BULLET!

There will be a paper card behind the taut colored string so you can see where your shots are landing. You can use as many rounds as you need to for this (within the time alotted).


A fully broken string is worth 20 points. A string in which at least three of the 8 braided strands are broken is worth 10 points. A string that is only nicked (fewer strands broken) is worth 5 points. If you shoot way low or right or left and hit the wood fixture holding the string (please don't!), STOP -- you get a 10 point penalty and no points for the string.


NOTE: If you have your zero sighted in at 50 yards, expect a "typical" .22LR standard velocity/match bullet to also be very close to zero at 25 yards, presuming your scope is centered 1.5" above the bore. You can see that the bullet path passes upwards through zero just before 22 yards on its way up to the apex (which is still only about a third of an inch high at 35 yards), and then dropping back across zero at 50 yards.




Of course it's even better to get out to the range before match weekend
arrives and try your rifle, scope and ammo at 25 yards sometime to be sure.




Total scored rounds needed per competitor is 42 but you may want to bring extra rounds in case you need them for the Top Shot string target or you want to use sighters or foulers. Maximum match score possible is 25 + 325 + 20 = 370 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 TWELVE 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, if shooting multiple slots) on their target sheet. You must also write the results of your steel target ("knocked over steel", "hit dot" or "hit yellow", "before sighters", "after sighters", "hit the wood block", "no hits", etc) and your Top Shot string target ("nicked string", "broke string", "hit wood", etc) -- be clear and thorough and don't expect the Match Director to remember what you did. Match officials (Mike and Doug) will be available to help you figure out what to write if you're not sure... help us make sure that you get the points that you're supposed to get. If you don't put a notation about the steel target or string, they will each be scored as -10. On the steel, if you just put "hit steel", it will be presumed that you didn't hit the center bright yellow dot; and if you don't mark "before sighters", it will be scored as if after sighters.

It is suggested that you take a snapshot of your target sheet before you turn it in... it can help when there might be a question or mistake in scoring.

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), as soon as one month prior to match date, 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 or would prefer to register via text msg, Mike can also be reached by phone at 256.509.8115.


Each competitor can shoot as many as THREE slots, with no more than two of those slots in a single scoring classification. You can REQUEST a FOURTH slot, and we will accomodate it if possible. Late sign-ups may be limited to fewer 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.


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. ALSO, when you pre-register, let the match director know IF YOU ARE A LEFT-HANDED shooter so that you are not put at a shooting position that might have interference.


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. "Youth" shooters (16 and under) are $5 per slot.

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 9:30am.

 

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 or are signed up for multiple slots -- which generally means an earlier shoot time on match day unless you request 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. THERE IS TO BE NO HANDLING OF FIREARMS WHEN ANYONE IS DOWNRANGE.

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: For a shooting Class to be considered for a prize, it must have at least five participants (not just five slots) for score. For each eligible class, the winner will receive a PRECISION/TOP SHOT LIMITED EDITION CHALLENGE AWARD COIN (this is a NEW VERSION for 2024!), and "CONTENDER" poker-chip style challenge coins will be given to the 2nd and 3rd place shooters (also a new version for 2024).

Further, if we have at least 30 slots filled, this will be a "prize" match where eligible winners of this month's match will *also* receive their choice of an MTM WIND READER FLAG, a 4oz bottle of Bore Tech C4 carbon cleaner, a bottle of RemOil, a Top Shot ceramic mug, a PATCHWORM .22 cleaning kit, a 19-in-1 Shooters' Tool by EAGLE, a Bubble Level for a 30mm scope tube, a coated Rimfire Chamber Cleaning Rod with mop and brush, Electronic shooter's earmuffs, or have the first slot at your next PRR match be FREE ($10 credit). If we have 30 to 40 shooting slots filled, a prize will be awarded to within the largest Class. If we have 41 to 50 shooting slots competing, a prize will be awarded in the largest *TWO* Classes. If we have 51 or more shooting slots competing, a prize will be awarded in *ALL* eligible classes. Winners can receive multiple Award Coins, but no shooter is eligible to receive more than one additional prize per match, even if they choose to compete with multiple rifles, and the choice of prize item(s) will pass to the next highest eligible shooter in that second Class (a "spread the joy" approach). As stated previously, only your FIRST slot with a particular rifle will be considered for prize eligibility, and 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. NOTE: A special Top Shot logo prize is awarded to anyone who gets top score in Sporter, Semi-Auto, and Match/Unlimited classifications in a single match (must use three different rifles). Prizes will be available for pickup (southeast Huntsville) or can be brought to the next match.

FOR 2024, THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO EARN OUR PRECISION CHALLENGE AWARD COIN! If you have participated in at least 9 of our 12 monthly matches during 2024, and have otherwise not earned a COIN, you will receive one of these coins in recognition of your dedication to the sport!



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