MATCH RULES AND FORMAT
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 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, Grünig-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 25 MINUTES TO SHOOT 42 SCORED ROUNDS as described below in #6.
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.
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.
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:
AFTER YOU HAVE SHOT AT THE STEEL TARGET, 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 and AFTER the shot at the steel target; 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 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 a different 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 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: This new target is based on the ARA/USRA IR50/50 style targets and the outer edge of the green rings are 2 inches). If you'd like to download a pdf of a practice target you can print, click HERE.
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.
- 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 only, 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 (similar to American Rimfire Assoc target rule 15.2) 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.
Total scored rounds needed per competitor is 42 but you may want to bring extra rounds in case you want to use sighters or foulers or for the extra shots available for the playing card. Maximum match score possible is 15 + 305 + 20 = 340 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.
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, 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.
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 -- 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:
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. We'll now be giving out CERAMIC ("poker chip" style) Challenge Award Coins for our 2nd (silver) and 3rd (bronze) place winners! CLICK HERE for a preview!
FOR 2023, 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 2023, 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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