Annual
Championships
Malabar
RULES
OF SHOOTING
2004
Service Rifle Rules and Regulations
Introduction
16.1.1.
These rules specify the procedures to be followed in National,
State and Open events and may be modified at district and club level at
the discretion of the organising body with regard to modification of
rifles [as outlined in Rule 16.2.2 below], dress and equipment, conduct of
shooting, marking and scoring and the method of exposing targets.
Rifles
Only
the following rifles may be used for Service Rifle shooting and may be
used only on rifle ranges with approved classification for such rifles. Providing
at all times safety is met, modifications are permitted.
| Pattern |
Manufacturer |
Calibre |
16.2.2
Rifles
approved for use in National and State Championships and similar matches
are to be externally complete as issued. Stocks must be original
service pattern. After market or synthetic thumb hole stocks are not
permitted. Rifles are to have standard military sights [only the 1.5
optic sight for the F88 Steyr, AUG SA is to be used] and standard sling
fixing points. Rifles used in club practices and competitions may, at
the discretion of the organising body, have modified barrels in approved
calibre, modified stocking and/or proprietary target rear sights and
wood work as well as magazine adaptations to bring five round magazine to
ten round capacity.
16.2.3
Sights:
Any wind arm fitted to a rifle must be set at rifle ‘0’. No lateral
adjustment to the backsight or vertical adjustment of the foresight of any
rifle may be made once the match has begun. The match commences once the
first sighting shot has been fired. Sights may be blackened but no
appliances may be affixed to shade or alter the standard sight. Backsight
lenses or filters are not permitted. No minimum or maximum dimensions
shall apply to front or back sight apertures.
16.2.4
Slings: A
sling if fitted to a rifle or carbine must be of service pattern and may
be used as an aid to steadiness. It may be used as a single point
sling attached to the front sling swivel or as a two-point sling attached
to both sling swivels. The sling may be placed around one arm and/or
wrist but not around any other part of the firer’s body. The sling
must not be attached to the rifle in such a manner that the firer is
restricted from carrying out weapon handling drills safely.
16.2.5 Trigger
Weights: Trigger
weights are to be a minimum of 2.05kg with the exception of the F88 Steyr,
AUG SA which is to have a minimum weight of 3.64kg and the Springfield and
all Mauser rifles and carbines which may have a minimum weight of 1.6kg.
16.2.6
Safety
Catches: All
rifles are to have a functioning safety catch.
16.3
Dress
and Equipment
16.3.1
Clothing
16.3.1.1
All
clothing must be made of soft, flexible and pliable material which does
not materially change its physical characteristics under commonly
encountered shooting conditions. These same general specifications
apply to any lining, seams and normal tailoring reinforcements.
16.3.1.2
Specially constructed shooting coats, jackets, trousers, [as used
in TR and smallbore] etc are not permitted.
16.3.1.3
The clothing worn should be of a type normally described as street
clothing or field clothing. However, the clothing may be of a suitable
robust construction for the purpose intended.
16.3.1.4
Elbow and shoulder pads may be sewn onto or strapped to the outer
garments but must not exceed 10mm in thickness and must not be more
extensive than is necessary to protect the elbow or shoulder area. No
other padding will be permitted.
16.3.1.5
Any straps, buttons, cuffs, hooks, laces, pockets, bindings or any
other devices [whether a normal part of the construction of the garment or
not] that may be construed as providing artificial support for the rifle,
sling or competitor’s limbs or torso, are not permitted in either the
outer or under garments.
16.3.1.6
Full cover footwear must be worn at all times. Bare feet,
thongs, sandals etc are not permitted on the firing line or in the butts
area.
16.3.1.7
Head dress is optional. Specialist target rifle shooting hats
are not permitted. Should a firer accidentally lose his hat during a
match it is not to be retrieved until the practice is complete.
16.3.1.8
Wet weather clothing may be used.
16.3.2
Hearing
Protection
16.3.2.1
Hearing
protection must be worn by all competitors and range staff while on or in
the vicinity of the firing point.
16.3.3
Gloves
16.3.3.1
Gloves and shooting mitts are not permitted.
16.3.4
Ground
Sheets
16.3.4.1
A
ground sheet may be used in all courses of fire for the protection of the
competitor’s clothing and/or equipment provided that it is not
constructed nor utilised in such a way as to provide artificial support
for the competitor or his rifle. Ground sheets and mats of more than 5mm
thickness and specialist shooting mats are not permitted.
Shooting
Glasses
16.3.5.1
Shooting
glasses may be worn provided they have conventional frames with no
additions or side blinkers attached to the frames. Sunglasses and
prescription spectacles are permitted. Spectacles with adjustable
irises and specialist shooting monoculars are not permitted.
16.3.6
Optical
Aids
16.3.6.1
Binoculars
and telescopes are allowed together with stands or rest provided they do
not inconvenience other competitors or provide any support or shelter for
the rifle or competitor. They may be used for deliberate practices
and to view sighting shots for other practices.
16.4
Ammunition
16.4.1
Competitors
are to provide their own ammunition.
16.4.2
Handloaded
ammunition is permitted using any full metal jacket projectile.
Projectiles identified by the manufacturer in their packaging as being
match grade may also be used. Soft print, cast lead and hollow point
hunting projectiles are not permitted. Handloaded ammunition may be
assembled with any suitable commercially available powder.
16.4.3
Ammunition
may be scrutinised at the organiser’s discretion.
16.4.4
It
is the responsibility of each competitor to ensure the ammunition being
used is the correct ammunition for the rifle being used.
16.5
Rifle
Functioning, Safety and readiness Orders
16.5.1
Misfires,
James and Breakages
16.5.1.1
Competitors
are required to use the same rifle for all matches. Where a rifle
becomes unserviceable because of mechanical failure or for safety reasons,
a competitor may with the permission of the CRO, use another rifle. No
allowance will be made for misfires or jams, due to a defect or breakage
in either the rifle, magazine or if caused by the action of the firer.
16.5.1.2
For a misfired round during deliberate matches, a competitor may
replace the defective round and continue provided it is safe to do so.
During rapid or snap matches a misfired round will not entitle the shooter
to a re-shoot.
16.5.2
Trigger
Testing
16.5.2.1
Triggers
when tested are to be tested prior to the commencement of the match.
If a rifle fails the test, the firer will forfeit the right to fire the
match or practice. In the event of an appeal against the decision the
Range Officer is to retain the rifle in his possession until the appeal
has been dealt with.
16.5.2.2
Dry
firing or sighting with an unloaded rifle may only be conducted on the
firing point, provided no one is in front of the firing point.
16.5.2.3
Mechanical
adjustments to a rifle are only to be conducted in the ‘safe area’
which will be designed by the organisers.
16.5.3
Readiness Orders
16.5.4
Actions Forward
Prior to the command ‘Load’ being given the
command ‘Actions Forward’ is to be given. Working parts of semi
automatic rifles are to be released forward the trigger is to be fired
[hammer forward].
Load
On the command ‘Load’ the rifle or carbine
is to be loaded with the required number of rounds required under the
match conditions, either by using single rounds or a clip or chargers or
else by inserting a suitably filled magazine into the rifle or carbine.
Prior to a rundown match, for bolt action
rifle, the rounds are to be depressed and the bolt / action closed
ensuring that a round is not fed into the chamber. If the design of
the rifle permits, the safety catch is to be applied. The muzzle is
to be directed towards the butts area and the trigger finger is to be kept
outside the trigger guard.
Action
On the command ‘Action” rifles are to be
cocked or the action closed so that a round is fed into the chamber. The
sight may now be set. The direction of the muzzle and the placement
of the trigger finger outside the trigger guard is to be maintained. In
the case of a competitor using a rifle or carbine where the safety cannot
be applied when the action is open, the safety is to be applied
immediately after this particular readiness order is obeyed by the
competitor.
Instant
On the command “Instant” the safety catch
is to be released, the butt placed in contact with the shoulder and the
direction of the muzzle and the placement of the trigger finger outside
the trigger guard maintained.
Watch & Shoot
On the command “Watch & Shoot” or “In
Your own time go on” the trigger finger may be placed inside the trigger
guard and, upon the appearance of the target or targets, firing may
commence in accordance with the match conditions.
Unload
On the command “Unload” the action of the
rifle or carbine is to be opened, the chamber and magazine inspected by
the firer to ensure both are empty and, in the case of a self loading
firearm with a detachable box magazine, the magazine is to be removed from
the rifle or carbine.
Inspect Weapons
After the firers have acted in accordance with
the order ‘unload’ the command “Inspect Weapons” is given
and the Safety Officers located at each end of the detail are to move
inwards, stopping at each competitor in turn inspecting rifles/carbines
and magazines.
Clear and Clear to Remove
Once inspected each Safety Officer is to
audibly declare the firearm and magazine to be Clear before proceeding to
the next competitor. As the two Safety Officers meet and their duties
overlap, the audible order to change to “Clear to Remove”. Each rifle
or carbine and magazine will have been inspected twice. Then and only then
will any firer in the detail leave the firing point.
16.5.3.1
Under
no circumstances will any firer be permitted to leave the firing point
with any rounds remaining in a magazine.
16.5.3.2
No competitor is to leave the firing point without first having his
firearm and magazine inspected by a Safety Officer. Unfired rounds
remaining in magazines must be removed and the magazines cleared before
leaving the firing point
16.5.3.3
On completion of firing, bolts are to be removed from bolt action
rifles. For semi automatic rifles a safety ‘Flag’ is to be
inserted into the chamber, the action ‘held back’ by the flag and the
magazine is to be removed if the magazine is able to be removed.
16.6
Firing
Positions
16.6.1
The
firing positions are defined as follows:
Lying [Prone] Unsupported – LU/PU
In this position the butt plate of the rifle
must be placed against the shoulder or armpit and all parts of the rifle
and the arms below the elbow, including clothing, must be visibly clear of
the ground and all other object. If the sling is not used as an
assistance in steadying the rifle, it may drape on the ground. The
back of the forward wrist must be at least 10cm clear of the ground.
If using the Steyr, the forward hand may be in contact with any part of
the rifle forward of the rear sight mount. If holding the fore-grip
the grip and hand must be clear of the ground.
Standing Unsupported – SU
In this position the body must be erect on both
feet. No other part of the body is to touch the ground or any other
object. The rifle may be supported by the forward hand under the
magazine. The elbow of the forward arm may be rested on the hip.
Sitting Position – Sit
In this position the weight of the body is
supported on the buttocks. No part of the body above the buttocks is
to touch the ground or any other object. Legs may be parted or
crossed and may be in front of the edge of the firing point. The
buttocks are not to be positioned forward of the lane making peg. The
rifle may be held in any convenient way provided the butt is in the
shoulder. Elbows/arms may rest on the knees/legs.
Kneeling Unsupported – KU
In the kneeling position no part of the body is
to touch the ground or any other object except one foot and the other leg
from the knee downwards. The forward elbow/arm may rest on the knee. The
rifle may be held in any convenient way provided the butt is in the
shoulder.
Squatting Position – SQ
In this position the weight of the body is
supported on both feet. No other part of the body is to touch the
ground or any other object. The rifle may be held in any convenient
way provided the butt is in the shoulder. Elbows/arms may rest on the
knees/legs.
Standing Alert Position – SAP
In this position the butt is in the shoulder
with the muzzle pointing at the ground at an angle of 800mils [45degrees]
depression.
16.6.2
The
firer may ‘rest’ [if permitted in the match conditions] in any safe
position. For example, after firing sighting shots in a rapid match
the firer may ‘rest’ with the rifle butt in the shoulder.
16.6.3
No
hole may be made in the firing point which would assist the competitor to
hold the rifle steady.
16.7
Conduct
of Shooting
16.7.1
Firing Point Procedure
16.7.1.1
Deliberate
Practices:
a) In individual deliberate practices competitors
will score for each other. There will be two firers squadded on each
target at the same time. Firers will assume firing positions to the
left of the target peg. The firer in the second detail is to score for the
first firer [detail]. When the first firer is finished the scorer is
to clear the rifle. The first firer then scores for the second firer. When
both firers have completed the practice their rifles are to be cleared by
the Range Officer.
b) On completion of the match the cards are to be
checked and countersigned. It is the competitor’s responsibility to
check that the scorecard has been correctly completed in all respects
before it is handed to the Range Officer.
c) Any
objection to the scores entered on a scorecard must be made on the firing
point at the time. No competitor or team has the right to object at
any subsequent time.
d) If
no signal is made after a shot has been fired, the firer or the scorer may
request the Range Officer to have the target examined.
e)
Sighting
shots are not convertible.
16.7.1.2
Timed Practices [snap shooting, rapid fire and fire with movement
practices]
a) Each
sighting shot, where allowed, will be signalled by a spotting disc as for
a deliberate shoot.
b) When the practice has been completed the Range
Officer will ask for any protests. If there are no protests [or on
completion of any re-shoots allowed], the Range Officer will signal to the
butts to check the targets.
c) Scores
will be taken and the total number of hits and their value will be shown
on a scoreboard or telephoned to the firing point. The Range Officer
will repeat these details, so that the competitor’s can hear, and then
record them on the scorecard.
d) Spotting
discs will be placed in as many shot holes as possible on the scoring area
and targets raised, at the same time as the scoreboard [if used] is shown.
e) Once the competitors have seen the scoreboards
or have been told their scores, and have had a chance to see their targets
with spotting discs in place, the Range Officer will ask for any
challenges.
f) Once
challenges have been dealt with, or if there are no challenges, the Range
Officer will order the butts to patch out.
16.7.2
Marking
and Scoring
16.7.2.1
Score
registers will not be maintained in the butts.
16.7.2.2
During
practices and for rapid/snap practice sighting shots, each shot will be
signalled separately. The actual shot hole is to be indicated by a
spotting disc.
16.7.2.3
Spotting
disc indications are white for a V Bull, red for a Bull, white for an
inner, red for a Magpie and white for an Outer.
16.7.2.4
When using targets other than figure targets,
scoring areas are to be indicated using a marking wand as follows:
Scoring
Area
Indication
V Bull
Wand over centre
Bull
Low right
Inner
Low Left
Magpie
Upper right
Outer
Upper left
Miss
Wand across target face
Targets
are to be engaged with the spotting disc in place.
16.7.2.5
Sighting
shots once they have been marked, are to be patched out as soon as
practicable.
16.7.2.6
A
spotting disc that has been hit will not be used again until it has been
patched.
16.7.2.7
Spotting
discs will not be placed in the shot holes until the score has been taken.
16.7.2.8
No shot holes will be pasted over or partially patched out until
the order to patch out is given. The order to patch out scoring shots
will be given by the Range Officer.
16.7.2.9
During deliberate practices the firer is to be permitted to
commence his scoring shots immediately after the sighting shots have been
marked. There is to be no delay to patch out the second sighting shot,
that is, the second sighting shot is to be patched out when the first
scoring shot is marked.
16.7.2.10
When
a shot touches the line between two divisions of the target, the
competitor will be credited with the higher value.
16.7.2.11
Except for deliberate practices, if less than the
maximum number of hits allowed is found, at least two markers are to check
the target to determine whether two or more shots have struck close
together. This check must be carried out before spotting discs are
placed in the shot holes.
16.7.2.12
During deliberate practices a ricochet will be
signalled as a miss. No spotting disc will be shown. A shot will
not be marked as a ricochet unless it gives evidence by the throwing of
sand or dirt against the target in the gallery, that is has previously
struck the ground, or that it is visible from the firing point. For
example, a shot which strikes another firing mound. An elongated hole
is not by itself evidence of a ricochet.
16.7.3
Message
to Butts
16.7.3.1
Messages
to the butts are shown in rule 5.2
16.7.4
Challenges
16.7.4.1
During
deliberate practices the signalled value of a hit may be challenged once
only before any other shot has been fired at the same target. On
receipt of a challenge fee, the target is to be lowered and the butts
officer is to personally examine the target after which the following is
to occur.
a) If
the challenge is for a hit, the hit if found or a miss will be signalled
as usual
b) If the challenge is for a higher value the
correct value will be signalled whether it has been signalled or not
16.7.4.2
During timed exposures the following is to occur:
a) If
the challenge is for the number of hits the firer is to be advised of the
butts officers decision before the practice continues.
b) If the challenge is for the non exposure or
short exposure of a target during a snap practice, and this is confirmed
by an observer on the mound, there is to be an additional exposure of the
target for the time stipulated for the practice.
16.7.4.3
The
call for challenges by a Range Officer in other than deliberate practices,
when the targets are displayed on completion of the practices, will be the
last opportunity for a challenge.
16.7.5
Protests
16.7.5.1
When,
in any practice or series of practices, the total number of hits on a
competitors target or targets exceeds the number of shots he fired and
when there is no means of identifying these shots [for example, two
different calibres], all the hits will be signalled in the usual way and
the procedure will then be as follows:
a) If
it can be proved that the excess hits were made by the competitor or team
firing more than the number of shots allowed, the scores will be
disallowed and the penalty may be disqualification.
b) When
the number of excess hits does not exceed one half of the number of shots
allowed, the score will be the highest score up to the number of shots
permitted to be fired in the practice.
c) When
the number of excess hits exceeds one half of the number of shots allowed,
the score will be cancelled and the competitor will re-shoot. A
re-shoot will be as for the original shoot, including;
i)
Sighters,
if any;
ii) Previous
movement, if any; and/or
iii) The
number of counting shots actually fired
d) When
a competitor has more than one target to engage, and there is no excess in
the total number of hits but there are more hits on one particular target
than are allowed by the conditions, the extra hits on this target will be
dealt with as outlined in sub-paragraph (b)
e) When
different targets are used at different times during a practice the score
made on the target without excess hits will stand. The above rules
will only apply to a target with excess hits.
16.7.7
Timing
16.7.7.1
A stop watch is to be used for the timing of exposures or the
duration of firing
16.7.7.2
Whenever possible, target exposures for rapid, snap and fire with
movement practices are to be timed by the Butts Officer. When timing
is carried out at the firing point a whistle is to be sounded as the
signal to indicate the end of the time limit [except when stated otherwise
in the match conditions].
16.7.7.3
In a deliberate rifle practice the time allowed for a competitor to
fire a shot is 45 seconds. Time is taken from the Range Officers
orders to “Go On” in the case of the first shot. Neither
adjustment of sights [when approved] nor faulty loading is to be allowed
as a cause of delay. Any competitor who exceeds this time limit will,
after being cautioned and timed by the Range Officer, forfeit the value of
any subsequent shot where the time limit is exceeded.
16.7.7.4
In a timed exposure the raising and lowering of targets is to be
carried out as quickly as possible. In all types of practices the exposure will
be timed from the moment the target is up and steady until the time it is
lowered. Figure targets are to be exposed from below the mantelet for
each exposure. Targets are not to be spun or otherwise manipulated
when hit. When more than one competitor fires at one and the same time,
the competitors composing a detail are to fire to the one timing. No
verbal indication as to how the time is passing is allowed.
16.7.8
Disturbance
16.7.8.1
No
person is to make any noise which is likely to affect a firer. Firers
who wish to make a protest are to indicate their intention to the Range
Officer so as not to disturb other firers where possible. It may be
necessary to inform the Range Officer of the protest quickly, that is,
during rapid and snap practices or if the firer cannot gain the attention
of the Range Officer. In such cases the firer is to call
‘Protest’.
16.7.9
Ties
16.7.9.1
Ties
are to be decided by counting back from the last shot fired. The
competitor with the higher value last shot is the winner. If still a
tie the second last shot is considered then third last and so on.
16.7.9.2
If the tie is still not resolved, then;
a) A
deliberate practice, a shoot off of one sighter followed by five scoring
shots, then if still equal, shot for shot until the tie is broken.
b) For
other practices, a shoot off of the complete practice.
16.7.9.3
For
an aggregate the count back is to be applied from the last match.
16.8
Penalties
16.8.1
Procedure
16.8.1.1
Warning: Range
Officers should warn a competitor who appears to be about to break a rule
unless he is actually firing or has begun a practice. In other cases
of infringement of rules Range Officers will not stop an offender who is
firing or has begun a practice, but as soon as he has finished firing
inform him of the penalty incurred.
16.8.1.2
Dangerous
Act: For
any dangerous act, the firer will be immediately stopped and ordered to
unload by taking the magazine off the rifle and removing the rounds from
the chamber [where this is applicable].
16.8.2
Disqualification
16.8.2.1
Breach of Rules:
Disqualification will be inflicted for dangerous acts, deliberate
cheating, or committing an unintentional breach of the rules whereby the
offending competitor gains an outstanding advantage over the other
competitors. Lateness may entail disqualification. Disqualification
will normally apply only to the practice or the whole match [if of
continuous fire and movement] in which the transgression occurs.
Firing more shots in a time exposure than is allowed by match conditions
will normally result in disqualification.
16.8.2.2
Negligent Discharge:
A
negligent discharge is defined as any round fired, unless it is fired at
or in the direct of the target after the order “Watch and Shoot” has
been given and before the order “Unload” has been given. In the
event of a negligent discharge, the competitor will invariably be
disqualified from the match.
16.8.3
Illegal
Modification of Rules
16.8.3.1
If
any illegal modification of a rifle is found after a competitor has fired
a match the score made will be disallowed.
16.9
Course
of Fire
16.9.1
Competition
matches are based on deliberate, rapid, snap and fire with movement
courses of fire. Example course of fire are outlined in Appendix 1 to this
Chapter.
16.10 Targets
16.10.1
Targets will be Type A/B Figure 11 and Figure 12.
