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Competition Rules: USARB and WRABF

 

The following rules and regulations are applicable excerpts for this match from the UNITED STATES AIR RIFLE BENCHREST ( USARB ) and WORLD RIMFIRE & AIR RIFLE BENCHREST FEDERATION (WRABF) rule books. Some wording has been changed for clarity and made unique for this event.

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USA Open Class:

         

          • .177, .20 and .22 calibers are allowed.

          • Up to a maximum of 35 foot-pounds of energy.

          • Up to a maximum of 25 pounds total weight.

          • Fore end of stock not to exceed 3 inches in width.

          • Rifles using electrically actuated or powered components, or computer processors and applications are not                  permitted.

          • Wind flags or anemometers sensing and transmitting data to a computer device or display are not allowed. •                Front rests using electrically actuated or powered components are not permitted.

          • One piece rests are allowed.

          • Scopes transmitting or receiving data from a computer device are not permitted.

          • Scopes may utilize illumination.

          • Tethered tanks are not allowed.

          • International scoring rules will apply.

          • Target distance will be 25 meters.

 

USA Unlimited Class:

 

           • .177, .20 and .22 calibers are allowed.

           • Any power level is allowed.

           • Any weight rifle is allowed.

           • .25 or larger calibers are not permitted for PAC's Best in the West Benchrest Invitational.

           • Rifles using electrically actuated or powered components, or computer processors and applications are                       allowed; these components need not be integral to the rifle.

           • Wind flags or anemometers sensing and transmitting data to a computer device or display are allowed.

           • Front rests using electrically actuated or powered components are allowed.

           • One piece rests are allowed.

           • Scopes transmitting or receiving data from a computer device are allowed.

           • Scopes may utilize illumination.

           • Tethered tanks are not allowed.

           • International scoring rules will apply.

           • Target distance will be 25 meters.

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USA Spring Piston Class:

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            • Power plants: Spring or Piston. Rifle must be cocked for each shot. When the trigger is pulled, a piston or                      spring (which is the source of power) is released, thereby compressing a mass of air to launch a pellet. No                    rifles in this class may store compressed air that is used to fire the pellet.

            • Power restrictions: Any FPE may be used.

            • Rests: Two piece rests are allowed as referenced in Section B8.1-B11 of 2014 WRABF. Exceptions: Bipod use                is allowed.

            • Calibers: .177, .20, .22

            • Scoring: World Rules apply.

            • Distance: 25 meters or 50 yards, at the discretion of the match director.

            • Match Times: Shall be 20 minutes, or as referenced in WRABF rules Section D3.

            • Maximum Rifle Weight: No weight limit.

            • Stock: 3″ maximum forend width. Rules as specified in Appendix F of the WRABF.

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Light Varmint

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            • Light Varmint Air Rifle Class-is any rifle having only manually and mechanically operated firing mechanism

            • Weighing not more than 10 1/2 pounds (4.762 kg) inclusive of sight.

            • Factory stock or stocks that meet ‘Stock Clarification’ rules may be used (see APPENDIX F below ).

            • The action can be either spring or pneumatic; air regulators, barrel weights, harmonic tuners or bullet                          stabilizers are permitted but will be included in the overall weight of gun. Air regulators can be used as long                as it is integral within the air rifle.

            • The air cylinder can be changed as long as it is provided by the Manufacturer as an option/spare to that                        model.

            • Any magnification scope may be used.

            • Power to be restricted to 16.27 Joules or 12 ft lbs maximum.

            • Front and rear rest cannot be attached. Front rest may have elevation and windage controls. Rear rest must                be sand filled and have no elevation or windage controls.

            • 10.5lb not to exceed in Light Varmint Class (Including Scope).

            • The forearm of stock must be either convex or flat, maximum 76.2mm (3") or under at its widest point, this                  can be a specialist stock or via a flat plate attached to the bottom of the stock, any material can be used.

            • The bottom of the butt of the stock that comes in contact with rear sandbag must be either convex or flat. If                  flat the bottom of the butt of stock must be 25mm (0.98") or under in width. It is the responsibility of the                        individual competitor to check they abide by these specifications

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Heavy Varmint

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             • Air Rifle having only manually and mechanically operated firing mechanism.

             • Weight restriction of 15 lbs is set (6.803kg) (including attachments –scopes, muzzle devices, etc).

             • Factory stock or stocks that meet ‘Stock Clarification’ rules may be used (see APPENDIX F). Any manual                       modification may be made to the rifle.

             • Any magnification scope may be used.

             • Air regulators can be used as long as it is integral within the air rifle.

             • Muzzle brakes, muzzle flips, barrel weights or Harmonic Tuners are permitted. There is no restriction on                       cylinder size or capacity as long as 27.12 Joules or 20 ft lbs maximum power is retained and it is integral                     within the rifle. (Separate Air Cylinders are not allowed, the cylinder must be part of the rifle and the overall                 weight.

             • Front and rear rest cannot be attached. Front rest may have elevation and windage controls. Rear rest must                 be sand filled and not have elevation or windage controls.

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Posting target and scoring protest

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• Posting of Targets : All completed targets are to be posted in a common area (Wailing Wall) or a provided area and displayed for all competitors to view. No competitor shall remove from the display area, any targets until the aggregate for that day or match class has been completed, and the protest time for that aggregate has expired ( 30 min ),  as this negates any protest rights. Should a Team or individual wish to lodge a protest in regard to target marking etc, refer Section E.9 or 10 Target Re-measurement Procedures.

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• E.9 Scoring Error. Where a competitor considers an obvious error has been made, a request can be made of the Target Marking Officials to view the target or result sheet and have the matter resolved.

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• E.10 Target re-score Procedure: The Official Scorer will re-score the disputed target in the presence of the second Official and the Competitor concerned using the same equipment as originally used.

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C.17 Decisions of Protest:

 

The decisions of the Protest or scoring officials are final and binding and there is no provision for appeal of such decisions.

 

C.18 Sportsmanship and Safety:

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• There shall be no boisterous conduct on, or near, the firing line during the firing of any match.

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• Everyone should treat all shooters as they would like to be treated if they were about to shoot a new record score.

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• If competitors cause a disturbance a protest may lead to disqualification may be applied.

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• Competitors who have a grievance must ensure the Referee / Range Officer is aware. They will determine what course of action to take. Disturbance can be seen as:

                   

*   Mobile phones going off. ( mobile phones must be set quiet during course of shooting )

*   Moving from the firing line when shooting relay has not finished.

*   Conversations with people on the firing line or spectator area while people are shooting.

*   Spectators, who will be asked to keep noise to a minimum and if continued they will be asked to leave while shooting continues.

*   Spectators will not be in the shooting area under any circumstances and must not engage in conversation with competitors on the line, whether they are shooting or not.

*   Cleaning of rifles.

*   Major adjustments of rifles. ( Major adjustments will not be allowed that change the muzzle velocity. Minor adjustments such as adjustments to scope are allowed only from sitting position and rifle stays pointed in target direction. This list is not exhaustive. )

*   Coaching shooters, in all its forms

*   No competitor should enter the firing points (line) once the match has started. If they have missed the start of the match / relay they forfeit that relay, as this will cause a disturbance to other shooters.               *   Competitors must remain seated until the end of each relay or cease fire.

 

Alcohol and substance abuse

 

*   is not tolerated in any sport. If a competitor is considered to be intoxicated in any way, they will be removed from the firing line and will be tested for intoxication. If proved positive they will be                                                 disqualified–see below.(PLEASE DO NOT DRINK BETWEEN MATCHES OR WHILE ON THE SHOOTING RANGE)

 

C.19 Disqualification

*   Where a competitor has been disqualified for a particular reason, this DQ will last for the day they are shooting a specific class in the championship.

*   It is noted that a full DQ from the championship as a whole would be taken as a last resort, but the organizing committee reserve the right to warn competitors of this action if issues persist during the event.

 

Chrony Testing

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E.8.9 Air Rifle Power Check Procedure Air Rifle power will be checked before the match so there should be a suitable chronograph system available at each event.

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A sequence of 5 shot to be measured by a chronograph (averaged velocity of 5 shots). Minimum pressure in competitors air cylinders will be 190 bar before the test can take place. A high quality chronograph with an accuracy level of 99.5%, a 0.5% +/-tolerance level will be allowed. Kinetic energy (ft / lbs) = weight (grains) x speed (ft/sec) x speed (ft/sec) / 450240 or Energy (Joules) = weight (kilograms) x speed (m/sec) x speed (m/sec)/2 E12.2

 

Cross-fire Penalty:

 

• Target diagrams of the cross-firing shooter will be penalized 5 points for each cross fired shot. (5 points per crossed fired shot).

• If the cross-fired shot cannot be identified (2 shots on target) the innocent party will be awarded the highest scoring shot registered on their target.

 

E12.3 Innocent Party:

 

• The competitor, on whose target a cross fire has been placed, is obliged to advise the Range Officer of such a happening.

 

E12.4 Failure to Notify:

 

• Any shooter found to have cross-fired, and not notified the Range Officer, and whose target shows more than the required number of shots, with the inclusion of cross-fires to another target, shall be                                 deemed to have tried to conceal the fact and shall be disqualified from the event.

 

E12.5. Nomination to re-shoot:

• The innocent part can nominate to re shoot the same bull after the range officer has inspected the cross fired shot or may elect to shoot a nearby sighter as a recorded bull again. Advice must be given to range officer so they can notarize this.

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E.13 Wind flags:

*   Flags must be no higher than level of bench top to bottom of target.

*   The use of electronics in all forms is strictly prohibited in all rifle classes and this includes electronic wind flags.

 

E.14 Rifle fault during the match

*   A change of rifle is permitted during the competition if there is a proven fault with a rifle, especially when this relates to safety and it is considered dangerous. In this case the competitor will ask the Range Officer to view the rifle and possibly replace it with a new one. The Range Officer may authorize the change of weapon with a rifle of the same class.

*   The Range Officer will need to decide if the match can continue or needs to be stopped depending on the how serious the fault is and if changing rifle will infringe on the shooters who are continuing with the match). No extra time will be allowed for competitors when this situation occurs and they will not be allowed to re-shoot the relay. If inspection confirms the fault then, after the end of the relay, the shooter will keep the score achieved with the new rifle. If the fault is manufactured by the competitor to gain advantage, or the responsibility of the competitor due to negligence, an automatic DQ from the match will be applied.

 

Section K Officials and Duties

 

Any person may hold more than one Tournament Official position. When possible, it is suggested that matches be scheduled such that persons holding the Official positions may also be able to compete in the matches. Main rules apply to Official / Range Officers etc. Officials to be as follows: Match Director; Range Officer; Weapons& Equipment Check Officer; Score Officer and Referees.

 

K.1 Match / Championship Director: Is the manager delegated to setup the competition, sending programs and invitation forms to participants. He can nominate collaborators and supervisors where there is a specific requirement for logistic, safety and range facilities. He is responsible to every other organizational aspect of the championship / match.

 

K.3 Score Officer(s): Appointed by Match / Championship Director to score targets and be responsible for compilation and classifications of all scores. Score Officer must have full knowledge of the rules and have a good level of experience in championship events. He, in the case of score doubt, can nominate two referees under Match Director approval.