Rapid Fire Rule Changes

          Just as I became an NRA Official Referee, NRA made a number of rule changes.  I think they did it just to keep me on my toes.

          Since I am now on a learning curve and trying not to wipe out, I thought I would share some of the new rule changes and explain how this will affect you if you shoot both NRA & CMP Matches.

          As you know, NRA has its own rule book and CMP has its own rule book.  In MOST cases, if something is not covered in the CMP rule book, they will go along with the NRA rules.  In most cases, but not all.

          The biggest change I know of in the past 45 years is the new NRA rule eliminating the words “FROM STANDING” from the rule book.

          Here is what it says;

          “Note:  The High Power Rifle Committee removed the requirements to start all rapid fire stages from the standing position.  The words ‘From Standing’ are removed from all rapid fire stages in section 7.”  Section 7 is the Courses of Fire.

          This will change the loading procedures as well.

Background

          A few years ago a Senior, age 60 and a Grand Senior, age 70 did not have to stand for the rapid fire stages.  They could stay down in position, their ammo had to stay on the ground or the shooting stool.  When the targets came up for rapid fire, they could then load the rifles and start firing.

          During CMP week at the National High Power Rifle Championships at Camp Perry , Ohio , that rule was not allowed.  The reason given was “Someone could set a new National Record.”

          The Seniors and Grand Seniors had to stand for the rapid fire stages if they wanted their scores to count for record.  If they chose to stay down, they had to write OOC (Out of Competition) on their score cards.  That made for a long way to travel and a lot of money for a day of practice.

Now, for NRA, everyone can stay down for rapid fire.

          My two favorite words in the English language is “SAY WHAT?”  I talked to members of the NRA rules committee and ask “Why?”

          Both reasons given where for safety.  The first one was, some ranges have housing areas behind the impact area and they did not want their shooters to stand.  The second was again for safety.  A shooter that was standing with a loaded rifle was behind a Senior or Grand Senior who was down in position.

Two Sets of Rules

          CMP says “No, we are not going along with this new rule.”

Some shooters want to stand for rapid fire because they are getting ready to shoot a “Leg Match.”  OK, what does this mean for the shooters?

CMP Matches

          For CMP Matches the shooters will HAVE TO continue to stand for rapid fire stages.   However, CMP has a new rule on the loading procedure.  The shooter will stand, when the command load is given, the shooter will close the bolt on an empty chamber, then insert the magazine.

The bolt is closed on an empty chamber until they are down in position, the rifle does not have to be in the shoulder when chambering a round.

          The M-1 Garand shooters must override the two rounds and close the bolt on an empty chamber while standing.

NRA Matches

          For NRA Matches, if the range allows it, the shooters MAY stand.  The rifle will remain unloaded and the bolt will be open.

When the targets appear for rapid fire, the shooter will drop down into position.  The ammo MUST be on the ground (shooting matt) or the shooting stool.  The shooter will then load, again the rifle does not have to be in the shoulder when closing the bolt.  They then can start shooting.

          If the range does not allow standing, the shooters MUST stay down in position.  The loading procedures are the same as above.

Here is the rule;

10.1.7 Rapid Fire Loading Procedure - After the announcement "YOUR SIGHTER PERIOD HAS ENDED" or "FOR YOUR SECOND STRING OF RAPID FIRE" has been made, and before the targets appear, the rifle must be kept out of the shoulder, and the ammunition must remain either on the ground or shooting stool. When the targets appear shooters will retrieve their ammunition, load either 2 or 5 rounds and commence fire. (Note: the rifle need not be in the shoulder before the bolt is closed.) After firing 2 or 5 rounds, competitors will reload 8 or 5 rounds as appropriate. Reloading before firing the 2nd or 5th round (hot reload) will result in the shooter receiving a total score of "0" for that entire 10 round string of fire

Provisional Note: Competitors who wish to stand prior to a string of rapid fire may do so after the command "Standby" is given (provided it is not contrary to local range procedures). Those choosing to stand may not load while standing and all ammunition must remain either on the ground or shooting stool until the targets appear and they have assumed a firing position.

Competitors firing the M1 choosing to stand for rapid fire must comply with all procedures outlined above. Competitors firing the M1 who choose to remain in position may insert a clip and two rounds immediately after the command "Standby" is given (bolt remains open).

The Bad News

          The bad news seems to be for the M-1 Garand shooters.  The provision for closing the bolt before the other shooters has been removed from the rules.  However, as stated above, they may insert a clip and two rounds immediately after the command “Standby” is given (bolt remains open). 

A new “Service Rifle” has been added

          Up until now a Service Rifle was;

1.   The M-1 Garand

2.   The M-14 or its civilian equivalent, the M1A

3.   The M-16 or its civilian equivalent, the AR-15

Now there is a new boy on the block

4.   The M-10 or its civilian equivalent, the AR-10

(The M-10/Ar-10 shoots the 7.62/.308 round)

I want to thank the NRA rules committee for keeping my life interesting.  Rick Russell, another new NRA Official Referee, says they are just trying to see if they can teach an old dog new tricks.