2020 NRA F-Class National Championship MATCH DIRECTOR’S BULLETIN #1

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

2020 NRA F-Class National Championship

MATCH DIRECTOR’S BULLETIN #1

Pertaining to the surface upon which F-T/R bipods may rest:

Unlike F-Open rifles where the combination of a front rest and a rear bag make it possible for the rifle to “track” upon recoil and then “return to battery”, F-T/R rifles with bipods are not designed or intended to either “track” or “return to battery” the same as an Open rifle – that’s one of the things that is specifically intended to differentiate between the operation of the two rifles. Mats and other equipment that allow the rifle to “track” and/or “return to battery” violate the spirit of Rule 3.4.1.b.2 (F-Class) and Rule 3.18 that prohibits anything that is not consistent with the spirit of the Rules.

Therefore, the underlined language shown below has been adopted to govern these 2020 NRA F-Class National Championships. Please note that during these 2020 NRA F-Class National Championships, F-T/R shooters whose equipment is found to be in violation of the underlined language below and/or the spirit of the Rule will be moved into the F-Open Rifle category.

Rule 3.4.1.b.2 (F-Class) – The use of “tables” i.e. a single flat surface extending under both front rest and rear bag is prohibited. Carpet or similarly flexible matting may be placed under the front rest and rear bag. Separate flat boards and or plates not exceeding the dimensions of the individual rests by two inches on a given side may also be placed under the front rest or rear bag. In the case of a bipod, the board or plate may be as wide as necessary to accommodate the bipod at its widest point, but not be more than 12” front to rear. It is not permitted to provide tracks for the guidance of bipod feet, nor may the combination of bipod feet and/or pad materials create a track. The pad surface should be smooth enough to allow the bipod to be moved in any direction without having to lift the rifle or move the pad that the bipod is on. No leveling screws or protrusions are allowed on these board plates. They must be flat on the top and bottom.

Finally, please note that this issue was addressed during an informal F-T/R competitors meeting at the base of the tower during the 2020 Southwest Nationals.

The underlined language shown above has been submitted to the NRA for formal adoption and eventual inclusion in future rule books. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 Virus, this matter has not yet been formally addressed by NRA but will be addressed in due course.


Middleton Tompkins

Match Director

 

[Ron Gorski]

How can you enforce a rule that hasn't been adopted by the NRA? Also, I shoot FO.

 

[skibar_tx]

So, this is not a NRA sanctioned match since it is making up its own rules instead of following the NRA highpower rules?

 

[Jdne5b]

The rule specifically allows carpet. You may as well recommend to remove that from the rules also.

Maybe we can go back to folding bipods?

 

[skibar_tx]

Perhaps we should call this match the ICFRA US Championship instead of the NRA F-Class Championship. I think the NRA needs to hear that this club is changing the NRA rules to meet their own objectives and alliances.

 

[skibar_tx]

I have heard that McMillan, one of their US F-Class team sponsors sells a mat that works perfectly for the rules they have just made up. Could this be corporate sponsorship at its very worst.

 

[Baka]

So what rules do we actually go by?

 

[Nowhere Man]

Making up your own rules must be consistent with 3.18 "Spirit of the rules"?

 

[Warren Dean]

I have heard that McMillan, one of their US F-Class team sponsors sells a mat that works perfectly for the rules they have just made up. Could this be corporate sponsorship at its very worst.

Nope. What a crappy thing to say. Shame on you, Skip.

 

[Warren Dean]

 

[Monte F]

I will be prepared to comply with the current rules at the time of the match, what ever they may be. Will start testing different boards/coverings to find which works best and complies with the rules.

 

[Warren Dean]

This should be interesting...

 

[FatBoy]

I’m torn on this. As I one of the original five Larry polled to write the proposed and adopted original set of rules I’m not thrilled with the way F TR has gone, but I also recognize that people are going to work the rules and progress is inevitable. When Rusty and I started F class at AEDC based on Paul’s matches at Butner and the Canadian rules there was no rules. Seems the original set was good enough to grow the sport to what it is.

As to the changes for the Nats...

A match director who submits a match program with exemptions or written exceptions to a NRA rule and gets NRA approval for said program has every right to run the match as the program is written. Don’t like it, go shoot someplace else or run your own damn match.

 

[Warren Dean]

A match director who submits a match program with exemptions or written exceptions to a NRA rule and gets NRA approval for said program has every right to run the match as the program is written. Don’t like it, go shoot someplace else or run your own damn match.

^^^^^^^^^^
What he said....

 

[Scott Harris]

I have heard that McMillan, one of their US F-Class team sponsors sells a mat that works perfectly for the rules they have just made up. Could this be corporate sponsorship at its very worst.

First, I have not been involved in these discussions at all. That said, I don't think anything nefarious is going on. Here are the current rules without any changes. "In the case of a bipod, the board or plate may be as wide as necessary to accommodate the bipod at its widest point, but not be more than 12” front to rear. It is not permitted to provide tracks for the guidance of bipod feet." I bolded the last part for emphasis. Now, if you have a deep shag rug that creates a groove to guide the bipod feet, is that in compliance with the spirit or letter of the current rules? This is what I think they are addressing since it is what was brought up at the SWNs. Again, I am not the one who brought it up, so save your fire for someone else!

 

[Warren Dean]

So, here is a little reminder about our match director....

No amount of fussing, whining, denigration or snide remarks will deter him. Mid knows the rules and he knows what fair play is.

He was winning national championships when most of us were in diapers and he takes no shit from anyone. He is fair and dedicated to making the sport the best it can be.

Tom Clancy once said, and I quote,..... "If you're gonna kick a bear in the ass, you better have a plan to deal with his teeth."

Good advice when you are dealing with Middleton Tompkins.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

What type of front mat is causing all this drama? Understand pictures might be a bit 'provocative', but any description would be greatly appreciated.

 

[skibar_tx]

Nope. What a crappy thing to say. Shame on you, Skip.

Are you kidding, I truly mean no disrespect. It was not my intention to state anything other than the obvious!

 

[Acyr]

Don't like it? Stay home! Too damn many of you out o' towners anyway!

 

[skibar_tx]

Skip let’s leave my beloved US Fclass Team out of this.

McMillan is extremely generous and has sponsored many of our shooters including myself however they are not a US Team sponsor this go around.

Rick, you want me to leave your beloved US Team out of it, they are the ones asking Mid to alter the NRA rules for this match. If they wanted to be out of it, this thread wouldn’t have been started in the first place.