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Approved ARA Factory Chassis Rifle?

At our factory match last Saturday, a father/son duo showed up to shoot with the dad next to me shooting a B14R Carbon and his son next to him shooting a chassis rifle with an unknown barreled action as I didn't pay attention to the make/model.

Should I have brought it to the attention of the MD, or just leave it be? The son finished one place below me by 150.17 points/average.

Bill
 
Obviously there must be a rule that prevents those rifles being used. I’m not familiar with those matches. But have seen enough instances at ranges where people are shunned by what they use especially new members or visitors. Be careful about running off and crying foul. I get there are rules but there’s always a polite way to go about things. I hope you congratulated the young shooter and his father on his performance, and maybe a friendly helping hand with gear suggestions.
 
Rules are rules. Letting them slide and not saying something is not good, I have seen it happen.
I have seen Factory/ Production classes have lots of issues.
If you let a a new shooter proceed in a class that is not where he/it belongs can cause problems when they have to move up, only to find they were not as good as they thought.
I have shot at places where a lower class can use the same rig in classes above them. Then I have seen if one wants to shoot in a different class you have to use a completely different rig.

I would at least have someone direct them towards the rules for sure.

I don’t do matches anymore, I shoot against myself. I have no need of my name on the white board in marker for a month anymore, lol.
 
JMHO, if the son was a youngster and first time shooter I'd let it slide, but brush up on the "factory equipment" rules before making any waves. Again JMHO. WD
The son is a full grown man in his late 20's, early 30's. The Bergara used by the dad is not even listed on the ARA factory list, approved or not.

Bill
 
The son is a full grown man in his late 20's, early 30's. The Bergara used by the dad is not even listed on the ARA factory list, approved or not.

Bill
In that case I wouldn't have let is slide, whoever was running the match should have caught it. Rules are rules. JMHO. WD
 
The son is a full grown man in his late 20's, early 30's. The Bergara used by the dad is not even listed on the ARA factory list, approved or not.

Bill
Well if you know that much, was it necessary to bring it to an open forum?
You could have settled this at the match on Saturday. I would have.
You may take issue with my post, but that's ok and I'll understand.
 
I know, rules are rules but their first time and they've been informed their guns may not fit the lower class let them shoot. It probably took a lot for them to even work up the nerve to give it a try.

I'd bet they don't care or even knew about classes but if they had a positive experience they'll start researching the rules. I'll let new shooters shoot larger targets or take extra sighters their first time. Most guys have a fragile ego and venturing into something new and having the "pros" start right off criticizing them you'll probably never see them again.

I doubt they were a threat to anyone there and might have had fun not knowing it was supposed to be so serious.

Topstrap
 
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The ARA “factory” rules are very strict. There is an “approved” list of rifles and there are very few modifications allowed (bedding, pillars, trigger mod or replacement - but no stock mods, barrel replacement or action truing is allowed). Everything else has to shoot “unlimited”. The MD should have caught it or been made aware of it. Then the MD could have decided how to handle it.

I agree, we need to help new shooters as much as possible. But part of that is knowing the rules.
 
At our factory match last Saturday, a father/son duo showed up to shoot with the dad next to me shooting a B14R Carbon and his son next to him shooting a chassis rifle with an unknown barreled action as I didn't pay attention to the make/model.

Should I have brought it to the attention of the MD, or just leave it be? The son finished one place below me by 150.17 points/average.

Bill
IMO you should take it to your MD attention and thats all, let him address any rules issues.
 
I believe in helping other shooters even if they beat you , and I've had it happen in the world of racing.... BUT rules are rules , if I have to follow them so does everybody else... That's the rules , I hate unwritten rules but if there's a rule book then those rules apply to everyone...
 
Rules are rules. Letting them slide and not saying something is not good, I have seen it happen.
I have seen Factory/ Production classes have lots of issues.
If you let a a new shooter proceed in a class that is not where he/it belongs can cause problems when they have to move up, only to find they were not as good as they thought.
I have shot at places where a lower class can use the same rig in classes above them. Then I have seen if one wants to shoot in a different class you have to use a completely different rig.

I would at least have someone direct them towards the rules for sure.

I don’t do matches anymore, I shoot against myself. I have no need of my name on the white board in marker for a month anymore, lol.
yeah rules are rules.. but common sense plays too.. let em shoot.. but bring it up to them.. that if they decide that they want to continue.. maybe it would be better they get the right stuff.. it's always better to let em play with what they have to learn if they want to continue..
 
yeah rules are rules.. but common sense plays too.. let em shoot.. but bring it up to them.. that if they decide that they want to continue.. maybe it would be better they get the right stuff.. it's always better to let em play with what they have to learn if they want to continue..
There is a difference between shooting sanctioned and shooting organized. When you shoot ARA, you are shooting sanctioned, just like any other sanctioned matches, including one that USMCDOC shoots. The rules in sanctioned shooting are what sanctioning bodies use to level the playing field and let competitors within those rules show their talent, and expertise in bringing the best to the line for the best finish. Even my informal matches (not sanctioned) that I run before we shoot our sanctioned match has rules. When you bend rules, you do not do the competitor any favors and you kind of screw the other competitors who do follow the rules. Fair competition is only fair when everyone has the same guidelines (rules) to go by.

Last year I had a shooter show up for informal. He had shot with us before. He (grown man), and his dad, were new to our range. His first appearance he was legal, the next month, he had a tuner on the barrel which is not allowed. Another competitor pointed it out to me and I addressed the issue with everyone and we voted. He was allowed to shoot, but his scores were not counted. I advised him to come back next month with a legal setup and we would count his scores. He never came back. Was I upset about this, no. Was I happy I enforced the rule and did not loose shooters who have been shooting our informal before I ever shot this club, let alone being the MD? Yes! Those guys show up every month and deserve to have a level playing field. Our minimal rules keep things level. You start making exceptions, then everyone wants to jump on the band wagon and start asking for exceptions. Trust me from experience, it snowballs if you let it happen. BTW: if someone has an issue with anything regarding the match rules/protocols, they should, with no exceptions, go to the MD and let that person address the issue. JMO based on JME as a MD for 2 different sanctioning bodies and a monthly informal match.

Scott
 
After starting my very first match of any kind several months back--it seems like they need to have an entry level class ( for non sanctioned ) that allows almost anything to shoot first time out with Simple Rules--like bipod and bag only no high $$ rests, maybe match provided cheapo ammo, any scope any rifle except real match race rifles--some way to let folks get started--if they have a positive experience they will return--if they take their 10 22 up against a match rifle on $3k rest first time out they are not coming back
We have found that looking around our area at different clubs--the rules and classes are all over the place--can be hard to take your rig and still be set up for another clubs rules--so if a newbie shows up--give them a break the first time--get them started! Then coach and inform them after you have the hook set-- I am sure that the club "pros" are not scared of a new rookie that may be a tad outside the rules to start off with.

And...don't allow the more experienced shooters to stink up the rookie class

New model rifles come out all the time--It should be the match directors job to do the work --( hey Google is your friend) and "approve" an unseen unit right then and there for that day until someone comes up with a reason it should not be--and just say hey we may reclass you next time but today load up and go for it
These are just some thoughts from a rookie that dove in head first--I finished 3rd First time out with a 499 / 24x with an Amazon bipod and cheap rear bag--got their attention--and since then have been getting my rear end waxed but....I am having a ball! I have drug 4 of my pals into this rabbit hole--That first match or two decides if they are In or heading home--strive for a positive experience for the new shooters --Each club should have a Rookie Advisor to get first timers going in the right direction
Just some thoughts I am not preaching--
 

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