2018 NRA Rules Changes - Unofficial

[DE-F-Open]

Attention All High Power, F-Class & Fullbore Shooters:

Several folks have asked about High Power Rifle and Fullbore Rifle Rules changes for 2018 (including F-Class).

Attached is a pdf file containing that portion of the report of the NRA's Competition Rules and Programs Committee that went to and was approved by the NRA Board of Directors at its January 2018 meeting and that pertain specifically to High Power Rifle Competition. Please note that this is NOT an official posting from NRA, but it is accurate and was copied directly from the report.

I hope the attachment will be helpful.

John

 

[Erud]

Question; what is the reasoning behind specifying the 450 aggregate as the only course of fire that qualifies for distinguished steps for fullbore? The Long Range and Mid Range steps just go to the “Grand Aggregate”. Thanks

 

[DE-F-Open]

Question; what is the reasoning behind specifying the 450 aggregate as the only course of fire that qualifies for distinguished steps for fullbore? The Long Range and Mid Range steps just go to the “Grand Aggregate”. Thanks

......................

Sorry, but I am not sure - I think it was because it is the most difficult and because it is the second day of Regional Course of fire and the 2nd and 4th days of the National Match course of fire....

I do remember the overall general discussion surrounding a desire for the Distinguished badges to be meaningful and not easy to get.

John

 

[pat fulghum]

FOPEN rule states...

The area of contact between the front bag and the rifle's fore-end will not exceed 76mm x 76mm (2.99 inches x 2.99 inches).

So many questions on this ...

Is the intent to cover total contact area on bottom AND sides?

Or just area under the rifle?

What about the cutout most people have under the forearm to make “rails”? There isn’t any contact in the cutout.


Basically what is this rule change trying to address?

 

[Erud]

......................

Sorry, but I am not sure - I think it was because it is the most difficult and because it is the second day of Regional Course of fire and the 2nd and 4th days of the National Match course of fire....

I do remember the overall general discussion surrounding a desire for the Distinguished badges to be meaningful and not easy to get.

John

Thanks for the reply. I understand the desire for the badges to not be easy, and I fully support that sentiment. In MN, we only have one Fullbore match per season, and it is our state championship. The match director actually writes the program to be considerably more difficult than the COF specified in the new rules, with 15-shot strings at 500, 600, 900 and 1000 yards each day, all pair fired. 60 shots total. He got rid of the 300-yard line to appeal more to F-class shooters, and added more rounds to appeal to everyone.

With the way the new rule is written, winning this state championship would not qualify someone for a step towards the distinguished badge. My question is more as to why there is a required COF for Fullbore, when for the other Prone disciplines the steps apparently go to whoever places high enough in the grand agg, regardless of what the COF May be.

Thanks again

 

[DE-F-Open]

Thanks for the reply. I understand the desire for the badges to not be easy, and I fully support that sentiment. In MN, we only have one Fullbore match per season, and it is our state championship. The match director actually writes the program to be considerably more difficult than the COF specified in the new rules, with 15-shot strings at 500, 600, 900 and 1000 yards each day, all pair fired. 60 shots total. He got rid of the 300-yard line to appeal more to F-class shooters, and added more rounds to appeal to everyone.

With the way the new rule is written, winning this state championship would not qualify someone for a step towards the distinguished badge. My question is more as to why there is a required COF for Fullbore, when for the other Prone disciplines the steps apparently go to whoever places high enough in the grand agg, regardless of what the COF May be.

Thanks again

..............

Again, I am not sure of the answer but will pass your concern along to the Chairman and to staff.

John

 

[Taildrag15X]

FOPEN rule states...

The area of contact between the front bag and the rifle's fore-end will not exceed 76mm x 76mm (2.99 inches x 2.99 inches).

So many questions on this ...

Is the intent to cover total contact area on bottom AND sides?

Or just area under the rifle?

What about the cutout most people have under the forearm to make “rails”? There isn’t any contact in the cutout.


Basically what is this rule change trying to address?

I think the answer to your question is there in the sentence prior.

The rest may not mechanically capture the fore-end of the rifle in such a way that does not allow the rifle to be lifted directly up from the rest or to be placed directly down into the rest. Any rest which captures the fore-end of the rifle and that will not allow for the rifle to be lifted directly up from the rest shall be considered to be an attachment.

This has always been an issue, I've seen more F-Open Rifles clamped in with side bags riding over the stock than I care to count, glad they have addressed it.

 

[RDA72927]

I think the answer to your question is there in the sentence prior.

The rest may not mechanically capture the fore-end of the rifle in such a way that does not allow the rifle to be lifted directly up from the rest or to be placed directly down into the rest. Any rest which captures the fore-end of the rifle and that will not allow for the rifle to be lifted directly up from the rest shall be considered to be an attachment.

This has always been an issue, I've seen more F-Open Rifles clamped in with side bags riding over the stock than I care to count, glad they have addressed it.

Ok, I hope my question make's sense. I've been using a Seb NEO for about 6 months. The proposed rule change sounds like: on the front rest, if the two adjustment knobs (left and right sides that are angled at the top) are screwed in will be against the rules now. Because I could not lift the rifle straight up. Correct?

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Ok, I hope my question make's sense. I've been using a Seb NEO for about 6 months. The proposed rule change sounds like: on the front rest, if the two adjustment knobs (left and right sides that are angled at the top) are screwed in will be against the rules now. Because I could not lift the rifle straight up. Correct?

You can screw the ears in as far as you like... as long as you can still lift your rifle straight up out of the bags.

 

[C. Collins]

How does one find out if they have achieved a step?

 

[rotts4u]

How does one find out if they have achieved a step?

That is a good question. I received an "award" of some kind last year which was a certificate with no bars or badges etc. Just a certificate and I think it was Called the American High-power Rifleman award. Is that a "step" or is that the award?

 

[swehrman]

That is a good question. I received an "award" of some kind last year which was a certificate with no bars or badges etc. Just a certificate and I think it was Called the American High-power Rifleman award. Is that a "step" or is that the award?

I think that is the award for making highmaster.

-- Scott

 

[rotts4u]

I think that is the award for making highmaster.

-- Scott

Thanks Scott and the timing does make sense as I did get a HM in midrange last year.

 

[swehrman]

I think that is the award for making highmaster.

-- Scott

From the NRA rulebook.


The American High Power Rifleman Award is automatically given to any high power rifle shooter upon attaining the classifi cation of High Master. This is an average of 97% over 240 shots. A sterling silver lapel pin and a High Master certificate are presented to acknowledge this accomplishment.

 

[JCUtah]

3.4F-Class Rifle - Rule 3.4(a)(l) The rifle's overall weight, including all attachments such
as sights and bipod, must not exceed 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds)

Did they just raise the weight limit of an ftr rifle to 10 kilograms?

 

[280man]

3.4F-Class Rifle - Rule 3.4(a)(l) The rifle's overall weight, including all attachments such
as sights and bipod, must not exceed 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds)

Did they just raise the weight limit of an ftr rifle to 10 kilograms?

Negative

 

[kzin]

FOPEN rule states...

The area of contact between the front bag and the rifle's fore-end will not exceed 76mm x 76mm (2.99 inches x 2.99 inches).

So many questions on this ...

Is the intent to cover total contact area on bottom AND sides?

Or just area under the rifle?

What about the cutout most people have under the forearm to make “rails”? There isn’t any contact in the cutout.


Basically what is this rule change trying to address?

Since the forearm can be 76mm across the bottom by separate rule they can't be counting the sides also.

Seems evident to me that the gross area of contact side to side and front to back can only be 76mm each way. Remove all you want within that square but it won't gain you any length or width. The rule quotes maximum length and width not square inches of actual contact.

Looks like it's eliminating the possibility of a foot long front 'bag' that is essentially a rail system. Has anybody done that?

I have no inside knowledge, just trying to read the rule logically.

 

[Mittry]

Rule 3.3.3(b) Sights -Telescopic sights, either fixed or variable, not to exceed 15x magnification. Standard metallic, holographic and other tactical sighting systems are also permitted. Laser sighting systems are prohibited.

Is this restriction for an NRA Match Rifle?

 

[Jetjock1]

Rule 3.3.3(b) Sights -Telescopic sights, either fixed or variable, not to exceed 15x magnification. Standard metallic, holographic and other tactical sighting systems are also permitted. Laser sighting systems are prohibited.

Is this restriction for an NRA Match Rifle?

No, this is specs for tactical midrange in the back of the rleboook

 

[kzin]

3.4F-Class Rifle - Rule 3.4(a)(l) The rifle's overall weight, including all attachments such
as sights and bipod, must not exceed 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds)

Did they just raise the weight limit of an ftr rifle to 10 kilograms?

3.4(a) is Open

ftr is 3.4(b)