AR Platform for F/TR - barrel length?

[AR Shooter]

Good thinking on the mag-length ammo. I think I'll just default to 77 SMKs and see how that goes. But, I would be surprised if mag-length is a rule for AR-Tac as it isn't a rule for regular SR at 500/600yd. I'll ask our CMP match director for some clarification and post here if he has any.

 

[XTR]

Pls go read through the AR-tac rules and be thorough.

It’s been a couple of yrs since I looked, and I’m really not interested, but… a couple of yrs ago the NRA was still of at least two minds on what they wanted in AR-TAC. They used to say you couldn’t use a Bobsled, you had to insert a magazine, (maybe they still do) but it was single fire and the rounds didn’t have to go in the mag…. ???… yea.

There was furious debate and objections from some MDs about allowing loaded magazines in a slow fire event.

The class was created as a provisional to get some of the 6million or so ARs out there on the line. Then it got popular, (though not with the folks they were looking for I think) the HP committee wasn’t ready, or hadn’t thought a bunch of it through when they made it an actual class. There was a fair bit of head scratching if you looked close. When it was provisional nobody really gave a hoot, but that changes when the scores start getting recorded.

It’s hopefully evolved some, but seriously Read the rules.

 

[jelenko]

In looking through CMP's rules for AR Tactical I didn't see anything about having to load from a mag.
One rule specifically says single loading devices [i.e., sleds] are allowed.

 

[Jon Leary]

Revisions for AR tactical for 2025

HANGE Rule 3.3.3: “Any semi-automa c rifle constructed on an “AR-Style Pla orm” chambered in either (1) 5.56mm/.223 or chambered larger than .223/5.56 up to and including .308 cal/7.62mm similar in outward appearance to the “Service Rifle” described in 3.1(c), above, equipped with the standard 10-,20-,or 30- round box magazine, having not less than 4 ½ pound trigger pull, with standard type “tac cal” stock (Military or Police); barrel length not to exceed 22”; total weight of the rifle including one empty magazine, bipod and/or sling, if any, and sigh ng system (scope) may not exceed 15 pounds. No current na onal records are allowed.”

 

[jelenko]

Revisions for AR tactical for 2025

HANGE Rule 3.3.3: “Any semi-automa c rifle constructed on an “AR-Style Pla orm” chambered in either (1) 5.56mm/.223 or chambered larger than .223/5.56 up to and including .308 cal/7.62mm similar in outward appearance to the “Service Rifle” described in 3.1(c), above, equipped with the standard 10-,20-,or 30- round box magazine, having not less than 4 ½ pound trigger pull, with standard type “tac cal” stock (Military or Police); barrel length not to exceed 22”; total weight of the rifle including one empty magazine, bipod and/or sling, if any, and sigh ng system (scope) may not exceed 15 pounds. No current na onal records are allowed.”

That doesn't seem to cover whether single loading not from a mag is allowed.

 

[Herzo]

Good thinking on the mag-length ammo. I think I'll just default to 77 SMKs and see how that goes. But, I would be surprised if mag-length is a rule for AR-Tac as it isn't a rule for regular SR at 500/600yd. I'll ask our CMP match director for some clarification and post here if he has any.

CMP has no rule for mag length in AR Tactical, not certain about NRA.

 

[Herzo]

From NRA 2024 rules, while not stating that ammo must be mag length, the implication is there.

3.3.3 {g} Magazine – Standard 10-, 20-, or 30- round magazines must be used. Reduced capacity magazines and “sleds” are prohibited. Magazine may not be used for support and may not touch the ground during f iring or recoil. See Rule 5.2.

5.2 refers to artificial support...

 

[aspiker]

In the NRA 2025 High Power Rule book, It does not reference anything about the ammo for the AR Tactical Divison. But if you reference rule
3.17 Ammunition
Ammunition must be safe. Not blow primers, split cases, etc.

So the NRA ammo is the same as the CMP
The CMP just says
Ammunition must be safe.

So both the CMP and NRA rules are the same on
any cartridge between 556-308
Barel length not to exceed 22"
Triger weight 4 1/2 lbs
Optic no more than 16X

But where they differ is the weight of the rifle
CMP 14 lb max
NRA 15 lb MAX

The use of Suppressors
CMP NO
NRA YES

Then type of event
CMP AR Tactical is Mid Range and Long Range
NRA AR Tactical is only Mid Range in their rule book

 

[Jon Leary]

The rules do not disallow single loading of overlength cartridges.

 

[Jon Leary]

There is no loading from a magazine in long range period.

 

[AR Shooter]

There is no loading from a magazine in long range period.

Think the rule against using a sled is very short-sighted for single-load requirements. I'm guessing any reasonable MD would skip.

 

[SSchnd]

CMP and NRA 2025 rules books do have some minor differences and thus depending on the Match Program should be reviewed.

I fire and do see more clubs going the way of the CMP so I will quote CMP Rulle book for AR Tactical.

Page 48



6.11 has a snippet on Long Rage AR Tac While 6.13 addresses the Midrange Course of Fire
I have not ever seen a SLED be a cause for DQ or not compliance in AR Tac

As the NRA rule book is a little more Wordy! here are the references pages .
2025 NRA Rule book for AR Tac pages 68-70 Section 23 - 3.3.3 and 3.16.1 should offer clarity as to the minor differences. '

 

[XTR]

Think the rule against using a sled is very short-sighted for single-load requirements. I'm guessing any reasonable MD would skip.

It’s been like that since the class was introduced as a provisional. I am certain, based on the rest of what was/is in the rules and the discussion of goals that came with the provisional class some 6 or so yrs ago, that there was some intention to require mag length ammunition and loading from the mags in the initial thoughts. that got crossways over safety and the overall prone match rules in slow fire matches and the 2 things have never been resolved. The NRA fell on some hard times in the interim and a lot of stuff has been left unfinished.

 

[323]

Fellas, before giving advise for an AR Tactical rig, I would recommend that the rules concerning the length of loaded ammo be known. Another words does it need to be magazine loadable?I have tried to get that information from the NRA with no success. CMP I don't know. Shooters I'm around and have shot a large matches tell me it's mag length only. The heavier bullets won't fit that bill.
I'm not trying to start a lengthy discussion to divert from the original post. But that needs to be addressed.

NRA highpower rule book 3.17 says nothing about ammunition needing to mag length. The entire of course of fire per rule book is slow fire. So if there are matches out there and they are restricting the use of ammunition then they are not reading the rule book.

 

[323]

When AR tactical started there were handful of us shooting it at our local matches. Then the scores were coming in and all the sudden the match rifle sling shooters were howling at the moon. We even had a guy call the NRA telling them it wasn’t fair what took him years to become a high master an AR tactical shooter would do it in one season. I went a different route and built 2-224 Valkyries using ARP barrels (no longer selling them) then at the end it was just me and another person shooting AR tactical. But now seems to be a resurgence in AR tactical. But as mentioned earlier I would get a bison armory barrel, n540, 85.5 bergers you are good out to 1k yds. You will be a high master by the end of the shooting season

 

[Jon Leary]

The reason I shoot AR Tactical is I am 86 and No way can I endure sling shooting. It was tough when I was young.

 

[LVLAaron]

Think the rule against using a sled is very short-sighted for single-load requirements. I'm guessing any reasonable MD would skip.

I could argue it goes against the spirit of the intended discipline. It's meant for guys to dust off their AR and shoot a match without doing anything special.

 

[XTR]

Ray Charles could see where this was going to go when they proposed it. The idea was for an easy peasy class for newbs to get out and play… Yea, that lasted about um… never.. I’ve posted the results here before but it took about 1 yr before I saw the first 200-20x score. Guys who were anything but newbie’s shooting purpose built rifles shooting routinely 595+ with 50+ X counts.

I know it’s a recognized class but it’s far from a mature rule set.

I’ve had serious discussions about building a 6SLR in a large frame AR just to game the guys running hot 223s.

 

[Jon Leary]

I guess the remedy would be to go to the F class target. I shot a 396 in my first AR Tac match. Conditions were ideal. My friend who never shot any rifle competition before is shooting good at over 70 years of age.

 

[sfinn1]

Here's my opinion on AR Tactical. The game has evolved from its original conception. Pull a rifle out of the closet or safe and go shoot to get more shooters involved. To be honest the sport is not that. We have evolved into 22' barrels and rifles chambered in calibers such as 22 ARC, 6mm Creedmoor, etc. The original intent has been gamed out of existence. So, "Rules Makers" lets get with it and say the bob sled, which offers no shooting advantage is legal. And If the CMP and NRA allow it, so what's the problem? Let's define maximum ammunition length allowable. what's so hard that it can't be defined in the rule book.
More power to the competitor who shoots clean strings. Like F Open they'll separate the wheat from the chaff with X points.

End of Rant,
Steve