barrel mirage shield?

[Dos XX]

Seems like that rule bans mirage shields as well. Unless a tuner is specifically mentioned as allowed equipment, it could be interpreted to disallow tuners as well, couldn't it?

 

[rmist]

Well ok then !! I use a piece of thin non reflective white plastic sheet about 3 inches wide Velcro to the barrel. When done shooting I roll it up and put in an old metal Band-Aid box. What is the black material I see on the sling shooters rifles. Also looks like it's held on with what looks to me like a hair band.
Thanks again

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Mirage bands and shields, while they are not specifically mentioned in the rules, have been been used in NRA competition for a very long time so I doubt a referee would disallow them now. Just make sure you have your shield on the rifle when you bring it in for weighing.

Shooting mats (not matts) or pads are specifically mentioned and allowed in the rules (3.10), as are gloves, padding, slings, spotting scopes and various other things. Compensators and muzzle brakes (or what some people call breaks) are specifically mentioned and prohibited. I'm not sure about tuners and I would hate to be the first person to have that tested from a rule point of view, especially if I would be told to remove it or go home.

And before some people decide to bring umbrellas and other similar things to the line, read rule 6.3 about the use of temporary individual shelters of any type. Spoiler alert, they are prohibited. I would not be surprised if that rule was quoted to Mr. Biggs about his use of a personal fan.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Upon further reflection about the tuner, if I had to make a call on it, I would allow it with the following caveats. It would need to be tightly clamped to the barrel and need to be weighed with the rifle exactly as it would be used on the line.

I do not believe that it helps the shooter marksmanship by making it easier to shoot the rifle; it is designed to make the rifle more precise so it does not contravene rule 3.18. It is not a muzzle brake or a compensator and it does not present a danger to others (which is why I mentioned the tight clamping.) It's more of a artifact of the construction of the rifle.

But that's just me and that would be the way I would argue my case if I used one. There is no telling what the NRA or a referee would say and theirs if the final word.

 

[memilanuk]

Been following this with some interest. Honestly, as a match director, I'd probably allow it - so long as it didn't disturb the shooters on adjacent firing points.

I personally don't see it as being against the spirit of the rules - there are some days/places where it is just too damn hot, period. Other ranges a mirage band is almost a liability because the wind blows so much you have to strap the bloody thing down - velcro is not enough. If one person wants to use a fan for relief from the heat because they're silly enough to shoot in a heavy coat (sorry Danny ) and another wants to use it so they can *maybe* see through their March scope on 80x after 10 am... I don't really care either way.

It's one of many grey areas or edge cases that have never been formally ruled upon by the NRA - or if they have, never communicated to the general shooting population.

The whole attached-to-the-gun-and-weighed thing is kind of amusing as well. What about attached to a leg of an F-Open front-rest? Or how about not trying to codify things that don't need range-lawyering?