Front/Rear Rest Height Limit?

[Killick]

An F-Class shooter that frequents our Mid and Long range matches has neck issues due to injuries and requires substantial elevation for his front and rear rests in order to compete. His rear rest 'elevator' was outside the "2" on any given side" limit (3.4.1 Rifle Rests- 2). I let him shoot but informed him he would be ineligible for awards. After researching the rule I was curious as to whether it pertained to the 'bottom' of the rear rest as it is also a 'side'. Both front and rear rests are elevated by at least 4" beyond their nominal capabilities. Didn't think to take a pic at the time...my bad.

 

[Steve h]

I have neck problems also. I had to have the scope at least 14 inches off the ground when I could still shoot off the ground. That only lasted one season. I applied to the NRA for a variance to shoot Fclass from a portable bench I made. Not a quick process but was finally granted the variance. I couldn’t compete without it. Believe me, there’s no advantage shooting Fclass from a bench, but it’s still fun to compete.

 

[F Class John]

In theory, and at least as far as I've seen the rules interpreted as of today, the rear bag itself can be as tall and wide as one would want so long as it's a single unit BUT anything placed under it would then have the 2" rule applied. FWIW I've always seen that ruling in reference to the sides being front, back, left, right but not the bottom as that's not usually considered a side ( actual geometry aside). A good example of larger than average bags are these ultra-high bags from Dima and then of course you could put something under it to make it taller.

I can tell you I've seen any number of spacers permanently screwed to the bottom of bags to add height and at some point, I suppose someone could file a complaint but I've yet to see it happen (when it's considered one solid bag). I have however seen support plates contested or ruled out when they violate these rules.

Now there's obviously a point of excessive practicality if a rest is made too tall either in weight, usable dimensionlity or stability so I guess there's a point of diminishing returns somewhere.

This is obviously one of those grey areas in the F Class Rules that usually comes back to spirit of the rules vs. intent of the rules vs. practical application of the rules that's often left up to a MD to rule on. Aside from the 2" rules for additional boards or spacers under the bag and the contents of the bags, there's not a lot of other definites here so you just have to do your best as MD. All I can say is try to be consistent in your rulings.

I forgot to mention that the word 'elevator' was used by the OP, so if it was mechanical in nature then that's an easy one to rule on as well since those aren't allowed for the rear rest (in F Class).

 

[rardoin]

I would think that if the riser is permanently attached to the base of the bag, that it would fit the regulations. I have had the rubber base delaminate from the bottom of a SEB Bigfoot bag and reattached it with 3M 5200 adhesive. If he chooses that route, mask off any area that you don't want the adhesive to stick to....cause it ain't coming off. I've owned several boats with decks and hulls that are a testament to my lack of the use of masking tape (When I asked Sebastian @seb what I should use to reattach it and inquired about the use of 5200, he said that should not have happened even though it was 5+ seasons old and he sent me a new one from Indonesia that was received in under a week!... what a guy!)