Hard Rock range, Alabama

[Texas Solo]

Went here for the 1st time last week. STRANGE place.

1st, they have a rule of only being allowed one trip from vehicle to range with gear. What is the point of that? Seems strange to me.

2nd, it's all off of benches. They say it's NOT a benchrest match which is inline since your shooting steel targets. But they told me that I could not use my F class biopd because it was not legal in Benchrest comps.
Made me use a Harris type which I was not accustomed to.

The odd rules and inconsistencies
in rules just sucked. I won't be back.

 

[323]

Some places or clubs come up with strange rules. I know of a place where some highpower shooters (not locals) were trying to run legit 100yd reduced matches following the rule book. The locals were like this is dumb came up with there own wonky rules and those highpower shooters from my understanding never went back. Meanwhile the main agitator of the local group likes to brag how they showed those high masters how it was done. No you knucklehead you ran them off because you came up with your own rules that doesn’t benefit anyone.

 

[Danley]

Nothing "strange" about it. HR started off and has always been a tactical style match, with tactical style rifles. There never was an intent for benchrest & f-class style rifles to compete in it.

The intent of the rule #1 is to limit the amount of gear you have at the bench and to keep all the latest & greatest gadgets to a minimum in order to maintain a basic tactical style match. Also it speeds up the time it takes to clear the benches in order to go downrange and score targets. There's very few reasons that you shouldn't be able to carry a rifle, rear bag, ammo & dope book to the line all at one time, even if its in a range bag or backpack. If someone does have a legit reason why they can't, I'm 100% sure that they would work with them on that. I've made many trips up to that line doing so and not once felt like I was not competitive due to being only allowed one trip.

Rule #2 is to keep benchrest & f-class equipment from the match in order to keep the original intent of the match maintained. I do agree though, the rules need to be clarified and read "No F-Class style bipods".

Out of curiosity, what did you not get to carry to the line?

 

[Texas Solo]

Yup. I could also name a club in TX where the MD came up with his own rules involving bipods. His new rule clearly contradicted the NRA rulebook. I quit shooting matches there too.

 

[Texas Solo]

Out of curiosity, what did you not get to carry to the line?

I was able to do it, but at 70 years of age, 5'8", 140 lbs, a bag with ammo, rear sand bag, etc. gets real heavy.
I get your point, but there's plenty of room well behind the firing line.

I also don't see how using a Harris type bipod magically makes my F Class rifle into a "tactical " rifle.

 

[323]

I was able to do it, but at 70 years of age, 5'8", 140 lbs, a bag with ammo, rear sand bag, etc. gets real heavy.
I get your point, but there's plenty of room well behind the firing line.

I also don't see how using a Harris type bipod magically makes my F Class rifle into a "tactical " rifle.

I would take a page out of highpower/service rifle shooter book. Get a wagon, Lowe’s, Costco sell them pretty cheap to and you can haul a ton of stuff in them.

 

[Danley]

I was able to do it, but at 70 years of age, 5'8", 140 lbs, a bag with ammo, rear sand bag, etc. gets real heavy.
I get your point, but there's plenty of room well behind the firing line.

I also don't see how using a Harris type bipod magically makes my F Class rifle into a "tactical " rifle.

I get your point. You could've stagged anything you wanted behind the line and I'm sure could've had help without anyone saying a word. In fact, I know people that was at that match that would've been glad to help you.

To the 2nd part, you would just have to understand how & why the match got started and how the landowner (and founder of the match) has stuck to his original intent through the years to keep the match as fair as possible with very few rules.

Can you describe your rifle? Is it a tactical rifle (McMillan stock) with an F-Class bipod attached. If so, I would definitely call that a tactical rifle more so than f-class.

 

[EBaker]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your experience at Hard Rock. I've been shooting there for 25 years. It's a grest place to learn to read the wind. It's not for everyone. There are no sighters and no BR equipment is allowed. It was developed as a semi-tactical match. We shoot off of benches because a lot of folks can get down on the ground but can't get back up. The march has a possible score of 200 points. It's never been cleaned. One or two have gotten close but no one has cleaned it.
In my opinion, it's one of the best places to shoot in the SE. We have access to 1200 yard there as well. As I said, it's not for everyone. It's not cushy or comfortable, especially in the summer. But, if you can read the wind at that range, you'll do fine at other places. Better luck next time!

 

[Texas Solo]

Can you describe your rifle? Is it a tactical rifle (McMillan stock) with an F-Class bipod attached. If so, I would definitely call that a tactical rifle more so than f-f-class.

Mcmillan A3 stock. More sporter than tactical. Sinclair F Class biopd.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Just for information, what is the difference between a Tactical Bipod and a FClass Bipod.

 

[G Liles]

Just for information, what is the difference between a Tactical Bipod and a FClass Bipod.

F- class is not a folding bi-pod, example is the Seb Joy Pod.

 

[jackieschmidt]

F- class is not a folding bi-pod, example is the Seb Joy Pod.

Thanks.

 

[Danley]

Wider footprint, more stability and ski type feet. Most have a means for elevation adjustment as well.