The NRA Competitions division barely has the staff to publish new rules in a timely manner. I surely dont forsee them going overboard here.... but it is the NRA.
Similar to what they've done with paper targets and the "official seal" the only thing they need to do is certify that a manufacturer makes a product that when used correctly, meets accuracy standards. If a range cant set up the frames or infrastructure (similar to pasting a creased paper target on the backer) then the accuracy standards are out the window. Thats not the target manufacturer's (paper or electronic) fault.
**Fingers crossed**
Excellent points and my fingers a crossed as well.
Below is the latest public information release from the NRA
https://competitions.nra.org/competition-resources/rule-books/
https://competitions.nra.org/media/7934/2019-high-power-update.pdf
High Power Book Electronic Rules
1. Page 13 after Rule 4.1 add the following:
4.1.1 Electronic Targets – Targets used in electronic target systems will faithfully conform to the paper target descriptions and dimensions contained in these Rules.
4.1.2 Electronic Target Systems – Where electronic target systems are being used, only
NRA-Licensed and Certified electronic target systems shall be used in NRA Registered
Tournaments and NRA sanctioned State, Regional and National Championship Tournaments. NRA Approved Tournaments and other events where national records are not at issue may use electronic scoring systems that are not NRA-Licensed and Certified. NRA-Licensed and Certified Electronic Target Systems shall meet all minimum requirements set forth elsewhere in these Rules.
4.1.3. NRA shall be responsible for the development, implementation and administration of a process for licensing and certification of electronic target systems in conformity with these Rules which is fair and equitable.
- Page 21 after RULE 8.2(a) add the following
(1) Two or more competitors on the Firing Line - The time allowance will be 45 seconds per shot for all ranges. The time allowed starts from the command to commence fire and the target is raised in the case of the first shot by the first competitor. On subsequent shots, the time allowed starts from the time the target has been scored and recorded for the previous shot. When a competitor has been timed by a range official and has exceeded the allowed time limit, the competitor will be warned ONE time without penalty. When a competitor exceeds the allowed time after the first warning, the range official will forfeit the value of that shot for that competitor.
- Page 25 after Rule 9.25 add the following:
9.25.1 Firing During 7-Second Delay Using Electronic Targets – No competitor will deliberately fire during the 7-second delay applicable to F-Class competitions when electronic targets are in use. All such unauthorized shots shall be scored as misses.
- Page 26 After Rule 9.27.1 add the following:
9.27.2 Willful Use of Subsonic Ammunition on Electronic Targets – When electronic target systems are used, no competitor shall knowingly use ammunition which is subsonic at the time it impacts the target or reaches the target line. Subsonic rounds may cause damage to target systems and may result in erroneous readings.
- Page 32 10.7.1 Substitue (e) as follows:
(e) Failure of electronic target system Reletter current (e) to (f)
6. Page 34 & 35 remove the
note and (a) under Rule 10.17. Under 10.17.1 add the following: (a). Environmental Requirements: (i) The System must be capable of successfully surviving longterm sustained storage temperatures between -40C(-40F) and +50C (+122F) without suffering damage; (ii) The System must be capable of successful operation at temperatures between 15C(+5F) and +45C(+113F). The Manufacturer of each System must divulge the frequency and power ranges of all transmissions to ensure that the System can be configured so as NOT to interfere with any existing local transmitting or receiving facilities, and must be capable of continuous successful operation in the presence of any local radar, radio, television or other common electronic transmission or emissions. The System must be capable of successful operation in conditions of light rain, moderate rain and heavy rain.
Change current paragraph (a) to (b) to read as follows: Electronic scoring targets must be capable of consistently scoring shots to within .25 inches of center-of-shot accuracy under all conditions at all distances at which the NRA Sanctioned rifle competition will be conducted.
Change current paragraph (b) to (c) to read as follows:
All target units must provide a black aiming area corresponding in size to the black areas of the respective competition targets (Section 4 Targets) and show a nonreflective, contrasting white or off-white area surrounding the black aiming area. Targets used for F-Class competition must be of the same size and dimensions as regular paper targets and must display and be calibrated for conventional scoring rings visible to the competitor through the rifle scope, including the “X” inside the XRing, or the “V” inside the “V-Ring” on International targets
Change current paragraph (c) to (d) and (d) to (e) to read as follows:
(e) Every shot hitting an electronic target must have its result, with its location and value, displayed on a monitors placed on the firing point for both the shooter and the scorer.
Change (e) and (f) to (f) and (g), respectively. Change (g) to (h) as follows:
- If practical, in In F-Class and other competition a seven (7) second delay in the presentation of the last shot fired on the firing line monitor shall be used. may be made available for use by the competitor as an option on the monitor. When used in F-Class competition and whenever possible and practicable, the system should be programmed so as to display the words “Waiting” during the 7- second delay and to show a digital count-down of the seconds, and where additional shots arrive at the target during the “Waiting” period, those shots should be displayed as well as the initial shot. The purpose of this procedure is to assist with the shot value determinations in cross-fire situations. Any shots fired during the mandatory 7-second delay are record shots and shall be scored as misses.
Change (h) to (i) as follows:
- The scoring system must be capable of identifying and recording sighting shots and transferring sighting shots to shots of record when convertible sighters are used.
Under Rule 10.17.2 change as follows:
Substitute following paragraph in
(c) When using an electronic target system, the scorer shall use normal scoring procedures using a paper score card. The paper score card is the official record for the match.
Delete (d) & (e)
- Page 36 Rule 10.17.4 Change paragraph (d)(1) as follow:
(1) If the range Officer confirms that the competitor did not fire the disputed shot(s), the shot must be deleted.
- Page 37 Replace Rule 10.17.6 as follows:
10.17.6 Insufficient Hits in Rapid fire
(a) Initial inquiry refer to Rule 10.17.8. If a protest is filed proceed as follows: In the case of hits all in the 9 and/or 10 ring refer to rule 14.11. (b) Refer to rule 14.12 for insufficient shots fired.
- If a refire is authorized refer to Rule 9.14.
Rule 10.17.7 change as follows:
In the event of a failure of a SINGLE target on the range:
- In the event a single target fails and the Electronic Scoring target cannot be repaired within five (5) minutes, the competitor will be moved to a reserve position and when he is ready to resume, and additional five (5) minutes will be added to the competition time remaining (three (3) minute preparation time and two (2) minutes for 2 sighting shots).
Change Rule 10.17.8 as follows:
In the event that a competitor fires a shot which does not register on the electronic scoring system, the competitor must immediately inform the nearest Range Official of the failure. A Range Official must make a written note of the time of the complaint. One or more Range Officers must go to the firing position for the purpose of determining whether the competitor has cross-fired. If no cross-fire can be identified on adjacent targets or targets elsewhere on the range, and the competitor has all of his previous shots in the black, he will be directed to fire another shot. If it registers he will be given the value of that shot to replace the missing shot and be directed to continue to fire. If it does not register he will be directed to Rule 10.17.8(a)
(a) The competitor will be directed to fire one more aimed shot at his target. If the value and location of the shot is registered and displayed on a monitor, the unaccounted for shot will be scored as a miss. A competitor whose shot has been scored as a miss, above, may register a protest and continue to fire the required number of rounds under protest. Upon completion of fire range officials shall make appropriate technical inquiry of the system to determine whether the shot should remain as a miss or scored in some other appropriate manner.
Delete (b) and(c)
Renumber current (d) to (a)
- Page 45 Rule 14.3.1 Change the first sentence to read as follows:
Scorers’ Duties—Scorers are required whenever targets are scored electronically, in the pits or on frames.
- Page 46 Rule 14.3.1 Change paragraph (e) to read as follows: (add in)
When targets are scored electronically, the scorer will also enter the score on the permanent paper score card according to the procedures set forth in subsections (a), (f), (g) and (h) of this section; and the paper score card will become the official record of the score fired unless otherwise challenged and appropriately modified. It is the scorer’s responsibility to faithfully observe the shooter to guard against crossfires and spurious electronically recorded shots. In their capacity as match officials, scorers are responsible for enforcing the 45-second rule applicable when firing two or three competitors from the same mound (firing point).
Reletter paragraph (e) to (f) and (f) to (g) and (g) to(h)
- Page 54 Rule 17.1 add the following paragraph.
(a) National records may be set on electronic target systems only where NRALicensed and Certified targets systems are used and where the procedures set forth elsewhere in the Rules for the use of electronic targets and systems are used. *Note: This rule will be effective January 2020.
