New F-Class NRA Rule

[Papa Charlie]

Found this in a search for rules on electronics specifically the use of Chronographs.

This is the new rule. Does anyone know if this applies to both Open and Target Rifle classes?

New Rule: 3.4 F-Class Rifle – Rule 3.4(a)(1) The rifle’s overall weight, including all attachments such as sights and bipod, must not exceed 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds). An “attachment” also includes any external object, other than the competitor and apparel, which recoils or partially recoils with the rifle, or which is clamped, held, or joined in any way to the rifle for each shot, or which even slightly raises with the straight vertical lifting of the rifle from its rest(s).

 

[sdean]

Think magnetospeed. It attaches.

 

[Jdne5b]

I believe that rule was drafted because of someone who build a clamp in front rest that released (raised) when the rifle was lifted.

 

[skiutah02]

Yes it would apply to both ftr and open if it was a magnetospeed attached to the rifle. A Labradar on the line would also be disallowed under the electronic rule. Drew

 

[Papa Charlie]

My question was not associated with the MS. The MS is a chronograph and not allowed during a match so shouldn't have any affect on weight limits.

The weight limits for F-Class have been, 22 lbs (approximately) and 18.2 lbs for Target Rifle.

It appears that this rule would make TR the same as Open.

 

[bsumoba]

Yes, the part of the rule that states "or which even slightly raises with the straight vertical lifting of the rifle from its rest(s)" applies to both Open and TR.

So, an Open person that clamps their rest too hard or "pinches" their rifle into the bag such that when someone lifts the rifle off the rest and the rest lifts with it (the term slight would be in my opinion, subjective and I think the rule should be more explicit as to what "slight" means), the weight of the rest would be included as part of the gun weight.

In TR, same rule applies. A bipod is stuck to the rifle, so when someone lifts said rifle, the bipod comes up with it and therefore is part of the weight of the rifle. I am also assuming the configuration of the rifle is, "as it is shot in a match".

 

[dcali]

I think the intent here is to keep people from getting cute with the front rest. Your typical open setup is basically return to battery for some calibers, so I’m not sure why the fuss. We’re well beyond the original vision in my view.

 

[Marksman63]

Following

 

[sdean]

I think the intent here is to keep people from getting cute with the front rest. Your typical open setup is basically return to battery for some calibers, so I’m not sure why the fuss. We’re well beyond the original vision in my view.

We are so far past original vision. You think a Seb bipod is original vision?
Just human nature to improve or seek an advantage. It ain't going away. Just keep making more specific rules.

 

[bsumoba]

I think the intent here is to keep people from getting cute with the front rest. Your typical open setup is basically return to battery for some calibers, so I’m not sure why the fuss. We’re well beyond the original vision in my view.

Yes, that is and was the intent...to prevent people from getting cute with the front rest. Yes, some calibers in the open setup feel a lot like return to battery and that may be an advantage, but it is also a disadvantage to shoot the smaller caliber (in general) since that caliber suffers quite a bit in the wind. So, in Open we have to make a decision. Shoot the inherently easier cartridge or shoot the larger cartridge that takes more effort to shoot. The moment I see Open shooters returning a gun to battery and simply pulling the trigger without looking down the scope, then I say we have to start having a hard look at the equipment.

 

[kzin]

My question was not associated with the MS. The MS is a chronograph and not allowed during a match so shouldn't have any affect on weight limits.

The weight limits for F-Class have been, 22 lbs (approximately) and 18.2 lbs for Target Rifle.

It appears that this rule would make TR the same as Open.

You quoted 3.4.a.1 which is specific to open
Rule 3.4.b.1 sets ftr weight at 18.18 pounds

Unless this is part of a huge 2019 rewrite that I'm not finding.
The underlined bit was new in the 2018 rules.

 

[Papa Charlie]

You quoted 3.4.a.1 which is specific to open
Rule 3.4.b.1 sets ftr weight at 18.18 pounds

Unless this is part of a huge 2019 rewrite that I'm not finding.
The underlined bit was new in the 2018 rules.

Supposedly this was a change for 2018. This comes from the NRA website. Maybe there is another section as you point out that adds additional clarification between the two classes but this section doesn't distinguish between them.
The underlined sentence was as found, I did not add this.

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/4/26/nra-2018-rule-changes/

 

[skibar_tx]

Supposedly this was a change for 2018. This comes from the NRA website. Maybe there is another section as you point out that adds additional clarification between the two classes but this section doesn't distinguish between them.
The underlined sentence was as found, I did not add this.

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/4/26/nra-2018-rule-changes/

Your paragraph started out "New Rule: 3.4 F-Class Rifle – Rule 3.4(a)(1)". So they were specifically talking about about F-Open, which is Rule 3.4(a).

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks for the clarification. I have gone to the PDF version of the rule book and have found it difficult to follow.

 

[skibar_tx]

Thanks for the clarification. I have gone to the PDF version of the rule book and have found it difficult to follow.

Yeah, I know.... Rule 3.4 is specific to F-Class in general, with each discipline given a subcategory which is (a) for F-Open and (b) for FTR.

 

[kzin]

It's a sloppy citation on their part. There was a citation like that that made it sound like all ARs would be allowed a 15x scope when it was really the provisional AR-Tactical class only.

The current(2018)rules are quite clear on the open/tr separation

(a) F-Class Open Rifle (F-0) - A rifle...
(1) The rifle’s overall weight, including all attachments such as
sights and bipod, must not exceed 10 kilograms (approximately
22 pounds). An “attachment” also includes any external object,
other that the competitor and apparel, which recoils or partially
recoils with the rifle, or which is clamped, held, or joined in
any way to the rifle for each shot, or which even slightly raises
with the straight vertical lifting of the rifle from its rests).
...
(b) F-Class Target Rifle (F-TR)

 

[Ned Ludd]

It's a shame, really. I'd love to have 32" long, 1.25" diameter straight contour barrels on my F-TR rifles.

 

[Papa Charlie]

It's a shame, really. I'd love to have 32" long, 1.25" diameter straight contour barrels on my F-TR rifles.

The closest I have come to that is 30", 1.25" for 5", then taper to .950" at muzzle. Total weight 7.43 lb. Right now my FTR rifle is about 6 oz under limit. Was hoping this changed the rule.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I recently had a new .308 built by Alex Wheeler with a big Borden BRMXD action (typically used for F-Open calibers) and a 1.350" shank 30" HV barrel. With a carbon fiber stock and fixed power scope, it comes in at 18.045 lbs. It's a beautiful piece of work and just under the weight limit, but my component choices put it closer than I would ordinarily be comfortable with. Frankly, I was joking above...I don't even know what it would be like to shoot an F-TR rifle off a bipod with a 32" long 1.25" straight contour pipe hanging out the front. It might actually be horrible in terms of balance. Nonetheless, I bet it would be a lot of fun to find out .

 

[Steve Jennings]

It's a shame, really. I'd love to have 32" long, 1.25" diameter straight contour barrels on my F-TR rifles.

sjr-enterprises.com
We made weight ( and balance ) with a 34" X 1.25" dia barrel