NRA Rule Change - F-T/R

[DE-F-Open]

FYI -

On Sunday, May 2, 2021, the NRA Board of Directors meeting in Dallas, Texas, unanimously approved an amendment to F-Class Rule 3.4.1.b.2 by adding the following language to the existing rule:

"It is not permitted to provide tracks for the guidance of bipod feet, nor may the combination of bipod feet and/or pad materials create a track. The pad surface should be smooth enough to allow the bipod to be moved in any direction without having to lift the rifle or move the pad that the bipod is on."

This change in F-Class Rule 3.4.1.b.2 became effective immediately upon passage.

Please also note that the NRA Board adopted the above amendment as being "Provisional" and "Interim" in nature and referred the amended rule to the High Power Rifle Committee for further review and consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

John

 

[Ned Ludd]

Can you offer any insight as to how this rule will affect shooters using traditional Harris-type bipods with rubber feet that are "pre-loaded"? Although it is possible with sufficient force to move the rifle with such a bipod setup across the rubber pad of a shooting mat, they do not move easily, which is the whole point for that style of shooting. It seems as though this amendment should address the fact that it is primarily intended for shooters using a bipod with ski-type feet, which are designed and intended to track during the recoil impulse, but not for those using traditional bipods, which are not.

 

[DE-F-Open]

I may be mistaken ( and probably am), but it appears to me that NRA's F-Class Rules are silent on your particular issue.

The only other Rule of which I am aware that might impact the issue you have presented might be Rule 3.18 generally pertaining to the spirit of the rules. I offer no opinion in that regard.

Hope that helps at least a little bit,

John

 

[Ned Ludd]

I may be mistaken ( and probably am), but it appears to me that NRA's F-Class Rules are silent on your particular issue.

The only other Rule of which I am aware that might impact the issue you have presented might be Rule 3.18 generally pertaining to the spirit of the rules. I offer no opinion in that regard.

Hope that helps at least a little bit,

John

Thanks, John. This is an observation I have made previously when this amendment to the rules was first proposed. Although the majority of F-TR shooters are now using ski-type bipods, there are some that do not. It may turn out that this never actually becomes an issue in an actual match...then again, it could. It seems a little odd to amend a rule such that almost 100% of the setups used in the earlier days of F-TR might possibly be considered illegal. Thanks again for your reply!

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Sooooo, this is strictly an "F-TR" rule for bipod feet; and not equally applicable to F-O?

 

[BP1]

Also what about the folks that have bought and use the flex pod?

 

[DE-F-Open]

Sooooo, this is strictly an "F-TR" rule for bipod feet; and not equally applicable to F-O?

Hi Danny,

Rule 3.4.1.b.2 applies to F-T/R, only. F-Open has its own rule pertaining to shooting with a bipod.

John

Thanks, John. This is an observation I have made previously when this amendment to the rules was first proposed. Although the majority of F-TR shooters are now using ski-type bipods, there are some that do not. It may turn out that this never actually becomes an issue in an actual match...then again, it could. It seems a little odd to amend a rule such that almost 100% of the setups used in the earlier days of F-TR might possibly be considered illegal. Thanks again for your reply!

You are welcome.

If you think this is an issue that should be addressed or at least considered by the High Power Committee, then you should write to the Committee at NRAHQ and suggest to them to look at it. When you do, you should explain to them why it should be considered and tell them what you think they should do and why.

But, like you said, it doesn't seem to be an issue right now.

John

 

[JayBeeYou]

Will this mean the joypod pads will be a no go now? I don't use them but alot of guys are running them under the bipods.

 

[Dub]

Will this mean the joypod pads will be a no go now? I don't use them but alot of guys are running them under the bipods.

I doubt the Joy pads are an issue but who knows

 

[Trevor60]

Can you offer any insight as to how this rule will affect shooters using traditional Harris-type bipods with rubber feet that are "pre-loaded"? Although it is possible with sufficient force to move the rifle with such a bipod setup across the rubber pad of a shooting mat, they do not move easily, which is the whole point for that style of shooting. It seems as though this amendment should address the fact that it is primarily intended for shooters using a bipod with ski-type feet, which are designed and intended to track during the recoil impulse, but not for those using traditional bipods, which are not.

YMMV but as i read it

The rule wouldn't affect a shooter using a Harris bipod.

- Harris doesn't make tracks.
- The rubber pad of a shooting mat won't make or hold tracks.
- the rubber shooting mat surface is smooth

Would the rubber feet of the Harris with the rubber surface of he shooting mat , get you DQ'd for this specfic aspect of the rule "The pad surface should be smooth enough to allow the bipod to be moved in any direction without having to lift the rifle or move the pad that the bipod is on."

No... ICFRA rules FTR bipods are allowed to have spiked feet, which can be up to 2" they do not allow the bipod to move in any direction without lifting the rifle. NRA doesn't appear to have the spike language anymore.

But have someone win a major match with a Harris and rubber mat and see if it gets challenged.

Cheers
Trevor

 

[Jennb]

If a piece of shag carpet is a problem then I would foresee joypod pads being a problem with some people.

 

[XTR]

If you search around you could find some photos of Seb shooting what looks a whole lot like Jason’s* joypod on a SEB pad in OZ and there are carpet squares on the pad to prevent grooves.

* until the most recent iteration I don’t know of another joypod that was anodized purple and black

For what it’s worth, I agree that the HP committee needs to address non sliding bipods like Harris, Atlas, Flexpods, Accu-tacs, LRAs, and others that are not designed to slide. They are viable F-TR kit and should not be open to interpretation.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Now that it's official, I most look forward to the confused stares from the F-Open folks as I'm lugging to the line a 50lb chunk of cement with mouse pads glued to it.

#protestproof

 

[DE-F-Open]

Will this mean the joypod pads will be a no go now? I don't use them but alot of guys are running them under the bipods.

You may want to read the rule - it says nothing about joy pods. It addresses the surface the joy pod travels on, only

 

[Jdne5b]

You may want to read the rule - it says nothing about joy pods. It addresses the surface the joy pod travels on, only

You may want to reread his question. He asked about joypod pads. Not joypods.

 

[Laurie]

As a Brit, this rule change made me smile. I can see just where it comes from and why it has been instituted. It's not that long since the Bulletin featured somebody's top performing FTR rifle (in the US) fired off some carpet fabric covered something that had deep channels that held and guided the bipod feet.

In the UK however, we mostly shoot off turf and as it rains a lot here, the ground is usually wet and soft. A good stable ski-foot bipod that tracks efficiently digs its own channels naturally into the ground. I can't see how one would stop that. Ironically, many of our JoyPod users don't like this and use the supplied pad even on grass.

The pic illustrates a not unusual condition on my usual range. After finishing a match, you usually can't lift the front end of the rifle up freely, but have to force the feet up through tangled grass stems and roots. The Shooting Shed 'Stotteben' here has very wide curved feet, but still digs in. The narrow pencil feet on the Tier-One 'Carbon' dig in deeper and faster.

 

[Jdne5b]

Carpet backing is not flexible enough to confirm to small channels in the stall mat that is commonly used under the carpet. Especially in the picture of Peters setup that was posted around.

 

[seb]

"As a Brit, this rule change made me smile. I can see just where it comes from and why it has been instituted. It's not that long since the Bulletin featured somebody's top performing FTR rifle (in the US) fired off some carpet fabric covered something that had deep channels that held and guided the bipod feet."

I was there, BSWN last year?

I did not follow where the protests came from nor who made the protest etc but I saw many people crowding there. Someone next to me asked me what I thought about the protest, I said that I don't really care about someone else setups and wouldn't bother because in the end the ones who can read the wind, consistent and the best in that day will win. It's the Indian, not the arrow most of the time. I just shoot and try to enjoy the time. It turned out that the gentlemen was the one who made the Phoenix bipod. I forgot his name but it was a pleasure to meet and talked with him!

Re; Podpad
The original podpad (layered with soft neophrene under the tarpaulin, to keep the top flat) will not establish any track or guidance, especially under the weight of an FTR gun.
People who don't exactly know about the Podpad might probably (my guess?) refer to the pictures of Darrel Bluell's .375 Cheytac for ELR which is not illegal in this match?

I have also seen (I forgot where?) someone was using Podpad, however the neophrene under the top tarp material has been removed(?) so that it formed a deep track. That can happen because Podpad is normally filled with sand.
(Is that the fault of the manufacturer?)

Just a few days ago my wife and I agreed not to make the Podpad anymore. We will concentrate on our rests and the new Joypod-X and some other products only.

Have a nice day!

 

[DE-F-Open]

You may want to reread his question. He asked about joypod pads. Not joypods.

You are correct - sorry - too fast too early - my bad...

 

[Jennb]

"As a Brit, this rule change made me smile. I can see just where it comes from and why it has been instituted. It's not that long since the Bulletin featured somebody's top performing FTR rifle (in the US) fired off some carpet fabric covered something that had deep channels that held and guided the bipod feet."

I was there, BSWN last year?

I did not follow where the protests came from nor who made the protest etc but I saw many people crowding there. Someone next to me asked me what I thought about the protest, I said that I don't really care about someone else setups and wouldn't bother because in the end the ones who can read the wind, consistent and the best in that day will win. It's the Indian, not the arrow most of the time. I just shoot and try to enjoy the time. It turned out that the gentlemen was the one who made the Phoenix bipod. I forgot his name but it was a pleasure to meet and talked with him!

Re; Podpad
The original podpad (layered with soft neophrene under the tarpaulin, to keep the top flat) will not establish any track or guidance, especially under the weight of an FTR gun.
People who don't exactly know about the Podpad might probably (my guess?) refer to the pictures of Darrel Bluell's .375 Cheytac for ELR which is not illegal in this match?

I have also seen (I forgot where?) someone was using Podpad, however the neophrene under the top tarp material has been removed(?) so that it formed a deep track. That can happen because Podpad is normally filled with sand.
(Is that the fault of the manufacturer?)

Just a few days ago my wife and I agreed not to make the Podpad anymore. We will concentrate on our rests and the new Joypod-X and some other products only.

Have a nice day!

People changing the way your equipment is designed to be used is definitely no fault of the manufacturer.