I have a board with a piece of carpet on it to use under the bipod. The bipod has narrow feet and after a few rounds the bipod tries to follow the flattened carpet. Is this considered a track that is noted in the rules as being prohibited? Trying to do the right thing. Thanks
Question For Rule Regarding FTR
- Thread starter Curmudgeon
- Start date
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
Most places... no. I've seen people go to much further lengths than that and not get called on it.
Generally, if it doesn't look like the grooves were *deliberately* made, but more a side effect of the ski feet riding on the carpet or mat surface, I think you will get the benefit of the doubt.
When it starts looking like you're deliberately trying to facilitate tracking - by say gluing a foam block on that mat for it to ride along or butt up against... you may get some grief. Or if you have a board with side rails and front and rear stops... yeah, that's probably going to get challenged while you're still in prep time
An over-zealous range official who is not personally familiar with F/TR and is taking the rules at face value might be swayed either way on the tracks in the carpet. I'd be reasonably sure that a Jury (at a Registered match) would rule otherwise, though.
Generally, if it doesn't look like the grooves were *deliberately* made, but more a side effect of the ski feet riding on the carpet or mat surface, I think you will get the benefit of the doubt.
When it starts looking like you're deliberately trying to facilitate tracking - by say gluing a foam block on that mat for it to ride along or butt up against... you may get some grief. Or if you have a board with side rails and front and rear stops... yeah, that's probably going to get challenged while you're still in prep time
An over-zealous range official who is not personally familiar with F/TR and is taking the rules at face value might be swayed either way on the tracks in the carpet. I'd be reasonably sure that a Jury (at a Registered match) would rule otherwise, though.
No.
It might depend on the build of the bipod. The early Sebs had a foot made out of channel with the two "uprights" of the channel towards the carpet. We are uncomfortable with those feet here in Australia but currently they're acceptable, but might be reconsidered where the carpet has a deep nap.
Thanks, the bipod is a Sinclair with after market feet, just more narrow than stock foot, and after the match the carpet doesn't have a path that shows. The bipod just doesn't jump left after firing a shot. Appreciate the answers.
A Sinclair bipod that doesn't jump? Show me a picture or it doesn't exist.
Yeah, really!
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
Interesting that you mention both the channel and the carpet with a nap to it.
A bipod that I have been using (Talon) has feet similar to the early SEBs... I did notice that it does tend to run it its own groove after a point during a string. Given that the lip is fairly shallow, I wasn't aware that anyone had issues with that.
As far as the carpet with a longer or deeper nap to it... a past team mate had a shag bath mat that he used... his gun tracked *great*. Far better than mine, and we had otherwise identical guns - same stock, same bag, same bipod. It wasn't until more recently that I made the connection... it wasn't so much that it dug a groove, in my observation, as that it just didn't allow the bipod to skitter along sideways like a hog on ice. The left leg planted rather than slid sideways, and that was that.
Given that the effect is very similar to what you get shooting with the feet directly in the turf/grass... I think it'd be stretching things a *lot* to say that the level of nap is something to be argued or regulated, in my opinion.
Here are two pictures of the new feet. It tales very thin carpet to keep the feet tracking.
Attachments
Here is a picture with carpet. Just a little pressure from the side keeps rifle from jumping.
Attachments
Remember that I referred to ICFRA rules, not US domestic rules. Australia's domestic rules are identical to ICFRA's for F/TR. These are the ICFRA rules that raises concern:
- F2.5 The F/TR rifle may be supported by an attached bipod which may not provide a positive mechanical method for retirning the rifle to its point of aim from the previous shot.
- F2.9 ... It is not permitted to provide tracks for the guidance of bipod feet...
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
...and therein lies the rub. Like I said, if it was an obvious deliberate effort to 'provide tracks for the guidance of bipod feet', I'd agree, it would be illegal. But if the tracks occur as a natural side effect of the bipod feet moving along the surface of the pad/mat/carpet... seems less clear cut to me. The first would be in keeping with the apparent 'spirit' and intent of the rule; the latter... like someone looking to be fussy for no good reason.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
So, what is your regimen for sharpening the feet? Is it after every match or every three matches? What kind of file to you use? How many strokes per foot? Did you get it at Harbor Freight? What kind of paint do you use for touch up after sharpening?
In looking at this I think I'm in agreement with Monte that it would not meet the definition for either a "positive mechanical method" or "providing" tracks. While the tracks may result from the materials used they were not created deliberately for that purpose. If the front bag supporting the forend of an F-Open rifle doesn't qualify as a mechanical method then I'd find it hard to support the argument that this does. No issue in my books.
Scott
I appreciate all the answers to my question. I bought the Sinclair to upgrade from a Harris. With my rifle the Sinclair slides to the left and I am looking at someone else's target. I saw narrow feet for sale on a website but was backordered forever. I cut some feet from aluminum stock. I had some carpet left from some work in the house so I made a mat for the bipod. The rifle didn't slide left, it worked better. I noticed there were marks where the bipod slid front to back. If there are any complaints I will find something else. I don't shoot enough F t/r to justify buying a better bipod. I didn't scribe the carpet with a soldering iron and the rifle isn't pulled back to battery. If my friends complain I will withdraw. I guess it will remain as is until someone who writes and approves the rules to state one way or another. I do like using a joystick so if someone has an extra Seb that is collecting dust I could clean it up and use it till they need it back. Anyway thanks again.
... and get better friends! Last time I checked this was supposed to be fun!
Curmudgeon, if all else fails, try fine tuning your position/hold
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