It's a different game so no rules were changed, Joe. I find it interesting, the different perspectives people have about the caliber neutral aspect of the game but I like the UBR format and it's been pretty successful in a relatively short period of time. The game allows you to shoot a 30, a 22 or a 6mm without being at a scoring advantage or disadvantage. Really nothing more and nothing less in that regard...just different is all. I think it works well because it does allow other calibers to be competitive. I see that as a good thing rather than having a negative view of it. Anything within reason to bring more guns and shooters to the sport of benchrest, I welcome and see no reason to view that in a negative light. The only reason I can imagine is from those that have a 30 and feel like shooting against a 22 or a 6 leaves them at a disadvantage for some reason, because no one is saying you can't still shoot your 30...you just don't have the same scoring advantage that it has in IBS or NBRSA. This is equal and allows us to shoot whatever we feel like gives us the best chance of winning with, as well as encouraging people to test things that aren't tested in other BR venues, as a whole. Again, I think it's more about perspective than anything. The new guy can shoot what he has and the old guy with a 6ppc group gun can shoot ubr without being at a disadvantage. This is especially nice where group matches are either long distances to drive or where a range may only have one or two group matches a year. Last weekend at the UBR Nationals, a 22 PPC pretty much ruled the roost taking 1st and 2nd in custom and 1st, 2nd and 3rd in modified classes. Somehow, some view a level playing field as a bad thing and others view a level playing field, a good thing. Not saying either perspective is right or wrong but I fall into the latter and I like the options that it gives without being penalized.
Shooting a 30 does have its advantages, like going pre loaded and being quite forgiving to tune changes, as well as their barrel life. But yes, they kick a little harder, of course. I'll say this and stop but on a level playing field, where people shoot several different calibers and cartridges, the venerable 6PPC holds its own very well but doesn't dominate. Same can be said about the 30's and even with this year's nationals butt whipping by the 22's, they don't typicall dominate either. There's a healthy mix of cartridges that win in UBR, head to head. I find that most interesting, as when head to head, the cartridge kings of BR are not nearly as dominant as some would think.