effendude
Gold $$ Contributor
This is why I seldom make posts anymore on this forum. I politely gave my interpretation of the rule, as it is written and published on the NRA website. Now I am accused of disregarding all standing rules? I have neither the time nor the patience to partake in this type of discussion, but here goes. I just finished directing a two day registered match with 46 shooters. I took three days off work before the match to make sure all preparations were complete. I did not shoot, even though I would have rather shot than be the match director. I was paid ZERO for all my efforts. The same thing will happen in a couple months at our state championship.skibar_tx said:
As the guy whose name is on all the paperwork for a match, it is my responsibility, along with the formal jury at registered matches, to act on formal rule complaints and disputes. When a rule is poorly written, it is open to interpretation by the match officials. They have the final say at a match.
As match director, I would certainly act on a formal complaint of someone not following or complying with any rule. But if you came to me and made me aware of someone having a board more than 2" wider than his bipod feet when the feet were not at their widest, but the board met the definition of the rules (however poorly written currently) when fully extended, I would allow the board under the rules as written. Again, I am not going to go up and down the line measuring boards as shooters adjust their elevation wheels to ensure compliance.
If you made this complaint because you were losing to the other shooter, you would quickly earn the reputation with me and all the shooters that you are one of "those" guys. "Those" guys are usually very lonely, even at big matches. Competitors who cheat, although I have only met a few, get very lonely at matches too. My match bulletins state I reserve the right to refuse any entry for exactly for such situations. I have not excercised that right yet, but I reserve the right.
For discussion purposes, I would allow you to shoot your 7mm F-TR style, you simply would be in F-Open class.
As competitors, we often see new shooters making unintentional violations of some of the rules written for formal competition. I alway take a minute to politely advise the shooter of his/her violation as up to this point in 8 years of running F-Class matches, the violations have always been minor. I never allow a safety rule to be ignored. No brakes or feeding from a mag are ever allowed. All shooters should do the same. There is a huge difference in welcoming and mentoring a newbie rather than screaming foul. Hooking bipod legs under the web straps on the front of a matt, board width, and one piece rests are all good examples of what I consider minor violations that justify a polite discussion. I often jokingly tell the shooter that if they win the match or set a state or national record, their score won't be allowed. They are always thankful for the advice.
At matches up to the registered level, what harm is done in allowing a less experienced shooter to gain experience at a match, even if a piece of their equipment doesn't meet the specific rules not related to safety? These new shooters don't win. Match winners win regardless of what their fellow shooters use.
Scott
;D
