What do YOU want in a Match?

[jackieschmidt]

Guys,

These are GREAT responses! Thank you, and keep the ideas coming.

Now, a follow up question regarding rules.

The NRA rulebook is very explicit (since the start of 2025) for sling and F-Class, that there be NO electronic devices on the line (read Chronographs). Rule 3.22 (c) for F-Class , 3.22(b) and 3.22(d) (electronic levels)

Some match directors allow them on the line, some don't.

What say you all?

Thanks again for all the discussion!

Frank

I do not participate in those Disciplines, so I can not comment on the Sanctioning Bodies attitude toward this.

However, as Match Director of the NBRSA Registered Matches at Tomball, ( Short Range Score), I do not have the discretion of “interpreting” the rules. They are written in plain English to for everyone to understand.
It is my responsibility as Match Director to insure that the Match is held under the guidelines set forth by The Sanctioning Body.

However, we also have five Club Matches where the rules are set by the Club and as a result are much more informal. That does not mean the Competition is any less tough.

 

[323]

Guys,

These are GREAT responses! Thank you, and keep the ideas coming.

Now, a follow up question regarding rules.

The NRA rulebook is very explicit (since the start of 2025) for sling and F-Class, that there be NO electronic devices on the line (read Chronographs). Rule 3.22 (c) for F-Class , 3.22(b) and 3.22(d) (electronic levels)

Some match directors allow them on the line, some don't.

What say you all?

Thanks again for all the discussion!

Frank

As the old saying goes no one cares until they win. We do have fun matches and we allow chronographs on the line at those matches.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Frank - the rule says no electronic devices forward of the ready line, so that should be the rule….. BUT .
What was the intent of the rule when it was first implemented, years before e targets, pocket sized chronographs ? I usually see a rule like this arise from someone trying to gain an unfair advantage or something that creates a distraction or impacts safety on the line.

I can’t speak to electronic levels but I have a hard time seeing how a Garmin next to the muzzle behind the firing line gives any unfair advantage to that shooter or impacts safety. ( as long as it is behind the firing line ) We shoot known distance matches with sighters. We true up our dope after the first sighter so seeing velocity data is just informative to your reloading technique, not to your impacts on target that string of fire.

I am curious if the e level impacts F class at 1000. In a sling, the target is big enough and the sighters get me centered up even if I have a slight bit of cant.

 

[rlporter507]

nra says no, and cmp is ok. with the garmin and others, i use it for data collection at local matches, i really dont look at the data until i get home. there just so easy to use. dont see any problem with them. maybe the nra rules committee will re evaluate at some point. I agree, there are rules for just about all disciplines, and programs are approved by the nra before the match. the program is law, if something there is against the rules, and the nra approves it, then its law, and match directors should abide by the program and rules.

 

[anon]

As infrequently as I get to shoot, I did enjoy the use of a Garmin chronograph on the line after I bought one.

It served to validate that my vertical spread during the match was very close to the extreme spread of my velocity.

After changing components and watching the vertical spread decrease along with the decrease in extreme velocity spread, just not quite proportionally. I decided that maybe after all of these years, I have learned something.

The cost of components alone should negate the requirement to shoot outside of competitions to gather that data.

 

[Stumpy1]

However, as Match Director of the NBRSA Registered Matches at Tomball, ( Short Range Score), I do not have the discretion of “interpreting” the rules. They are written in plain English to for everyone to understand.
It is my responsibility as Match Director to insure that the Match is held under the guidelines set forth by The Sanctioning Body.

Jackie, this is where I come down with things -but, when I enforce that rule, the grumpiness starts.

I should point out that ALL of our matches are REGISTERED matches, allowing the opportunity for shooters to set National Records, not merely approved or club-level fun matches. That is why I think there is more of a need to 'try harder' to adhere to the rules, regardless of my poor interpretation of the intent of the rulemakers.

Personally, I agree with Jeff Porter (above) in that I don't see that it conveys any advantage -BUT, them's the rules.

One would 'think' the NRA would fix them if they wanted to, but not so far, and in fact they made the rules even more explicit for 2025, calling out chronographs specifically.

What will the 2026 rules bring? Who knows!?!?

Frank

 

[anon]

antunRC over in another thread could've been helped by knowing the firing line velocities.

 

[JLittle]

If they are all Registered the there is a hard line. You can’t set records fudging. I suppose that if someone’s using a Garmin and saw their load falling apart they could switch ammo mid string to a known. The guy that uses an Ohler can’t set one up. Unfair advantage. Deciding to switch ammo is not against the rules on its own. As an example, we set up easy ups on the firing line, providing there are enough to cover the entire line.

 

[ELR LVR]

I would also like to see more dispersion of firing points for competitors. At our recent state match, I shot on the same firing point all weekend. Was good for the grand agg, but then the shoot-off game came around and I got squadded on the complete opposite end of the firing line I was thrown off by the different conditions as well as several other shooters. Those that shot on that end all weekend did well.



Once you get the routine down for how it goes, you'll find there is more than enough time to shoot the shit and get things done. We all struggled early on and felt rushed not knowing what was coming next. Come on out next match and Shawn and I will be sure to prep you for each change of duty. Developing a system of setting your rest, mat, bag, rifle and gear helps things go much smoother, unfortunately that's something that just takes a few matches to figure out. I promise it gets easier! If you ever watch me on the first relay, by the time prep is called I might not even have my rifle on the line, lol! I'm at minimum still making adjustments to my rest and position by the time targets go down, sometimes even when they come up! 22 minutes to shoot doesn't mean you have to shoot in the first few seconds. If I don't like the wind, I'll wait 5 or 7 minutes before my first sighter. Its knowing I can get 15 or 20 shots off in 9 minutes or less that matters to me. There aren't any prizes for finishing your string first!

Nah it's fine, Like I said, I'm not really complaining
just the question was asked
"what do YOU want..."
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Therefore - if Given a choice:
1) I would like to see plenty of time in between strings (15 mins ?, time to use the bathroom, put gear back in truck, make or review notes etc)
2) And not start so early lol
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But whatever, I'll adapt and make due
But given the choice....just these 2 things
But yes, everything else is great, and as you said, the time for each string is plenty of time to wait as needed for conditions to line up in between shots,