Targets
are mounted on frames in "pits" behind a berm of earth.
Competitors take turns in the pits to pull and score targets for the other
competitors on the firing line. Competitors are rotated by
"relay". While one relay is shooting, a second relay logs the
scores (at the firing line) and a third relay is working the targets in
the pits. Once a competitor is assigned a relay and the match starts, they
must remain for the entire match even if their rifle breaks or they have a
bad day and wish to withdraw from shooting. At facilities that do not have
pits, the location and value of each shot is determined after the string
of fire is completed.
A Slow Fire stage requires competitors to load each round individually and
to fire one shot at a time. Each
individual target is lowered after each shot, marked with the shot
location and the value, and raised to be scored and exposed for the next
shot. Usually shooters have as many minutes to fire that stage as there
are shots to fire. For example, a ten-shot slow fire string will have a
time limit of ten minutes.
A
Rapid Fire stage consists of firing a ten-round string within a specified
time limit. At the start of the stage, shooters are in a standing
position. When the targets are exposed, competitors go into a Sitting or
Prone position (depending on the stage being fired), fire the rounds in
their magazines, change magazines or reload, and finish shooting the
string. The time limit is 60 seconds per string for Sitting and 70 seconds
for Prone.
For
Rapid Fire stages, the targets are left in the raised position for the
entire string. When time has expired, the target frame is pulled into the
pits, each shot hole is marked, the shot values noted and marked on a
chalkboard. This chalkboard is hung on the target frame and the whole
frame is raised up to be viewed by the shooter and scorer.
High
Power Rifle competition is broken down into Service Rifle and Match Rifle
categories. Service Rifles are actual military or civilian versions of
rifles that are, or were, standard issue rifles for our armed forces. The
approved Service Rifles are the M-1, M-14 (M-1A), and M-16 (AR-15).
Match
Rifles are custom built rifles that are limited by few rules. Match rifles
are made to conform to a specific shooter and their style of shooting.
An NRA Match Rifle must have metallic sights and capable of holding
at least five rounds in the magazine.
Match Rifles can shoot any safe ammunition up to .35 caliber.
Besides
your rifle and ammunition, other equipment may include a special shooting
jacket. It keeps you tight, especially in the Standing position. There are
rubber pads to reduce slipping and buckles to tighten the jacket around
you. A sling is used to hold
the rifle firmly and is very important for good scores in the Rapid fire
and Slow Prone stages. A glove for the hand that holds the rifle forearm
will help pad the forward hand from sling pressure. A mat makes the Prone
position more comfortable and can also be used in the Sitting position.
Many shooters use a hat to shade light for a better view of the
sights. A shooting stool is useful to hold the equipment plus magazines,
ammunition, eye protection, data book, etc. and they are handy when you
sit and score for another shooter.
An
optical aid is necessary to mark your shot value and placement as well as
score other shooters. A
spotting scope is preferred over binoculars.
A spotting scope allows you to be able to see your shots in slow
fire and helps you center your groups while remaining in position.
Whereas a set of binoculars are more cumbersome, they can get a
novice started in the sport. A
higher quality scope will allow you to see the mirage downrange. This
helps to gauge wind magnitude and changes.
It also allows the shooter to see small bullet holes at longer
ranges and is vitally important at reduced course ranges with no pits.
A spotting scope with the eye piece angled at 45 degrees is by far
the most desirable.
Detailed
programs for each ENGC NRA High Power Rifle match are located at
www.nebraskahighpower.com. As required by the NRA, match programs list
dates and times, entry fee, course of fire, awards, rifles allowed, and
any rules which may or may not apply to that specific match or tournament.