SSR rule change as of June 2014
A summary of Rule changes approved at the May 2014 NRAA Board Meeting:
The Rules are effective as at 1st June 2014.
A revised version of the SSR’s containing these alterations and additions will shortly be available and posted on the NRAA web site.
The Following Rule Changes are Effective as at June 1 2014
F/TR Rules
Rules 20.30 to 20.60 have been included as a section of the F Class Rules. (Chapter 20). As far as possible, the rules have been copied directly from the ICFRA Rules. Some sections have been added to comply with Australian conditions, such as Target Dimensions, Scoring, Time Limits etc. Where a matter has not been dealt with explicitly then other Rules and Procedures contained in the SSR’s will apply.
Rationale
At the NRAA Annual General Members Workshop in November 2013, a motion was put by Queensland that the F/TR Discipline be included in NRAA Competitions. A majority of the States voted for the motion.
Compression Testing of Shooting Accessories.
Following a submission from the QRA the Board approved the removal of all thicknesses applying to Shooting Mats, Shooting Coats, Elbow Pads, and any other padding used on or with shooting accessories. This also applies to mats in F Standard. The Rules affected are from Rules 3.2.2 to 3.2.3.4 and Rule 20.23, where references to thicknesses and compression testing have been removed.
Rationale
Many commercially available mats and shooting coats being used by competitors exceed the thicknesses that were outlined. It brings us in line with ICFRA Rules which do not outline any thicknesses for these accessories. It is now also generally accepted that excessive thicknesses do not give any advantage and may even disadvantage users.
Safety Procedures - Ammunition and Pressures.
Rules 2.1.11 to 2.1.12.4 have been altered and added to strengthen the Safety Procedures and Features involved with competitors shooting ammunition showing excessive pressure signs. The onus is now on Shooters, other Competitors and Scorers to report excessive pressure signs such as difficult opening, difficult extraction, blown or leaking primers, blow-back, case separation or splitting or other signs of excessive pressure to the Range Officer. The Range Officer must then deal with the case as outlined in the rules.
Rationale
Anecdotal Evidence has reported a number of cases of shooters continuing to fire with ammunition exhibiting excessive pressure signs. The NRAA has a Duty of Care to competitors to protect competitors despite their own actions and also to protect other personnel on the range. ICFRA Rules also include these procedures.
Re-Drafting of Rules Applying to Lenses Allowed on Target Rifles
Rules 3.1.5 to 3.1.5.10 have been redrafted and modified. These relate to the Rear and Foresights, plus the various lenses, Eagle Eyes, and Variable Diopters and combinations allowed on Rear and Front Sights.
Rationale
Previously no reference had been made to such items as filters, fixed diopter and clearing lenses. These rules also align better with the ICFRA Rules.
F Open – 8mm Maximum Bore
Rule 20.1.2(a) has been modified to include 8mm as the maximum Bore diameter and 8.204mm (.323\") as the maximum groove diameter allowed in F Open.
Rationale
The question has been asked as to whether the maximum 8mm diameter defined for F Open was a Bore Diameter or a Groove Diameter. There had been no previous Groove Diameter specified. The groove diameter decided on is based on the general military measurement that a groove depth is usually 4 thousandths of an inch, giving an extra 8 thousandths of an inch when both grooves are taken into account. E.G. A .30 caliber has a .300\" bore and a .308\" groove diameter and therefore a .308\" diameter for the projectile. This gives a maximum diameter for an F Open projectile as .323\" or 8.204mm. i.e. 8mm Bore Diameter and 8.204mm groove diameter.
Bob Pedersen
Rules Director - NRAA