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Match Rules

2004 Match

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4. Match Rules

4.1 Administration

The hosting organization will be responsible for the planning, organizing, running, and controlling of a World Championship match.

4.2 Match Committee

To be comprised of the manufacturers originating the World Creedmoor Match. No new members may be added until after participating in two consecutive matches. Then, after participating in two consecutive matches, countries may have a representative added to the committee.

4.3 Match Procedure

4.3.1 One day of practice at  800, 900 and 1000 yards or metric equivalent are to be available before the match begins.

4.3.2 The practice session is to be followed by individual matches held at 300, 500, 600, 800, 900, and 1000 yards or equivalent distances in meters.

4.3.3 A long range team match is then to follow over the next two days starting with relays at 800 and 900 yards on the first day followed by two relays at 1000 on the second day, giving each shooters possible aggregate score based on ten scoring shots per distance (total of 40 shots).

5. Targets and Scoring

5.1 The targets to be used are the ones normally used in the host country at distances of 300 – 1000 yards or nearest meter equivalents.

5.2 Shots will be scored by the leading edge of the bullet hole.

5.3 Leading edges of the bullet holes touching a scoring ring will be scored at the higher value, including keyholes and tipped shots.

5.4 Ricochets and ricochet hits on wrong targets will be scored as misses.

5.5 When possible on ranges with sufficient room place targets in every other carrier.

6. Classification of Rules

All types of rifles (muzzle and breech loading) shall compete in a single class.

7. Course of Fire

7.1 A maximum of five sighters may be taken of which only three may be converted to scoring shots. The converted sighters may only be taken in sequence in the reverse order of firing.

7.2 The first shot that strikes the target will be considered to be the first sighting shot.

7.3 Ten scoring shots are to be recorded which include any converted sighters.

8. Equipment

8.1 Rifles

8.1.1 Any muzzle loading rifle of a pattern contemporaneous with that of the pre-1900 period.

8.1.2 Any breech loading rifle of a pattern contemporaneous with that of the pre-1900 period chambered for an original Black powder cartridge of not less than .32 inch caliber (8mm), excluding bolt actions.

8.1.3 Use of two different rifles – one for short yardages, one for long yardages – is permissible.

8.1.4 Rifles used in the 800 – 1000 yard matches must meet minimum cartridge and muzzle velocity for safety purposes:

Minimum cartridge allowed is 40 caliber, 400 gr bullet with minimum 1280 ft/sec muzzle velocity;

-44 cal, 430 gr bullet with minimum 1240 ft/sec muzzle velocity;

-45 cal, 450 gr bullet with minimum 1220 ft/sec muzzle velocity;

-50 Cal, 500 gr bullet with minimum 1210 ft/sec muzzle velocity;

8.1.5 Mass of rifle may not exceed 15 lbs (6.82kg.).

8.2 Sights

8.2.1 Metallic sights of a pattern contemporaneous with those of the pre-1900 period for black powder rifles.

8.2.2 Tang sights may have a single corrective lens inserted into the aperture to correct visual defects.

8.2.3 Click stop sight adjustments, and optical sights giving a magnified sight picture are not permitted.

8.2.4 Scopes must have no larger than ¾” diameter tube including the objective and ocular lenses. Scope mounts are to be of the style available during the 1870’s. Non-clicking adjustable. Windage adjustable in the front mount only and elevation adjustable in the rear mount only. No internally adjustable scopes allowed.

8.3 Stocks

8.3.1 Original or reproduction stocks of a pattern contemporaneous with that of the pre-1900 period of short yardages.

8.3.2 Adjustable butt plates and cheek pieces may not be used.

8.3.3 Strap on and slip on cheek pieces may be used to adjust the stock for the long range match.

8.4 Triggers

Any safe trigger. Any mechanical failure of the trigger mechanism which causes an inadvertent discharge once you are on paper will be counted as part of the sighting or scoring series of shots.

8.5 Bullets

Any lead or lead alloy bullet cast or swaged (either lubed or paper patched). Use of metallic wads, gas checks or jacketed bullets is not permitted.

8.6 Propellants

Only factory made Black Powder may be used. Use of smokeless powder in any amount is not permitted (i.e., Duplex charges). Competitor’s ammunition will be subjected to inertia disassembly of randomly selected cartridges.

8.7 Shooting Accessories

Slings (single or double point), shooting jackets, elbow pads, scopes, shooting gloves, shooting mats may be used. Wrist supports are permitted in events held 800, 900, and 1000 yards or nearest range equivalent in meters. Padded shooting mats for stock support are not permitted

8.8 Scrutinizing of Rifles and other Equipment

Prior to commencement of a match, competitor’s rifles will be examined by the judges for compliance with the above specifications.

9. Shooting Positions

9.1 Any safe position may be used by competitors

9.2 Parts of the rifle may only be in contact with the shooter’s body. The rifle, sling (if fitted) and both arms, below the elbows shall be visibly clear of the ground.

9.3 When a wrist support is used at 800 to 1000 yards, hand, wrist, or forearm must be interposed between the rifle and the wrist support.

10. Individual Matches

10.1 Competitors will be placed two per firing point by either random selection or in a rotation program.

10.2 Competitors will have a minimum of 60 minutes to fire their sighting and scoring shots. They may opt to fire alternating shots or to complete their strings separately.

10.3 Individual coaching is not permitted after the first sighting shot has struck the target.

11. Team Matches

11.1 At the completion of the individual long-range matches, the top eight scorers from each country shall comprise that country’s A team.

11.2 National teams shooting in the team matches will be comprised of eight persons. Only the top six scores shot per distances will be recorded for the team aggregate.

11.3 Exception: Countries having fewer than eight may recruit enough shooters from the other countries to comprise a minimum of a six-person team.

11.4 Countries may field more than one team to compete in second and even third tier team events should the number of entries per country permit this . These lower tier teams will be designated “B”. “C”, etc.

11.5 Neutral scorers may be appointed to keep scores.

11.7 Coaching is allowed only during team matches by the team coach only. There shall only be one coach on the line at any one time per team.

11.7.1 A team may be assigned up to two targets. Each target may be pair fired or string fired on during the relay. One shooter may be on the line during string firing. Shooters on the line may converse with other shooters on the line. If the option to string fire is elected on one target then only one shooter may be on that position. The other non-shooting competitor must be behind the line and not involved in coaching. The two or three firing competitors on the line may converse amongst each other and their coach. If both positions opt to pair fire then all four shooting competitors may converse amongst themselves and their coach.

11.8 A minimum of 60 minutes will be provided for pairs of team members to complete their sighting and scoring shots at each distance.

12. Aggregate Competitions

There will be the individual aggregate competitions as follows:

-The Mid Range Aggregate comprising the scores shot at distances between 300 yards and 600 yards or meter’s equivalent.
 

- The Long Range Aggregate for score shot at distances between 800 and 1000 yards or meter’s equivalent.

-The Grand Aggregate for scores shot at all distances between 300 and 1000 yards or meter’s equivalent

13. Score Keeping

13.1 At the completion of a relay competitors must initial the score cards which have been kept for them to signify acceptance of the values awarded to each shot and the total score recorded. Score cards must be signed in the presence of the scorer.

13.2 Scores will be posted at a designated place as soon as possible at the end of each day's match but not later than the following morning.

13.3 Challenges of posted scores must be submitted to the match committee, in writing, on an available prescribed form, no later than 4 hours after the scores have been posted on the scoreboard.

13.4 Challenges of individual marked shots and/or the values given to them must be resolved with the assistance of the range officer immediately after the target has been marked and before the next shot is fired on that target.

14. Ties

14.1 Shoot offs will not be held to resolve ties.

14.2 The procedure for counting out ties in individual events will be as follows:

When scores are equal including the number of X-rings (or V-bulls), there will be a count back from the last shot scored.

14.3 In Individual Aggregate competitions in which there are ties in the score and numbers of X-rings or V-Bulls are equal then the tie shall be resolved by comparing the range scores in each successive state commencing with the longest distance. If still a tie, then by the value of each shot commencing with the last at the longest distance with X-rings and V-bulls being of higher value than bulls.

14.4 In the team event, if it ties occur with the same total number of X-rings or V-bulls, then the tie shall be resolved by the range totals in order of distance commencing with the longest distance. If still a tie, then by the aggregate of the last shots of all the members of the team, shot at the longest distance followed by the aggregate of the penultimate shots, and so on.