Match safety rules - please read and be familiar with these rules.

Augustus Ranch PAA RIFLE MATCH RULES

Section I. Safety.

• 1.1 All rifles must be unloaded with actions open at all time with the exceptions:
• 1.1.1 in the designated shooting area of each station under the supervision of the range officer. "Range officer" is defined as: a fellow competitor who assists the shooter with both safety and scoring. It is the shooter’s responsibility to listen to the commands given by the range officer.
• Sample command procedure:
• “Shooter X, please come to the line.”  At this time you may approach the firing line with your weapon pointed in a safe direction and in an unloaded condition ONLY.  If this is your first stage, the action will be open and empty unless instructed otherwise by your range officer.  ALL firearms will ALWAYS be unloaded unless you are actively shooting.  This includes the magazine.
• “Do you understand this station / course of fire?”  At this time, you ask any questions you may have regarding what targets to shoot at, how to accomplish the station, etc.  If you understand everything just say “YES.”
• “Facing downrange, you may load and make ready.”  At this time you may unsling your rifle with the muzzle always pointed in a safe direction, lay prone (or whatever shooting position is used), and both load your magazine and chamber a round.
• “Are you ready?”  If you are ready, say YES.  If not, say NO.
• “Commence Fire”  You may begin engaging targets.  Make sure the range officer is on the same target you are engaging.  If she/he does not see your hit, it will be scored as a miss.
• “Hit!” or “Miss!” – scoring is called as you shoot.
• “Cease Fire, unload and show clear”  – this command is given after the appropriate number of shots are fired at the station.  You will cease fire and open your action.  Remove all rounds from the magazine, if any are present.
• “Gun is clear, close bolt and click on empty chamber”  At this time, the range officer has seen what they believe to be an empty firearm.  You must close your bolt / action and snap your firing pin on an empty chamber.  This should be an extra proof the chamber is truly empty (it’s dark in there and at times difficult to see).  YOU are responsible for the firearm being empty.  If the gun goes “bang” it is a match disqualification.  No exceptions.
• 1.1.2 While walking on the trail between stations, the bolt / action must remain closed on an empty chamber with an empty magazine.  You may insert empty detachable magazines to keep out dirt and dust.
• 1.2 All rifles and other equipment used in competition must be serviceable and safe.
• 1.2.1 All rifles must have a properly functioning safety.
• 1.2.2 All rifles must be equipped with a sling suitable for safely carrying the rifle muzzle up or down. No other method of carrying the rifle is allowed.  Do not sweep anyone when shouldering your weapon!  See 1.8.
• 1.2.3 At each station all rifles must be safely positioned in the holding area with muzzles pointed up and actions open. "Holding Area" is defined as the area to the right or left of the shooting area (not behind), where the rifles can be safely stored before and after shooting the station.  For stations with no rifle rack, this may mean resting the rifles on the ground with your bipod deployed, with muzzles in the direction mandated by your range officer.
• 1.2.4 When the shooter has finished shooting each station, both shooter and range officer will inspect the rifle to confirm that it is unloaded. It is the shooter's responsibility to make sure that his rifle is safely unloaded.
• 1.2.5 The shooter is solely responsible for acting in a safe manner while on the shooting range.
• 1.2.6 All competitors must remain behind the firing line until called up to the line by the range officer.
• 1.2.7 All wildlife is protected on the range and may not be shot at.  Cease fire will be called until wildlife can be moved from the area by the range officer(s).  Shooting at wildlife is an immediate match disqualification.
• Safety Areas
• 1.3.1 T he Safety Areas will be clearly marked with signs.
• 1.3.2 Unloaded firearms may be handled and/or displayed only in the Safety Areas.
• 1.3.3 No ammunition may be handled in any Safety Area.
• 1.6 Participant shall be disqualified from the match for any Negligent Discharge.
• 1.6.1 "Negligent Discharge" is defined as the discharge of a firearm in an unsafe manner or unintentionally in which a projectile (bullet) strikes the ground within 3 meters of the competitor or range officer, or outside the confines of the backstop.
• 1.7 A participant shall be disqualified from the Match for dropping a loaded firearm or dropping a firearm while in the loading/unloading process.
• 1.8 A participant shall be disqualified for allowing the muzzle of his/her firearm to break the 180 degree Safety Plane, or sweeping other competitors with the muzzle.
• 1.9 No participants or spectators shall consume or be under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs at the match site. Any participant found to be impaired and deemed unsafe as a result of legitimate prescription drugs may be directed to stop shooting and requested to leave the range.
• 1.10 Eye protection is mandatory for participants, spectators & range personnel at the match site.
• 1.11 Ear protection is mandatory for participants, spectators & range personnel while on or near a stage of fire.

Section II. Sportsmanship & conduct.

• ·2.1 Participants and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, sportsman-like manner at all times. Disputes will be handled promptly and fairly by the Match Director.

• 2.2 Clothing with any offensive or obscene logos, sayings, pictures or drawings will not be worn or displayed while at the match site/range.

Section III. Equipment.

• 3.1 Firearms Classifications
• Hunter Class -  Any sporting rifle, no heavy barrels or target scope knobs.  (AR-10s, etc. are in Precision Class)
• Precision Class – Any rifle subject to the caliber restrictions below.
• 3.2 Minimum caliber: .223 (6mm). Maximum caliber: .300 Mag. Please try to keep muzzle velocity 3200 fps or less.  Faster velocities than 3200 significantly increase the damage to the steel targets, and honestly don’t make a significant difference in shooting performance.
• 3.21 Match or hunting bullets only. No steel core, steel jacketed, armor piercing, incendiary or tracer bullets are permitted. If you do not know how to test for steel cores, ASK before shooting our steel targets!  Steel cores damage the targets, and you will be charged for this damage.  This will be expensive for you, so check first if unsure!
• 3.3 All firearms used by competitors shall be serviceable and safe.
• 3.31 The shooter may carry and shoot only one rifle during the entire match.
• 3.4 All equipment used must be carried by the shooter only.
• 3.5 The rifle may be equipped with a bipod but it must be remain attached for the entire match.
• 3.5.1 Hunter class: The shooter may also use shooting sticks, a back pack or fanny pack as a rifle supporting device but it must have no more than two points of contact with the ground and must not be attached to the rifle (e.g.: shooting sticks).  This may not be used in addition to a bipod.
• 3.5.2 Tactical class: no restrictions.
• 3.6 The same firearm system, for each class, shall be used during the entire match. Competitors will not reconfigure any firearm during the course of a match. (i.e. change caliber, barrel length, sighting systems or stock style.)
• 3.61 In the event the shooter's rifle is broken or becomes unusable, it may be replaced with a similar classified rifle. In the event the rifle sling is broken or becomes unusable, the shooter may continue the match but must continue to safely carry the rifle muzzle up or down.
• 3.62 For purposes of this ruling, a "firearm" consists of a specific caliber, receiver, barrel, stock and sighting system combination.

Section IV. Scoring.

• 4.1 Each target hit is awarded one point.  Frangible targets must be visibly chipped to score.
• 4.2 All rounds fired (either intentional or unintentional) are scored.
• 4.3 In the event a target is broken or becomes unusable, the target nearest to the broken target will be substituted.
• 4.4 The range officer's ruling on individual target scoring is final.  No appeals or protests to the Match Director will be allowed.
• 4.5 All targets that are reactive must show a hit to score.  This is via their designed function, and will be explained at the beginning of each stage.
• 4.6 Swinging style rifle targets must be struck solid enough to cause the hidden "flash card" to be visible to the range officer.  Range officer may call hits to the shooter.
• 4.7 Failure to engage a frangible, knock down or swinging style target is a miss.
• 4.8 Each shooter is responsible to maintain an accurate record of his score.
• 4.9 Highest score wins. 

Section V. Station Procedure.

• 5.1 Each target is to be engaged with one round only unless otherwise specified.  NO sighters are allowed.  Every shot is for score.
• 5.2 If the shooting area at a station is marked by one stake, the shooter will engage the targets within a 20’ radius of the stake.
• 5.3 If the shooting area at a station is marked by two stakes side by side, the shooter must be between the stakes while shooting.
• 5.4 The shooters in each squad will rotate shooting order from station to station.
• 5.5 Clearance times: this year we will incorporate a time factor for each stage.  You will be timed by your squadmates and if you do not finish in time, remaining shots are scored as misses.  You will be given enough time to range & engage your targets.  Check your scoresheets for times.
• 5.6  Some stations may be UKD - which means for hunter class "SWAG" and for PR class "mil-dots"  Check your scoresheet for appropriate method of ranging.
• 5.7  When you are finished with the entire course, be sure to hike out according to instructions.  This is a single-direction hiking course for safety of fire direction.
• 5.8 Pay attention to the designated squad Range Officer.  

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RULES, ASK US FIRST!

THINK SAFETY AND BE AWARE OF MUZZLE DIRECTION AT ALL TIMES.