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Rifle Specifications & Fixtures
MILITARY / SERVICE / FIELD / HUNTER / SPORTER / FACTORY / MATCH
SOMETHING FOR EVERY REPEATING
RIFLE.......
The follow specifications allow for almost any centrefire rifle to participate. HP is aligned with NRA (USA) High Power Rifle rules and Civilian Marksmanship Program (USA) rules with amendments to comply with Australian national and state firearms laws/legislations (but we are fighting...).
RIFLE SPECIFICATIONS:
* Important *
- ALL rifles, of any spec, should have a reliable operating magazine
(internal
or detachable) except "Long Range", "Palma" or "Any"
rifle matches.
- Rifles are forwards spec compatible (i.e. Spec 1 can be used
in Spec 3 etc, or
Spec 2 can be used in Spec 5). Refer to match
bulletins for specific match
details regarding the eligibility of rifle specs,
multiple rifle specs, cross entering, etc.
- Muzzle Brakes are NOT permitted in any spec.
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Spec
1: Service Rifle - Standard Iron
(Classified/Graded) - Any as-issued iron sights
military or service rifle, issued at any year, of any
manual operated action, in original as-issued condition with zero modifications
or enhancements of any kind - both internally or externally. Sling
may be any military or service pattern but width must not exceed 40mm
(unless issued). The use of
specialist shooting coats and/or a specialist shooting glove/mitten that
assist with any form of support are not permitted. Coats used must be button or zip
type – no straps.
Modern Exceptions: The AIA M10 reproduction/pattern No.4 is accepted since 2007 in Spec 1 only (not Spec 1a).
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Spec
1A sub-spec: Service Rifle - Standard Iron
(may be referred to as “Vintage”) (Classified/Graded) - As per rule Spec
1 but of a pattern issued prior to 1945.
This class closely duplicates the CMP “Vintage” rifle rules.
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Spec 2:
Service Modified/Sporter Rifle - Iron
(Classified/Graded) – Any centrefire rifle type, of any calibre, not
weighing more than 5kg with all attachments (magazine, sights, etc)
excluding sling. Front sight restricted to a post but other iron sight
components unrestricted. The rifle must have no adjustability (stock,
weight, counter-weights, grips, sling points, butt plate, cheekpiece,
etc) to assist shooter comfort or shootability (adjustable components
may be set to a generic position and must not be moved during a match).
Sling width must not exceed 40mm. Use of handstops is not permitted.
The use of specialist shooting coats or coats that specifically assist with support are not permitted
- Coats
must be of button or zip type (no straps). Any shooting
glove/mitten permitted.
This class of rifle also caters for rifles of the NRA HPR “Service Rifle” rules (section 3.1.) with a few exceptions in line with typical National and State gun-laws.
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Spec 3: Match Rifle - Iron
(Classified/Graded) - Any commercial, factory, service, sporter,
field or custom rifle, of any calibre, with iron sights of any type.
Any shooting coat and glove/mitten permitted.
This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Match Rifle” rules (section 3.3.).
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Spec 4: Sporter
Rifle - Optical
(Unclassified/Open) -
Any commercially
available or ex service issue centrefire rifle, of any manual action, fitted
with optical sights, not weighing more than 5.5kg with all attachments
(magazine, scope, etc) excluding sling. The rifle may be adjustable (stock,
pads, weight, counter-weights, grips, sling points, butt
plate, cheekpiece, etc) but need to be set at the start of the match and not
adjusted during. Optical sight magnification limit is 16x.
Variable scopes may be altered during a match. Sling width must not
exceed 40mm. The use of specialist shooting coats or
coats that specifically assist with support are not permitted - Coats
must be of button or zip type (no straps). Any shooting
glove/mitten permitted.
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Spec 5: Match Rifle - Optical
(Unclassified/Open) -
Any commercial, custom or
service rifle of any calibre, fitted with unlimited (any) optical
sights. Any shooting coat and glove/mitten permitted.
This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Any Rifle” rules (section 3.2 & 3.3.4).
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”Palma” Rifle: Palma Match Rifle -
Iron (Classified/Graded) - Any commercial, custom or service rifle, with
iron sights, chambered in the 308 Win (7.62Nato) cartridge, with a maximum
mass of 6.5kg and a trigger mass of 1.5kg.
This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Palma Rifle” rules (section 3.3.3)
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“Any” Rifle (Open Rifle):
(Unclassified/Open). This is not a specific specification, but rather
a rating for a match, or tournament, where any rifle may be used as
advertised or in the schedule. Rifles may be defined as, any
commercial, custom or service rifle, of any calibre, with iron or optical
sights. This class may be referred to locally as “Open Class”.
The use of a shooting jacket and glove/mitten is permitted for these
matches. Supports are as per schedule.
This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Any Rifle” rules (section 3.2 & 3.3.4).
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DEFINITIONS - SIGHTS
Iron Sights: Any sighting system constructed of metal or equivalent which provides a method of aiming by aligning 2 separate sights or reference points, mounted on the rifle, including tube sights and non-magnifying filters. Additions to this definition may be described under certain rifle specifications.
Corrective Iron Sights: Any sighting system constructed of metal or equivalent which provides a method of aiming by aligning 2 separate but sights or reference pints, mounted on the rifle, including tube sights and non-magnifying filters. Additions to this definition may be described under certain rifle specifications. A corrective lens is to correct vision only, and may not offer any optical magnification. A corrective lens may be used in either the front or rear sight – but not both front and rear at the same time.
Optical Sights: Telescopic sighting system which includes a lens, or system of lenses, and an aiming reference or reticle at the focal plane of a lens or system of lenses. Magnification limits are specified by rifle specification.
Any Sights: Any sight, or sighting system, without restriction as to material or construction. Any sighting device capable to activate the firing mechanism is prohibited. At no stage may sights project an image onto the target.
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RIFLE EXTRA'S AND ADD-ON'S
Muzzle Breaks: Are not permitted at any time on any spec rifle. “Any Rifle” will allow the use of muzzle breaks only if advertised in a match schedule as doing so.
Supports (Bi-Pod or Front Rest): Are only permitted in matches that state a support may be used.
Sling: Only where exceptions exist by referring to match program or course of fire, a sling can be used with the following exceptions. The sling can only be attached to 1 arm. The sling me be either single or double point attached to the rifle. The mass/weight of a sling includes removable swivels, but not fixed swivels, or hand stops.
For Spec 1, 1a, 2 and 5a, the sling must be a service origin or field type design (eg. a leather strap (such as 1907 pattern) or webbing).
For Spec 1, 1a, 2 and 5a, the sling must stay attached to the rifle during any string or match, unless otherwise specified.
For Spec 3 and 5, there is no limit on the sling design, and the sling may be removed from the rifle during any string or match when desired.
Use of a sling
when standing, for any rifle specification, is as follows, unless otherwise
specified:
- IMC - not allowed,
- VMC - not allowed,
- AMC - allowed,
- 3PRB - allowed.
Rifle Palm Rest: Any attachment, extension or stock design which aids the normal hand grip and/or support of the rifle by the forward hand that extends to a depth more than 3 ¼“ below the centreline of the bore WILL be considered a palm rest. Such a rest may only be used in “Any Rifle” matches. Note: The standard as-issued box magazine fitted and used in Spec 1 or 2 will not be considered a palm rest.
Butt Plate (Schuetzen type): A buttplate having a curved rear surface in which the depth of the curve exceeds ½” when measured in a straight line from the top to the bottom of the buttplate. Also this may be described as a buttplate that has a hook or stud engaging a hole or receptacle in the shoulder of the shooting coat or shirt etc. Or, any buttplate that has a knob or prong extending rearward more than ½” from the heel or toe of the butt. These buttplates may only be used in matches where it is specifically permitted.
Pre 2017 rules, changed at 2017 AGM:
Spec
1: Service Rifle - Standard Iron
(may be referred to as “Vintage”) (Classified/Graded) - Any as-issued iron sights
military or service rifle, of a pattern issued prior to 1945, of any
manual action, in original as-issued condition with zero modifications
or enhancements of any kind - both internally or externally. Sling
width must not exceed 40mm (unless issued). Note: If a specific
“Vintage” event, it may require bolt action only. The use of
specialist shooting coats and/or a specialist shooting glove/mitten that
assist with support are not permitted. Coats used must be button or zip
type – no straps.
Modern Exceptions: The AIA M10 reproduction/pattern No.4 is accepted since 2007 in Spec 1 only (not Spec 1a).
This class closely duplicates the CMP “Vintage” rifle rules.
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** Sub-Spec 1a: Service Rifle - Standard Iron
Commonwealth Issue (in some cases called
“Commonwealth Vintage”) (Classified/Graded) - Any iron sights military or
service Commonwealth issued Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) No. 1, No. 4
or No. 5., Lee Metford (MLM) and “Long Lee Enfield” (MLE) rifles of .303
British calibre in original as-issued condition with zero modifications or
enhancements of any kind – both internally or externally.
The use of specialist shooting coats and/or a
specialist shooting glove/mitten is not permitted.
This spec
may only be individually recognised at the Australian XC Nationals
Matches and/or Australian
Vintage Nationals and/or ANZAC Day Memorial.
Spec 5: Match Rifle - Optical
(Unclassified/Open) -
Any commercial, custom or
service rifle of any calibre, fitted with unlimited (any) optical
sights. Any shooting coat and glove/mitten permitted.
This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Any Rifle” rules (section 3.2 & 3.3.4).
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** Sub-Spec 5a: Sporter
Rifle - Optical
(Unclassified/Open) -
Any commercially
available or ex service issue centrefire rifle, of any manual action, fitted
with optical sights, not weighing more than 5kg with all attachments
(magazine, scope, etc) excluding sling. The rifle must have no
adjustability (stock, weight, counter-weights, grips, sling points, butt
plate, cheekpiece, etc) to assist shooter comfort or shootability, and not
have tailored ergonomic add-ons. Sling width must not exceed 40mm. Use of
handstops is not permitted. Barrel must not exceed a muzzle diameter or
0.6” after a consistent taper, or stepped proportion, of at least one third
barrel length from the muzzle. The use of specialist shooting coats or
coats that specifically assist with support are not permitted - Coats
must be of button or zip type (no straps). Any shooting
glove/mitten permitted. Rifles
competing in Sub-Spec 5a also compete in Spec 5 outright.