SPORTER CLASS - NEED FOR SOME DISCUSSION

For a person who might be interested in shooting his or her factory rifle at a club level match the term "SPORTER CLASS" holds some interesting possibilities - and problems. A Sporter Class match is shot regularly in Minto, is part of the newly created BR shoots at Lake George and is incorporated into BR/general shoots in other clubs - (although not necessarily as a separate class). Generally, where it is a separate class it is shot alongside BR shooters with "unlimited" or "open" equipment on the same targets and with the same course of fire.

This class could potentially be a very challenging form of shooting - imagine the challenge and the thrill of shooting close to perfect scores with a factory action and barrel, factory trigger and stock, limits in optics etc. This could really stimulate one's shooting skill!  I'm certainly interested in shooting this - but - and here is the problem - what equipment do you get that would work for all shoots at all clubs? What rules apply that you could set up your equipment and train with? 

John  M. sent a reply which can be viewed here: John's reply
Bert deV. has a reply which can be viewed here: Bert's reply
Volker T. has a reply which can be viewed here: Volker's reply
Gerry J. has a reply which can be viewed here: Gerry's reply
Norbert S. sent a reply which can be viewed here: Norbert's reply
Shooting Federation of Canada - Hunter Class Rules can be viewed here: SFC - Hunter Class

In fairness to the shooter and to match directors some consistency needs to built into the rules. Also to keep shooters and match directors alike from pulling their hair out, the rules need to be clear and easily enforceable!

In the USA, Sporter Class in 22LR shooting was created by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, and refers to a fairly new class of shooting with specific rules about the rifle, accessories and the course of fire. Here is a link to an article that describes this style of shooting in the USA. I'm not saying this would work for us but it is interesting information and it has been standardised in the states as Sporter Class shooting.

I'm not suggesting that we change anything right away - certainly not willy-nilly or on an ad hoc basis. We need some good discussion and any changes that are made should make good sense, should be enforceable, basically work for the long-haul and be easily adopted by any club. We have to set it up right and any changes as fundamental as "shooting rules for a class" should have the agreement of the majority of shooters of any club who might end up shooting with those rules. Any future changes should not automatically make whole groups of rifles that are being used at that time, "illegal", thereby forcing the shooter to invest in new equipment or to quit that class.

The issues may be different for 22LR as opposed to centerfire rifle but there are several things that need to be discussed:

• the Rifle - Unaltered factory rifle?  Limited to certain manufacturers? Should there be price limits? Price cut-offs? What modifications are allowed to action, barrel, trigger, stock? What limits on muzzle diameter and barrel length should there be? What "target" rifle features are permitted (adjustable butt/recoil plate, adjustable trigger, chamber, stock material and shape, tuners, etc)? Weight restrictions on the rifle? Weight restrictions on the trigger? Use of accessories? Can a shot-out/older rifle be rebarreled? If so with nwhat?  Can a 3" flat BR adaptor be fitted to a hunting stock?
• the Sights - Unaltered factory sights? Target micrometer/peep sights? Magnifying lenses on peep sights? Scope sights with limits on magnification? Target scope sights with limits on magnification?
• the Bench and Rests - What supports are to be allowed if the rifle is shot from a bench? What pedestals or bipods are ok? Are the bags to be the same as BR or should they be "field" type bags (smaller, lighter, only for the front/none for the rear)? Use of clamping/one piece/two piece? Limits on bag contact with bench or rifle?
• the Course of Fire - Is it to be the same as for BR shooting? Should it include other positions (sitting/kneeling, standing)? what distances (25m/50m/100m)? What is the match length/time limits? Extra time for single shot rifles? Use of multiple rifles during match?
• the Ammunition - Should there be limits on ammo? Price limits? Performance limits? Manufacturer limits? Can "target" ammo be differentiated from other ammo?
• the Use of Shooting Aids - Spotting scopes? Multiple clips? Timers? Spotting/coaching? Wind flags and daisy wheels?
• Enforcement - how are the regulations governing the class, the restrictions, the permissions enforced without it becoming a personal issue and/or dependent on one person's authority? What are the roles of Club Officers, Match Commitees, Match Directors and ROs in doing this fairly?
• Changing the Rules - how are necessary changes to the rules to take place without it becoming chaotic, impulsive, impossible without ill feeling? how can each member have an equal input into changes but still have an orderly process?

Perhaps, after mulling this over for awhile, we could form a Sporter Class committee with a representative from interested clubs to sort this stuff out with a report in a years time (before annual meetings?). If you have thoughts and opinions you can share them by clicking on the "Comment" tab below.

contact bertdevink@gmail.com for any errors