NSWRA 2022 Queens Sporter Hunter rules clarification

[MattyG]

The NSWRA have issued their version of the Sporter Hunter rules for the upcoming NSW Queen's Prize.

"... Objective:
The objective was to produce an agreeable set of rules to be used for the NSWRA Queens in 2022, that was sourced from those that have direct involvement in the Sporter Hunter discipline. This rule clarification was seen as a necessary step to ensure that all Sporter Hunter competitors intending to shoot the 2022 NSWRA Queens have an equal and inclusive opportunity to compete, with equipment that they may have already been running at club level for some time.
Below the revised NSWRA Sporter Hunter Rules for the 2022 Open Championships/Queens (7-11 September 2022):
1. Rifles must be commercially produced and available complete with repeating rifle. Single shot match actions, or action only builds are not appropriate for this class.
2. If barrels are replaced, they must be no more than 26 inches in length when measured from the bolt face and a maximum of heavy varmint profile.
3. Scopes may not be used above 30x magnification
4. Bipods must be of a folding commercially produced type with a footprint no more than 300mm wide. The bipod must directly contact the mound with nothing in between the bipod and mound. If the bipod is fitted with spikes, then they must also be commercially produced and no more than 25mm in length.
5. Rear bags are to be of a soft pliable construction on all surfaces (squeeze bag) with no ears. The bag must directly contact the mound or mat, but no other items e.g. plates or supports.
6. If the rifle is re stocked it must be with a commercially produced and available stock.
7. Rifle including bipod, bolt and magazine must weigh no more than 7.5kg
8. Trigger weight to be no less than 500 grams."

[Weairy]

Sensible and realistic rule revisions, well done.

EDIT: Didn't see the change of weight. The rest of the rules changes are good, leave the weight alone, 6.5kg is more than sufficient.

[Lithgow]

I will be attending Queens and shooting SH but find it unacceptable, unfair and embarrassing for NSW to change the rules for such a major event.
Those of us already shooting this category to the SSRs will potentially be disadvantaged and all the hard work to get this far thrown in our face.
The rules are being amended next year to recognise the class evolution, but those rules are unknown and not yet current.
Other states are/will be making a mockery of us as they shoot to the SSRs with no problems, and without needing to make allowances for rifles not suitable for class.
There is already a class for modified, heavy, and custom rifles.... F Open!

[RUSTY OMARK]

I will be attending Queens and shooting SH but find it unacceptable, unfair and embarrassing for NSW to change the rules for such a major event.
Those of us already shooting this category to the SSRs will potentially be disadvantaged and all the hard work to get this far thrown in our face.
The rules are being amended next year to recognise the class evolution, but those rules are unknown and not yet current.
Other states are/will be making a mockery of us as they shoot to the SSRs with no problems, and without needing to make allowances for rifles not suitable for class.
There is already a class for modified, heavy, and custom rifles.... F Open!

Lol, correct, few lols from wa. Guessing someone there must have an overweight rifle.
Massive slap in the face to everyone that is currently setup to comply with the current SSR. Pat yourselves on the back people. Disgraceful.

[macguru]

I fully support the NSWRA rule improvements. And my rifle weighs < 6.5kg
Its great to see some common sense about this.

Andrew

[bartman007]

I haven't built my rifle yet because of exactly this situation. Whilst it is great to leap ahead of the ssr's and include the discipline in prize meetings, more work needs to be done before it should be offered at Queens level!

I see some good ideas proposed by NSWRA, however what made you think that 7.5Kg was a good move???

No hunter would plan on walking around the bush with a beast like that on their back. Maybe those advisors need to do a couple of laps around a 1000 yard range and rethink that one.

Action should have a magazine slot is realistic of a true hunting rifle, that's a keeper!

Scope power limit is good. Don't go to 32x or you'll open it up to the benchrest scope and beyond.

No mention of trigger swaps, so I gather we're opening that up to $900 triggers.

As for stocks, does that mean NSWRA is allowing tactical style too, as you can buy them off the shelf too.

This humble sporting hunter rifle looks like it will jump to $5K darn quick. I wonder how many farmers and their kids regularly spend that much on a hunting rifle? Let's remember why this sport was introduced.

[Barossa_222]

If this is true, this event cannot stand as NRAA affiliated and should not count for anything other than a fun shoot. The rules are clearly defined in the SSRs and the match should be carried out with regard to these. If certain members cannot read or interpret the SSRs and want to take liberties, they should prepare to have protests lodged against them. I won't support an association who flagrantly changes rules at their whim to suit a minority.

[Barry Davies]

Needs to be nipped in the bud now by the NRAA otherwise this discipline will finish up the same as FS -- a discipline for the wealthy with no thought for the people with average incomes.
My bet is that the NRAA will shy away from enforcing the rules,. Might upset some high profile shooters.

[macguru]

The enforcement of "store bought" as opposed to "home made" does not imply an unfair advantage. Neither does 7.5kg rather than 6.5kg. Its the shooting style from a light bipod that is the crux.
There are some off the shelf $10,000 rifles out there that comply and then the $1000 one like the one I made. The NSWRA code strikes a fair balance and its sad to see people who have not shot SH or understood this taking such an unreasonable view.

[Barry Davies]

It's a well documented fact that heavier is better or so I am led to believe, otherwise why go heavier?
It's supposed to be a hunting rifle. Are there hunting rifles that go 7.5 kg or better?
It's the weight in question, not the price.
If the intent of hunter class is to entice new members, then maybe the price should also be a limiting factor,. Not everybody can afford a $ 10,000 rifle. Or is this also about satisfying the well heeled elite?
Get it right the first time because once entrenched it's pretty much impossible to change.

[MattyG]

If this is true, this event cannot stand as NRAA affiliated and should not count for anything other than a fun shoot. The rules are clearly defined in the SSRs and the match should be carried out with regard to these. If certain members cannot read or interpret the SSRs and want to take liberties, they should prepare to have protests lodged against them. I won't support an association who flagrantly changes rules at their whim to suit a minority.

The following is the first part of the email sent by the NSWRA:

With reference to SSR 11.2.5.4, The NSWRA via the NSW Competition Director can modify rules to suit local conditions. Please see extract from the SSR below: “Rules:- The promoting body having agreed to do so must conduct the authorised competition according to these SSRs except in so far as they have:- (a) Been modified as approved by the State or Territory Association to meet local conditions, and:- (b) The safety rules must be prominently displayed on a notice board during the competition, and:- (c) No competition shall take place except on an authorised Rifle Range. As you may be aware NSWRA has run the past two Queens events with modified rules for Sporter Hunter class. This has been done to build inclusion and diversity in shooting sports. Additionally, to address the desire to gather Sporter Hunter shooters to a State level of competition and gain exposure for this discipline.”

[RMc]

I was at a prize meeting at the weekend and the main topic of discussion was the way that the SSRs allow people to shoot this discipline with equipment more suited to FS/FO requirements. In these forums, it is even proposed to have three grades to overcome this.
What I see is an association that is taking steps to bring the competition back to what its original intention was, and these rules were drafted with consultation with the shooters of their state.
Instead of bagging it, I would suggest that other associations take what has been proposed, alter it as necessary and put them forward so that by the end of the next round of Queens the rules are finessed to do the job.
Note that the rules have been published well in advance of the competition so that people are not disadvantaged when they arrive. Smart move.

RMc

[RUSTY OMARK]

I was at a prize meeting at the weekend and the main topic of discussion was the way that the SSRs allow people to shoot this discipline with equipment more suited to FS/FO requirements. In these forums, it is even proposed to have three grades to overcome this.
What I see is an association that is taking steps to bring the competition back to what its original intention was, and these rules were drafted with consultation with the shooters of their state.
Instead of bagging it, I would suggest that other associations take what has been proposed, alter it as necessary and put them forward so that by the end of the next round of Queens the rules are finessed to do the job.
Note that the rules have been published well in advance of the competition so that people are not disadvantaged when they arrive. Smart move.

RMc

The NRAA has drafted national rules for sporter hunter that will come into effect dec-jan. There is no reason for other associations to modify rules Willy nilly. Makes things too hard for those who follow and comply with the current rules that are set in place.

[RUSTY OMARK]

If this is true, this event cannot stand as NRAA affiliated and should not count for anything other than a fun shoot. The rules are clearly defined in the SSRs and the match should be carried out with regard to these. If certain members cannot read or interpret the SSRs and want to take liberties, they should prepare to have protests lodged against them. I won't support an association who flagrantly changes rules at their whim to suit a minority.

Not only that, since they will be non compliant with the national ssr what will happen with insurance if something goes wrong? Lots of questions to be asked and that’s one of them. Could this stunt hurt our future if something goes wrong?

[macguru]

I was at a prize meeting at the weekend and the main topic of discussion was the way that the SSRs .......I would suggest that other associations take what has been proposed, alter it as necessary and put them forward so that by the end of the next round of Queens the rules are finessed to do the job.
Note that the rules have been published well in advance of the competition so that people are not disadvantaged when they arrive. Smart move.
RMc

Good to hear some reasonable comments. Some of the stuff coming from the antis is just plain silly