NSWRA 2023 King's Sporter Hunter rules

[macguru]

Following the success of SH at the 2022 NSW Queen's Prize, the following are the rules for the 2023 Competition:
and Congrats again to the NSWRA for their inclusivity ....

Below are the revised NSWRA Sporter-Hunter Rules for the 2023 Open Championships/Kings :

1 .Rifles must be commercially produced and available complete with repeating rifles. 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 restocked 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.

[Barry Davies]

Will all states have the same rules?

[AlanF]

Will all states have the same rules?

Very unlikely Barry. So this'll suit shooters who want to attend this event annually, and it may spread to other NSW club events. I believe the NRAA should invite all the STAs to meet and agree on rules before the horse bolts. Otherwise, interstate competitors at Kings, and teams events will be impossible or very limited, and sporting/hunting discipline will be unable to progress to where the F-Classes are as national sports.

[OuttaAmmo]

When it states “commercially produced” does that mean currently? And if so, what happens if the rifle bought to use is from a manufacturer that subsequently goes broke, or just no longer produces that model?

[macguru]

I think it just rules out action only build like stiller or Barnard, but its a grey area because Barnard also produces a tac rifle I think, they just dont want you using single shot target actions etc

[Barossa_222]

This is a bit of a farce. They don't want you to do an "action only rebuild", but I can change the barrel, the stock and adjust the trigger. Set up for people to cherry pick Queens/Kings who can't get it done with the classes we already have.

Kelbly commercially produce rifles, so do HS Precision, APRS, Barnard etc etc. Can I use one of those?

I'm of the opinion that this class should not be eligible for a Queens/King badge. It was brought in to increase club memberships and give an introduction into TR/F Class shooting for beginners with existing gear. I won't support an association going off book. How is this allowed at a supposed NRAA sanctioned event? The rules are in the SSR's and I thought that was how a state championship was supposed to be conducted. Poor form NSWRA.

[dazza284]

This is a bit of a farce. They don't want you to do an "action only rebuild", but I can change the barrel, the stock and adjust the trigger. Set up for people to cherry pick Queens/Kings who can't get it done with the classes we already have.

Kelbly commercially produce rifles, so do HS Precision, APRS, Barnard etc etc. Can I use one of those?

I'm of the opinion that this class should not be eligible for a Queens/King badge. It was brought in to increase club memberships and give an introduction into TR/F Class shooting for beginners with existing gear. I won't support an association going off book. How is this allowed at a supposed NRAA sanctioned event? The rules are in the SSR's and I thought that was how a state championship was supposed to be conducted. Poor form NSWRA.

I agree I don't even know why they would bother scoring at at Club level to me it's a class you just go out and enjoy yourself and have a great day will good people you want to score or shoot comp build a rifle and pick a grade.

[macguru]

At Hornsby (across 4 clubs), we just held a competition where we split sporter hunter into 2 classes, SH , where we allowed hunting rifles like the the sort some of you consider SH, and PSR (precision service rifle) where you can shoot restocked rifles and AI, TRG style sniper rigs from a bipod with a soft rear bag. The SH was scored out of 50, and the PSR out of 60, like FTR only with normal bipods and 26" barrel limit etc. Naturally this PSR was very popular and attracted the experienced shooters who liked a challenge

I dont know if this will catch on, and for now it was just Hornsby AFAIK and does not affect the Kings prize I mentioned above. But because of the style of shooting it attracted a good entry and it is separate from the SH ideal that some of you prefer.

[Lithgow]

With the new rules drafted and supplied to the states bodies for debate, why are we not shooting to those for genuine open feed back rather than Hornsby rifle club rules.
This is a national class not a Hornsby Club shoot.

[RUSTY OMARK]

This is a bit of a farce. They don't want you to do an "action only rebuild", but I can change the barrel, the stock and adjust the trigger. Set up for people to cherry pick Queens/Kings who can't get it done with the classes we already have.

Kelbly commercially produce rifles, so do HS Precision, APRS, Barnard etc etc. Can I use one of those?

I'm of the opinion that this class should not be eligible for a Queens/King badge. It was brought in to increase club memberships and give an introduction into TR/F Class shooting for beginners with existing gear. I won't support an association going off book. How is this allowed at a supposed NRAA sanctioned event? The rules are in the SSR's and I thought that was how a state championship was supposed to be conducted. Poor form NSWRA.

There are a few that say it should not be part of the kings, this being said the same reason you have stated. However, we must look back to f standard and why that was introduced, how fast it grew and where it is now. Why someone would want to descriminate against the fastest growing discipline has me baffled.

[RUSTY OMARK]

With the new rules drafted and supplied to the states bodies for debate, why are we not shooting to those for genuine open feed back rather than Hornsby rifle club rules.
This is a national class not a Hornsby Club shoot.

Mate, you have hit the nail on the head right there, it would be beneficial to both competitors and clubs to try this format. Not only would it help shooters understand what they need to be compliant but also iron out any issues before the rules are implemented.

[RUSTY OMARK]

Following the success of SH at the 2022 NSW Queen's Prize, the following are the rules for the 2023 Competition:
and Congrats again to the NSWRA for their inclusivity ....

Below are the revised NSWRA Sporter-Hunter Rules for the 2023 Open Championships/Kings :

1 .Rifles must be commercially produced and available complete with repeating rifles. 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 restocked 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.

So with the weight limit raised by 1kg, for those of us that are set at 6.5kg are we allowed to add weight to our rifle so we are at a even level playing field? Or do we get told no and have the unfair advantage of shooting against some peanut with a TRG or Accuracy International?

[Barossa_222]

This is a bit of a farce. They don't want you to do an "action only rebuild", but I can change the barrel, the stock and adjust the trigger. Set up for people to cherry pick Queens/Kings who can't get it done with the classes we already have.

Kelbly commercially produce rifles, so do HS Precision, APRS, Barnard etc etc. Can I use one of those?

I'm of the opinion that this class should not be eligible for a Queens/King badge. It was brought in to increase club memberships and give an introduction into TR/F Class shooting for beginners with existing gear. I won't support an association going off book. How is this allowed at a supposed NRAA sanctioned event? The rules are in the SSR's and I thought that was how a state championship was supposed to be conducted. Poor form NSWRA.

There are a few that say it should not be part of the kings, this being said the same reason you have stated. However, we must look back to f standard and why that was introduced, how fast it grew and where it is now. Why someone would want to descriminate against the fastest growing discipline has me baffled.

Don't get me started on F Standard. That's so far removed from what it should have been. It is now just F Open with a 308.
I have no problems with the class, I think it has a lot of merit and was a proactive step from an association who typically sit on their hands. The problem I have is established shooters taking the piss and an association making their own rules up. We are supposed to all operate under the same rules. What is happening with these rules and this competition now is another arms race as has happened in F Standard. You can't tell me that if I take my factory Tikka to a reputable gunsmith and put a $1000 heavy varmint barrel in it and then drop it into a $2000 chassis it's going to be equal to a factory Howa.

[macguru]

Obviously some serious comprehension problems here among the more challenged ...

The trial at Hornsby applied only to Hornsby clubs and is a work in progress. I think the idea is a good one but obviously there is no pleasing everyone.

The NSWRA modified rules apply only to the Queens/Kings series at Malabar and it is up to the committee to work out any changes for the future, but the original post applies at the moment.

It is unlikely any set of rules will please everyone and what happens nationally is yet to be determined...

[Barry Davies]

What happens nationally has been determined--- it's called SSR's