New Sporter/Hunter Class...is your club promoting it?

[bad_primer]

G’day all

Recently the NRAA has compiled and finalised the rules for Sporter/Hunter/Varmint class. This has been developed on the back of feed back received from us, members and interested parties across different state and territory associations.

What do you think of the finished product? Has it hit the mark?

I’m interested to ask if anyone’s clubs will be promoting this new class and how you will be doing it? I have a n idea or two about how it could be promoted to attract new members and participants but keen to hear what others are thinking.
Cheers

Paul

[scott/r]

Cool. Good to see.
Scott.

[Barossa_222]

What does the "finished product" look like? The only thing I've heard about this class is what was written in the email we received from the NRAA the other day.

[bad_primer]

Have a look at the latest SSRs under chapter 23. There is complete rule set.

[AlanF]

I wasn't even aware that it was announced let alone in the SSRs. Looks very good. Congratulations to George Wittorff and other NRAA directors involved. This will be a great thing for our club, and many others no doubt.

23.1 Rifles - Sporting/Hunting Class Target Shooting (SH)
23.2 Introduction:This section is designed to allow standard shop bought sporting type rifles to be used on NRAA rifle ranges. The prime purpose for its introduction is to encourage participation, rather than competition and to foster membership.
23.3 Any rifle bought as a standard factory-made practical walk around sporting/hunting/varmint rifle and without the features or attachments that would place it in the style of a target, match or service rifle, and which complies with the following conditions:
23.3.1 Weight: Not greater than 6.5 kg (14.3lbs.), including any telescopic sight or bipod.
23.3.2 Actions may be bedded in the stock.
23.3.3 Barrels: Rifles may be re-barreled if necessary, but the replacement must not exceed the heavy varmint barrel profile.
23.3.4 Barrels are not to exceed 26 ins (66.04 cms) in length.
23.3.5 Muzzle Brakes: Muzzle Brakes are permitted, subject to permission by the Organising Body/Range Officer and provided they are allowed under the Range Standing Orders.
23.3.6 Calibre: Any calibre that does not exceed the calibre and/or energy limit as designated in the Range Standing Orders and/or Police Range Approval.
23.3.7 Trigger: Any trigger system may be used provided that it is safe.
23.3.8 A trigger shall be deemed safe if:(a)Its activating mechanism is enclosed in a suitable trigger guard; (b)Vigorous cycling of the action does not cause the trigger to release.
23.3.9 Magazine: Magazines are allowed.
23.3.10 The shooter is to be in the firing position before placing a loaded magazine onto the rifle.
23.3.11 Rounds may also be manually placed into the magazine by virtue by single round loading, or by direct loading to the chamber of the rifle.
23.3.12 On completion, the action of the rifle is to be opened; the chamber and the magazine are to be inspected by the competitor and scorer to ensure that both are free from live rounds or empty cases.
23.3.13 Sights: Any, including magnifying or telescopic.
23.4 Ammunition: Either factory or hand loaded is allowed.
23.5 Rests: The front of the rifle may be supported by a hunting bipod (e.g.,Harris, or similar).
23.5.1A rear bag may be used.
23.6 Distances Shot: Same as TR and F Class
23.7 Applications to be 2 convertible sighters and 10 shots on standard ICFRA targets. Scoring as per TR i.e., with 5 and V bulls.

The next thing is to promote it locally, through firearms dealers etc. Let's get to it!

[neil y]

Our club (Busselton and Bunbury) - Georges club regularly has more shooters in this class than any other especially at ranges 600mt and closer. Good scores get shot and very happy shooters all round.Local gun shops and word of mouth give it a plug.

[bad_primer]

Thanks for the advice Neil. I’m planning to reach out to local gun shops and other groups to pass word around.

[williada]

Some brochures left in gunshops could assist now given the rules release as well as times made available for load development where access is limited promoting what we offer. Many of my friends in the SSAA spend a lot of range time setting up their gear.

[DannyS]

Interesting that the NRAA only received 21 submissions, so 1 was mine and I wonder who else bothered.

[Spoons107]

This is awesome to hear and my club(Port Lincoln Rifle club) will definitely promote this discipline. But I do think the rules could be better.
1. Max magnification of scopes should be no more than 25 power, or taped in place if scope is able to go higher. (Most hunters use lower magnification)
2.Use of rear bags should be limited too light weight bags,as would be carried in the field. ( no hunter would carry a seb Bigfoot full of garnet with them in the field.)
These simple modifications would REALLY make it a hunting/sporting class.

Just my 2cents worth

[DannyS]

Spoons107,did you submit a response when the NRAA was asking for submissions?

[scott/r]

Interesting that the NRAA only received 21 submissions, so 1 was mine and I wonder who else bothered.

Maybe my submission was number 2.
Scott.

[cheech]

So does this mean this discipline needs to be included in OPMs and Queens ?

[DannyS]

Cheech, non competitive, it’s to encourage participation at club level, as per above rules

[cheech]

Ok no worries , we’ve have always let and encouraged all types of factory rifles on our range for non competitive participation / casual use for testing loads s, sighting in etc

Question so why have rules for something that is non competitive ?