SSAA NSW MILITARY SERVICE RIFLE DISCIPLINE
Rev: 24/11/2008
Note: Following is a guide for shooters and organisers relevant to the NSW Clubs Challenge Series. It should be used in conjunction with:
- National Rulebook,
- Hosting State Event guide
- Any other guide relevant to the course of the weekend.
Typically, many clubs and ranges shoot against each other from time to time. This competition is no different, except it is more than 2 clubs slugging it out, but rather all the clubs within the state coming together at the same time and place, to do battle against each other.
This event was conceived in 2002 between Peter Barnier, Peter Szacsvay and David Waters. At this time, there was a challenge put forth by Tamworth who were considered one of the strongest Service Rifle clubs in NSW. After a few calls and some idea’s, the event became a reality.
Due to the hopes that NSW members would travel for this event, it was important to put on an event that would be worth the trip. This was taken care of but not only a full weekend program with a VAST array of shooting courses of fire, but also the idea that the weekend catered for BOTH Std/As-Issue rifles and Modified rifles.
Each club shooter participates as an individual, who then has their scores grouped with other members of the same club. This is as much a competition for individuals as it is a team event. Teams however, are the main theme of this competition.
Unlike some team events, the Clubs Challenge teams are not pre-defined. Simply showing makes you part of your team, but you don’t have to worry about letting the team down. The aggregate scores used to decide the winners only come from the top shooters of each team. This caters for everybody such as those that participate for fun, or for serious competition.
Initially, one of the main goals was to not only have clubs compete against each other, but also be able to invite shooters from other associations to compete, but they would do in accordance with SSAA rules. This presented 2 concerns that firstly, catering for the different grading systems, and secondly, the familiarity advantage regular SSAA members would have with targets etc. Catering for the various association’s rules and courses of fire was going to create a juggling act that would be hard to balance.
To vary things up so no 1 group had the advantage, plus to test everybody’s skills not mater what the conditions, it was decided that we would run at least 1 match from each of the service association styles. So the SSAA 3P Core event, ASRA deliberate/rapid/snap, and an Application Deliberate at long range was to be shot, along with other matches depending on time and host abilities.
Grading was a headache as all the clubs and associations use different matches to grade off, and different grading scales. It was accepted that each shooter would have to be SSAA graded.
After the first running in 2002, and after a few teething problems, the event was refined and is now very fair and very enjoyable for each competitor and club. From only 4 qualifying clubs in 2002, to 6 in 2003, it is hoped that in future years, this event will become something that every club supports.
The schedule for the event has grown as it now encompasses matches that make up a round of the NSW Grand Prix Series. One of the highlight matches of the weekend is the 500m application deliberate match.
Initially, the CC format was to run the “main core” events plus novel local matches that everybody wasn’t used to but would thoroughly enjoy. Formatting the weekend took a lot of thought. What was going to set this weekend apart from the rest? Running both Standard and Modified Iron sight matches was considered a must to maximise attendance and provide a shoot that would make people want to come for more reasons that “it’s just on”. A scheduled 2-day event took care of that.
There are infinite reasons why any and every shooter should participate in this event beyond what has already been mentioned. Some of the other reasons:
- grade card maintenance,
- accumulate Hall of Fame points,
- shooter of the year points,
- accumulate points for the State Teams selection,
- proficiency awards,
- participation and competitor awards,
- practice and experience,
- social reasons and exercise.
For many competitors, the time spent socialising is equally important as the time actually shooting. Every effort should be made to have a successful event on all levels of competitor preferences.
The Clubs Challenge gives clubs the ability to hold a championship event on a state level. Apart from raising revenue for the hosts, hopefully this also spreads the experience of hosting/running state events and hopefully attracts shooters from new regions and/or new ranges, which will increase exposure of this great discipline.
Shooters are asked to be good sportsman and enjoy the event. They may be required to assist in scoring, patching and range set up and therefore, all participants should be organised and ready to go at all times.
Hosts are asked to give participants a thorough briefing of the schedule and advise what will be asked and required of the competitors during the event.
Ranges should be equipped and updated with all the necessary tools, equipment and rules to handle all the advertised events. All rules and procedures for the event should be in accordance with the national rulebook and NSW rule amendments and by-laws.
Range should be a minimum of 300m in distance and capable of firing at all ranges up to 300m in various shooting styles and positions (off hand, sitting/kneeling, prone etc).
It has become accepted that the nature of this event require a range that has a target gallery pits and stop but such that each shot will be marked during the “DRS300” and “Application Deliberate” matches.
Every effort should be made to have the range and targets set up on Friday, or the day before the competition, for practice and zeroing during the afternoon.
The Clubs Challenge is based on iron sight rifles of both “standard/as-issued” and “modified” classes as defined by the national discipline rulebook.
The Clubs Challenge Championships team event is based on the aggregate of the entire weekend of “standard/as-issued” and “modified” firearms.
The CC individual’s competition has 2 components catering for both standard and modified firearms. Shooters may participate in 1 or both classes (however they must compete in both to maximise their clubs ability to gain the highest possible club/team score). It also recognises 2 gun aggregate winners run over the course of the weekend. All of these are individual competitions, not events.
The following list represents classes of firearms that are used during the CvC carnival over the course of the event,
- Rifle Class A, B, C - Standard/As Issued - Iron Sights
- Rifle Class H - Modified - Iron Sights
It is up to the discretion of the hosts if they wish to run local, non-championship, supplementary events, which may also include firearms of other classes. If this is the case, then clear indication should be advertised so diligent shooters are aware of what to expect and prepare for.
This event is broken into 2 sections - “Teams” and “Individuals” as follows:
This teams challenge is based on the aggregate of ALL the scheduled matches that are considered reasonable to the discipline (does not include any novelty type events). These events include all the events for both “Standard/As-Issued” and “Modified” firearms.
Competitors are grouped into teams based on their club membership (see rules). Only the top scoring shooters in each team have their scores combined for an aggregate that is then compared to the other team aggregates.
This competition is for all individuals who participate at the CC event. It is in addition to the main championship, being a teams event, and is all considered to be part of the CC competition carnival.
Winners, however classified, are awarded in a minimum of 3 areas as follows:
- Aggregate of standard/as-issued firearms,
- Aggregate of modified firearms,
- 2-Gun aggregate Top Guns of both the above.
The Clubs Challenge is made up of matches for both Standard/As-Issue rifle, and Modified rifle.
The following matches are recommendations only based on what is considered standard for NSW competitions. It is up to the host club what matches will be run, likewise up to the competitors if they are willing to support the schedule. Host clubs should consider and advise the SDC before setting the final event schedule.
The CC championship should, wherever possible, offer:
- Warm up at 300m or other,
- 300m deliberate
- 3 Position Core Event (at least for grading)
- Action M (very popular event)
Other matches may be added at the discretion of the hosts provided they are reasonably within the limits and spirit of the firearms and do not detract from the discipline.
Modified matches were originally scheduled to encourage the many shooters who have converted their pre-loved service issue rifles to come and participate in this great discipline. These matches have now become part of the CC carnival and now a 2-Gun trophy award exists for the standard & modified aggregate winner.
Typically, the modified rifle events have included local events from various clubs plus SSAA discipline events as follows:
- Warm up at 300m or other,
- 500 Application Deliberate,
- 3P Core
- Action M
Like for standard rifle, other matches may be added at the discretion of the hosts provided they are reasonably within the limits of the firearms and do not detract from the discipline.
This has always been a weekend event. Both the Teams and Individuals have been decided at the weekend conclusion.
All rules for this competition are in accordance with the national discipline rulebook and NSW amendments and by-laws. Rules here after are additional to this event only.
Shooters represent the club of which they are a member of or shoot for. Some members who belong to regional branches or clubs that do not participate, or have a strong following in, this discipline may combine to shoot for other clubs. This case for any shooter must be brought before the SDC and disputes committee for ruling.
DRS300 (Local match – Deliberate Rapid Snap @ 300)
This match is broken into 3 sections as shown below.
Course: (36 rounds total) (Spotting scope is recommended)
- Deliberate 2 sighters, 10 shots slow fire (each shot marked-NRA 4x4 Type B Target)
45 seconds per shot rule to apply. Competitors score shots.
- Rapid 2 sighters, 5 shots in 30 seconds, reload in 30sec, fire 5 in 30sec (4x4 Type B)
(Shots are spotted at conclusion for shooters to see)
- Snap 2 sighters, 10 exposures of 3 seconds, 1 shot per exposure (NRA Fig12 Target)
(Shots are spotted at conclusion for shooters to see)
Course: (12 rounds total)
2 sighters, 10 shots slow fire (each shot marked - SSAA 4x4 Type C Target)
45 seconds per shot rule to apply. Competitors score shots.
Like any state shoot, there are many achievements for all shooters to aim for when participating in state matches and events. Although self-satisfaction and simply enjoying shooting is the main reason to participate, for many it’s all about travelling to other clubs / ranges and meeting new people. Let’s not forget the practical reasons also like earning Hall of Fame points, maintaining your grade card, or shooting for proficiency awards.
- State perpetual shield for aggregate winners by class and grades which recognises both teams and individuals,
- aggregate winners by grade for both Std and Mod,
- 2-Gun aggregate open winners 1st - 6th
The host club by way of entry fees must cover trophy costs. They should be engraved to correctly recognise the event and what they were awarded for. Consultation with the SDC prior to finalising the trophy list should be made.
Note: Unlike other the NSW State Championships, the modified rifle matches ARE shot in grades as per the shooters grade for Std Rifle.
Results for past events may be found at in the RESULTS section of this web site.