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PVGC Precision Rifle

Match Directors:

Steve Duque: stevenjduque@gmail.com
Matt Hornback: matthewhornback@gmail.com

SAFETY

A. General Rifle Safety

  1. Always point your rifle in a safe direction. Never point a rifle at something you don’t intend to kill or destroy.
  2. Always keep your rifle unloaded until ready to use. Treat all rifles as though they are loaded even if you believe otherwise.
  3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.
  4. Know your target and what is beyond.
  5. Always wear proper eye and ear protection and ensure others have the same before firing.
  6. Never use alcohol or drugs while shooting.

B. Rifle Safety While at a PALAMINO VALLEY GUN CLUB (PVGC) PRECISION RIFLE Match

  1. PVGC PRECISION RIFLE competitions are always cold ranges. All rifles are to be unloaded, with magazines out and bolts to the rearward position. Chamber flags are to be utilized at all times so that anyone can identify an unloaded rifle. The rifle may only be loaded and chamber flag removed at the discretion of the Range Officer (RO). Once the stage is complete, the magazine shall be removed, bolt in the rearward position and chamber flag inserted before the rifle is removed from the firing line.
  2. Only ground rifles in a proper rifle rack, or where ever the Range Officer designates as a safe location and direction.
  3. When moving to another shooting location, always ensure the rifle is pointed in a safe direction.

C. Rifle Safety During Your Stage

  1. Always wait for the Range Officers command of “load and make ready” until you remove your chamber flag and insert magazine.
  2. Stages always begin with magazine in and bolt to the rear unless specifically directed by the match booklet and the Range Officer.
  3. Any movement or barricade transition must be done with the bolt to the rear and an empty chamber. The only exception to this rule will be with the use of semi automatic rifles but only at the approval of the Match Director (MD). If the MD allows this, the shooter must engage the safety, and yell “safe” loud enough for the RO to hear with ear protection.
  4. During movement, the 180 rule must always be adhered to. The 180 rule refers to only pointing the rifle with in 90 degrees of straight forward. There may be stages when a Range Officer reduces the 180 rule even more. Always follow directions and be aware of where you are pointing your rifle.

D. Safety Violations and Penalties

  1. Violation of the cold range rule: Any shooter who has violated the cold range rule shall be issued a warning. A second violation will result in a stage zero. Next violation will result in a match DQ and removal from competition. This includes a live round in the chamber, magazine inserted, a closed bolt, or chamber flag not being used. The only violation that will be issued to having a live round in the chamber while not shooting shall be a match DQ.
  2. Muzzling and/or violating the 180 rule: Muzzling is pointing or sweeping another persons body with the muzzle of a rifle. There will be no warnings of this unsafe act. If any shooter muzzles any other attendee, that action shall result in match DQ and removal from competition. It will be the duty of the RO to inform the MD of the infraction, and the MDs call to issue the match DQ.
  3. Unsafe transitioning: Transitioning on a barricade, or movement with out having the bolt to the rear will result in the Range Officer having the shooter correct the situation, then move back to the previous position firing position before resuming the course of fire. A second violation will result in a zero for the stage. A third will result in the shooter getting a match DQ and removal from competition. Shooters using Semi Automatic rifles move with a closed bolt with the safety engaged, the same rule applies if the shooter does not either engage the safety and/or yell “safe” to acknowledge the use of the mechanical safety.
  4. Negligent Discharge (ND). A Negligent Discharge is defined as any round unintentionally discharged from a firearm during a transition, movement, and/or weapons manipulation; or a round intentionally discharged during a cease fire period. The competitor shall receive a match DQ and removal from competition. 
  5. Accidental Discharge/Mechanical Failure (AD). An Accidental Discharge is defined as any round unintentionally discharged from a firearm due to a mechanical failure. The participant will be removed from the event until he or she can repair the rifle to safe working order. The shooter will receive a zero for that stage, and all follow up stages will be forfeited during this down time.
  6. False Starts: Firing or not following stage procedures before the start signal will result in a zero for the stage.
  7. If a Match Director judges a shooter to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during competition, the shooter will receive a match DQ and be removed from competition. Further actions may be taken by the Washoe County Range Master. 

E. Match safety briefing

The following shall be read prior to the start of the competition. This briefing will also be at the top of the rules for easy access.

Match safety briefing:

  1. Always point your rifle in a safe direction. Never point a rifle at anything you don’t intend to kill or destroy. Only ground your rifle where you are instructed to by a Range Officer. If your point your rifle at anyone else you shall be disqualified.
  2. Always keep your rifle unloaded until ready to use. Only load the rifle when instructed to by a Range Officer. With the exception of when it is your turn to shoot, rifles are always cold at PVGC PRECISION RIFLE events. This means the magazine is out and bolt back with chamber flags inserted. Violation for breaking this rule will be a warning on the first offence. A second violation will be a stage disqualification. A third violation will be a match disqualification.
  3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire. If you have a negligent discharge, you will be disqualified. If you have an accidental discharge / mechanical failure, you will receive a zero for that stage and all follow up stages until the rifle is repaired.
  4. In the event of an emergency, the Range Officer shall immediately declare cease fire which will be echoed down the firing line. The Range Officer shall then size up the situation and relay by radio the situation to the Match Director. The Match Director will activate the 911 system and the primary medical responder. 
  5. The 911 system is: YOUR MEDIVAC PLAN
  6. The primary medical responder is: YOUR PRIMARY MEDICAL RESPONDER/local EMS
  7. The PVGC PRECISION RIFLE trauma kit is Located at:
  8. Identify any other medical personnel.
  9. Are there any questions?

 Shooters Responsibilities

  1. Shooters should always treat Match Directors and Range Officers with respect . From time to time, disagreements arise between shooters and match officials. This is fine, so long as mutual respect and calm communication occurs. The Match Directors ruling is always final.
  2. Shooters in the Precision Rifle discipline are regarded as the most professional and highly educated in any discipline. All participants in PVGC PRECISION RIFLE matches are looked upon as Safety Officers. Any participant that witnesses an unsafe act is to call for a cease fire and stop the unsafe act. The participant should then inform the closest Range Officer of the act.
  3. It is the shooters responsibility to know the PVGC PRECISION RIFLE Rules and Regulations prior to a competition.
  4. Shooters should actively participate in any stage briefing to move the shoot along smoothly.
  5. Shooters shall understand that at the beginning of the stage, when asked by the Range Officer “Shooter do you understand the course of fire?” If they give an affirmative answer, that will be their last opportunity to get clarification. Because of this, arguments that they did not understand anything about the stage or its targets are invalid.
  6. Shooters should be good squad mates by helping police brass, helping Range Officers when directed, and providing coaching to other sooters after their stage is complete.

C. Match Directors Responsibilities

  1. Match Directors are responsible for the overall direction of a match. He or she is the person in charge at that event.
  2. Match Directors shall provide stage descriptions/procedures to all shooters, either digitally or in print. Digital version will be made available prior to match date. 
  3. Match Directors must have a scoring system that allows for quick tabulation of points, and must allow shooters to see their scores after the stage. Using a system that makes the shooter sign or acknowledge their score is mandatory. If utilizing paper scoring, rain should be accounted for. If using electronic scoring, failure of equipment and battery life should be accounted for and paper backup should be available.
  4. Match Director must utilize targets that ensure a quality, challenging course of fire. It is the goal of the PVGC PRECISION RIFLE to ensure that Match Directors maintain the ability to be creative in their design. However, the guidelines for target size shall be 2 MOA maximum for prone supported shots, and 3 MOA maximum for all other shots. This measurement is in reference to the smallest diameter of the particular target.
  5. Match Directors shall provide a 15-minute arbitration period for shooters to review scores and issue grievances if necessary. Once the arbitration period is complete, scores are then final. At no time and for no reason will scores or results be altered after this period. If individuals come forward any time after the arbitration period has ended, the reasons will be noted and followed up with the Match Director, but scores and placements will not be recalled.

D. Range Officers Responsibilities

  1. Range Officers are any person assisting in running a competition, not including the Match Director. They can be the person running a stage, a spotter, the sign in person, or anyone that the Match Director acknowledged, as working the match.
  2. Range Officers should understand all Rules and Regulations prior to the start of the competition to ensure the safety of all participants. Any Range Officer witnessing unsafe acts shall call cease fire and correct the unsafe act as soon as possible. 
  3. “Squad Leader” Range Officers will be appointed before the start of the match and will be in charge of their assigned squads. They should conduct a stage briefing for all shooters prior to each stage and assist in target location on stages that allow for prior target knowledge. After stage briefing, the squad will have 5 minutes to prep before the first shooter is called. 
  4. Once the stage begins, Range Officer’s will share RO duties and run every shooter though that stage as close to the same as humanly possible. Match Directors shall ensure that Range Officers utilize standard commands at their competition. (Encouraged standard commands are as follows. “Shooter do you understand the course of fire? If no questions are asked, then “Shooter clear to load and make ready?” Once the shooter makes his or her rifle ready, “Shooter Ready?” Once an affirmative is obtained, the start tone should immediately follow.
  5. Range Officers that are serving as spotters are responsible for calling hits or misses. Utilization of standard calls is encouraged. Standard calls are ‘impact” or “impact left target” or “reengage”. Spotters should use loud clear voices when calling stages. Calling corrections during the stage is not allowed but encouraged AFTER the stage is complete.
  6. In the case of a new or “Young gun” shooter, on the clock coaching and corrections may be used to assist the shooter. This distinction will be made by the Squad Leader RO before the first stage is initiated. 
  7. Anytime a Range Officer is not able to settle a grievance presented by a shooter, he or she shall request the Match Director to make the final judgment.

E. Specific Competition Rules

  1. A PVGC PRECISION RIFLE competition shall consist of at least 60 rounds fired, and at least 6 individual stages. Shoots shall have at least 6 shooters and take place over the course of at least one day. Having a sight in period is not provided but exceptions may be granted by the MD. If weather or acts of God alter the competition, the competition scores will be valid if the intention of the competition meets the previous guidelines.
  2. No single stage should be worth 1.5 times over the amount of another stage. Additionally, stages in which a single shot removes all points without the opportunity to earn any back is discouraged.
  3. In a timed stage, shots taken up to .30 seconds after the clock are still eligible for points.
  4. From time to time, reshoots of stages will occur for reasons such as a cease fire being called, prop malfunction or target breakage. The Range Officer may offer a reshoot anytime he or she thinks it is warranted. A shooter may also request a reshoot to the Range Officer. If the Range Officer denies the request, the shooter may request to bring the issue to the Match Director. The Match Director’s ruling is final. The Match Director shall also inform the shooter if they are able to request another reshoot in the remainder of the competition. Reshoots may be complete stage reshoots, or starting in the middle of the stage with points and time consistent with the stoppage. The score on the reshoot will be the only score used.
  5. There will be a tiebreaker stage at every PVGC PRECISION RIFLE event. The tiebreaker stage will be designated before the start of the match. The tiebreaker will go off of the shooters score on that stage first, and time to the hundredths of a second if the stage score is the same. If the shooter does not fire all of the rounds in the course of fire the time will be based off of the last shot fired.  In the rare event that both score and time are the same, the Match Director shall have the shooters repeat the tie breaker until the tie is broken.

DIVISIONS, SCORING AND CHAMPIONSHIP 

A. Divisions

The PVGC PRECISION RIFLE match includes two divisions. 

  1. Open- Any competitor that wishes to shoot the course of fire as it was designed with the allowed equipment. 
  2. Prone- Any competitor that wishes to shoot the entire course of fire with the allowed equipment for score in the “Prone Supported” position. This class is not limited to, but is encouraged for: 

A. Any shooter that is not physically able to safely shoot the course of fire as it was designed. 

B. A new shooter that would like to experience the COF without using the designated support props. 

“Open” shooters may not choose to enter this division after the first round has been fired during the course of fire. Competitors must complete the course of fire in their chosen division. Scores will reflect each division as separate “matches”. Combined scores will not be viewed as “equal” placement due to the nature of the two divisions. 

B. Equipment

  1. Rifles shall be any caliber between 223 Remington to 300 Winchester Magnum and not to exceed 3200 FPS. Shooters should understand that environmental conditions and chronographs vary. They should take these factors into account when settling on their ammunition. A Match Director can choose to chronograph at any time throughout his or her match with any shooter him or her chooses. If a shooter is violating the speed limit, he or she shall get a match DQ and be removed from competition for cheating. The MD at any time can make a determination if a competitors rifle is unsafe or not allowed to be used in the course of fire. 
  2. Rifles can be Bolt action or Semi Automatic.
  3. The shooter should only use one rifle for the competition. If the competitor’s rifle has a malfunction, the shooter shall be able to use a backup or loaner rifle so long as the replacement is of similar caliber. The Match Director must be notified when an equipment malfunction occurs. The shooter shall demonstrate the failure to the match director and obtain permission to utilize the backup rifle.
  4. Acceptable support equipment will be designated per stage. Common support equipment includes and is not limited to: monopods, bipods, tripods, heavy support bags (Ex: Gamechanger), light support bags (Ex: pump pillow) and stock pads. The MD has the right to eliminate any support equipment for match use prior to match start. 

C. Scoring

1. Scoring will be 1.0 point per target impact. Misses will not be counted for score. No make up points or modifications to scoring will be allowed during the course of fire. 

2. In the event of a scoring malfunction or discrepancy, the Squad RO shall be notified and allowed to make the correction AFTER the MD has granted permission. All scoring discrepancies must be brought to the attention of the MD immediately. 

4. Once a competitor has begun the COF all points acquired will be maintained regardless of shooter status at the conclusion of the match. 

5. Digital and printed copies of match scores will be made available after the conclusion of the match. Digital scores will be made available via Email and/or www.practiscore.com. Paper scores can be requested and provided within 7 business days by the MD. 

6. Each match score will be used for the shooters season standings. The winner will receive 100 points (100%). Each shooter will be awarded points based off of the winner’s total points earned from that match to put towards their seasons standings. Ex: During the match, the winner earned 80 points (100%), 2 place earned 70 points (87.5%). The first place shooter will earn 100 points and the 2nd place shooter will have earned 87.5 points towards the season points. 

SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP

  1. The PVGC will be responsible for conducting a Championship match at the end of the season. The championship match will be the very last match of the calendar year. 
  2. If for any reason the final match is cancelled, the average of the shooters best 3 scores will be used to determine season placement. 
  3. Championship match points will be calculated as previously defined, and will be worth double the amount of a regular season match. First place will be worth 200 points at the championship match.
  4. The Season Champion and the rest of the rankings will be determined by adding the three best scores with the Championship matches points.

SPORTSMANSHIP

A. Good Sportsmanship.

  1. Good Sportsmanship is one of the founding principles of  the PVGC PRECISION RIFLE Match. Good sportsmanship helps grow the sport, creates positive role models, and is impressive to the sponsors. It is not something that can be quantified, but is easy to recognize by all participants.

B. Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

  1. Unsportsmanlike conduct is taken very seriously by PVGC PRECISION RIFLE.
  2. Examples of bad sportsmanship include treating participants or range staff with disrespect, unwarranted complaining, throwing tantrums, or being unpleasant.

C. Cheating

  1. PVGC PRECISION RIFLE Match defines cheating as: acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage in competition. Examples of cheating are:
  2. Sabotaging another shooter’s equipment.
  3. Assisting in writing any course of fire or obtaining the course of fire prior to the match.
  4. Exceeding the velocity of 3200 FPS or using a cartridge above 300 Winchester Magnum.
  5. Altering or destruction of score sheets.
  6. Any other act as deemed unfair/cheating by a Range Officer or Match Director.

D. Penalties for Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Cheating

  1. Any shooter whom is deemed as acting in an unsportsmanlike fashion will be subject to any penalty that the Match Director deems appropriate including warnings; stage zeros and/or matches DQ and being removed from competition.
  2. The only penalty appropriate for cheating shall be the Match Director issuing a match DQ and being removed from competition.
  3. In the event of a competitor being removed from a competition for cheating or unsportsmanlike conduct no match points will be awarded.