DCRA Marksman 1947

Gunnerlove

Gunnerlove

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This is an excerpt form the 1947 DCRA Marksman a friend sent me.

"The principle lesson envolving from the successful Prize Meeting was the confirmation of the opinion of many interested
that the question of what was wrong with rifle shooting in its retrograde movement before the Second World War, was the
obstacles placed before the young shot, in the admission of especially packed high priced private rifles, expensive
accessories, etc., which were available to the competitor, who had the money to spare and the experience necessary to
make his rifle shoot far better than the ordinary issue one which the beginner had to use. The Policy of the Council in
preparing a programme and regulations placing all on an even basis, as far as the rifle was concerned, was general
approved of, and the attendance and performance of the young soldier shooting in competition for the first time, clearly
demonstrated their approval, resulting in their leaving the range well pleased with themselves and determined to return
next year bringing new marksmen with them."

70 years and still the same issues.
 
Always been a competitor trying to buy the trophy. No doubt in all sports.
Looks good when a beat up 200 dollar 1918 Lee Enfield, in the right hands, wins a Grand Aggregate over optically sighted Colt AR-15, AK, Sauer, M-14 etc. I've seen it.
 
Dave Oakie won a SR match with an SKS back in Alberta but he wasn't shooting against guys who are shooting better than 580 or 590/600 with custom ARs capable of 600.120/600.120. He saw the light and went AR10 space gun to stay competitive.
 
It's always been an arms race.
This coming season on PEI, we will be adopting a "Sporter Division" in our regular F-Class matches. The rules are as follows.

This class is restricted to mass-produced rifles of any calibre (like Open Class) that can be purchased readily at many gun shops and that have not been customized to improve ballistic performance. Factory Class is for people shooting ‘out-of-the-box’ rifles; Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Savage, Tikka, Browning, Sako or similar, using the original manufacturers parts. Some ‘adjustments’ are permitted, but not the replacement of parts.
The rules governing F(M) qualified rifles have been devised to create a low cost class for competitors and in the recognition that the majority of mass-produced rifles are not capable of accuracy equal to the sophisticated Open Class rifles. The rifle must be ‘as manufactured’ and available in quantity, as described in the manufacturers catalogue (i.e. mass produced). This excludes specialist TR guns or Bench Rest actions, wildcat calibres and custom built guns. There is no restriction on the type of rifle that can be used; bolt action, falling block, lever action or semi-automatic rifles are acceptable.

These rules are interpreted to mean that a Factory Class rifle:

  • Must have the original manufacturers barrel.
  • Must have the original trigger (which can be adjusted or tuned).
  • Must have the original stock (which can be reshaped).
  • Must have the original chamber (no re-working or improving).
  • Can be any calibre (subject to range rules).
  • Can be bedded and floated in the original stock.
  • The barrel can be re-crowned.
  • Can have any type of sight system.
  • As in F(O) class, any type of front and rear rests may be used.
  • Factory or hand loaded ammunition may be used
 
Ah the irony. Here in NS, we made that exact decision 20 years ago to attempt to remain closely aligned to the CF issue rifle.

This remains the NSRA description.

"Any NATO or Commonwealth service rifle, current or past issue (or civilian equivalent), that retains the external characteristics of the original, is eligible for competition. The most commonly used rifle in the NSRA Service Rifle program is the Colt AR-15 with either iron sights or an Elcan optical sight."

It was of course viewed as not being "progressive" and dismissed at the national Level.
 
Bolivar said:
How closely do they have to match the current Service Rifle?
Limits on optic magnification? Up to 4x
Free float handguard allowed? No
Any limitations on ammo? Safe for rifle
Trigger weight?
Click to expand...
Would have to check trigger weight. But it is 4.5 to 5lbs
 
Interesting. That's about how I would envision the "Service" class.

I'd add provisions for max barrel OD and eliminate muzzle brakes as well if I were to give input on what the class should have.

Also max weight of rifle, though including rundowns and standing make having an artificially heavy rifle a liability.
 
Yep, our matches are listed on the NSRA website and do include rundowns and standing at 100M. The other intent of our equipment rules was not to create too high an equipment bar to put off new shooters. The level of marksmanship is pretty high with 4 separate Queen's Medal winners in our group and they all shoot the basic AR with Elcan that meets the above equipment rules.
 
Setting a max weight takes care of a bunch of issues (barrels length and taper) as does max4x optic. I built my rifle to be the best 15 pounds of open class AR money can buy in part because there is no Service Rifle class for me to shoot in.
 
The best and perhaps the only way to ensure fair competition is for the DND to issue service rifles in new condition, or make them available for purchase, and to provide uniform supplies of ammunition for practice and competition.

Not things which any future government of this country, based on our current levels of political participation, is ever likely to do again.

I question the need for optical sights if the goal is to train marksmen; surely they should learn to use iron sights first? On the other hand it could be argued that the ease and accuracy of aiming with optical sights allows an earlier and perhaps better appreciation of the influence of wind and other such factors on accuracy?

And in fairness to the "pros", they have to compete with marksmen from other countries and if those countries allow specially prepared or non-standard rifles and sights, what chance are our shooters going to have at places like Bisley?

So not just a national, but an international agreement is needed?
 
Gunnerlove said:
Dave Oakie won a SR match with an SKS back in Alberta but he wasn't shooting against guys who are shooting better than 580 or 590/600 with custom ARs capable of 600.120/600.120. He saw the light and went AR10 space gun to stay competitive.
Click to expand...

I think I was there on that match. If it was, Dave shot a plain jane Norinco M305/M14, pretty much out of the box. Impressive none the less.
 
I agree with the factory class rules with the exception of no chamber modifications. As we have read in many places, factory specifications are often written to protect the company from lawsuits, accuracy is secondary. A Remington 700 in nominal .308 probably has a throat long enough for a 220gr round nose, while most shooters will be using 147gr or similar weights. Cutting back the barrel and rethreading is sometimes the only way to get the bullets close to the rifling.
 
First off the military can do whatever they want when it comes to screwing over the international teams even when I was on them I was just a victim of the general culture of disinterest (or willful sabatoge).
Simple limits, add a pound to the C7A2 or the RCMP carbine for the max weight, 4.5lb trigger of the RCMP, 4x max optic and no brakes.
 
International army comps with issued service rifles are not part of this discussion. It's up to each nation to adopt what they adopt.

As for having a civi friendly service class that is accessible to newer shooters and/or folks who don't want to or cannot spend huge $$$ on equipment, the NSRA and G-love are on to something.

Can another class be adopted at the PRA or DCRA level? Not sure. The DCRA already has three classes and a crap ton of trophies that are not being kept up to date (as far as I know anyway) so their may be quite a bit of logistics resistance. Their would have to be a business case to show their would be more registrants as a result to make it worth their while.
 
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