How to classify various .22LR for fair competition

fljp2002

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My local club is open to holding a .22LR competition (I will have to organized it) but I have been reading the CPRS and NRL22 rifle guideline and both use a set $ amount as guideline.

Thinking of these rules for my competition

cat 1 - sporter barrel under $500 (any ruger 10/22 (no HB), rem 597 (no HB version), any savage (no HB version) any lever gun etc (any factory stock or aftermarket is auth)
cat 2 - Heavy barrel under $700 (any ruger 10/22 HB), rem 597 (HB version), any savage (HB version) (any factory stock or aftermarket is auth)
cat 3 - any barrel $501-$1000 (CZ, ruger precision, tikka, browning, DLASK DAR 22)(any factory stock or aftermarket is auth)
cat 4 - target rifle over $1001 (anschutz, volquartsen)
cat 5 - any barrel/rifle but with open sight or no magnification red dot

other rules:
no barrel tuner
max 24 power zoom
bi pod allowed
one sand bag (volley ball size)
one sling allowed

any comments
 
So what if a guy bought a BRNO Model 4 way back when for 100$? I can't see how price can classify a rifle. Set a weight limit or scope power limit for semi and manually operated actions and go from there?
 
So what if a guy bought a BRNO Model 4 way back when for 100$? I can't see how price can classify a rifle. Set a weight limit or scope power limit for semi and manually operated actions and go from there?

I know $ cost is a little nebulous but that is what both CPRS and NRL22 use
 
Why not just have everyone shoot their favorite gun at first to see if people have fun and want to do it again? Plenty of time to make new rules.
 
Hi,

Regarding your 22 rifle match. Trust me, there is no right answer. I have been trying things here in Nova Scotia a while now with limited success. As I have tried a few things, and been to matches where others have tried things I am a believer in not trying to reinvent the wheel, check out the NSRA website http://www.nsrifle.org/smbore.htm for what they developed for 22 F-class, as this is what it looks like you are trying to achieve. As personal insight compared to the rules, I do not think I have seen anyone use that heavy a rifle. Max weight is usually around 12Lbs. If you are not necessarily looking for F-class, then I would suggest following the Shooting federation of Canada's rules for sporting rifle and hunting rifle. You could modify the hunting rifle to shoot off a bi-pod. If you want to PM me I can tell you my successes and failures in running matches and hopefully you could build upon it. I will tell you though that there is a core of us who would love to travel to Moncton for a shoot with you guys.
 
How about production bolt and production semi, dollar limit set. Then an open class? Really, in a factory 597 or 10/22, how much difference will a heavy barrel really make in 22lr?
 
Having shot an SR22, XT-22, and the little 13” Norinco, the Norinco is best. I’m not sure $$ amount will break down score wise. Of course, so-so shooters with deep pockets don’t want some crap gun beating their masterpiece either.
 
Easiest way I have come up with is equivalency factor similar to the rules of Gruppe B Rallye.

points/time gives hitfactor like IPSC and bell curve the results.

The Easiest difficulty in rifle gets the largest handicap applied.
Heavy gun Semi auto scope equiv factor .45
Light gun semi auto scope equiv factor .57
Iron sights instead of scope add .15
Heavy Bolt Action Scope .67
Light Bolt action Scope .72
Iron sights instead of scope add .10
Single shot Scope .90
Single shot Iron sight 1.00

Some stages and distances will play directly into the strengths of a certain platform.
Of course this is only a guide, but it certainly works. The semi auto guys w hevi guns and scopes will excel at short courses, but they will still need their hits to win.
Single shot rifles have a loading disadvantage, but generally more accurate, so they get the largest break with a 1 point- 1 point formula.

If a semi auto scope for example scores 100 points in 20 seconds, the hit factor will be 5.00 points/sec. 5.00x .45 equiv factor = 2.25 points/sec

If a Single shot iron sighted gun gets the same score and takes 42 seconds hit factor will be 2.38 points/sec 2.38x 1.00 equiv factor = 2.38 points/sec

etc etc.

I have used this formula on a few small matches between friends and it seems to be a pretty good balance. I usually use the Silhouette formula for heavy/light gun differentials

Interesting to note. Restrict the number of mags to 2x10 rounds maximum. On 10 round or 20 round stages the semi autos tend to do well... on a 30 round stage, the single shot fellas pull almost even. It makes for a very good shoot.
 
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In my experience, it is always much more fun for all participants of rimfire matches when the playing field is as level as possible - the best way of which means creating lots of different classes - which means lots of different prizes and chances to win. And because competitors are allowed to shoot in more than one class (with different rifles) it means that they get to do more shooting for their trip to the range too. This makes it really worthwhile to come out to the match.

It does mean you have to have enough participants to warrant all the different categories, but if you post all the categories before hand, and arrange the relays correctly, many participants will bring rifles for each class which allows them to shoot in several relays. It makes for a fun day with several chances to prove themselves with different equipment. Guys with a few rifles will often lend rifles to participants who don't have a rifle for a particular class.

I have seen it done by breaking categories it into "hunter rifle" class versus "match rifle" class and then within those by "scope" and "iron sight".

The "optics" categories of each could be broken down into "6x maximum" and "unlimited" magnification classes (variable scope have to be set and not touched for the 6x group).

The "Iron sights" category should be broken down into "peep-sight/match sights" category and "buckhorn/open sights" makes it fairer for those that bring out their old Cooeys, Lakefields. Its never a fair match to put those against the inevitable Anschutz, Walther, Brno, with match sights that will show up to sweep all the matches.

Another way to level the playing field at test skills is to provide the ammo (cheap stuff) for the hunting or hunting and match rifle categories.
 
I'd suggest gauging interest before spending too much energy on your classification system. Our local range has upwards of 400 members and cancelled rimfire shoots last year. In my opinion, the better consideration to get people interested is the course of fire for the shoot. Let people shoot what they have, gauge the level of interest and its correlation with your proposed classification system then proceed from there.

Whatever you do, be absolutely clear about the course of fire, ammo requirement and any restrictions BEFORE people show up to the shoot.
 
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