Service Rifle NOOB wannabe questions

[Brobee]

Hello All!

I've been experiencing a growing urge to come out and participate in service rifle; managed to get excited enough about it to start practicing! Towards that end, I'm wondering if you guys can help me understand a little more about how a typical service rifle match is run?

• What ranges (distances) will I need to be able to shoot at?
• What targets are used? (I have a scaled figure 11 I've been using for my dryfire practice...are there other targets I should get familiar with?
• What shooting positions are allowed?
• What distances will a guy need to shoot what positions?
• How many rounds per match?
• How does scoring work?
• How do you guys practice for service rifle?

Thanks in advance for all your help...

Take care,

Brobee

 

[Shelldrake]

1. Service Rifle Shooting in Canada consists of 12 matches,, and a weekend competion will do all 12 matches. These 12 matches make up what is called "The Queen's Medal - Stage 1". The DCRA writes the rules for these matches,, and for the most part, the Provincial Rifle Associations follow these rules with little or no modifications.

2. The 12 matches follow a certain sequence and are broken down in groups of 4 matches,, and each group consists of a Deliberate match, a snap match, a rapid match and a run-down match. Each match has it's own number,, and the first group of 4 is fired at the 200m (Match 1 to 4), the second group from 300m (Match 5-8) and the 3rd group from 500m (Match 9-12).

3. There is a flow to all of this,, and it goes something like this for a typical weekend match. At the 200m point, these matchs are fired in this sequence:

a. Match 1 - 200m Deliberate.
- Prone
- 2 sighters with 10 shots for score.
- The target is a 4 foot screen with a Figure 12 face. There are scoring rings for V Bull, Bull, Inner, Magpie and Outer (5, 5, 4, 3, 2 points respectively).
- you have 12 minutes to fire your shots and each shot will be indicated and scored for you.
- highest possible score is 10 Bulls with 10 V Bulls for a total of 50.10 points.

b. Match 2 - 200m Snap
- Kneeling or standing (it is your choice)
- 2 sighters with 10 for score
- the target is a hand held figure 12 on a stick. There are scoring rings for V Bull, Bull and Inner.
- The target is presented to the shooter who has 2 minutes to shoot his two sighting shoots. When the timelimit is over, the targets are taken town and patched out. The target will now be exposed for 3 seconds,, ten times. Each time the target is exposed the shooter must take one shot. There are about 5-20 seconds between exposures.
- highest possible score is 10 Bulls with 10 V Bulls for a total of 50.10 points.

c. Match 3- 200m Rapid
- Standing to Kneeling or sitting or standing
- 2 sighters with 10 for score
- the target is two hand held figure 11 on a stick which are in the target frame about 1m apart. There are scoring rings for V Bull, Bull and Inner.
- The targets are presented to the shooter who has 2 minutes to shoot his two sighting shoots from any position. When the timelimit is over, the targets are taken town and patched out and the shooter is to stand and adopt the standing alert position. The target will now be exposed for 30 seconds,, and the shooter must then drop and adopt the sitting or kneeling position. If he wants to,, he can stay standing. Anway,, he has 30 seconds to drop down and adopt the sitting position and fire 5 shots at each of his figure 11 targets. A mag change must also be done in this time limit as we have the restriction of 5 rds per mag. When the 30 seconds are over, the targets are pulled down.
- highest possible score is 10 Bulls with 10 V Bulls for a total of 50.10 points.

d. Match 4 - 200m Rundown
- fired from the standing position.
- no sighters,, 10 on score.
- the target is a hand held figure 12 on a stick. There are scoring rings for V Bull, Bull and Inner.
- the target is a handheld fig 12 on a stick.
- this match is a snap match,, and the shooter will be given 10 exposures of the target, for 3 seconds each. It is like Match 2,, with a twist.
- The shooter adopts the "prone prepare to move positon" with his rifle loaded, but not ready. The targets will be exposed for a flash of 1 second. This is the signal for the shooter to run down to the 100m point and make his rifle ready and adopt the standing alert position. The shooter has 35 seconds to get down to the 100m point and get ready before his first of 10 exposures of 3 seconds happens. One shot is allowed for each exposure.
- highest possible score is 10 Bulls with 10 V Bulls for a total of 50.10 points.

e. That is it for the 200m portion and the firing relay then takes it's turn in the butts and the next relay will do the same 4 matches. There is normally 4 relays and it normally takes the whole morning to do these 4 matches. So,, that is 4 matches,, each worth a max of 50 points for a total of 200 points. As a measurement,, if you break 150,, you kinda know what you are doing. If you break 160 you are a good shooter. If you break 170,, you are a pretty good shooter. If you break 180,, you are up there with the best of them. If you break 190,,, you can consider yourself in the elite league.
f. There is now a lunch break, and the afternoon is when the 4 matches at 300m are done.

I could go one with more descriptions of the 300 and 500? Perhaps a sticky should be made with these descriptions, because there are lots of books and stuff on the US way of doing things,, but nothing published on the Canadian way of doing things.

 

[Shelldrake]

What ranges (distances) will I need to be able to shoot at?

100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 metres/yards.

 

[Shelldrake]

]

What targets are used? (I have a scaled figure 11 I've been using for my dryfire practice...are there other targets I should get familiar with?

Hand held fig 11 and fig 12. For only the deliberate matches,, a special fig 12 is used for each range (200, 300 and 500m). The only difference is the size of the scoring rings.

Speaking of scaling,,

• The fig 11 is only used at 200 and 300m.
• The fig 12 is used at every range (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500).

 

[RifleDude]

Go to the DCRA site to obtain the Service Rifle Match manual, it describes in minute detail all the SR matches, including the precision (sniper) matches. Once you get to the website, click on Rules then on National Service Conditions Competition Rulebook. Chapter 9 describes the SR matches, Chapter 10 the sniper matches and Chapter 11 the pistol matches http://www.dcra.ca/welcome.htm

 

[Shelldrake]

[*]What shooting positions are allowed?

These shooting positions are allowed,, and it will depend on which match will determine which position you can use:
- prone
- sitting
- kneeling
- standing

You will also have to know these non-shooting positions.
- prone prepare to move position
- standing alert

Focus on prone,, get that one right before spending too much time on the others. Then focus in this priority,, kneeling, standing, then sitting (my humble opinion).

 

[Shelldrake]

What distances will a guy need to shoot what positions?

This is a good question.

100m - standing only (Match 1 and Match 12).

200m - prone, sitting, kneeling or standing. I only shoot prone and kneeling at 200 now. Most shoot prone, sitting and kneeling. Only those who cannot kneel shoot standing at 200,, and I've only seen 1 guy do that. (Match 1, 2, 3 and 12)

300m - prone only. (Match 5, 6, 7 and 12)

400m - sitting or kneeling (Match 12)

500m - only prone (Match 9, 10, 11 and 12)

 

[Shelldrake]

[*]How many rounds per match?

Another good question.

All of the 12 matches are 10 round matches. You need two mags of 5 for them all,, so you are forced to do a mag change in the middle of each match.

You get two sighters for the deliberate matches (1, 5 and 9), and the snap matches (2, 6 and 10) and for the rapid matches (3, 7 and 11). There are no sightes for the rundown matches (4, 8, 12).

So,, if we do the math on that,, it comes to a total of 18 non-scoring sighting shots and 120 shots for score,, for a grand total of 138 rounds.

At each range you end up shooting this number of rounds for score,,
100m= 12 rounds (10 from match 4 and 2 from match 12)
200m= 42 rds
300m= 32 rds
400m= 2 rds
500m=32 rds

It should go without saying, that you must bring more than the 138 rounds, in case a re-shoot is required,, or for tie-shoot offs, etc.

 

[Shelldrake]

How does scoring work?

V-Bull = 5 points
Bull = 5 points
Inner = 4 pts
Magpie = 3 points
Outer = 2 points.

Magpies and outers are only on the deliberate matches,, as the target is the big 4 ft screen. All the other matches (rapid, snaps and rundown) are done with the fig 11 or fig 12,, and only the VBull, Bull and Inner are on these.

Anyway,, 10 shots with a max of 5 pts per shot = a max of 50 points per match.

The grand aggregate comes out to a Highest Possible Score (HPS) of 600 points. As a measurement,, if you break
450 - you kinda know what is going on.
480 - you are getting there
500 - you are there. You know what you are doing and have mastered this discipline, your rifle and the conditions.
525 - consider yourself a member of the Brotherhood.
550 and greater - elite level

 

[Shelldrake]

How do you guys practice for service rifle?

A book can be written on that. As for practice,, I would consider these as topics to practice and master:

1. Kit - get good kit and learn how to use it,, and master it. Become a master operator,, before even thinking about being a master marksman. This would include clothing, spotting equipment (scope, stand, cleaning stuff, etc), recording stuff (pens, notebooks, target replicas, weather proofing, etc), food and liquids, rifle and bits (rifle, mags, slings, tools, sights and optics, etc), ammo (handloads or otherwise).

2. Marksmanship - master the basics before going on to the more complex aspects. What I mean by that is,, focus on prone before focusing on standing, etc. Focus on you and what you are doing with the rifle. Don't get too worked up with the wind just yet. Your goal here is to make all operations and reactions (ie. handling stopages) happen without deliberatly thinking about it.

3. The Match Conditions. Work on specific match conditions,, like "peeling the bannana" and mound drills.

5. The external things. Managing the wind,, the weather, the light. Focusing on the inside of you,, mental programs for all aspects of shooting.

Er,, I should stop know,, must rest,,

 

[Shelldrake]

I'm wondering if you guys can help me understand a little more about how a typical service rifle match is run?

This is kinda how it flows and goes for the ORA shoots,,

Saturday Morning
- stating at 0730,, register on the range with the match director and get sorted out into 4 relays. In relays,, sharing butt duties,, everyone shoots the 200m matches (Match 1-4).

Saturday Noonish - one hour for lunch. Bring a lunch if at Borden,, eat in the kitchen if at CRPTC.

Saturday Afternoon
- starting at 1300ish. The 4 relays shoot the 300m matches (Match 5-9). Normally finished around 1630 or 1700ish.

Saturday evening - eat supper and drink beer.

Sunday morning
- back on the range at 0730,, and figure out who is missing in action. Reconstitute the 4 relays and shoot the 500m matches (Match 9-12).

Sunday noonish. One hour for lunch.

Sunday afternoon.
- around 1300ish shoot a team falling plate match. This is quick and while it is happening the final stats are being figured out. Tie-shoots happen if required.
- 1400ish,, awards ceremony. Shake hands and say good-bye to everyone.
- on the way home by 1430ish.

 

[HeadDamage]

This might be a good tread to clear a question that I have up. Is it correct under DCRA rules that you can always shoot a less stable position? As in I like to shoot keeling insted of sitting as I have a bad lower back and sometimes the sitting causes me problems.

 

[sparrow]

Shelldrake, this should be a sticky,great answers, the only thing I could add is that in BC, we do all 12 matches on day 1, lunch breaks are for weanies, day two is the team matches and usually done by noon which is good 'cause I'm usually hung over badly.

 

[Hungry]

Sticky request DONE !

Shelldrake... you saved me a whole pile of typing.

Brobee, I hope all of this information helps. This is a tough game to shoot well in.

Cheers,

Barney

 

[Shelldrake]

This might be a good tread to clear a question that I have up. Is it correct under DCRA rules that you can always shoot a less stable position? As in I like to shoot keeling insted of sitting as I have a bad lower back and sometimes the sitting causes me problems.

As a general principle yes, and the rules as written tend to support this principle. There are limits and exceptions though.

For instance,, in Match 2,, you can kneel or squat,, but not stand.
In Match 3,, you can sit, squat or kneel (no standing).
In Match 8,, you can kneel, squat or Stand.
In Match 12 at 200 and 400m you can sit, kneel or squat (no standing allowed).
The main exceptions would be the deliberates where you must shoot prone,, and in Match 12,, you must shoot prone at 500 and 300m.

The Provincial RAs,, can relax these if they wish,, as is sometimes done during the first ORA match of the year,, where they may allow sitting for match 2 (at the discretion of the match director).

I have noticed over the last 4 or 5 years that more and more shooters have ditched the sitting position and always shoot kneeling in it's place. There are a couple of good reasons for doing this.

• One is that it is now one less position that you need to set aside time to practice for.
• Another is that the kneeling postion is the toughest to master and the better you can get with it,, the better you will do in Match 8. It is match 8 that will separate you from the pack.

I no longer sit.

 

[Shelldrake]

Shelldrake, this should be a sticky,great answers, the only thing I could add is that in BC, we do all 12 matches on day 1, lunch breaks are for weanies, day two is the team matches and usually done by noon which is good 'cause I'm usually hung over badly.

Damn,, you guys are tough!! That makes for a long day. I would have to add more endurence training to my practice sessions.

 

[Brobee]

Hello All...

Thanks SO much for the detail above. It is greatly appreciated. Some last questions if you have the time....

• Targets: is the following an accurate representation of the figure 11 w/scoring zones? If not, what needs to be fixed for it to be accurate?
• What does a figure 12 look like?
• What is a magpie?
• Is the 100 meter deliberate the only match where you are forced to shoot standing?

Thanks....

Brobee

 

[sparrow]

Damn,, you guys are tough!! That makes for a long day. I would have to add more endurence training to my practice sessions.

I remember this year shooting a Nanaimo match and the Can Scotts asking when we stopped for lunch?, we nearly pissed ourselves laughing, good thing the Airforce guys had enough boxed lunches to spare, ofcourse we civvies had the full deli spread on hand. If you are shooting in B.C. it's lunch on the fly and the pace is very quick. For the deliberate it's two guys, 25min. If buddy takes 20 minutes to get sorted out, guess how much time you have.

 

[HeadDamage]

The BCRA shoots are a hoot! Good times, I plan on being at as many as possible this comming year.

 

[Shelldrake]

• Targets: is the following an accurate representation of the figure 11 w/scoring zones? If not, what needs to be fixed for it to be accurate?
• What does a figure 12 look like?
• What is a magpie?
• Is the 100 meter deliberate the only match where you are forced to shoot standing?

1. The Fig 11 looks good. The inner two boxes are the V Bull and the largest box is the Bull. Any other hit on the tgt counts as an Inner.
2. A Fig 12 is the top 1/2 of a Fig 11,, and looks like this,,
http://mgray.hopto.org/shooting/images/FIG-12.BMP
This is from Mike Gray's Website. Lots of good stuff here.
http://mgray.hopto.org/shooting/replicas.html
3. A magpie,, is the name given to the point scored for a shot entering the 3rd ring or box on the target. The inner ring being the bull (5 points), the 2nd ring being the Inner (4 points), the 3rd being the magpie (3 points) and the 4th being the outer (4 Points).
4. There are only two times where you must shoot standing. Match 4, the 100m rundown is the first. The second is the 100m stage of Match 12. The 100m deliberate must be shot prone (like all the deliberate matche, Match 1, 5 and 9).