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Below is a listing of some general information about the various shooting disciplines supported by the MRRA. If you have any questions about any of the following disciplines or equipment required that aren't answered below, feel free to contact the webmaster and he will be sure that your questions get answered.

International  | High Power  | Palma  | Silhouette  | Capt'n Bob's Highpower Glossary

Bullseye Pistol |  Capt'n Bob's Mid-range Guide |  Capt'n Bob's Match Check List |  F-Class

The Rifleman Writes by Larry Sawyer


MATCH CHECKLIST

This guide is designed for high power matches; perhaps pistol and small bore will find it helpful also. Pistol shooters should ignore the stuff about pits, spotters, pasters etc. One of your club's goals should be to impress the shooters with a professionally run contest. I hope this guide will help. Mowing the grass and adequate paper in the outhouse applies to everybody!

Let's make sure we understand some of the important terms and rules.

A state championship is normally a REGISTERED match. REGISTERED means scores count for national records and the NRA fee is higher than an APPROVED match, currently $5.50 per shooter. A state championship such as the 100 shot standing need not be registered since this is not a recognized course for record keeping. Scores fired in APPROVED matches are used for classification only and the current NRA fee is $4.50 per shooter.

A REGIONAL match is one authorized by NRA and generally there can be only 1 regional per state and 1 per year in that state. In high power it can be the standard 80 shot match or the 100 shot course. The 100 shot course includes a second string at 600 yards. In 2006 the regional fee to NRA was $9.00 per shooter. A host club may elect to also fire a CMP Excellence In Competition or LEG match at a regional.

Your club can elect to run non NRA sanctioned matches and use NRA rules. By doing so you save $4.50 per shooter and send no paperwork to NRA. If there is no paperwork and NRA fee then obviously scores do not count for classification. It is proper to have your week night leagues and practice matches non approved; however most up and coming shooters would much prefer matches to be approved so they can move up the classification system.

EARLY PREP

Your club decides to host an NRA sanctioned shoot'n contest. Great! If it is just to be NRA approved you can fax NRA a copy of the program a few days before the match and they will approve most anything you propose. It is better to get your forms in 3-4 months ahead so your match can be listed in Shooting Sports USA.

If you are doing a regional the application must be in to NRA in September the year PRIOR to your proposed regional. If you do a regional with leg match you need to get forms from CMP also. A registered match should be given at least 6-8 weeks lead time and more is better again to allow time to get in SSUSA.. If doing a state championship, make sure your program states clearly $3.00 of the entry fee goes to MRRA and MRRA membership required for Minn. Residents.

Programs for Minnesota state championships must clearly state that the state champion will be a Minnesota resident; and also state that if the match winner is a non resident a suitable plaque to keep will be provided.

Your program should also state that MRRA will provide small keeper team plaques for high team in each class. Those are available thru me. NRA needs at least 120 days notice to have your contest listed in SSUSA.

Slow mail or email programs to your list 4-5 weeks before the match. Have it posted on web sites immediately when confirmed. Arrange for a minimum of 1 non shooting club member to help with scoring in the event you have a target with only 2 shooters. Most shooters feel strongly that they should not have to keep 2 scores if you have a couple targets with only 2 shooters.

More help is better! A non shooter should be available to pick up score cards, check the math, post them and store them in some manner that allows quick location in the event of a tie. GET YOUR HELPERS LINED UP EARLY! If you have extra help and the targets work out with 3 on each one you can send 1 volunteer home early.

If this is a registered match your NRA application is required to have 3 names listed. One for each, CHIEF STAT OFFICER, CHIEF RANGE OFFICER & MATCH DIRECTOR and these 3 may not be competitors. These names can be changed the day of the match but those shown are required to be present at the match.

If this is a state championship contact MRRA membership chairperson for a current roster AND membership applications if he/she will not be there; and assign someone to check/assist with MRRA duties. Non residents must be members of their state association. You do not have time to do squadding and MRRA stuff.

You do have a CURRENT rule book, DON'T YOU?

THE WEEK BEFORE

*CLEAN THE OUT HOUSE AND HAVE PLENTY OF TISSUE!
*Take a few gallons of water to the range for glue brush clean up and cleaning chalk boards.
*Get enough cash or NRA points to pay expected awards. I usually take $150.00 to $200.00 mostly in 1's and 5's with a few 10's. More if you expect 30 or more shooters. This only applies if you intend to do awards on the line after the match.
*Check the cans/buckets for spotters, chalk, erasers, red disk.
*Check for adequate pasters.
*Check for SR entry cards if not computerized for NRA reports.
*Check for proper score cards. Slow fire, OTC, Palma etc.
*Check for a poster board to post scores as they come in.
*Insure you have at least 1 score plug for any possible caliber that might be used. For high power those are .224, .243, .264, .284 .308 & 338.
*Check for adequate supply of repair centers or targets.
*Make sure you have an adequate supply of paste.
*You need clean brushes and table for pasting targets.
*Your cash box should have pens and 4 different color magic markers.
*A small calculator makes adding scores easier.
*Lube the target carriers or make sure the turner works for pistol.
*You do have extra radios and batteries for pit communication don't you?
*Make sure you have number boards for each target.
*Mow the grass.
*Insure the campground is available however your club wants to deal with it. Have a member there to unlock or give out combination over the phone or whatever.
*You do have a good first aid kit available at your range, don't you?
*You do have a CURRENT rule book handy, DON'T YOU?
MATCH DAY
*Install number boards or do it the day before if not permanent like Duluth.
*Hang wind flags.
*Post arrows or signs along public roads directing first timers to your range.
*Hang the bulletin board with NRA approval form and program.
*If it's a REGISTERED match appoint a 3 person jury. It's best to have members from 3 different clubs. They should be experienced shooters who know the rules reasonably well!
*Insert targets into carriers, place can and chalk board at each target. You can certainly have relay 3 do this when they arrive in the pit but I think it more professional to have everything ready for the guests at your club.
*Pit boss needs a timing device for up/down commands. A wrist watch with sweep second hand is OK. Make sure pit boss knows when to start time, when ALL targets are up. Targets are up for the full 60/70 seconds.
*Insure that everybody knows the rotation sequence posted on the bulletin board or hand out with score cards.
*Have some system for storing score cards; probably by match # is best. You may need to retrieve cards now and then to break ties.
*HAVE THE PIT BOSS ADVISE EVERYBODY THAT THE CANS/BUCKETS ARE NOT TRASH CONTAINERS! Hang a trash bag at the end where shooters exit the pit for them to deposit their "STUFF" when leaving.
*Arrange for an experienced pit officer and line officer on each relay, preferably a CLUB MEMBER. Again, don't make your guests work.
*You do have a CURRENT rule book, DON'T YOU?
IT'S OVER

Do your award ceremony as soon as scores are totaled and everybody is available. Gather up the bulletin board, score cards, cash box, and all the stuff you are taking home. After your guests leave check the pit area for EVERYTHING put away. Radios accounted for and off, glue brushes clean, everything ready for the next contest.

Lock the gate on the way out!

AT HOME

If this was a state championship multiply # of shooters times $3.00 and send that amount to the MRRA treasurer or discipline chairman with a note explaining what it's for. Prepare a short report on the championship for MRRA news. You do not need a degree in writing to do this. Tell what the match was, who won, where held, new records, who won the team event, # of shooters, high senior, woman, junior and anything else the members might find interesting.

If still operating in the dark ages you need to transfer scores but NOT X count to the NRA SR1 card under total score. Enter # of shots fired. Make sure shooter name, address & classification are shown. NOTE: This should have been done this morning when they entered.

Fill out NRA MATCH ENTRY REPORTING FORM with # of shooters and send them a check for proper amount. This is also a good way to dump those annoying NRA award points. Send those instead of check or points plus check. This must be in within 14 days, DON'T DELAY.

If this was a registered match there is another lengthy form required to be filled out and sent in. GIT 'ER DONE!

Fill out report form for SSUSA magazine if you want a report in there. Some make it into the magazine and some don't.

Send leg score cards and report to CMP within 14 days.

Send results to shooters either slow mail or email. NRA says results should include a competitor list as well as results. I have not done this for 10 years and had no complaints. Your choice, but it reduces the workload.

Send a report and money to your club treasurer.

Send results to web site.

If you use a data base or spread sheet to report to NRA they need the following on the print out: NAME, ADDRESS, CLASS, NRA #, TOTAL SCORE & # OF SHOTS FIRED x count not used.

Email me if you have questions.

HAVE A COLD ONE!

Capt'n Bob