There is nothing specific in the official CMP Rules that addresses that question ! To be honest, (remembering that I, physically, only have less than one ear left, and that's plugged with a sometimes-working hearing aid), I have not heard the question raised at any of the CMP Clinics I have attended.
My guess ... for what it's worth ... would be that Duane would probably tell the competitor to either hold back the bolt manually with the cocking lever, (risky in the event of "fumble fingers") ... or apply the safety catch after loading !
Just the action that I said above is NOT in the rules - "Catch-22" situation !
I have only seen a couple of rifles used in the Sheffield matches where this situation would apply. Since evidently we were allowing folks to start out of policy anyway, it was not an issue. But if it comes up again, we will use common since and be safe.
I have a Nylon 66 and an old 550-1 that both have non-locking bolts. I have not used them in the match but thinking of these two did make the question come up in my mind.
I will pass along the official rule information about rapid fire strings to our ROs and make sure we comply in the future.
Last edited by Danny Creasy; 05-16-2004 at 08:59 AM.
Reason: Omission
TARGETS. The CMP Rimfire Sporter Target (designated as CMP B-19) will be used for all firing at 50 and 25 yards. Competitors who wish to order these targets for practice before the matches may purchase them from the CMP. The cost is $6.50 for 25 full-faced targets and $6.00 for 100 repair centers.
Reading page 44 of the 2004 CMP rules for the new rimfire sporter matches, Rule 4.5 subsection (2) says people get into position during the Preparation period, but in subsection (3) [LOAD] and subsection (4) [START] it says nothing about standing up and plopping back down before firing sitting and prone. From this, I get that you do not get out of position after the Preparation period.
Prep period is like practice (dry fireinging only) then you get up to start from standing. Youngsters and older folks can (where safety is concerned) start in position.
The Dewar Course is an NRA 40 shot Prone match: 20 shots at 50 yards and 20 at 100 yards.
The targets used are the 5 bull A-23/5 at 50 yards and the 3 bull A-25 at 100 yards. The top bull on these targets is used for sighters.
20 minutes allowed for sighting in and shooting the 20 record shots at 50.
20 minutes allowed for sighting in and shooting the 20 record shots at 100.
As far as stocks goes, the CMP Sporter rules prohibit thumbholes, ergonimic grips, adjustable pieces etc., but is a "target looking" laminated stock OK? Say, for instance, the one that comes with Ruger's 10/22 Target model or T/C 22 Benchmark (http://www.tcarms.com/22benchmark/no6873.jpg).
I saw both on the line at Camp Perry in this year's Sporter Match. I saw one Carbon fiber barrel. I saw other rifles that seemed to have had a lot of work beyond what a squirrel rifle would have.
For myself, I had a Marlin 25N with an aperture rear (no other changes). For my daughter, I had one the 10/22 Sporters Ruger built about 1970 (no front barrel band, walnut stock, no checkering) with a 1.75-4 x Bushnell shotgun scope (parallax set for 50 yards, circle-x reticle that let her put the bull inside the circle and shoot).
Range officials have broad authority to ban anything they feel is a "target" rifle. How much they'll exercise? Not much (yet).
If anything, I would have thought these two rifles (the 1022T and TC mentioned) would have been real close in making weight - 7.5 lbs after scope, mounts, and sling were added. Were they weighing the rifles and testing the triggers at Perry?
I am very interested in this area because I thing alot of very normal scoped .22 sporters get eliminated by the draconian 7.5 lb limit. Especially the older all steel and walnut rifles that often have very dense stocks. I think an "O" class weight of 7 lbs and a "T" class weight of 8.5 lbs. would be far more inclusive.
Last edited by Danny Creasy; 08-15-2004 at 10:05 AM.
Reason: Clarification
To make the 7.5lbs weight you definetely have to shoot the 10/22T without scope (i.e. with peep sights) and without sling - if I'm not mistaking, the 10/22T weighs 7lb4oz.
For the TC Benchmark, although it's slightly lighter (I don't know the actual weight, but the stated one is 6.8lbs), the balance to 7.5lbs won't leave enough room for any basic scope (you need basis, rings etc - and Thompsons don't fit any mounts etc.)
The question then is the tradeoff between a heavy, steadier gun and giving up the scope for peep sights. I think the scope is especially valuable in this competition because half of it is rapid fire, and the scope enables you to see your own shots (in 25 secs. you don't have time to check with your spotting scope, thus without a scope you'll essentially aim one (and maybe be off) and shoot a whole five shots string based on that aiming.
I'm not sure why they split the classes into Scopes+Peep vs. Open instead of the widely accepted Iron vs. Optics (ie. Open+Peep vs. Telescopic).
Does anyone know how the shooter using peep sights rank in the T class?
Can youngsters start in position?
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