Following because I totally agree with NETim.I am getting the impression that after getting into position, getting in behind the scope, closing the bolt but then lifting the head to look downrange to find targets, read the wind, whatever, would be considered "skybolting" by some.
I can see it being called if the shooter is waving the muzzle around willy nilly nowhere near the direction of the target (but still not breaking 180, that's a trip home) while off the scope.
To me, the focus should be on the trigger finger, regardless of the condition of the bolt. If the shooter isn't actually engaging the target array i.e., head up, off the scope for whatever reason, then the finger should be nowhere near the trigger, the bolt condition is a distant second IMHO.
If a shooter is competing with a gun that has a trigger mechanism so sensitive that it can go bang with the finger off of the trigger, then that gun is unsafe and should be DQ'ed from the match. Period. Go get it fixed and come back another day.
USPSA shooters run all over the stage (moving uprange, downrange and laterally) engaging target arrays. As long as they don't ever break 180 and keep their fingers off of the trigger unless actually engaging targets, everything's cool.
I realize it's the MD's call. Just curious how many would define it "according to the book"?
Edited to add: Naturally if the firearm discharges while a shooter isn't behind the scope and obviously not ready to engage, then that's an ND and they're done for the day. But that gets back to the finger on the trigger thing, unless the gun has a trigger issue. Either way it's a DQ.
Skybolting
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If I am RO'ing I call skybolting for situations like this:
a) literally: the rifle bolt is moved forward with muzzle obviously disengaged from shooter, probably with the muzzle up or while changing positions becuase I have to call it then.
b) bolt is moved forward before entering a firing position (they never even looked down the scope) example of this include slamming the bolt closed right after getting rifle on a bag or position and body is still swining into shoulder. similar to above.
the above two are usually obvious. firsst time shooters will do it on early stages especially if a bench or some simple single firing position is in the stage.
c) moving positions and chambering, ie rock 1 to rock 2 and we're already chambering before getting to do option (b) above
dont call if if you lift your head , look at the turret numbers
, read your parallax for range (some cant do this with off side eye or are leftys without a Kahles reversable scope.
I would call it if control of rifle is lost such as out of shoulder or obviously concerning muzzle angles (ie your about to drop the butt downward or upward to extreme)
it took me along time to get used to bolt open in games for different reasons. I was taught to keep a rifle operational and filth in my action was never desirable. One benefit in target and gaming it helps with cooling and powder cook.
a) literally: the rifle bolt is moved forward with muzzle obviously disengaged from shooter, probably with the muzzle up or while changing positions becuase I have to call it then.
b) bolt is moved forward before entering a firing position (they never even looked down the scope) example of this include slamming the bolt closed right after getting rifle on a bag or position and body is still swining into shoulder. similar to above.
the above two are usually obvious. firsst time shooters will do it on early stages especially if a bench or some simple single firing position is in the stage.
c) moving positions and chambering, ie rock 1 to rock 2 and we're already chambering before getting to do option (b) above
dont call if if you lift your head , look at the turret numbers
, read your parallax for range (some cant do this with off side eye or are leftys without a Kahles reversable scope. I would call it if control of rifle is lost such as out of shoulder or obviously concerning muzzle angles (ie your about to drop the butt downward or upward to extreme)
it took me along time to get used to bolt open in games for different reasons. I was taught to keep a rifle operational and filth in my action was never desirable. One benefit in target and gaming it helps with cooling and powder cook.
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