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Official Match Rules and By Laws
Revised July 2006
RULES OF SHOOTING COMPETITION
FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTER’S ASSOCIATION, INC.


OBJECTIVES


1. To encourage the sporting uses of the fifty caliber cartridge and promote the development of the equip-ment and techniques to achieve extreme accuracy at long distance in the sport of shooting.


2. To establish a set of rules and guidelines that standardize and govern the conduct of FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions.


3. To gather and maintain accurate record data and technical information regarding FCSA shooting competi-tions for dissemination to FCSA members.



MATCH OFFICIALS


1. Competition Rules Chairman: shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the FCSA President a one (1) year term. The FCSA Competition Rules Chairman shall serve as a person of contact for FCSA mem-bers who submit recommended changes to the FCSA shooting competition rules. The chairman shall submit all recommendations for match rule changes to the Board of Directors in accordance with Article X of the FCSA By Laws. The FCSA Competition Rules Chairman shall hear all grievances filed by FCSA members re-garding the rules of shooting competition at FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions. The competition Rules Chairman shall make a report to the Board of Directors with a recommendation of final judgment on all shooting competition grievances. Grievances shall be resolved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.


2. Match Chairman: Shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the FCSA President a one (1) year term. The FCSA Match Chairman shall be the contact person for all matters relating to the conduct of FCSA regional shooting competitions and the conduct of the “World Championship”. All FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions shall be authorized, approved and coordinated through the FCSA Match Chairman. The author-ity of the FCSA Match Chairman shall supersede the role of a Match Director.


It shall be the duty of the Match Chairman to provide a schedule of sanctioned FCSA shooting competi-tions to the Editor for publication in the FCSA newsletter Very High Power as soon as a date for any future FCSA shooting competition has been set.


3. Regional Match Director: Regional Match Directors (Match Director) are selected by the FCSA Match Chairman with the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors to conduct sanctioned FCSA shooting competitions. They are responsible for the conduct of FCSA fifty caliber shooting competitions in accordance with the guidelines established by these rules. It shall be the duty of the Match Director to secure a date, time and location for a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition (match) and advertise the match in the news-letter Very High Power. He shall be responsible for the organization of the match including procuring all necessary equipment, the appointing of Range Officers, the collecting of all fees, the safe conduct of the match, the issuing of prizes/awards and the collection of accurate record information regarding the per-formance of competitors at the match. The authority of the Match Director shall only be superseded by the FCSA Match Chairman.


4. Range Officers: Shall be appointed by the Match Director to serve as FCSA officials to ensure the safe conduct of a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition in accordance with FCSA Match Rules. Range officers shall be responsible to the Match Director and their duties shall include the safe conduct of the firing line, the efficient operation of the pits/butts, the accurate recording and collection of match scores and serving as Protest Committee representatives. Appointed Range Officers shall have the same authority as a Match Director while operating under his authority at an FCSA sanctioned match.


5. Statistical Officer: Shall be appointed by the Match Director and shall be responsible for the accurate col-lection and tabulation of all shooting scores that result from an FCSA sanctioned match. He shall report the results of the match to the Match Director for the distribution of awards/prizes to competitors, to the FCSA Secretary and to the FCSA Historian, who will maintain a permanent record of match results at FCSA head-quarters and to the Editor of the FCSA quarterly newsletter Very High Power.



COMPETITOR’S DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES


1. Any competitor participating in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition must be a member of the FCSA. The competitor must be eighteen (18) years of age or a participant in the Junior Shooter’s Program. Any person who participates in an FCSA competition and is not a member of the FCSA shall have the option of immediately joining FCSA or having his match results disqualified.


2. Any competitor who participates in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition shall be responsible to the Match Director to conduct himself safely and in accordance with FCSA Match Rules. Any competitor who re-fuses to comply with any FCSA match rule or the direction of the Match Director after being instructed to do so, can be disqualified from the shooting competition upon the recommendation of a majority vote of the Protest Committee.


3. Registration:


A. Registration at least two weeks in advance for a scheduled FCSA sanctioned shooting competition is rec-ommended. Competitors who do not register at least two weeks prior to a scheduled match shall be as-sessed a five ($5.00) dollar fee in addition to the announced match fee. All match registrations, pre-registrations or walk-ons must be received by 3:00 PM on Friday the day before the match begins. Any ex-ceptions shall be at the Match Directors discretion.


B. Five dollars ($5.00) of the match fee for each class of competition the competitor registers to compete in shall be remitted to the Treasurer of FCSA. These funds shall be remitted by the Match Director within two (2) weeks after the conclusion of the competition. Accompanying these funds the Match Director shall in-clude a completed and signed 'Match Income & Expense Accounting Form'. This form is available through the Treasurer of FCSA. A copy of the completed and signed form should also be given to the range, club, or association that has hosted the competition along with any payment due the hosting organization.


C. It is the responsibility of a competitor, at the time of registration, to notify the Match Director of how many classes of competition he will be participating in and if the guns he will be using in the competition will be shared with another competitor. It is recommended that each competitor complete an FCSA “Gun Data Sheet” for each gun being used in an FCSA sanctioned competition.


D. All competitors are responsible to sign in with the Match Director immediately upon arrival at a range to participate in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition.


E. All competitors are responsible for signing a waiver of responsibility and release of liability statement and signing a statement indicating they are familiar with the rules of competition for each class of competition they are participating in, before the competitor will be allowed to compete in any FCSA sanctioned shooting competition. The waiver of responsibility and release of liability statement form and the form acknowledging the competitor is familiar with the rules of competition shall be provided by the Match Director.


F. All competitors shall have their guns weighed and checked for safety at a time prescribed by the Match Director at each FCSA sanctioned competition. It is the responsibility of the Match Director or his designated Range Officer to insure that all guns are weighed and meet safety requirements in accordance with FCSA rules and class of competition prior to the beginning of the match.


G. The Match Director, or his representative will designate shooting relay assignments and bench assign-ments after the range is closed to shooting on sighter day. It will be the responsibility of the competitor to know his assignments prior to the start of the match.


4. Match Readiness:


A. It is the duty of each competitor to complete two (2) consecutive relays of service in the pits/butts to be eligible to compete in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition. It is expected that all competitors will per-sonally perform their pits/butts duty as assigned. The Match Director shall make all assignments to Pits/butts duty, and will do so as soon as practical after a competitor signs in upon arrival at the range. A competitor must request and receive approval from the Match Director for another person to perform his pit/butts duty. The competitor is fully responsible for the capabilities and performance of any alternate per-son who is sent to perform his pits/butts duty. Any disciplinary action warranted as a result of the perform-ance or failure of the alternate shall be born by the original competitor. Failure to complete the obligation of pits/butts duty by a competitor will result in the disqualification of the competitor from the shooting com-petition.


B. It is the duty of the competitor to advise the Match Director if a scheduling error has occurred that re-quires the competitor to be assigned to the pits/butts at the same time he is scheduled to shoot. The Match Director shall reschedule the competitor to meet the requirements of the match.


C. A Competitor’s Meeting shall be held by the Match Director each day prior to the beginning of the match. It is the duty of the competitor to attend the Competitor’s Meeting each day. Should the competitor fail to attend one of the meetings without the permission of the Match Director it may result in the disqualification of the competitor by the Match Director, upon a recommendation of the Protest Committee.


D. Each competitor is responsible to remove their equipment from a shooting bench as quickly as possible after they have completed their shooting relay so that the next relay may prepare for competition.


E. Each competitor is responsible to clean up their own trash and discards to insure range cleanliness. Viola-tions of this requirement or any FCSA safety rule may result in a penalty of five ($5.00) dollars being assessed to the competitor, at the discretion of the Match Director with the approval of the Protest Committee.

 

RANGE SAFETY


1. Range Safety at any FCSA sanctioned shooting competition is of paramount concern. The Match Director of any FCSA shooting competition or his designated Range Officer has the responsibility and authority as prescribed by the FCSA Match Rules and FCSA By Laws to ensure the safe conduct of the match. The Match Director shall have the authority to disqualify any competitor for unsafe conduct or to remove any piece of equipment that has been determined to be unsafe for participation in the shooting competition.


If the Match Director disqualifies a competitor or a piece of equipment from a shooting competition for safety reasons, It shall be the duty of the Match Director to submit a complete written report to the FCSA Match Chairman immediately following the shooting competition.


2. Decisions made by the Match Director and Protest Committee regarding safety violations are final and cannot be appealed.


3. Firing Line Safety: It is the duty of the Match Director to control and conduct a safe firing line at all times at FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions. Firing line commands will be given by the Match Director (firing Line Officer) or his designated Range Officer. Competitors in FCSA shooting competitions shall obey all com-mands given on the firing line by the firing Line Officer. Any competitor who fails to obey the commands of the firing Line Officer can be disqualified from the match at the direction of the Match Director with the rec-ommendation of the Protest Committee.


4. Open Actions: It is recommended the bolt be removed from any rifle that has been brought to the firing line and the competitor is not immediately preparing to fire. If it is not convenient to remove the bolt en-tirely, the bolt should be in the open position at all times unless the competitor is engaged in shooting. In any event, all bolts shall be open or removed from the gun whenever a “cease fire” is called by the Firing Line Officer.


5. Position of Muzzle: whenever a rifle has been brought to the firing line and set up for competition, the muzzle of the rifle shall be pointed down range in a safe direction. Any exception shall be approved by the Firing Line Officer. All competitors firing a bipod rifle shall ensure the muzzle of their rifle is pointed at the impact area when the rifle is unattended on the firing line.


6. Hangfires/Misfires: Any person competing in a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition who experiences a hangfire or misfired round must immediately notify the Firing Line Control Officer. Any competitor who ex-periences a hangfire/misfire, shall wait at least thirty (30) seconds before opening the bolt of the rifle and shall notify everyone near his shooting bench that a misfire has occurred. The area immediately to the rear of the competitors bench shall be cleared of all other competitors and spectators before the rifle bolt is opened.


A competitor who experiences a series of misfires/hangfires shall be evaluated by the Firing Line Control Officer to determine if the rifle or ammunition being used is safe for the competition. The Firing Line Control Officer shall notify the Match Director of his findings and the Match Director shall determine if the competi-tor can safely be allowed to continue the competition.


7. Changing of Pits/Butts Crew: During the time when the pits/butts crew is changing between relays, com-petitors are not allowed to be within five (5) feet of a shooting bench where a gun is set up for firing. This rule is established to prevent the accidental discharge of any gun downrange while persons coming from or going to the pits/butts are in the line of fire. Competitors may re-take their positions at their benches at the direction of the firing Line Officer when he has determined the area downrange is safe.


8. Alcoholic Beverages: No alcoholic beverages will be consumed on the range during an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition. Violation of this rule by a competitor shall result in his disqualification upon recom-mendation of the Protest Committee.


9. Use of Drugs: Any competitor of a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition who is determined to be under the influence of any drug, shall be evaluated by the Match Director and Protest Committee for his ability to participate in the competition safely. The competitor may be disqualified from the competition based on a majority vote of the Protest Committee.


10. All FCSA members registered and participating in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition shall have adequate eye and ear protection on their person at all times when on the firing line. All spectators of an FCSA shooting competition shall have adequate ear protection when in the vicinity of the firing line.



FCSA CLASSES OF COMPETITION


1. Light Class Fifty Caliber: Shall be restricted to a rifle that shoots a .50 cal. BMG cartridge and is capable of chambering an FCSA approved chamber gauge that has a maximum outside neck diameter of .554 inches. The rifle shall be restricted to a total overall weight of thirty two pounds and eight ounces (32 lbs 8.00 oz.). The maximum weight of the rifle will include any equipment attached to the rifle that would be used by the competitor during the shooting competition. The rifle stock shall be restricted to a maximum forend width of three and one half inches (3 and 1/2 in.) The forend of the rifle will be that portion of the rifle stock toward the muzzle of the rifle, in front of the forward most retaining screw that holds the rifle re-ceiver into the rifle stock.
The winners of the Light Class Fifty Caliber competition shall be determined according to their standings in each of two (2) categories. The categories are Aggregate Group, the smallest accumulated extreme spread average group from all record groups fired during the light class relays, and Total Score from all record groups fired during the light class relays, except in the case of a tie. (See Scoring, paragraph 5, and Awards paragraphs B, C, D, and E).


2. Heavy Class Fifty Caliber: Any rifle that shoots a bullet with a diameter of .510/.511 inches and has a maximum overall weight of fifty (50 lbs.) Pounds. The maximum weight of the rifle will include any equip-ment attached to the rifle that would be used by the competitor during the shooting competition.
The winners of the Heavy Class Fifty Caliber competition shall according to their standings in each of two (2) categories. The categories are Aggregate Group, the smallest accumulated extreme spread average group from all record groups fired during the heavy class relays, and Total Score from all record groups fired during the heavy class relays, except in the case of a tie. (See Scoring, paragraph 5, and Awards para-graphs B, C, D, and E).


3. Unlimited Class Fifty Caliber Rifle: Any barreled receiver that fires a bullet with a diameter of .510/.511 inches.


The winner of an unlimited class fifty caliber shooting competition shall be determined by the competitor who has the smallest accumulated extreme spread (aggregate group) for all record groups fired during the unlimited class relays, except in the case of a tie.


4. Hunter Class Fifty Caliber: Competitors will shoot and compete from a prone shooting position with rifles equipped with bipods as defined below.


Prone: To shoot from the ground with the aid of an optional ground mat and/or blast sheet. The use of an earth-only trench for the bipod feet will be allowed. Anchoring of the rifle to the ground by any means is prohibited and the firearm must be free to be lifted straight up from the firing position.


Bipods: Bipods must be able to fold forward or backward and be removable from the rife. The bipod can only provide two points of contact to the ground and must be mounted to the rifle forward of the trigger guard.


The official FCSA bipod foot gauge will be used to determine if a competitor's bipod feet are within limits set by these rules. The bipod feet can have a maximum footprint area no larger than that which will fit into an official FCSA gauge.


The FCSA gauge will be placed on a flat surface such as the ground or a tabletop. The competitor will insert each leg of the bipod into the gauge. If the competitor's bipod foot fits into the gauge, then that configura-tion of bipod foot shall be deemed acceptable for competition. If either foot of a bipod does not fit into the gauge, then that competitor will be allowed to shoot in one of the other three classes of competition that the rifle may qualify in.


The official FCSA gauge will be cut from a standard four-inch (4") ABS or Schedule 40 pipe cut to a height of two inches. The interior will measure a nominal four inches (4") in diameter Competitors, from locally available materials, may readily build such a gauge so that they can verify, on their own, that the bipod feet they intend to use in competition do not exceed the above-stipulated dimensions.
Rubber or non-metal feet are allowed. Spikes on the bottom of the bipod feet can be a maximum of 1.5 inches long. Bipods that are of spike design must have a marking on each leg which is plainly visible 1.5 inches from the bottom of the leg's spike. The marking on the spike portion of the bipod is to ensure that the spike does not enter the ground to a depth exceeding 1.5 inches. The 1.5 inches is the depth limitation that a bipod can be driven into the ground during shooting. Rollers or track/rail devises are prohibited.


Rear Rest or Support: A soft pliable bag may be used. Monopods are allowed. A monopod is any device at-tached to the rifle at any point to the rear of the trigger guard and used for the purpose of raising or lower-ing point of aim. The monopod must use a foot which conforms to the same dimensional requirement as a bipod foot but may not have a spike. The monopod must be attached to the rifle when determining overall weight of the rifle.


Rifle Weight: Rifles in this competition may not exceed fifty pounds (50lbs) total weight in shooting readi-ness.


Chambering: Any cartridge using a .510-.511 projectile.


5. Junior Shooters:


All Shooters must be at least 12 years old. All Shooters below the age of 18 will be considered Junior Shooters.


Junior Shooters must posses a current Hunter Safety Card or a certificate of completion of an organized Ri-fle/Hunting Safety Course. The Junior Shooter and Parent or Guardian must sign a waiver of liability at the time of registration.


Junior Shooters will be identified on the line by a Green Hat which is issued at completion of registration. Adult supervision and coaching of Junior Shooters is mandatory at all times.


The Junior Shooter will compete in only the Unlimited Class. The Junior Shooter will not be eligible for the Rookie of the Year Award or allowed to draw from the prizes. Three distinct prizes, First, Second, and Third Place, will be awarded to the Junior Shooters.

 

APPROVED AMMUNITION

1. Ammunition: all ammunition used in FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions shall be of the “fixed” de-sign.

2. Projectiles: Acceptable projectiles are military ball, jacketed lead core, armor piercing, solid brass/bronze or suitable solid steel. Those projectiles that are not acceptable include tracer, incendiary, explosive or flechette type projectiles. The type of ammunition used in FCSA sanctioned matches are also governed by the existing state laws in the state where a particular FCSA sanctioned match is held. In many states the possession of armor piercing ammunition is prohibited by law and it is the responsibility of a competitor to be aware of the laws governing the use of ammunition in a particular host state.


3. Unsafe Ammunition: Unsafe surplus ammunition shall be banned from any FCSA sanctioned shooting competition. It shall be the responsibility of the Match Director or his designated Range Officer to make a determination regarding the suitability of surplus or improperly reloaded ammunition. Poor quality surplus or reloaded ammunition displaying characteristics such as corrosion, damaged brass, improperly seated prim-ers or damaged projectiles will not be allowed to be used in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition.

 

APPROVED RIFLE EQUIPMENT


1. Rifle Rests: A rifle rest is allowed to support the forend of the rifle. A rifle rest is also allowed to support the rear of the rifle. Rifle rests are restricted to the sand bag type made from soft pliable leather or a soft pliable material, filled only with sand, with a minimum of one half (1/2in) inch thickness of sandbag be-tween the rifle stock and the rifle rest system wherever the stock comes in contact with the sandbag. The rests cannot be attached to the rifle itself or connected to each other. Front and rear rests must be mov-able independent of each other. Neither rest is allowed to be attached to the shooting bench and the rifle must be able to be lifted vertically independent of the rest. Rifle rests shall not restrain the recoil of the rifle. Drag reducing tape may be applied to the surface of the rest.


2. Bipods: Bipods are acceptable in any class of FCSA sanctioned shooting competition.


RANGE EQUIPMENT


1. Targets: Only the NRA MR-1, MR-B, and MR-C 600 yard targets are approved for FCSA sanctioned 1000 yard shooting competitions. Regional Matches may use other targets if the FCSA standard target is not available at the range where the FCSA sanctioned match is being held. If that occurs, all competitors must have the same target.


2. Wind Flags: It is recommended that wind flags be used at all FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions. The placement of wind flags on the firing range during a shooting competition will be at the discretion of the Match Director.


This does not preclude competitors from using and placing their own wind flags/wind measuring devices on the range during a shooting competition.


3. Benches: It is the responsibility of the Match Director to ensure that shooting benches are available to match competitors at all FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions. Shooting benches shall be of a size, width and stur-diness adequate to support the weight of a fifty caliber rifle approved for use in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition and of a quality that will allow competitors to accurately fire their rifles. The Match Director will be responsible to ensure that shooting benches are of equal quality for all competitors. Personally owned shooting benches are not allowed in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition except in the unlimited class of competition.

 

MATCH PROCEDURE


1. Range Officer’s Meeting: It is the responsibility of the Match Director to ensure that appointed Range Of-ficers are instructed on their duties and responsibilities each day.


2. Competitors Meeting: The Match Director shall hold a competitors meeting prior to the start of the com-petition each day. The purpose of the meeting is to insure that competitors are aware of their assignments and any update regarding safety information. Attendance at the meeting is mandatory for all FCSA mem-bers who are registered to shoot in the competition unless excused by the Match Director. Failure to attend the meeting may result in the disqualification of the competitor by the Match Director upon a recommenda-tion of the Protest Committee.


3. Start Time: All possible efforts shall be made by the Match Director to start the match on Sunday at the same time the match was started on Saturday.


4. Course Of Fire: All Firing Line Control Commands Shall Be Given by The Match Director or His Designated Range Officer.


A. In any sanctioned FCSA shooting competition each competitor is responsible for completing three (3) five (5) shot groups, known as a “Record Group”, each day of the competition, for each class of competi-tion that he is registered for.


B. A “Relay” shall consist of three (3) periods of “ sighter fire” and three (3) periods of “record group” fire. When the competition begins, the relay will start with a ten (10) minute period for the competitor to fire an unlimited number of sighter rounds at their target to zero their rifles as accurately as possible. During the “sighter” period, each round fired at the target will be marked for the competitor by a three (3) inch diame-ter, bright red spotter disk. (Black & White spotter disks shall be used for those competitors who are color blind.) The disk shall be moved each time a round is fired at the target and the previous hole in the target shall be patched. The only marker on the competitors target shall be his most recently fired round. At the completion of the ten (10) minute sighter period, the targets will be lowered and patched. The time period for the ten (10) minute sighter period shall be controlled by the firing Line Officer. As immediately as is practical after the sighter period has ended, a ten (10) minute period will commence for the competitor to fire his first “record group” consisting of five (5) bullets for score/group. Prior to the beginning of the ten minute record group time period, the Line Officer will ensure that each competitor has displayed 5 bullets on the bench or shooting mat for firing during the record group. Competitors are not allowed to have any more than 5 bullets on their bench or shooting mat during the record group.


During the “record group” time period, each round fired is marked with a spotter disk. The first bullet is marked with a three (3) inch bright red spotter disk. When the second (2nd) round is fired, the three (3) inch spotter disk is moved to the hole where the most recently fired round struck the target. A one and one half (1 ?) inch disk is then placed into the hole made by the first bullet fired. The larger three (3) inch spot-ter disk continues to be moved to the hole where the most recent bullet struck the competitors target. The smaller spotter disks are placed into the holes in the target as they are vacated by the larger disk. All of the spotter disks shall remain in the target until the target is scored by the Range Officer in charge of the pits/butts,


In those cases where a competitor fires two or more rounds so close together on his target that the red three (3) inch spotter disk would cover both holes, a bright green one and one half (1-1/2) inch spotter disk shall be placed into the hole of the last round fired, and the large spotter disk will be removed. This is to signify to the competitor that he has two or more rounds very near to each other on the target. The Range Officer in control of the pits/butts shall also relay verbal communication to the line control officer that the target in question just scored a green spotter. The line control officer shall then relay that information to the competitor who scored a green spotter.


The communication to the competitor regarding scoring a green spotter disk is the only assistance allowed to be given to a competitor while he is firing one of his “record groups”. Any other form of coaching or as-sistance given to a competitor during the firing of a “record group” is forbidden by the FCSA Match Rules. Violation of this rule may lead to the disqualification of the competitor at the discretion of the Match Director based on a recommendation of the Protest Committee.


After all competitors have completed their five (5) shot record group or the ten (10) minute “record group” period has expired, the targets shall be lowered for scoring. The time period for the ten (10) minute “record group” shall be controlled by the firing Line Officer.


After all targets have been scored for group and score by the range control officer in charge in the pits/butts, the targets will be patched and raised for the second (2nd) sighter period. Competitors shall be given three (3) minutes to fire an unlimited number of sighter rounds to again re-zero their rifles as accu-rately as possible. At the completion of the three (3) minute sighter period, the targets will be lowered and patched and the targets will be raised for the second five (5) shot “record group”. The relay will continue as described until all competitors have had the opportunity to complete three (3)“sighter periods” and three (3) “record groups”.


C. Missing the Target: If a competitor misses his target while shooting a “record group”, the only assistance he is allowed to receive regarding the missed round is, the target puller in the pits/butts will not use the large three (3) inch spotter disk to mark the location of his last round. Verbal communication from the pits/butts or from a spectator to a competitor during the “record group” is forbidden by FCSA Match Rules.
If a competitor misses the target during a sighter period, the target puller in the pits/butts or any other per-son may coach or give whatever assistance is necessary to help the competitor zero his rifle accurately.


D. At the completion of a relay, the firing Line Officer shall call a cease fire. If the competitors on the firing line have another relay to shoot, the firing Line Officer shall announce a fifteen minute time period to pre-pare for the next relay. Competitors will use this period to change the guns on their shooting benches and prepare for the next class/relay of shooting. If at the completion of a relay the competitors have completed all of their relays for that day and it is time to change the crews in the pits/butts, the firing Line Officer shall call a cease fire. The pits/butts will then be “unsealed” for personnel to return to the firing line area. During the time that personnel are exposed and moving from the protected area of the pits/butts back to the firing line area, competitors and spectators are not allowed near the shooting benches where guns are set up. This is to insure that an accidental round is not fired down range while personnel are in the line of fire.

 

INSPECTION OF SHOOTING EQUIPMENT


1. At the beginning of each relay at any FCSA sanctioned shooting competition, the Match Director or his designated Range Officer shall conduct an inspection of the equipment being used by each competitor on the firing line. This inspection will include the guns and rests and any other equipment being used by the competitor, to insure that each competitor is in compliance with FCSA Match Rules for the class of shooting competition he is preparing to fire.


2. Any competitor who has obtained the approval for the use of equipment during an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition shall not substitute any item of that equipment without approval from the Match Di-rector. Violations of this rule shall result in the disqualification of the competitor from the match by the Match Director upon approval of the Protest Committee.

 

SCORING


1. Each “record group” fired in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition shall be scored for extreme spread and numerical score. A “record group” shall consist of five (5) shots per target.


2. Scoring for Extreme Spread (Aggregate Group) will refer to the size of the five (5) shot group being measured. Scoring for extreme spread shall be accomplished in the following manner: Extreme spread measurement is recording the distance between the two (2) bullet holes in a competitors target that are the most distant from each other. The exact measurement recorded shall be the distance from the outer most edge of one hole to the inner most edge of the other hole to the nearest one sixteenth (1/16th) of an inch.

Aggregate group totals will be determined by the average of all six (6) record group sizes over the two (2) day match.


The 2-gun aggregate shall be calculated by the following formula: ((Heavy Gun Aggregate Group + (50 - Heavy Gun Aggregate Score)) + (Light Gun Aggregate Group + (50 - Light Gun Aggregate Group))) / 2


A competitor who misses the target shall be penalized by adding thirty-six (36) inches to his extreme spread measurement (aggregate group) for each recorded miss, up to a maximum of seventy-two (72) inches.


Any competitor who scores less than two (2) hits on his target during a record group shall be assessed a DNF (did not finish) automatically.


The only time a target is required to be measured closer than one sixteenth (1/16th) of an inch is when the target is establishing a new “world record” for group size. It is required that all targets qualifying as a new world record shall be measured by three (3) Range Officers, on a flat surface and the measurement shall be held to the nearest one thousandth (1/1000th) of an inch.


3. Scoring for Numerical Score (Total Score) will refer to the number of points accumulated by hits & misses on a target.


Scoring for numerical score shall be accomplished in the following manner:

Numerical score is the total accumulation of points scored by adding the target value of each round fired based on which scoring ring on the target the round is located. Misses are given a score value of zero (0). X’s are scored ten (10) points and all others are scored based on the numerical value of the scoring ring where the round is located.

Aggregate score totals shall be determined by the totals of all six (6) record groups over the two (2) day match.

Rounds which break the outer most edge of a scoring ring are given the score value of the higher value of the two scoring rings involved.


4. Two Gun Score: The Two Gun Winner will be found by using the placement of the shooters aggregate in each of the four categories: Light Gun Score, Light Gun Group, Heavy Gun Score and Heavy Gun Group. When the shooters total placement is added and divided by four (the number of categories) the shooter with the lowest aggregate is the Two Gun winner.


Example: John Doe finishes 1st in LG score, 3rd in LG group, 4th in HG score and 2nd in HG group. His total is 10. Divide this by 4 and his total for Two Gun is 2.5.

Jerry Doe finishes 2nd in LG score, 2nd in LG group, 6th in HG score and 1st in HG group. His total is 11. Divide this by 4 and his total is 2.7325. John Doe is the winner.

Ties are broken by the total X count of both Light and Heavy Guns, if still tied then by the total score of both Light and Heavy Guns, if still tied then by the smallest group in Light or Heavy Gun.


5. Ties: Ties in any class of FCSA shooting competition that is determined by score shall first be decided by counting the number of X’s scored by each competitor. The person with the highest number of X’s shall be declared the winner. If the score is tied and each competitor has an equal number of X’s, the winner shall be determined by the person who has the most number of 10’s. If the score is still tied the winner shall be determined by the person who has the most number of 9’s and then 8’s, etc. If the score remains tied they will engage in a single five (5) shot shoot off to determine a winner.


Ties in any FCSA shooting competition that is determined by aggregate group shall be determined by a sin-gle five (5) shot shoot off for smallest group.


6. Winners of FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions based on “aggregate group” or “score” will be deter-mined by the totals accumulated on all six record groups fired by the competitor during the match.


7. All competitors in an FCSA sanctioned match, who by circumstances have to complete their six (6) record targets in the same day are ineligible for trophy awards, prizes or records, except a record fired in any of the first three (3) record targets of the class of competition he is registered to compete in.



PROTESTS, ALIBI’S AND GRIEVANCES


It shall be the responsibility of the Match Director to form a Protest Committee to participate in each FCSA sanctioned shooting competition.


1. The Protest Committee shall be comprised of at least three (3) FCSA members who are registered to par-ticipate in the match in question. The Match Director may also appoint other Range Officers to participate on the Protest Committee, and he may also serve as a participating member.


2. The Protest Committee shall review all alibis and protests regarding the FCSA Match Rules at the compe-tition. The members of the Protest Committee shall have the authority to make final judgments regarding Match Rules interpretation and rule violations. A majority vote of the members of the Protest Committee shall be binding. The Protest Committee shall present its decision regarding any matter to the Match Director.


3. The request for an alibi or the filing of a protest must be accomplished by the competitor by contacting the firing Line Officer or the Match Director personally and notifying him of their intent.


4. Alibi’s: Any competitor registered and participating in a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition, who is delayed from completing a relay due to a mechanical malfunction of a piece of necessary equipment or a mechanical malfunction of his gun, may request an “alibi”, so that he may attempt to repair the mechanical problem and be allowed to finish the relay without penalty or disqualification from the match. Each competi-tor is allowed one (1) “alibi” per relay per day that he is registered to compete in. Any “alibi” granted to a competitor shall not interrupt the conduct of the match or create disadvantages of competition for the other competitors.


Protests: Any competitor registered and participating in a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition, who dis-agrees with the conduct of the match or the interpretation of FCSA Match Rules, may file a “protest”, re-questing a formal review of the issue by the Protest Committee.

Grievances: Any competitor registered and participating in a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition, who is the subject of, but who disagrees with the decision of the Match Director or Protest Committee at a match, may file a grievance with the Competition Rules Chairman. The grievance shall be in writing and must be filed within ten (10) days after the completion of the shooting competition. The Competition Rules Chairman shall present the grievance to the FCSA Board of Directors for a final decision.

 

AWARDS


1. Trophy Awards shall always be given to the winners of the following classes of shooting competition at the FCSA “World Competition”, including but not limited to first (1st), second (2nd), third (3rd), fourth (4th) and fifth (5th) place.


A. Two Gun, “Aggregate Group/Score” Award. The winner of this category shall be the match winner or “Top Gun” and shall be declared the “World Champion” when he is the winner of this category at the “World Championship” held each year.

B. Heavy Gun Class, “Aggregate Group” Award. The winner of this category shall be declared the “World Champion” of the heavy class aggregate when he is the winner of this category at the “World Champion-ship” held each year.

C. Heavy Gun Class, “Total Score” Award. The winner of this category shall be declared the “World Cham-pion” of the Heavy class score when he is the winner of this category at the “World Championship” held each year.

D. Light Gun Class, “Aggregate Group” Award. The winner of this category shall be declared the “World Champion” of the Light class when he is the winner of this category at the “World Championship” held each year.

E. Light Gun Class, “Total Score” Award. The winner of this category shall be declared the “World Cham-pion” of the Light class when he is the winner of this category at the “World Championship” held each year.

F. Unlimited Gun Class, “Aggregate Group” Award. The winner of this category shall be declared the “World Champion” of the Unlimited C lass when he is the winner of this category at the “World Championship” held each year.

G. Hunter Class, “Total Score” Award. The winner of this category shall be declared the “World Champion” of the Hunter Class when he is the winner of this category at the “World Championship” held each year.


2. “Smallest Group” Awards shall be awarded to the competitors who fired the smallest extreme distance record group in the “heavy gun class”, “light gun class” and the “unlimited gun class” of competition fired in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition.


3. Prize Awards shall be distributed to competitors at the “World Competition” and at any FCSA sanctioned regional match where a sponsor(s) has made prize awards available. Prize awards may be selected by com-petitors based on their place of finish in the competition as follows:


Beginning with the winner of the “aggregate group/score” in two gun competition; followed immediately by the winner of the “aggregate group” award in heavy gun competition; followed by the winner of the “ag-gregate score” award in light gun competition; followed by the winner of the “aggregate group” award in unlimited gun competition;

After all first place winners have selected prize awards, second place competitors in the same order of se-cession will be allowed to select a prize award of their choosing and so on until all prize awards are distrib-uted except in unlimited class. After the third place winner in unlimited class has selected his prize award, all other competitors in the unlimited class shall have their scores totaled in the heavy gun class only for the purpose of selecting prize awards.


4. Competitors are eligible for official FCSA sanctioned awards, trophies and/or official record consideration in the FCSA sanctioned class of competition (Light, Heavy, Unlimited, Two-Gun, or any other officially rec-ognized class of competition) in which his rifle is entered for any given relay. The competitor is not eligible for any FCSA sanctioned awards, trophies and/or official record consideration in any other class, except for the relay/class in which the shooter was entered and competing in, even if the rifle would have met the rules for competition in any other class. If a competitor is incorrectly assigned to a relay or class or competi-tion, it is the responsibility of the competitor to notify the Match Director when bench assignment/pit duty sheets are issued on the first day of the match, prior to his first record target being fired.



COACHING


1. Coaching a competitor of an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition is allowed during any unlimited Sighter period and during the first (1st) record group ever fired in competition by a first time competitor. Coaching a competitor in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition at any other time may lead to their dis-qualification from the match at the direction of the Match Director upon the approval of the Protest Commit-tee.



SPECTATORS


1. Spectators are encouraged to attend FCSA sanctioned shooting competitions. Spectators are encouraged to support and assist friends and family who are participating in an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition. Spectators are not allowed to coach or communicate with competitors during a “record group” time period. Spectators are not allowed to distract or disrupt competitors competing in an FCSA sanctioned competition. Violations of FCSA Match Rules by a spectator may lead to the expulsion of the spectator from the range at the direction of the Match Director or his approved Range Officer.


2. Spectators of an FCSA sanctioned shooting competition shall wear adequate ear protection whenever in the vicinity of the firing line.



MATCH RULE CHANGES


1. Proposed amendments to the FCSA Rules of Competition may be submitted by any member or associate member of the FCSA. All proposed amendments to the FCSA Rules of Shooting Competition must be sub-mitted to the FCSA Competition Rules Chairman or a member of the Board of Directors prior to April 1st of the year in which the amendment will be considered at the annual membership meeting.


Any member of the Board of Directors, who receives a recommendation for a change to the Rules of Com-petition, shall submit the proposed rules change to the FCSA Competition Rules Chairman.


2. Any proposed change to the FCSA Match Rules of Competition must be presented and petitioned at the annual membership meeting by the member recommending the change or his selected representative. Members are limited to submitting a maximum of three (3) proposed changes to the FCSA Match Rules of Competition per person in one (1) year. If the member or the member’s representative is not present to de-fend his change at the annual membership meeting, the change will not be considered.


3. The Board of Directors, after due consideration, may amend and/or reject all proposed Rules of Competi-tion changes. The Board of Directors shall make a recommendation to the FCSA membership on approved Rules of Competition changes. The Board of Directors’ recommendation of the proposed changes to the Rules of Competition shall be published in an issue of the FCSA newsletter Very High Power that precedes the annual membership meeting at which they will be considered. The President or the Chairman of the Competition Rules Committee will present the opinion and recommendation of the Board of Directors to the FCSA membership at the annual meeting.


4. Amendments, changes or suspensions to the FCSA Match Rules of Competition require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting membership present at the annual membership meeting. Only current or past FCSA match competitors are allowed to vote on amendments, changes or suspensions to the FCSA Match Rules of Competition. A match competitor is any person who is a current member of FCSA and has competed in or is currently competing in a sanctioned FCSA shooting competition.


As amended and approved by the voting members of FCSA at the Annual Membership meeting held the Raton Convention Center, Raton, NM, in July 7 of 2006.