Hi,

The Sporting Rifle Match is one instance of the "hike and shoot" practical rifle matches, which have been around in various forms for many years (Keneyathlon, Cooper Rifle Walk, Steel Challenge, PRTC, ITRC, "Sniper" matches, etc).

http://demigod.org/srm

At the SRM, we have ten stations spread over a two mile distance in the terrain of the North side of the NRA Whittington Center. At each station there are six different targets, again spread out in the terrain (within maybe a 30-40 degree shooting zone) from as close as 100-some yards out to about 700 yards. You get one shot per target, but we tell you the distance. Having everyone range every target would slow down this match too much.

Targets are all hanging armored steel which swing and "ring" when they are hit. Target shapes vary, including circles, rectangles, diamonds, and squares. Apparent target size ranges from about 2 MOA to maybe 4 MOA, with physical sizes ar 6" to 14", I think.

Each station has a steel post stuck in the ground, and the shooter has to be able to touch that post while engaging the targets. He can use whatever position he wants to, and at many of the positions, prone is impossible due to the target position compared to grass and shrubs.

Here are pictures we took at some of the matches over the last three years (when I remembered bring my camera!)

http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/SRM-2006.03/
http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/SRM-2005.07/
http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/SRM-2005.03/
http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/Precision-Rifle-2004.7.11/

You can see people are using all kinds of gear. This is a tough match, nobody has ever cleaned it yet.

Zak,

Couple of question's. I notice in the rules that hunting bullet's are alright to use. Does anyone actually use them?

I also read where when there is two stakes set in the ground, the shooter must shoot from between them. In one of the photo's, the shooter is set up to the right of the stakes. If you look at the stakes, they do look a bit close together for shooting between.

Do you know of any places in Oregon or washington where these matches are held?

Thought of one more. Are single shot actions like the 40X legal?

Hi,

Most people are not using hunting bullets because they are generally expensive (the better ones anyway) and have lower BC's than match bullets.

I'd guess maybe 10-20% might be using some sort of hunting bullet like an AMAX or varmint bullet, because people shoot all sorts of setups. The most popular bullets are: Sierra SMK, Berger VLDs, and Lapua Scenars.

But really, someone could win this match with a stock rifle, a good scope, and hunting ammunition...

As far as the stakes go, all the stations right now are set up in the "one stake" config (the two posts welded together at the top), and none are set up with two stakes further apart, so rule 4.3 is essentially moot.

I am not familiar with any such matches on OR/WA. Field-style matches like this are pretty hard to find, however, the tactical/sniper crowd has matches that involve less movement and the best place to keep up to date and find local matches in SnipersHide.com.

hope this helps
Zak

ETA-- single shots are fine.

Just found the photo I was talking about. Then notice the next one which shows they are the stakes holding wha appears to be a station number.

How big a group goes around at a time? I noticed that thers rules about broken rifles mentions something about your group.

Hi,

At the shooters' meeting, we split up into groups of 2 or 3 shooters, and each group starts at a different one of the ten stages. For example, if we have 20 shooters show up, we would probably split up into six 3-person groups, and one 2-person groups, and the groups or squads would start on stages 1-7, and then proceed to the next stage in line. This way, we have 7 people shooting at once, and there isn't much waiting. While you are shooting at a stage, the other two people spot hits/misses and write down your score.

-z

Here are reports from some other "field style" long-range rifle matches--

2006 PRTC
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-rifle-team-challenge-2006/

2006 Steel Safari
http://demigodllc.com/articles/blue-steel-ranch-steel-safari-2006/

2005 ITRC
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=153832

Thanks to Zak Smith, I got some great informative reading to study

WELCOME ABOARD Zak !!!!

Hey Buddy,

This stuff is driving me nut's. i can see so many things that can come off of this to promote shooting as a sport and possibly get those hunters that don't shoot out shooting. The beauty is how inexpensively someone could do this. Indeed, a similar match could be set up to attrach young people usinf 22 RF's

A drawback is that I don't think you could get away with running it on public land. But then there must be large landowners everywhere that if properly approached, would allow a course.

This young man Zak has really thrown my brain into overdrive.

Welcome home again. Good to have you back.

Over the year. Myself and others have tried to set up a few ranges, on private land, for archers. The idea was great. The interest was good. The liability and insurance was way to much.
I can't even begin to imagine the costs for firearms liability. Much less all the legalities and attorney fees to cover one's a**..

Our organization, Colorado Multigun LLC, has liability insurance for running competitions. It ran us under $1000/year.