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Rules

Tactical Rifle Rules

1. Tactical Rifle Classes

Military type rifles and carbines have long been the tools of the infantryman at war. In the last 50 years, these weapons have seen increasing use in the hands of LEO's, private security details and private citizens defending their homes and businesses. There is an incredibly wide array of weapons in very different configurations, which will "get the job done". These differences are in the following areas: action type, caliber, barrel length and weight, stock configuration and sighting system. The five classes created for this program are intended to put weapons of similar competitive advantages or disadvantages in the same class. Under some match conditions (range, cover, movement, etc.), certain classes will be more ideal than others and in some situations, certain classes will be completely inappropriate. For example, a heavy bolt-action sniper rifle, with a high magnification scope just won't work for a short range, "quick and dirty" match.

Our use of the terms "rifle" and "carbine" has been confusing to some. This terminology follows the reasoning of Jeff Cooper where "rifles" are weapons that fire full power, large caliber, military or hunting cartridges. "Carbines" are weapons that fire small caliber (typically .223) or large caliber "kurz-type rifle cartridges (e.g: 7.62 X 39). In general, "rifles" tend to have longer barrels and "carbines" tend to have shorter barrels, but obviously there is some overlap in barrel length between the two types. The idea here is to have a separate class for rifles that deliver much more kinetic energy with a larger diameter bullet to the target and the commensurate recoil to the shooter. Anyone who has spent a lot of time shooting both types of rifles knows that rapid-fire with an AR-15 type rifle is much easier and accurate than with an M-14 or FN-FAL. Putting these two types of rifles in the same class would be unfair.

The rifles in the Battle Rifle and Battle Carbine class are standard issue, basic infantry type rifles. They have iron sights, standard weight barrels and standard issue stock configurations. Very few modifications are allowed in these classes.

Tactical Carbine class rifles are very similar to Battle Carbine rifles, but allow the use of low powered optical or red dot sights, in addition to a few modifications from the standard Battle Carbine configuration.

The SPR and Bolt-Action Sniper classes were meant to be "anything goes" type classes. There aren't separate classes for different calibers because of the fact that there is no real restriction on barrel length or total weight. Under certain tactical circumstances, these rifles are very appropriate and useful. At other times (e.g.: when rapid movement, moving around corners, etc. are required) these rifles can be very cumbersome. Their use will probably be relegated to courses that are more "sniper" oriented than "run and gun" type courses. In general, the majority of courses will tend to favor the first three classes, meaning that they will have shorter ranges, more movement and require rapid fire from less than perfect shooting positions.
1.1. Battle Rifle:
  • 1.1.1. Semi-auto or Bolt Action, military-type rifles. These rifles must have been a standard issued military rifle of at least one country at some time in history.
  • 1.1.2. Minimum calibers are 7X57, .308, .303 British, 7.62 X 54R , 20 round maximum magazine capacity.
  • 1.1.3. As-issued iron sights only, no optics. National Match iron sights are NOT allowed.
  • 1.1.4. As-issued triggers only. Trigger jobs are allowed, but no after-market parts may be installed.
  • 1.1.5. 24" maximum barrel length, not including flash suppressors / muzzle brakes. Standard military-issue weight barrels only. No heavy or bull barrels. Some automatic rifles may have been issued with longer, heavier "machine gun" weight barrels. These will not be allowed in this class. Barrel length on military bolt-actions may exceed 24", but only if it is the original, "as-issued" barrel.
  • 1.1.6. Stocks must be standard, infantry-type issue stocks. Wooden stocks may be glass bedded, but no National Match stocks are allowed. No weights may be added to the gun.
  • 1.1.7. No bipods may be used. If a bipod is part of the standard, infantry-type stock, the rifle will be allowed, but the bipod may not be used.
  • 1.1.8. Slings may only be of a type particularly suited to combat. Leather target slings may be used, but may not be target / cuff type and must use standard sling attachment hardware.
  • 1.1.9. Battle Rifle shooters may not wear special shooting jackets, shooting gloves or other special competition / target clothing or accessories. If you think your equipment is questionable, it probably won't be allowed. Contact the match director for details.
  • 1.1.10. Battle Rifle shooters may not use sandbags, shooting rests or padded shooting mats. Non-padded ground cloths may be used in matches requiring prone shooting.
  • 1.1.11. Typical rifles used in this class will be standard M1 Garands, M14's, M1A's, FN-FAL/LAR's, G3's, and even Springfield and Enfield bolt-actions, for the truly hard-core. Your National Match or Super Match M14/M1A will probably not qualify for this class, and would be an SPR class gun.
1.2. Battle Carbine:
  • 1.2.1. Semi-auto military-type rifles.
  • 1.2.2. Minimum caliber: .223 (7.62X39 and other "kurz"-type cartridges shoot in this class), 30 round maximum magazine capacity.
  • 1.2.3. As-issued iron sights only, no optics. National Match iron sights are NOT allowed.
  • 1.2.4. As-issued triggers only. "Match" triggers are not allowed. Trigger jobs are allowed, but no after-market parts may be installed.
  • 1.2.5. 20" maximum barrel length, not including flash suppressors / muzzle brakes. Standard military-issue weight barrels only. No heavy or bull barrels. Some automatic rifles may have been issued with heavier "machine gun" weight barrels. These will not be allowed in this class. It is recognized that some civilian versions of M16's, M4's, etc., have slightly heavier barrel contours than their military contract counterparts. These will be allowed in this class.
  • 1.2.6. Stocks must be standard, infantry-type issue stocks. Wooden stocks may be glass bedded, but no National Match stocks are allowed. No weights may be added to the gun. No free-float tubes are allowed on AR-15's in this class.
  • 1.2.7. No bipods may be used. If a bipod is part of the standard, infantry-type stock, the rifle will be allowed, but the bipod may not be used.
  • 1.2.8. Slings may only be of a type particularly suited to combat. Leather target slings may be used, but may not be target / cuff type and must use standard sling attachment hardware.
  • 1.2.9. Battle Carbine shooters may not wear special shooting jackets, shooting gloves or other special competition / target clothing or accessories. If you think your equipment is questionable, it probably won't be allowed. Contact the match director for details.
  • 1.2.10. Battle Carbine shooters may not use sandbags, shooting rests or padded shooting mats. Non-padded ground cloths may be used in matches requiring prone shooting.
  • 1.2.11. Typical rifles used in this class will be standard M16 A2's and A1's, M4's, and their civilian counterparts. Other acceptable rifles would be iron-sighted Mini-14's, M1 Carbines and foreign military carbines, such as AK-47's, .223 Galil's, etc.
1.3. Tactical Carbine:
  • 1.3.1. Semi-auto, military-type carbines
  • 1.3.2. Minimum caliber: .223 (7.62X39 and other "kurz" type cartridges shoot in this class), 30 round maximum magazine capacity.
  • 1.3.3. Iron sights or 4X maximum optical sights (variable scopes that go over 4X can be used, but must not be set to exceed 4X)
  • 1.3.4. Match triggers are allowed.
  • 1.3.5. Any stock configuration including free float tubes, are allowed. Weights may not be added to the stock or barrel.
  • 1.3.6. 20" maximum barrel length, not including flash suppressors / muzzle brakes. Heavy contour or bull-barrels are only allowed on barrels that are 18" long or less.
  • 1.3.7. No bipods may be used. If a bipod is part of the standard, infantry-type stock, the rifle will be allowed, but the bipod may not be used.
  • 1.3.8. Slings may only be of a type particularly suited to combat. Leather target slings may be used, but may not be target / cuff type and must use standard sling attachment hardware.
  • 1.3.9. Tactical Carbine shooters may not wear special shooting jackets, shooting gloves or other special competition / target clothing or accessories. If you think your equipment is questionable, it probably won't be allowed. Contact the match director for details.
  • 1.3.10. Tactical Carbine shooters may not use sandbags, or padded shooting mats. Non-padded ground covers may be used in matches requiring prone shooting.
  • 1.3.11. Typical rifles used in this class will be various AR-15 variants, Scoped Mini-14 Ranch Rifles, etc.
1.4. Special Purpose Rifle (SPR):
  • 1.4.1. Semi-auto rifles
  • 1.4.2. .223 minimum caliber, 30 round maximum magazine capacity.
  • 1.4.3. Match triggers are allowed
  • 1.4.4. No barrel length limit. Heavy or non-standard barrel contours are allowed.
  • 1.4.5. No maximum weight restriction
  • 1.4.6. Any iron or optical sight is allowed
  • 1.4.7. No restrictions on stock configuration
  • 1.4.8. Any bipod, monopod, etc., is allowed.
  • 1.4.9. Slings may only be of a type particularly suited to combat. Leather target slings may be used, but may not be target / cuff type and must use standard sling attachment hardware.
  • 1.4.10. Special Purpose Rifle shooters MAY wear shooting coats, gloves, etc. Be advised, you may be submitted to ridicule by your fellow shooters if you show up dressed for Camp Perry!
  • 1.4.11. Special Purpose Rifle shooters MAY use sandbags, butt-stock monopods and padded shooting mats. Please note that use of these items may be limited by the design of match stages. Shooters should always be ready to shoot WITHOUT the aid of these devices, if necessary.
  • 1.4.12. Typical rifles in this class will be scoped AR-15's, SR-25's, M21's, etc.
1.5. Bolt Action Sniper Rifle:
  • 1.5.1. Bolt action rifles
  • 1.5.2. .223 minimum caliber, 4 +1 maximum magazine capacity (larger magazines may be downloaded).
  • 1.5.3. No barrel length limit. Heavy or non-standard barrel contours are allowed.
  • 1.5.4. No maximum weight restriction
  • 1.5.5. Any iron or optical sight is allowed
  • 1.5.6. No restrictions on stock configuration
  • 1.5.7. Any bipod, monopod, etc., is allowed.
  • 1.5.8. Slings may only be of a type particularly suited to combat. Leather target slings may be used, but may not be target / cuff type and must use standard sling attachment hardware.
  • 1.5.9. Sniper Rifle shooters MAY wear shooting coats, gloves, etc. Be advised, you may be submitted to ridicule by your fellow shooters if you show up dressed for Camp Perry!
  • 1.5.10. Special Purpose Rifle shooters MAY use sandbags, butt-stock monopods and padded shooting mats. Please note that use of these items may be limited by the design of match stages. Shooters should always be ready to shoot WITHOUT the aid of these devices, if necessary.
  • 1.5.11. Typical Rifles in this class will be scoped, heavy barreled Remington M700's, Winchester M70's, Savage 110's, etc.

2. Miscellaneous Tactical Rifle Rules:

2.1. Please note that rifles that have at least one of the items listed for Special Purpose Rifle or Sniper Rifle will be bumped into that class. For example, an iron-sighted Colt H-Bar gets bumped into SPR class because of the heavy barrel, and a sporterized Springfield gets bumped into Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle class, because of its modified stock and non-standard sights.
2.2. Courses of fire will range from longer-range courses that favor SPR's and Bolt Action Sniper Rifles, to short-range, quick and dirty matches that favor handier, non-magnified optic or iron-sighted rifles. On certain courses of fire, requirements may be different depending on the rifle class. For example, if headshots are required at 300 yards by SPR or Bolt Action Sniper Rifle shooters, all other classes may take body shots. Use of sandbags, monopods, mats, etc., will be severely limited by course descriptions. In other words, if a shooter has to assume a shooting position "on-the-clock", these items won't be allowed.
2.3. Reloads will be handled the exact same way as IDPA. In other words, you will either execute a re-load with retention, or a slide-lock reload. Obviously, bolt-action rifle shooters will either be loading from empty, or topping off a magazine that still has ammo in it.
2.4. Ammo/Magazine carriers must hold the ammo in a secure manner. Pockets are okay, but should hold the ammo relatively securely. Spare Ammunition / Magazines may also be carried in a secure manner on the firearm itself. For example, spare ammo or magazines may be attached to the firearm in a secure and practical manner. A good example of this is the Boonie Packer Products "Redi-Mag". Banding or clipping magazines together is also acceptable, but both magazines must be oriented so that the tops of the magazines are both oriented in the same direction. This keeps ammunition (and magazine feed lips) from getting dirty or damaged when the bottom of the rifle is close to the ground
e-mail your comments to tactical@ashlandlakegunclub
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