RIMFIRE BENCH REST FEDERATION
(RBRF)
I. Board of Controllers
1. The Board of Controllers shall be responsible for the following sections from Rimfire Bench Rest Federation rulebook. Numbers one (1) through five (5) and thirteen (13) through thirty-one (31), target and logo approval.
II. Rules Committee
1. The Rules Committee shall be responsible for the following sections in the Rimfire Bench Rest Federation rulebook numbers six (6) through twelve (12) and miscellaneous definitions.
Once each committee has determined and approved their rules and policies, the rules and policies for each committee shall be compared against each other for mistakes, overlaps and contradictions.
REMEMBER, THIS IS FUN!
Keep it fun and simple but this is still a competition.
INDEX / TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Event Definition Page 1
2) Competition Season Page 1
3) Sanctioned Clubs Page 1
4) Match Fees Page 1
5) Junior Competitors Page 2
6) Ammunition Page 2
7) Targets and Distance Page 2
8) Classes Page 2
9) Semi-Auto Factory Class Page 3
10) Semi-Auto Open Class Page 3
11) Production Class Page 3
12) Limited Class Page 4
13) Open Class Page 4
14) Rests Page 4
15) Tuners Page 4
16) Match sign-up/registration/bench assignment Page 4
17) Firing Period Page 5
18) Crossfires Pages 5-6
19) Target for Record Pages 6
20) Scoring of Targets Pages 6-8
21) Protesting target scores Page 8
22) Tie Scores Page 8
23) National and State Record High Score Targets Page 8
24) Match Points and awarding of points Page 9
25) Club Tournaments Page 9
26) State Tournaments Pages 9-10
27) National Championship Tournament Page 10
28) Club Championship Page 10
29) State Championship Pages 10-11
30) National Championship Page 11
31) National Aggregate Championship Page11
32) Safety Pages 11-12
~ Duties and Responsibilities of the RBRF Match Director Page 12
I – Event Definition
1) An RBRF match event consists of a minimum of two (2) competitors, shooting from two (2) to six (6) targets per day, at RBRF sanctioned clubs throughout the United States and Canada
2) All match events are either part of sanctioned club and/or tournament events may be held at those same clubs. All events scheduled and the results of those events will be listed on the RBRF web site at: www.rimfirebenchrestfederation.com
II - Competition Season
1) The official outdoor season will be from April through November each year.
III - Sanctioned Clubs
1) The Match Director shall make an application to the RBRF Board of Controllers before any sanctioned events are held at the club.
2) Each club must have at least five (5) benches of similar, sturdy constructions, to be eligible to hold officially sanctioned RBRF match events.
3) Each sanctioned club must host events during each season consisting of a minimum of two (2) to six (6) targets per day.
4) Each sanctioned club may host only one (1) event per day. This can include semi-auto factory, semi-auto open, production, limited and open shooting at the same time. The Match Director for each sanctioned club shall send in a match schedule to the RBRF Board of controllers. This should include the dates and starting times for matches held at their club, along with the number of individual targets to be shot on each date. The match schedule(s) may be amended from time to time, including the addition or deletion of match events and/or targets to be shot at each.
IV - Match Fees
1) The Match Director shall charge a fee of one dollar ($1.00) per target, per competitor to the RBRF Board of Controllers within thirty (30) days, along with a legible copy of the match report (email acceptable to the scoring committee).
2) RBRF fees are waived for junior competitors.
V – Junior Competitors
1) Any youth aged seven (7) to sixteen (16) years of age as of January 1 is considered a youth for the season. An adult must accompany each junior under the age of twelve (12) at the bench while shooting. The adult that brings the junior to the event shall be responsible for them and their actions.
VI - Ammunition
Any 22LR ammunition may be used.
Weighing, sorting and other ways of segregating rounds is permitted.
VII - Targets and Distance
1) RBRF targets shall consist of twenty (20) record bulls, upon 1 shot per bull is shot for score.
2) Only official targets shall be used in an RBRF sanctioned match.
3) Reproduction of targets shall/must be arranged through the Board of Controllers for associated clubs and must meet the specifications of the RBRF.
4) All targets used in sanctioned matches will be provided by the Match Director
5) The distance from the forward edge of the bench to the target shall be fifty (50) yards for short range and one-hundred (100) yards for long range.
VIII - Classes
1) RBRF shall be divided into five (5) separate classes:
a) Semi-Auto Factory
b) Semi-Auto Open
c) Production
d) Limited (we will define)
e) Open (gun with tuner)
2) At sign-in/registration, each competitor must have their rifle certified by the Match Director (or designee) to verify that their rifle qualifies for the declared class of competition.
3) A small indiscrete sticker MAY be placed on the rife
* Match Director (or designee) has the option to inspect each weapon to verify rifle qualifies for competitors declared class
IX - Semi-Auto Factory
1) Any semi-auto rifle chambered in 22LR needs to function in semi-auto fashion at all times and be magazine fed.
2) Must use factory available stocks but may be bedded.
3) Must use factory barrel with factory marking and a muzzle diameter no more than .750” without alteration. Barrels may be recrowned and rechambered.
4) Factory trigger may be altered and lightened but OEM trigger housing must be used.
5) Factory bolts may be altered or replaced.
6) Extended magazine releases are allowed.
7) No tuners of any kind allowed.
X – Semi-Auto Open
1) Any semi-auto rifle chambered in 22LR needs to function in semi-auto fashion at all times and be magazine fed.
2) No weight limits, dimensional restrictions to barrels or stocks
3) Tuners are permitted.
XI – Production
1) Any rifle produced, past or present, in quantities of 5,000 or more.
2) Weight limit of 10.5 pounds with scope included.
3) Stock forearm width not more than 2¼” and having a minimum radius of ¼” on bottom corners.
4) Improvements may be made to the trigger, stocks and internal parts.
5) Must retain factory barrel. Rechambering and crowning permitted.
6) No tuners permitted.
EXAMPLES OF FIREARMS INCLUDE:
~ Anschutz 64 variations ~ Bergara B-14
~ CZ 452, 455, 457, etc. ~ Lithgow
~ Mossberg 44, 144 ~ Remington 513, 540, 541, 504, 547
~ Savage MKII, B22 ~ Springfield 2022
~ Tikka T1 ~ Ruger 77/22, American, Precision
~ Winchester
* Match Director (or designee) has the option to inspect each weapon to verify rifle qualifies for competitors declared class
XII - Limited
1) Custom or production-based rifle with stock forearm, width not to exceed 3” wide.
2) No mechanical tuners
XIII - Open
1) Any rifle period, custom or production
2) No restrictions of any kind, if firearm is in safe, working order.
3) No rail guns.
XIV - Rests
1) Neither front or rear rest may be fixed or tied down to the bench or a fixture of any kind.
2) The rifle must be able to be picked up from the rest without detaching or loosening anything.
2a) Bungee cords (return to battery device) may be used.
3) There shall be no restrictions on bench rest whether 1 piece, 2 piece, sandbags or a bipod/tripod.
4) Bipods/tripods may be used, but rear bag or rest may not be affixed to the rifle.
5) Bipods/tripods used in weight restricted classes must be weighed as part of the rifle.
XV - Tuners
1) Tuners are defined as a mechanical device attached to the barrel and adjusted manually.
2) Solid state flash hiders and muzzle brakes are not considered tuners.
XVI - Match sign-up/registration and bench assignment
1) It shall be the discretion of the Match Director to determine the method of bench assignment. Whether it be drawing, first come/first served or on-line sign up.
2) Bench rotation is optional and up to the Match Director. Competitors must still sign in on the sign in sheet.
3) No re-entries. No competitor can compete in the same class more than once, regardless of the number of relays available or using another rifle.
· MUST GO TO THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING SIGN-UP
XVII - Firing Period
1) A maximum of 15 minutes shall be allowed to complete each 20-shot target for any class.
2) The command to begin shooting shall be “you have 15 minutes to complete your target. You may begin NOW!” At this point the Match Director will advise to “commence fire” and start the official timer
3) Time remaining warnings shall be given at two (2) minutes, one (1) minute, thirty (30) seconds and fifteen (15) seconds remaining.
4) Upon completion of the firing period, the command shall be “cease fire! All shooters make your rifle safe and make the range safe.”
5) At the discretion of the Match Director, any competitor who “flagrantly” fires after a command to cease fire, can and will be disciplined up to as much as a disqualification.
6) Once the Match Director has determined that the range is safe, he/she will direct the designated target crew downrange.
7) Competitors shall hang targets as rapidly as possible.
XVIII - Crossfires
1) Before firing any shots into the record portion of the target, each competitor shall fire at least one shot into any of the OFFICIAL sighter targets on the side portion of the target. If each competitor begins in this manner, it can be quickly determined whether or not he/she is sighted in on his/her designated target.
2) If, during the routine examination of any target by the scoring team, a competitor’s target is discovered to have no sighter shot placed into the sighter portion of the target (as stated above), a friendly and private notice of the sighter rule shall be made to the competitor by the Match Director.
3) No penalty or punitive action need be taken against the competitor unless he/she continues to ignore the rule.
4) If crossfire should still occur, immediately report the shot or shots to the Match Director, who shall note the placement of the shot and the scoring box number. Crossfire shots will not count for or against the offended party. Scoring of the offended competitor’s target will be done by ignoring the bullet hole or holes not shot by him. The competitor will shoot that target box as if the bullet hole(s) were not there.
5) Immediately upon the conclusion of that relay, the Match Director should notify the scoring team which shots to score and which to ignore.
6) No penalty shall be assessed for the offender unless it can be determined that the crossfire shot was intentional. In that event, and at the Match Director’s discretion, the offender may be disqualified for the remainder of that match event and a zero score shall be calculated into the average for the remaining targets of that event.
7) In the event of a mechanical failure of a competitor’s rifle or equipment which prevents the competitor from placing a scoring shot into each of the twenty (20) record scoring squares, the partial target shall be scored by the scoring team.
8) Whatever partial or incomplete score is the result, shall be entered as part of his/her average on that particular target.
9) Rifle Change: Nothing shall prevent the competitor from using another rifle, either his own, or a borrowed one, to complete any unfinished target, so long as enough time remains, and the replacement process does not disturb the adjoining competitors who may still be in the process of completing their own targets. All due respect shall be paid to these adjacent competitors to prevent jeopardizing their efforts to complete their targets without distraction.
XIX - Target for Record
1) Any RBRF official target that is placed upon the target frame shall be scored and calculated into his/her average regardless of whether or not the competitor shoots any shots into it. Once it is attached to the frame, it becomes a record target for which each competitor is responsible, and which counts into his/her average and overall standings.
2) It is the responsibility of each competitor (or competitor’s designee) to properly and securely affix target to the target backer.
3) It is the responsibility of the Match Director to provide suitable/stable backers upon which competitors may securely attach their targets. If the competitor is having difficulty securely attaching their target to the backer, they should ask the Match Director to replace it with a new one.
4) In the event a target frame or backer is blown down, time will be noted and stopped while the range is made safe. A match official will replace the backer or target frame.
XX - Scoring of targets
1) Scoring rings with various values are included within each scoring box and the values of shots in those boxes are 10 points, 9 points, 8 points, 7 points, 6 points, 5 points and 0 points.
2) Scoring is based on the best edge scoring method. A bullet hole that touches the line is given the higher value.
3) A scoring plug shall be used to determine the value of any shots that are not obvious in value. The scoring plug MUST measure .224 in diameter.
4) It is the responsibility of every Match Director to provide these devices to his scoring officials.
5) The Match Director shall appoint a scoring team. It shall consist of at least three (3) persons for three (3) separate tasks:
a) a SCORER – to score and plug individual bullet holes.
b) an ADDER – to tally the score of shots.
c) a CHECKER – to review and double check for errors.
6) When a shot needs to be plugged, the “scorer” will place the plug in the bullet hole and if an obvious determination cannot be made, the “scorer” will ask the other team members to help decide the value. Once the plug has been inserted into the bullet hole, the target must now remain stationary. It cannot be passed around so as not to disturb the position of the scoring plug. A riser may be used to support the target to prevent the plug from being disturbed. The riser may be placed on a “lazy susan” for rotation and better viewing. Any shot scored with a plug will be marked by the letter “P” and/or the scorer’s initials.
7) If competitors are members of the scoring team, the competitor IS NOT allowed to score his/her own target. If a situation arises that would require a competitor to make ruling on his/her own target, the Match Director should appoint an alternate to make the ruling in the competitor’s place.
8) Target retrieval – the Match Director may appoint a person or a team to retrieve the targets after completion of each firing period. Only the designated target retrievers shall handle the fired and unscored targets.
9) Any shot outside the largest scoring ring but within the scoring box is scored zero. The same as any un-shot scoring box. Further, should two (2) holes appear in one scoring box, the lower score (point value) of the two shots will be scored.
10) Targets will not be viewed or handled by anyone other than the target handler or scoring team for any reason until after the official scoring team completes the entire scoring procedure for all targets in the event. +
11) Targets, after the scoring team has completed their scoring, may be posted on a secure wall or other place for VIEWING by all competitors.
12) Under no circumstances, no target(s) shall be removed or handled by anyone, other than a member of the official scoring team, without prior authorization from the Match Director. Any removal of targets from the scoring wall, until the FINAL match scoring is completed, could result in immediate disqualification.
13) Anyone, other than a member of the official scoring team, who places a plug into a displayed target or manipulates or attempts to alter any bullet hole on the target in any way at any times shall be DISQUALIFIED from the event and a score of ZERO entered as their total score for the event.
XXI - Protesting target scores
1) After targets have been scored and hung on the wall, the competitor can view and inspect their targets at their leisure, but target CAN NOT be removed from the posting wall.
2) Upon the conclusion of the final target, the competitor shall have five (5) minutes to view, inspect and/or challenge a protest.
3) The Match Director shall direct the scoring team to review shots for possible revision.
XXII - Tie scores
1) In the event of a tie score on an individual target, the winner shall be determined by comparing the targets of the tied competitors and beginning with scoring box 1, the competitor with the highest score for that box will be the winner.
a) If still tied, continue comparing shots from box to box in numerical order until the tie is broken.
2) In the event of a tie 200 card, the tie will be broken by the number of complete bullseyes taken out.
3) Aggregate ties are to be broken by comparing the targets of the tied competitors and beginning with target 1 and scoring box 1, the competitor with the first miss on their target shall lose.
XXIII - National and State Record High Score Targets
1) Potential National record targets (200) will be sent to the scoring and rules committee within 30 days.
2) Targets will NOT be folded. They will be shipped in a box or tube of appropriate size.
3) All potential National record targets must be signed and witnessed on the BACK SIDE of the target by the competitor, the Match Director and the scoring committee. Also included will be the Club name, the competitor’s name and the date the target was shot.
XXIV - Match points and awarding of points
1) Each person competing in a match and completing the number of scheduled targets will be awarded one (1) point.
2) The highest scored target in each class will receive points for each number of scheduled targets.
EXAMPLE:
Target 1 high score = 191 then 2 points are added to that shooter’s point total
Target 2 high score = 195 then 2 points are added to that shooter’s point total
Target 3 high score = 188 then 2 points are added to that shooter’s point total
3) For each class of shooters, with a minimum of two (2) shooters in each class, first place will receive 4 points; second place will receive 3 points; third place will receive 2 points; fourth and fifth place will receive 1 point.
4) All points will be doubled for Club, State and National Tournaments
XXV - Club Tournaments
1) RBRF clubs may host one tournament event during a regulation season.
2) Tournaments shall consist of six (6) targets and will be a one-day event.
3) Should a competitor, for any reason, fail to complete all targets on the schedule, a zero must be included in his/her score for each un-shot target and the total of all those scores divided by the total number of targets in the event to determine his/her aggregate score.
EXAMPLE:
In a six (6) target tournament, if a competitor completes targets one (1) through five (5) but fails to complete target six (6) calculations for his/her aggregate score might look like this: 152.16 (185+192+193+177+166+0 = 913 points divided by 6 targets + 152.16 aggregate.
4) Sanctioned tournaments will earn double match points and are included in the National ranking and State calculations for their respective class.
XXVI -State Tournament
1) Sanctioned RBRF clubs within any given state may host a State Tournament. Discussions must be made between clubs with agreements for which club will host the tournament. States that have multiple clubs and the clubs desire to host the State Tournament, they would be awarded to host the event on a rotating schedule.
2) Only one (1) State Tournament is allowed per State, per class, during a competitive season. This tournament may be held in addition to a club regularly scheduled match, but each must be a separate event.
3) The State Tournament shall consist of six (6) targets and will be a one-day event.
XXVII - National Championship Tournament
1) One (1) officially sanctioned National Championship Tournament shall be held each year by RBRF, per class (semi-auto factory, semi-auto open, production, limited and open) and shall be referred to as the RBRF Nationals.
2) The traditional date for any class shall be a stand-alone competition and the scores will not be counted towards the club or State aggregates.
3) The target format will be determined by the RBRF, as well as the day for the competition.
4) The RBRF will be solely run and managed by the RBRF board members.
5) Discussions of the location of this match shall be done by board members and/or match directors of each club.
6) Any club wishing to host the RBRF Nationals at their range must be able to handle a significant number of competitors comfortably.
7) No club or match events for the respective divisions shall be allowed to be scheduled or held on the same weekend as the RBRF Nationals unless deemed approved by Match Directors of each club. This will only be in conjunction with the Nationals.
XXVIII - Club Championship
1) RBRF does not designate any rules or format for a club champion, and if the club desires to have a club champion, it will be the club’s responsibility for how this will be determined, and any rewards will be up to that particular club.
XXIX - State Championship
1) There will be a State Champion for each class, based upon the required qualifications as designated to be the State Champion.
2) The qualifications for the State Championship for each class must have shot at least twenty (20) targets at any sanctioned club/club’s events within that State.
3) The State Championship will be based on a combination of the highest aggregate plus points in that State.
4) In the event of a tie, the competitor with the highest score shot on any individual target fired during the season at that particular club shall be declared the winner. If still tied, then proceed to the second highest target and so on until the tie is broken.
XXX - The National Championship
1) There will be a National Champion for each class based upon the required qualifications as designated to be the National Champion.
2) The qualifications for the National Championship for each class must have shot a minimum of twenty (20) targets at any RBRF sanctioned events.
3) The National Championship will be based on a combination of the highest aggregate plus points.
4) In the event of a tie, the competitor with the highest score shot on any individual targets fired during the season shall be declared the winner. If still tied, then proceed to the second highest target and so on until the tie is broken.
XXXI - The National Aggregate Championship
1) There will be a National Aggregate Championship for each class based upon the required qualifications as designated by the National Aggregate Championship.
2) The qualifications for the National Aggregate Championship will be based on a combination of the highest aggregate.
3) In the event of a tie, the competitor with the highest score shot on any individual targets fired during the season shall be declared the winner. If still tied, then proceed to the second highest target and so on until the tie is broken.
XXXII - Safety
1) Safety is of the utmost concern of all shooters. It is the responsibility of the Match Director and/or Range Safety Officer to make sure that all safety rules are followed at all times and to make sure the firing line is safe at all times.
2) All safety rules of the club shall be followed at all times by all competitors, and it is the competitor’s responsibility to know these rules.
3) Any competitor creating a safety hazard may be asked to leave the range at the Match Director’s or Range Safety Officer’s discretion.
4) Rifles on the firing line shall have the actions open and clips or magazines removed until the “commence fire” command is given by the Match Director. Any rifle not on the firing line must have the action open.
5) No drugs or alcohol are allowed at any time at an RBRF match.
Duties and Responsibilities of the RBRF Director
The official rules will govern all RBRF matches. This section is provided as a guide only (especially for new Match Directors). As a Match Director, it is one of the most important individual elements in the RBRF competition. The task is to organize and encourage local competition. He/she organizes clubs into sanctions clubs, according to RBRF guidelines; ready the range facility in such a manner to always provide adequate and safe target backers; make certain that adequate berms exist so that all bullets passing through each target will do so without ricochet; provide sturdy benches of similar construction and design for all competitors; advertise the schedule to as many interested competitors as possible in your area. Keep good, accurate records of the names and equipment list of each registered competitor; select a targe scoring team capable of correctly and accurately scoring all targets in a fair and unbiased manner; correctly and accurately calculate all averages and points in order to determine place of finish for each competitor; diplomatically settle any disagreements or misunderstandings; quickly send in each match report, equipment list and appropriate fees to the RBRF Board of Controllers following each event; note complaints or praise from each competitor regarding the manner that RBRF events are conducted and report these to the RBRF Board of Controllers if they might improve the manner in which RBRF events are conducted.
RULE REVISIONS WILL BE REVIEWED BY RULE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF CONTROLLERS AFTER FIRST SEASON IS COMPLETED