Congratulations to Graham Smith, for winning the 2008 Tactical Annual Championships...

2008 SSAA SYDNEY CENTREFIRE RIFLE GROUP SHOOTERS
RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITY...MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY

INTRO Sydney shooters, and those in the greater area, will be able to regularly tune their shooting skills and equipment while enjoying our monthly centrefire rifle meets at the Malabar NSW, ANZAC, range (off Franklin St).  This fixture is for SSAA shooting sports in Sydney to further build on the rich history of the sport in the area, and help members and visitors further their sporting skills. WHEN 1st Sunday of every month (except September), unless otherwise advised or changed without notice.  Please frequently check the calendar, enquire for calendar revisions, and check website for late notices.  If all else fails, call.	Enter complex via Franklin St
7.30am sign on at the range office for EVERY meet.  Then proceed directly to the range for further instructions. 8.00am is briefing (safety and match bulletin). 8.20am pits will seal. 8.30am range opens and shooting commences. WHAT Variety is the key to enjoying regular shooting meets, but so is offering credible, structured and formatted shooting courses for shooters to gauge their current skills and monitoring their improvements.  It is our goal to cater for as many centrefire rifle shooters as possible while not losing focus on our multi-position, multi-distance, multi-course shooting core (something Australia once had a rich and prosperous history in).  Each meet caters for all repeating rifle types, and shooting enthusiasts, of a field, service, sporter, hunter and match rifle nature.  Across the calendar, we have scheduled shoots in multiple positions and distances from 100 to 600 (we may occasionally plink at other distances for enjoyment).  These meets are perfectly balanced for any SSAA members or licensed shooters who enjoy testing themselves and their equipment. PRACTICE AND COURSES OF FIRE Each meet will begin with a practice/warm up period.  This period will be a few shots at a given distance, in any position, supported or unsupported, prior to the course commencing. Structured courses of fire are scheduled for each meet.  Details on the courses are given below, listed on the website, and subject to change without notice.	Sign on at SSAA Hut. Proceed to southern service range.
SETUP THE RANGE - 7.30AM We need to be sure to start as promptly at 8am as possible, to be sure we get through our very enjoyable shooting days.  This is thankfully possible due to our equipment being secured in a container, and transported to and from the range via a special purpose trailer - specifically made for our frames and equipment.  A person with a container/shed key will make arrangements to have trailer transported. On arrival, please sign on, and proceed directly to the service range to help setup the targetry and equipment.  This is a very easy job:      - take frame from trailer and put in carrier,      - slot in a target face and secure with clamps, ensure target is clean (patched) and carrier balanced,      - issue 1 equipment box to each target point, then head directly to the mound for briefing.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - there are never too many... We are always in need of volunteers to assist with some of the specialist roles, such as being an organiser, Range Office, Pit Office, etc.  All participants are considered “general hands” will be required to assist at all meets. List of some tasks that need to be addressed at each and every meet (at least) by ALL participants when the range is opened:             - range flags (red and yellow) need to be put up on all flag poles down centre of range                from 400 down.             - danger flags (red) need to be put up on the range entry gates and in the pits (flag on                on mantlet).             - helping to run the course of the day, and especially assist our new shooters to make                them feel as welcome as possible (all welcome).	Group Can Holder $6ea

LUNCH
Each meet will be BYO lunch unless otherwise stated.  Competition event days will be per match bulletins.

MEET CLOSING
All meets will end in the club house for an activities wrap-up.  All results will be posted, and need to be checked within 30 minutes of posting before they are declared final.

TECH TALKS – SHARING INFORMATION
Club day may have shooters give “tech talks” on shooting techniques, equipment, experiences, etc to hopefully improve the novice skills.  We hope all speakers will showcase equipment to assist with their presentation.

CALENDAR
The annual calendar lists dates, courses of fire, and other meet information that one should use when referring to scheduled activities.  It must be understood that the calendar may be changed without notice, and participants should check for the latest calendar version, or check the website, for any updates before the scheduled meet.

REWARDS, TROPHIES, PERPETUALS and ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP
All courses will be scored, and results posted.  Some meets are flagged for title competitions which the relevant event rules will be strictly adhered to, and trophies will be on offer for and at that event.  Some meets have perpetual shields on offer (refer to calendar) that remain in the property of the centrefire rifle group.  All meets will have results contribute to an annual championship (details below) that will have trophies issued at the end of the year.  All licensed shooters are welcome, and encouraged, to attend all activities.

INFORMATION
Hand-outs will be available at meets from time-to-time, but the best source of information will be via the website www.aihp.com/clubs/sydney which contains details on courses of fire, schedules, results history, updates, maps, etc.  Like the calendar, information is subject to change without notice, so frequently staying in touch is highly recommended.

Group Patch. 80mm, iron on.

Group Hat Pin. 25mm with safety pin.

Every entrant will receive one patch and hat pin for FREE when they next come to our meets. Max 1 ea free per shooter, while stocks last.

RIFLE SPECIFICATIONS / CLASSES
The following rifle classes/specifications (Specs) have been adopted, for SSAA Sydney Branch monthly centrefire events, to cater for as many shooter and rifle types as possible.  Changes to these classes will be per AIHPA rifle specification rules.

Spec 1: Service Rifle - Standard Iron
Any as-issued iron sights military or service rifle, of any action, in original as-issued condition with zero modifications or enhancements of any kind - both internally or externally.  Special Note: If a specific “Vintage” event, it may be bolt action only.  The use of specialist shooting coats and/or a specialist shooting glove/mitten is not permitted. 

Sub-Spec 1a: Service Rifle - Standard Iron Commonwealth
Any iron sights military or service Commonwealth issued Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) No. 1, No. 4 or No. 5., Lee Metford (MLM) and “Long Lee Enfield” (MLE) rifles of .303 British calibre in original as-issued condition with zero modifications or enhancements of any kind – both internally or externally.  The use of specialist shooting coats and/or a specialist shooting glove/mitten is not permitted.

Note:  Standard Service Rifles (Spec 1) must be used in all 3 Position Core (3P) matches if you wish to obtain or update your SSAA Combined Service Discipline grading. For further information regarding SSAA CSD rules, refer to www.nswmsd.com

Spec 2: Service Modified Rifle - Sporter Rifle - Iron
Any centrefire rifle, of any calibre, not weighing more than 5kg with all attachments (magazine, sights, etc) excluding sling.  Front sight restricted to a post but other iron sight components unrestricted.  The rifle must have no adjustability (stock, weight, counter-weights, grips, sling points, butt plate, cheekpiece, etc) to assist shooter comfort or shootability (adjustable components may be set to a generic position and must not be moved during a match).  Max width of sling must not exceed 40mm.  Use of handstops is not permitted.  Barrel must not exceed 25” or 635mm in length, unless the rifle is of service origin which the barrel must retain specification profile (shortening is allowed provided service profile is retained, otherwise the barrel must be under 25”).  The use of specialist shooting coats and/or a specialist shooting glove/mitten is not permitted. 

Spec 3: Match Rifle - Iron
Any commercial, factory, service, sporter, field or custom rifle, of any calibre, with iron sights of any type.  This class permits the use of a shooting jacket and glove/mitten. 

Spec 5: Match Rifle - Optical
Any commercial, custom or service rifle of any calibre, fitted with unlimited (any) optical sights.  This class permits the use of a shooting jacket and glove/mitten.

Sub-Spec 5a: Sporter Rifle - Optical
Any commercially available or ex service issue centrefire bolt, lever or pump action rifle, fitted with optical sights, not weighing more than 5kg with all attachments (magazine, scope, etc) excluding sling.  The rifle must have no adjustability (stock, weight, counter-weights, grips, sling points, butt plate, cheekpiece, etc) to assist shooter comfort or shootability.  Max width of sling must not exceed 40mm.  Use of handstops is not permitted.  Barrel must not exceed 25” or 635mm in length, and must have a muzzle diameter, after a consistent muzzle end taper of at least one third its length, of 0.6” or 15.3mm, unless the rifle is of service origin which the barrel must retain specification profile (shortening is allowed provided service profile is retained, otherwise the barrel must be under 25”).  The use of specialist shooting coats and/or a specialist shooting glove/mitten is not permitted.  Rifles competing in Sub-Spec 5a also compete in Spec 5 outright.

EQUIPMENT FOR SHOOTERS (GENERAL) to assist you at the meet and best benefit you...

Should have equipment - this is a very simply list:
- Rifle, per rules, capable of being magazine fed.
- Shooting mat (you never know what you will be laying on).
- Spotting scope, or binoculars, to see your spotted shots (this is a MUST).
- Typical - eye and ear protection, hat and sun protection, shooter licence etc etc.
- Comfortable shooting cloths and footwear.
- Rulebook
- Pen (for scoring - blue pen preferred)
- Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI flag).

Recommended equipment:
- Crate, carry box, bag, container or buggy of some sort for transporting your gear to and from the line.
- Ammo holder (for the single round loading standing position to prevent the need to bend over).
- Shooting glasses (various colour lenses for different light conditions).
- Elbow pads to protect from ground etc (not needed if a coat is used).
- Coat or jacket to give you some protection (elbows on ground, sling around arm, stock butt on shoulder).
- Rifle sling (made for shooting, not carrying).
- Broken case extractor.
- Head cover - perhaps sun screen.
- Grade Card.
- Cleaning gear.
- Tool Kit.
- Rain gear.
- Chair to sit on while scoring, or resting while waiting to shoot or mark.
- Plenty to drink, and some snacks (prevent sugar levels dropping during long strings).
- Single round loading block.
- Anything else you may need.

If any of this equipment is not currently in your shooting kit, come and talk to the shooters and see what they use to help you choose what you will find best for you.

ANNUAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP             CURRENT YEAR CLUB CHAMPS PROGRESSIVE RESULTS...

COMPETITION STRUCTURE & SCORING SYSTEM 

Like almost every rifle club, the activities, and the results there of, go towards an annual prize.  The SSAA Sydney Branch centrefire rifle meets will also contribute to a club championship per the details below.

Sydney has 2 annual championships running concurrently:
        - Unsupported Championship (includes courses IMC, VMC, AMC and 3PRB)
        - Supported Championship (includes course TMC and other supported matches (if any)).

Most meets have scheduled more than 1 match per day.  Each match will have the results count towards the respective Sydney annual championship (club champions).  Results from all matches/meets will be recorded in a club championship register, that will be be available online at www.aihpa.com/Clubs/Sydney

Most all rifle specs will be run at every meet, and competitors may use the same spec for every match at all meets, or any multiple combinations of specs for each match or meets.  Competitors are responsible for ensuring the correct spec is noted on the scores at each meet.  The Championships will recognise the whole rifle specification only (eg, not recognise 1A or 5A).

Scoring/Results for the Annual Club Championship:

As there are many different matches with varying degrees of difficulty and different “possible” scores, the results of a shooter will be recorded in the annual championship as a percentage of the match winning score, not a percentage out of a “possible”.  This scoring method makes it fair for all shooters across all the various matches, and not give an advantage to anybody that may only show at the meets when the “easier” matches are run, or record results from the matches that use targets with generous scoring areas.

Unsupported Scoring Example:  The winner of a match scores 90 out of a possible 100 points.  Under normal circumstances this would be a score percentage of 90%.  Using the winner comparison scoring method, the winner’s score is deemed to be the highest possible score to equal 100%, and all remaining shooters scores become a percentage of the match winning score.  If the second highest score is 80 out of 100, this would normally be a percentage score of 80%, but using the comparison method, the 2^nd place shooter score of 80 is compared to the winning score of 90 (not 100), resulting in the revised score of the second highest shooter to 88% (80 is 88% of 90).

Supported Scoring Example: This match is always a 20shot match, and the match is "open spec" for rifles, so championship tally results shall be based on the final addition of any best 3 match scores.

ANNUAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - TROPHIES & PERPETUALS

Annual trophies will be awarded to the top 6 places in each Spec.  These will be handed out a the end-of-year meet.

UnSupported Championship: The best 6 results from each match of the same spec will be counted for each competitor to form an aggregate.  If you shoot more than 6 matches using the same spec rifle, then the best 6 results are used (the worst results are dropped).  The more times you shoot, the more chance you have better previous results.  Furthermore, there are no minimum attendances to qualify for the club championship. You could shoot 3 scores in any Spec and still be in the running for the championship.

Supported Championship: The best 3 results from each meet supported courses will be counted for each competitor to form an aggregate.

Some meets run matches for Perpetual Trophies, as nominated on the calendar.  Respective winners will have their names placed on relevant Perpetual Trophy contested.  These will be referenced on the annual calendar.

ANZAC Range Details


           GPS (S33 57.525 E151 15.291).  Entery via Franklin Street, Malabar NSW

Accommodation:     

            - There are many clubhouses on the range which can double for accommodation.  Check with host clubs before arrival.

            - There are also camping and caravan sites on the range - powered and unpowered (good views).

Shelter:       Club house and large covered areas.  No coverage on the range.

Cooking:      BBQ available.

Electricity:   Yes, in clubhouse.  On range, provided by Generator (after advance/prior arrangement).

Water:        Cold & Hot on tap.  Bring drinking water.

Toilets:       Yes.

Showers:     Yes - cold and hot water.

Range:        100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 500m, 600y firing points.  Pits type 40 gallery targets (fixed targets, multi firing distances).

Mobile Phone Coverage:  Most typical metro services available.

11 July 2008