Rifle Specifications & Fixtures

The follow specifications allow for almost any centrefire rifle to participate.  HP is aligned with NRA (USA) High Power Rifle rules and Civilian Marksmanship Program (USA) rules with amendments to comply with Australian national and state firearms laws/legislations (but we are fighting...).

RIFLE SPECIFICATIONS:  * Important *

  - ALL rifles, of any spec, must have an operating magazine (internal or detachable)
    (except "Long Range", "Palma" or "Any" rifle matches). 

   - Rifles are forwards spec compatible (i.e. Spec 1 can be used in Spec 3 etc) (except
    "Palma" as it is rifle specific).

   - Muzzle Brakes are NOT permitted in any spec. 

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Spec 1: Service Rifle - Standard Iron (in some cases called “Vintage”) (Classified/Graded) - 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.

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** Sub-Spec 1a: Service Rifle - Standard Iron Commonwealth Issue (in some cases called “Commonwealth Vintage”) (Classified/Graded) - 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.  This spec will only individually recognised at the Australian XC Nationals, Australian XC Masters, Australian Vintage Nationals, ANZAC Day Memorial.

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Spec 2: Service Modified/Sporter Rifle - Iron (Classified/Graded) – 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.

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Spec 3: Match Rifle - Iron (Classified/Graded) - 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 specialist shooting jacket and/or glove/mitten.  This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Match Rifle” rules (section 3.3.).

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Spec 4:  (Vacant). 

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

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** Sub-Spec 5a: Sporter Rifle - Optical (Unclassified/Open) - 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.

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”Palma” Rifle: Palma Match Rifle - Iron (Classified/Graded) - Any commercial, custom or service rifle, with iron sights, chambered in the 308 Win (7.62Nato) cartridge, with a maximum mass of 6.5kg and a trigger mass of 1.5kg.  This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Palma Rifle” rules (section 3.3.3) 

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“Any” Rifle (Open Rifle): (Unclassified/Open).  This is not a specific specification, but rather a rating for a match, or tournament, where any rifle may be used as advertised or in the schedule.  Rifles may be defined as, any commercial, custom or service rifle, of any calibre, with iron or optical sights.  This class may be referred to locally as “Open Class”.  The use of a shooting jacket and glove/mitten is permitted for these matches.  Supports are as per schedule.  This class of rifle duplicates the NRA HPR “Any Rifle” rules (section 3.2 & 3.3.4). 

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DEFINITIONS - SIGHTS 

Iron Sights:  Any sighting system constructed of metal or equivalent which provides a method of aiming by aligning 2 separate sights or reference points, mounted on the rifle, including tube sights and non-magnifying filters.  Additions to this definition may be described under certain rifle specifications. 

Corrective Iron Sights:  Any sighting system constructed of metal or equivalent which provides a method of aiming by aligning 2 separate but sights or reference pints, mounted on the rifle, including tube sights and non-magnifying filters.  Additions to this definition may be described under certain rifle specifications.  A corrective lens is to correct vision only, and may not offer any optical magnification.  A corrective lens may be used in either the front or rear sight – but not both front and rear at the same time. 

Optical Sights:  Telescopic sighting system which includes a lens, or system of lenses, and an aiming reference or reticle at the focal plane of a lens or system of lenses.  Magnification limits are specified by rifle specification. 

Any Sights:  Any sight, or sighting system, without restriction as to material or construction.  Any sighting device capable to activate the firing mechanism is prohibited.  At no stage may sights project an image onto the target. 

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RIFLE EXTRA’S AND ADD-ON'S

Muzzle Breaks:  Are not permitted at any time on any spec rifle.  “Any Rifle” will allow the use of muzzle breaks only if advertised in a match schedule as doing so. 

Supports (Bi-Pod or Front Rest):  Are only permitted in matches that state a support may be used.

Sling:  Only where exceptions exist by referring to match program or course of fire, a sling can be used with the following exceptions.  The sling can only be attached to 1 arm.  The sling me be either single or double point attached to the rifle.  The mass/weight of a sling includes removable swivels, but not fixed swivels, or hand stops.

For Spec 1, 1a, 2 and 5a, the sling must be a service origin or field type design, such as a leather strap (eg. 1907 pattern) or webbing.  The sling must stay attached to the rifle during any string or match, unless otherwise specified.

For Spec 3 and 5, there is no limit on the sling design, and the sling may be removed from the rifle during any string or match when desired.

Use of a sling when standing, for any rifle specification, is as follows, unless otherwise specified:
     - IMC   - not allowed,
     - VMC  - not allowed,
     - AMC  - allowed,
     - 3PRB - allowed.

Rifle Palm Rest:  Any attachment, extension or stock design which aids the normal hand grip and/or support of the rifle by the forward hand that extends to a depth more than 3 ¼“ below the centreline of the bore WILL be considered a palm rest.  Such a rest may only be used in “Any Rifle” matches.  Note: The standard as-issued box magazine fitted and used in Spec 1 or 2 will not be considered a palm rest. 

Butt Plate (Schuetzen type):   A buttplate having a curved rear surface in which the depth of the curve exceeds ½” when measured in a straight line from the top to the bottom of the buttplate.  Also this may be described as a buttplate that has a hook or stud engaging a hole or receptacle in the shoulder of the shooting coat or shirt etc.  Or, any buttplate that has a knob or prong extending rearward more than ½” from the heel or toe of the butt.  These buttplates may only be used in matches where it is specifically permitted.