The rules are generally in accordance with the NRA High Power Rifle rulebook – distributed through the National Rifle Association of America.   Exceptions to these rules are as outlined below, any any particular changes as outlined on this website.

Specific changes to rules and guidelines, in exchange of, in addition to or beyond those listed here, will be listed on event flyers or announced at events.  These could be anything from cross entering with different rifle specs, allowable equipment, string configurations etc, so shooters must read the flyers and advertisements carefully, and attend match briefings. 

All members are asked, and advised, to apply these rules in the best interests of a fair, balanced and sporting like manner that will promote and contribute towards healthy spirited competition.

Following is a list of some sections from the NRA HPR rulebook which AIHPA have amendments for: 

NOTE:  Throughout the rulebook, unless where otherwise defined here, the term NRA should be replaced with AIHPA. 

Section 1 (all)    “NRA Competition”
  AIHPA does reflect on this section of the NRA HPR rulebook, but members are advised that AIHPA has its own guidelines about AIHPA endorsed events (refer relevant section). 

Section 3          “Equipment and Ammunition”
All rules with regards to rifles are per AIHPA rifle specifications section.  For reference and clarification purposes only:
- NRA HPR "Vintage rifle" is comparable to AIHPA Spec 1.
- NRA HPR “Service rifle” is comparable to AIHPA Spec 2,
- NRA HPR “Match rifle” is comparable to AIHPA Spec 3.
- NRA HPR "Match Rifle Any Sight" is comparable to AIHPA Spec 5.

Section 17 (all)  “National Records”
Records for Australian HP will only be maintained for National & State competition. 

Section 19.17(b) “Reclassification”
A shooter will be reclassified (regraded) if that shooter, in any time, has 3 recorded scores, for the International Match Course, which has a greater classification percentage than that of the shooter current classification. (Refer to Classification section). 

Appendix C       “Honorary Clubs, Distinguished
Not applicable.

ALIBI (REFIRE) RULES  (Download the Guide)

ALIBI & REFIRE GUIDE and SCORING PROCESS

What is an Alibi  An alibi is a term used to describe the right of a shooter to refire a string (or a shot) fired (or not fired) during a problem that unfairly disadvantages or inhibits the shooter from getting the prescribed number of shots away, completing a string of fire, or shooting a potential result.  There are 3 basic types of alibi: Range, Pit and/or Shooter.

Range Alibi – unlimited alibis:
            - A stoppage during a string
            - Incorrect procedure or timings
            - Incorrect range commands
            - Shooter is distracted
            - Rules were not followed correctly
            - Wildlife in the line of fire
            - Match bulletin was not followed
            - Scores were incorrectly recorded

Pit Alibi – unlimited alibis:
            - Target problem – is damaged, blows off in wind, incorrectly presented.
            - Target is presented or pulled by mistake
            - Target exposure was incorrect (presentation or timing)
            - Rules were not followed correctly
            - Incorrect pit procedure (scoring procedure), etc.

Shooter Alibi – limited to 1 alibi per problem, maximum of 2 alibis:
            - Equipment malfunction (rifle, magazine, attachments)
            - Ammunition malfunction (squib load, misfire, hangfire)
            - Shooter is distracted by their surrounding equipment (eg. scope stand
               blows over and hits the shooter).

Choose An Alibi or Let Score Stand
A shooter may choose to either let the score stand, after the disadvantage, or choose to refire.

Claiming an Alibi
Range and Pit Alibis can be claimed at any time until the scores and groups period is complete.  Once scores and groups period is complete, the right to an alibi has expired.

Shooter Alibis can only be claimed during a string.

Slow Fire Alibi – firing single round at a time.

Problem:  A shot, or multiple shots, not fired in the prescribed time while disadvantaged.

Claiming an Alibi: The shooter should be able to sort out an additional shot with the scorer.  If the stoppage is significant, the RO should be immediately told for a ruling of additional shots or time.

Consider:  No matter the type of alibi, or the cause, there are 2 decisions most common for an RO:
            A) allow to fire additional round/s.
            B) allow additional time.

Solution: 

Range or Pit Alibi (Disadvantaged):  The shooter will be allowed to refire number of shots fired while the shooter was at a disadvantage.  Additional time may be awarded based on the amount of time lost.  The RO is to advise the PO of the additional time awarded.

This document may change without notice.  Always refer to the most recent copy.

Shooter Alibi (Malfunction):  The shooter will be allowed to carry out repairs, but no additional time will be authorised.  The string must be completed in the originally prescribed time limit.  If a malfunction occurs during a firing of a round, then an additional round will be permitted.

Rapid Fire Alibi – firing multiple shots during an exposure.

Problem:  A shot, or multiple shots, not fired in the prescribed time due to an alibi.

Solutions: 

- Range or Pit Alibi (Disadvantaged): a shooter may accept the result of the string, otherwise:

            - the target under contention will be completely patched out without the
               shooter seeing

               the string of shots spotted,

            - 2 additional sighters are awarded, if they were offered as part of the
               original string.

            - the string is re-run and fired as normal,

            - score of refired string stands (unless there is another alibi).

Claiming a Shooter Alibi: 

- Shooter (Malfunction) alibi: A shooter alibi must be claimed before the end of a string, and can only be claimed if the shooter raised a hand into the air, and does NOT attempt to correct the problem (except in the event of safety).  The RO will inspect the problem and authorise the clearing of the problem, and advise the status of the refire.

- Scoring a Rapid Fire Alibi:

Assuming insufficient rounds were fired and the shooter accepted an alibi:

        - the string scores are recorded and the score is retained,
        - target is completely patched,
        - no additional sighters are awarded,
        - string is re-fired (alibi string),
        - the worst shot values of the re-fired string are used to make up the
           balance of rounds of initial string,
        - the score relayed back to firing line is that which represents the shot
           values of:
                 - all the shots fired (confirmed by firing line) from the first string,
                 - the worst shots of the re-fired string (including misses and
                   unfired rounds) to total 10 shot values (including misses, if any).

Example 1:  String was fired, and shooter had a  total of 8 hits (2 unfired).  An alibi string is run, and has 10 hits on the target.  The scoring for the string is as follows:

To make up the extra 2 unfired shots in the 1^st string, the 2 lowest shot values from second string are used – ie 1x 7 & 1x 8 to add to first 8 shots.

            Result Score after Alibi =

             10 Hits with a final score of  91.3.

 Example 2:  If there are misses during the alibi string, then scoring would be as follows:

To make up the extra 2 unfired shots in the 1^st string, the 2 lowest shot values from second string are used – ie 1x 7 & 1x Miss to add to first 8 shots.

            Result Score after Alibi =

            9 Hits with a final score of  83.3.

Snap Fire Alibi – firing single or multiple shots during an exposure.

Problem:  A shot, or multiple shots, not fired in the prescribed time due to an alibi.

Solution: 

- Range or Pit Alibi (Disadvantaged): a shooter may accept the result of the string, otherwise:

            - the target under contention will NOT be scored, and will be completely
              patched out without the shooter seeing the string of shots spotted,
            - 2 additional sighters are awarded, if they were offered as part of the
               original string.
            - the string is re-run and fired as normal,
            - score of refired string stands (unless there is another alibi).

- Shooter (Malfunction) alibi: With the exception of compromising safety, such as hang-fire or miss-fire, etc, the shooter must clear the jam and continue on, making every effort to fire the remaining rounds in remaining exposures.  If the malfunction takes place on the last exposure, 1 additional exposure will be given.

Where the stoppage was significant that the shooter could not continue before the end of the string, the RO will allow an additional exposure/s equal to the number of remaining rounds.