Match Rifle
Match rifle shooting uses a .308W cartridge. Hand loading
of ammunition is allowed and recommended. Telescopic sights or any other
sight system that you would like (e.g. eagle eye) is permitted..
Any shooting position is permitted (including the supine)
however the rifle must not
contact the ground or anything other than your body. The front hand or
forearm is allowed to be supported. This hand
rest must not touch the rifle and the rifle butt may not contact the
ground.
In Australia all Match Rifle shooting is conducted under
the National Rifle Association of Australia’s Standard Shooting Rules ( in
other countries consult the relevant national rifle association rules).
Shooters should familiarize themselves with the relevant rules and
requirements before commencing shooting.
Licensing & Membership
Requirements
¨ Current
Shooting License
¨ In
Australia you require current membership of Target Shooting Club registered
with relevant State Rifle Association . If shooting outside of your home
State you will also need
National Rifle Association Australia Membership.
¨ In
UK or other countries contact your National Rifle Association.
Rifle
If you are an existing target rifle shooter you can easily
start in match rifle. All you need to get started is a rifle suitable for
target rifle shooting with 1 in 13 twist barrel and an elevation rise of at
least 15 minutes above your 1,000 yard elevation in order to shoot back to
1200 yards. If you don’t have this elevation rise in your rear
sight, and you
have an elevation adjustable front sight, you can use this in conjunction
with your rear sight elevation to achieve the equivalent. If you
are mounting a telescopic sight on the rifle, you will probably need
to have a scope base machined up with a taper in the scope base to achieve
the required elevation
Generally match rifle shooters use a faster twist barrel
e.g. 1 in 10.
The weight of the barrel must not exceed 2.5Kg.
Ammunition
With a 1 in 13 twist barrel you probably need to limit
yourself to 175grain projectiles. If you have a faster twist barrel you
could go to heavier projectiles e.g. 1 in 12 twist barrel you could use up
to 190 grain projectiles. A 1 in 10 twist barrel allows a much wider range
of projectiles to use. Many shooters with this type of barrel are using
projectiles ranging from 180 to 210 grains.
Any brand of projectile is permitted.
Most match rifle shooters hand-load their ammunition to
their specific rifle and bullet weight. There is a wide choice of powders
available and the rules permit any powder type provided it is not loaded to
produce excessive pressures.
Equipment
If shooting in the prone position, a rest to support the
forearm or forward hand is generally used. The make and type of this rest is
up to the individual shooters and home-based inventions predominate.
Clothing
A shooting jacket as in target rifle shooting is generally
used.
Hearing protection must be used at all times when on the
mound or in the vicinity of the mounds.
Wet weather gear is recommended (especially for UK
shooters!)
Safety
All shoots are controlled by a range officer but everyone
on the range is responsible for safety on the range in accordance with the
Standard Shooting Rules.
The bolt must be removed from the rifle at all times other
than when actually on the firing mound. In the UK a chamber flag may be used
in lieu of removal of the bolt to indicate the breech is empty.
