Leveling the Playing Field/ Springer Class and having fun

K

KingSnake

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Okay guys,

I have done a lot of talking and listing to shooters the past few days and have determined that it is in our best interest to make a rule change now, that solves most of our issues without hurting anyone financially that has a custom rifle being built. I certainly don't claim to have all the right answers but I have had a lot of folks call me about shooting a springer class. I agree you guys have a good idea. So I've made some changes that I think will make for a better 2008 season. With that said, I have 5 clubs that have sanctioned their ranges and 4 others working on their schedule.

Here's the way I'm going to proceed and will run the rest of the season with these rules set in place.

It looks like I'm about the only guy that has ROTC units involved at this point so I'm going to eliminate the Iron sight class and make that a springer class. They will still be required to shoot in 20 minutes. The "S" on the target will mean Springer instead of Sport.

Since my real goal in the match class is to have people shoot using 10m match rifles, I'm going to remove the requirement of less than 600 fps and change it to read power limited to 6 ft lbs energy.( I'm verifing the actual number of foot pounds but I'm pretty sure it's 6 ft lbs) This will pretty much make a guy shooting a 22 cal shoot such a light pellet that he will not have a an advantage over the 17 cal epecially when the new plug is used as discussed below.

Here's the item that will really level the playing field. I will supply new measuring plugs to all sanctioned clubs as part of their sanctioning fee. The new plug will be similar to the rig plug in size but I will have it cut down on a lathe such that when the shooter is using a 177 cal rifle the plug will have a step in size up to 0.224" therefore allowing the plug to cover the same area as the 22 cal pellet. I hope that makes sense to you guys. The lower portion of the plug will be tapered up to 0.177" then step up to 0.224". This will allow the plug to set centered in the 17 cal hole but still cover 0.224" with the plug. When used in a 22 cal hole it will fuction as usual or the scorer can still use the regular 22 cal rig plug.

These item will meet three goals that I think are important:

1. Establishes a lowerer cost entry level class for Spring rifles.
2. Lets shooters with 10m Match rifles shoot their rifles without being placed at a disadvantage in Match class
3. Let's both .177cal and .22 cal shoot in unlimited class on a pretty level basis.


Gary, I'll work on the actual wording of the rules tonight and should have them ready to send to you on Thursday afternoon. These three changes will satisfy most of the shooters that have taken an interest and does not hurt anyone too badly that has a 22 cal rifle.
 
Great job

Ron,
You and the folks who run the Air Gun Bench Rest Association have done a fine job of leveling the playing field.

I want to thank Don Matzader as well. Got two phone calls from him yesterday advising me that he was working with you and the association as well.

I thank you Ron for taking the initiave to start the competition. I figure ya'll got a good number of hours in getting this thing started.

Your stepped plug is a great solution to leveling the playing field.

I will participate in at least two fo the classes and maybe all three. I hope to get a club started to hold matches in the future. I have been advised by the board of directors that the club/range I joined has had their 08 schedule in place since November of 07, so I will have to get something going for 09. Fortunately one of the board of directors is a guy that shot at Don's first match and is newly interested in air guns. May get some guidance from him about how to get on the schedule.

Can you have a "gypsy" club? Perhaps no home range. Utilizing whatever facility that has time and a suitable range?

Ya'll done good.

Respectfully,
Dan Hankins
 
thanks for the update.

The new rules do significantly change the optimal equipment for the matches. I have a custom gun being made that will be limited to one class instead of competing in all 3 classes with the same rifle. It was going to shoot unlimited in 22, Sporter with open sites as an option and meet match velocity by utilizing a heavy pellet.

Hopefully we can stabilize the rules so that costly endevours won't be for a defunct competition (changing 2/3rds of the rules siginificantly within the first 2 months is a bit dramatic.

Guess I'll just shoot what I have and not attempt to get a better rifle until the rules have more staying power.

regarding the changes,

The Springer class sounds like a good idea, Are there limitations on the springer class?? Can people use any spring gun including recoiless and ANY stock??

The match class does change the game only 10M rifles instead of limiting velocity to allow for same exposure period to the wind. The limitation to 7fpe is a choice that makes a different set of restrictions on equipment...

Thanks for making this competition a reality and look forward to more time on the sandbags.
 
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One option might be

To set up the air gun shooters on one ended of your range and shoot at the same time as your rimfire matches.

I have 14 benches at my range and I'm using the last 4 for air rifles and will be shooting at the same time as IR50-50 unlimited or ARA if allowed by the other organizations

I have to verify with Wilbur and Mackey on the intent of their rule concerning empty benches to see whether this invalidates the results.

That was one of the reasons, I set the time limit up for 20 minutes.

I will think about your idea of sanctioning a match director vice sanctioning a range. I could see some possibilities in that regard.
 
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Also will be able to shoot 20 cal

chardosmith said:
The new rules do significantly change the optimal equipment for the matches. I have a custom gun being made that will be limited to one class instead of competing in all 3 classes with the same rifle. Hopefully we can stabilize the rules or perhaps I'll just shoot what I have and not attempt to get a better rifle until the rules have more staying power.

The Springer class sounds like a good idea, Are there limitations on the springer class?? Can people use any spring gun including recoiless and ANY stock??

Thanks for making this competition a reality and look forward to more time on the sandbags.
Click to expand...

I'm going to allow any spring gun. Wished I could put my hands on a good springer recoilless today. I have not owned a good quality springer but problable start looking so that I can shoot that class also.

Yes, any stock and no other rule modifications for this season. Should have the actual rules update this weekend. Looks like from My and Don's calculations the match rifles will be limited to 7fpe vice 6 fpe. These should work out well.

What type of rifle are you building?
 
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