Long Range Shooting in New Zealand

Gunslinger PLRS

Gunslinger Practical Long Range Shooting: Standard Operating Procedures

www.gunslinger.net.nz
© 2010 Shane Cossar, New Zealand.
All rights reserved.
Contact: shane_cossar@hotmail.com

Firearm Safety Rules

Standard operating procedures, including firearm safety rules, exist for your safety and the safety of others - follow them.

Organisation Structure

Gunslinger Practical Long Range Shooting Matches are operated by Gunslinger PLRS Limted, and are typically conducted on field style shooting ranges.

Shane Cossar will be Match Director and Chief Range Officer. Additional Range Officers may also be appointed for a match.

The Match Director will:

Design the course of fire
Arbitrate and make decisions on any scoring disputes
Call for any emergency support (ambulance, fire, police)
Oversee the competition clean-up

The Range Officer/s will:

Register competitors on arrival
Direct and accompany squads of competitors to shooting stages
Issue range commands
Observe targets for hit / miss
Assist in clearing malfunctions or stoppages
Score competitors
Check firearms are ‘clear’

Competitors should familiarise themselves with the Gunslinger Rifle Challenge PLRS: Course of Fire.

This page contains information about:
Organisation Structure
Range Operations
Firearm Safety Rules
Firearm Safety Rules - When Moving
Range Commands
FAQs

Range Officer supervising a shooter sighting-in

Range Operations

The following signage / flags will be erected:

Signs at the nearest road directing competitors to access point/s
Range flags (NRA ref AR 14835)
Range Perimeter Signs eg Caution Firearms In Use (NRA ref AR 14836)
NRA Shooting Range Rules Poster (NRA ref 14880)

Safety Briefings will be conducted prior to commencing activity on each course. This will include a standard briefing, plus also permit competitors to ask questions about safety or competition operation.

Competitors will be organised into squads. Competitors will move through the cross country courses and stages by squad, but each competitor will shoot individually.

Gunslinger events are generally conducted as a ‘cold bore range’.

Firearms will always be unloaded when moving between stages, while waiting at a stage, and when moving between firing points within a stage. Given the distances rifles must be carried, and that field conditions may be wet and dusty; rifles may be carried across the body, or preferably slung, or placed in a drag bag or pack (hard rifle cases are not suitable as a method of carry). Firearms must not be pointed at any person when being unloaded from a case, drag bag, or pack.

Loaded magazines can only be inserted, or rounds chambered, under the instruction of a RO.

Download a copy of the New Zealand Police Range Manual from:
www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/range-manual.pdf

The ready line is marked by a small orange traffic cone, about four metres behind a firing point.

On arrival at a stage the competitors will place their firearms in a row at the ready line, with muzzle facing the target/s, bolt open, with no magazine attached.

To move a firearm from the ready area to the firing line, it must be ‘clear’ and muzzle elevated.

While waiting to shoot, competitors may access their day packs and other equipment, but may not handle ammunition. Competitors waiting to shoot may not use range finding equipment.

Positions where firearms may be fired are marked by either a firing line or a firing point.

A firing line is marked by two stakes, some distance apart. Firing lines are used when multiple competitors will be firing at the same time eg on a Known Distance course. Competitors will be positioned side by side with usually about two metres or more space between competitors, with the rifle muzzle past the firing line, and pointing at the target.

A firing point is usually marked by one stake, with a ribbon streamer (to indicate wind). The competitor must be positioned so that they can touch the stake, and their rifle pointing toward the target/s. The competitor may reposition themselves to engage other targets from that firing point, but they must always be able to touch the stake. In some cases three other stakes will also be used, two each side, and the invisible line through these stakes indicate the maximum arc of fire that should be used at that firing point.

Where a stage requires a competitor to move between firing points the competitor must take all equipment with them ie their daypack and firearm.

Firearm Safety Rules
Competitors must register on arrival at the competition site. Failure to provide a current firearms licence, or presenting a rifle or ammunition that appears to be unsafe will result in immediate disqualification and no shooting.

Safe Firearm Handling:

ALWAYS keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use.

Rules for safe usage:

Know your target and what is beyond.
Be sure the firearm is safe to operate.
Know how to use the firearm safely.
Use only the correct ammunition for your firearm.

The New Zealand Arms Code has seven basic rules:
1. Treat every firearm as loaded
2. Always point firearms in a safe direction
3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire
4. Identify your target beyond all doubt
5. Check your firing zone
6. Store firearms and ammunition safely
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms

Firearm Safety Rules - When Moving
Competitors at Gunslinger events can expect to move some distance between stages, and additionally some stages also require movement between multiple firing points. The nature of field style ranges means competitors must also strive to keep dirt, dust and other obstructions from the rifle's working parts in order to reduce malfunctions.

Movement between stages:

The rifle is to be unloaded
The rifle can be carried with a closed bolt and an empty magazine in a:

Shouldered drag bag (eg Eberlestock)
Shouldered pack (eg Eberlestock, Mystery Ranch)
Sling forward or behind at an angle greater than 45 degrees up or less than 45 degrees down.

The rifle can be carried in both hands with an open bolt and no magazine attached.
Hard rifle cases are not permitted.

Movement within a stage ie when multiple firing points:

The rifle is to be unloaded
The rifle can be carried with a closed bolt and an empty magazine in a:

Shouldered drag bag (eg Eberlestock)
Shouldered pack (eg Eberlestock, Mystery Ranch)
Sling forward or behind at an angle greater than 45 degrees (up or down)ALWAYS keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.

The rifle can be carried in both hands with a closed bolt and an empty magazine attached.
Hard rifle cases are not permitted.
The shooter is to always be the person at the front.

Waiting at a stage:

The rifle is to be unloaded.
The muzzle pointing downrange.
A chamber safety flag in place.
And optionally with an empty magazine inserted.

When crossing a fence:

The rifle is to be unloaded, and the bolt left open.
The rifle is to be passed through the lower part of the fence, and placed on the ground.
The competitor/s and ROs will cross on the side opposite where the muzzle is pointing.
The competitor will pick up the rifle using the stock (not the barrel), and remove any magazine.
The RO will check that the rifle is clear.
The bolt can then be closed again.
The empty magazine can then be inserted again.

Unloaded means there is no round in the chamber, and an action of closing the bolt will not result in a round being chambered.

Range Commands
Gunslinger PLRS events use a standard set of range commands.

General Command Sequence on the Known Distance Course	General Command Sequence on the Unknown Distance Course/s
“Squad/s x and y, to the firing line”	“Competitor x, to the firing point”
“x rounds, ten minutes, load”	“x rounds, ten minutes, load”
“Make ready”
“Is the line ready?”
“The line is ready”
“Commence firing!”	“Start”
“Cease firing”	“Cease firing”
“Unload”	“Unload”
“Show clear”	“Show clear”
“Go forward, score targets and paste”
“Move out of position and remove your equipment from the firing line”	“Move out of position and remove your equipment from the firing point”

“As you were” means to disregard the command just given.

“Carry on” means to proceed with whatever was being done before some interruption occurred.

“Squad/s x and y, to the firing line” means competitors are to move to the firing line opposite their target.

“Load” means the competitor/s are allowed to load the authorised number of cartridges and prepare for the stage. This command may be prefaced with the number of cartridges to be fired and the time available.

“Make ready” means shooters work the actions to chamber cartridges for the stage.

“Is the line ready” is announced by the RO so that a shooter who experiences a problem may raise his / her arm and call “Not ready on target x”. In the event of a “not ready” signal, the RO will announce “The line is not ready”, investigate and assist the shooter, or remove the shooter from the firing line.

“The line is ready” is announced when the RO observes the line is ready, or after a difficulty has been corrected.

“Commence firing!” is announced about three seconds after “The line is ready” and informs competitors they may commence shooting. Alternatively this command may be signalled by a whistle, light system, or horn blast.

“Misfire” is announced by a competitor to inform the RO and other competitors that a gun failed to fire and a hazardous condition may exist. Due to the possibility of a hang fire (a delay in the ignition of a cartridge), the competitor keeps the gun pointed downrange and waits at least 30 seconds, prior to correcting the malfunction.

“Cease firing” or “Stop!” is announced by the RO when time expires or at any other time when firing is to cease. The RO notifies shooters to stop firing immediately, remain in position, and await further instructions. “Cease firing” or “Stop!” may be signalled verbally, by a whistle or horn blast. Additional commands to unload, open the action, and ground the gun may follow.

“Cease firing” or “Stop!” can be announced by anyone observing an unsafe condition.

“Unload” directs the competitor to unload the gun.

“Show clear” requires the competitor/s to show the gun is clear of all ammunition. The competitor/s unload the gun/s and opens the action for inspection by a second person, who confirms the gun is unloaded.

“Go forward, score targets, and paste” means competitors must go forward of the line to score the targets. The RO ensures all guns are unloaded and grounded before allowing anyone to go forward of the firing line. While shooters are scoring, no guns are handled. When all shooters have returned and no personnel are downrange, the RO states “Range is clear, you may handle your guns”. This informs competitors they may prepare for the next course of fire or get ready to depart the firing line.

“Move out of position and remove your equipment from the firing line / point” authorises the competitor/s to remove their gear.

Competitors should pick up fired cartridge cases and clean their firing point/s.

FAQs
If any of the questions below apply to you, please advise the Match Director when you apply.

What is the format for shooting in the Gunslinger Challenges?
There are two Gunslinger Challenges: the Gunslinger Rifle Challenge where distances are typically to around 1000m; and the Gunslinger Extreme Long Range Rifle Challenge which has some stages past 1000m, and out to around 1620m (about a mile).

The Gunslinger Challenges have a number of shooting stages where the shooting distances, types of targets and sizes of targets vary - although all match targets are metal reactive targets. Some stages have multiple firing points. Some stages are scored on points, and some are scored on fastest time.

All stages have two things in common: each competitor gets up to ten minutes to complete each stage, and each stage requires up to five rounds.

Each competitor moves around the course in a squad of six, usually accompanied by a Range Officer, who will provide safety instructions, firing instructions, and score each competitor.

Each hour, the squads rotate around the various stages.

Squad members are encouraged to assist each other with range estimation and spotting bullet impact.

Can I compete with two rifles?
If you are in the Gunslinger Extreme Long Range Rifle Challenge you can shoot with two rifles eg a .308 on the UKD stages, and a .338 on the KD stages.

Can I bring a.338 calibre rifle?
The Gunslinger Extreme Long Range Rifle Challenge is ideal for a .338 rifle, and you can use it on all targets and stages.

Can I bring a .408, a .416, or a .50 calibre rifle.
Rifles greater than .338 are welcome at Gunslinger events. However, due to the energy of .408, .416, and .50 bullets, these are restricted to use only on the Any Which Way You Can and Unforgiven stages, and only some practice targets.

I have a .338 and my buddy has a .308 can we both be in the same squad?
Anyone with a .338 is squadded into the Gunslinger Extreme Long Range Rifle Challenge, and lesser calibres are normally squadded into the Gunslinger Rifle Challenge. If you wish to be squadded together, then you can be, but due to time constraints, your buddy will not be able to shoot two of the Gunslinger Rifle Stages.

Can I share my rifle with my shooting buddy?
One rifle can be shared between two (and only two) competitors in a Gunslinger match. One of you must have a spotting scope, and assist the shooter with spotting. There are some Practice Day and Night Shoot stages that are shot from a firing line, in which case one of you will likely not be able to shoot that stage.

Can my buddy use his rifle scope to spot for me?
A high power spotting scope is best for identifying shot impact. However, your buddy (and only one buddy) may spot for you with his rifle scope. On movement stages, the buddy's rifle will also need to be cleared before either of you move.

Can I be squadded with a bunch of mates?
Each Gunslinger squad has a maximum of six competitors, and there are also limits to the number of squads that can operate at the same time. It cannot be guaranteed that you will all shoot in the same squad.

What if I don't have a shooting buddy?
You are welcome to compete alone, without a spotter. If you want assistance for spotting just ask your squad. Squads with competitors who assist each other with range estimation, and spotting assistance tend to do better than squads that don't.

Legal: In consideration for being permitted to attend this practical long range shooting event, the competitor is agreeing to the following:

The competitor holds a current firearms licence, including any endorsements applicable to the firearm being used.
The competitor expressly assumes the risk of taking part in the match, which includes; instruction in the use of firearms, the discharge of firearms, and the firing of live ammunition.
The competitor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Gunslinger PLRS Limited, its staff, and the match location owner, from all fault, liabilities, costs, expenses, claims, demands or lawsuits arising out of or connected with the competitors presence at and / or participation in the event; the discharge of firearms by the competitor or other competitors; the competitors presence on or use of the event location.
The competitor understands, and will at all times abide by all event Standard Operating Procedures, Course of Fire and any other rules and procedures stated by the Match Director or Range Officer/s.

Disclaimer: Shooting is potentially dangerous and damaged equipment can be expensive to fix. You should confirm all changes to be made to your rifle system and shooting practices with your local gunsmith or gunshop owner.