Shooting Competitions

The National Sporting Rifle Shoot (NSRS)

This is the standard form of positional shooting competition within the NZDA.

Intent

The intent of the NSRS is to improve the shooting skills of hunters via a simple and relevant shooting competition that mirrors hunting firearms, clothing, field conditions, positions and times. 

Competitors

The NSRS is open to all branch members, guests and visitors. 

Competitors without a current firearms licence must be supervised by a licensed person.

Trophies

Every NSRS event contributes to the range aggregate cup for centre fire or rim fire, in three categories; open, ladies and juniors.  Only financial members of the North Auckland Branch may be awarded any of these six trophies.

Prizes

Where a prize is offered for any NSRS event, all competitors, regardless of their membership status, are eligible.  Some NSRS events may be graded to offer fair competition within varying levels of skill.

Firearms and Equipment

The overarching principle is that of sporting shooting – not target shooting.

To that end certain firearms and equipment are excluded from use:

Calibre

• For rim fire shoots the only permitted calibre is .22 long rifle (LR).
• For centre fire shoots, rifles are limited to 8mm (smokeless cartridges), .58 cal (black powder ) and .45 (pistol/revolver cartridges fired from a rifle)
• Firearms
• Sporting rifles with either iron sights or telescopic sights (excluding computer-directed or laser sights) is the expected choice.
• Target rifles may be used, provided they are without attachments such as butt hooks, palm risers, or other modifications/additions.  If the rifle has an adjustable forearm/butt, the rifle is to be adjusted before the prone position and left that way for the duration of the competition.
• The trigger may be of any weight, but must be demonstrably safe by means of a bolt-close and bump test if deemed necessary by the range officer.

Equipment

• No slings, no shooting/padded jackets, no special boots, no special trousers, no rests/bi-pods to be used (see exception below).
• Hunting or street clothing is the expected attire.
• A kneeling roll may be used in the kneeling position, positioned under the arch of the rear foot.
• To encourage junior and novice shooters to increase their skill level, there are some exceptions to the equipment restrictions.  If a novice or junior shooter wishes, they may use a rest for the forearm of the rifle – a backpack or bi-pod is acceptable for the prone position.  If such equipment is used, the shooter is NOT eligible for any trophy or event prizes.

Ranges and Positions

The North Auckland Branch has some restrictions on the allowed shooting positions. 

At 200m, centre fire events are restricted to prone, sitting and kneeling.

• Prone - The prone position is unsupported, unless a junior or novice competitor opts to forfeit any prizes or trophies by using a day pack or bi-pod.
• Sitting - In the sitting position the elbows are to be within three inches of the shooters knees.
• Kneeling - In the kneeling position, shooters may use a kneeling roll, (either a purpose-made roll, or a piece of clothing taken off and rolled up for the serial).
• Standing - In the standing position, if the stance and aiming technique requires the muzzle to be elevated over the height of the backstop, the bolt of the rifle is NOT to be closed until the shooter is in the aim.

Alternative Positions for Minor Disabilities

• If a shooter cannot lie down, they may shoot from the sitting position.
• If a shooter cannot sit, they may shoot from the kneeling position.
• If a shooter cannot kneel, they may shoot from the sitting position provided they do NOT support their master hand or arm.
• If a shooter cannot stand, they should take up another sport.

Handicapped Entrants

If a person with a physical handicap wishes to enter the NSRS, they should make the range officer aware of their limitations, and arrangements will be make for them to safely participate.  Eligibility for trophies and prizes will be decided by the range officer or conducting officials on a case by case basis.

Courses of Fire

Rim Fire Events

Rim fire events may be conducted at either 100m or at 50m.

50 m Rim Fire Events (45 rounds required):

• Prone - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Sitting - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Kneeling - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Standing - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Snap, standing - 5 single shots at 4 seconds per exposure

100 m Rim Fire Events (45 rounds required):

• Prone - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Prone rapid - 5 shots in 20 seconds
• Sitting - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Kneeling - 10 shots in 4 minutes
• Standing - 10 shots in 4 minutes

Centre Fire Events

Centre fire events may be conducted at either 200 m or 100 m.

100 m Centre Fire Events (20 rounds required):

• Prone - 5 shots in 2 minutes
• Sitting - 5 shots in 2 minutes
• Kneeling - 5 shots in 2 minutes
• Snap, standing -  5 single shots at 4 seconds per exposure

200 m Centre Fire Events (20 rounds required):

• Prone - 5 shots in 2 minutes
• Prone rapid - 5 shots in 20 seconds
• Sitting - 5 shots in 2 minutes
• Kneeling - 5 shots in 2 minutes

Scoring

Targets are scored using inward gauging, to the calibre of the rifle used by the competitor.

No sighting shots are allowed either before or during the competition.

Grading 

Some NSRS matches may be graded, to allow fair competition between varying skill levels.  Grading is not to be applied to aggregated trophies, shields or medals awarded as part of the branch annual prize giving.

If a grading system is to be used, the grades to be applied are as follows:

• A-Grade = 90% (or better) of the top score of the day
• B-Grade = between 75% and 89% of the top score of the day
• C-Grade = between 50% and 74% of the top score of the day
• D-Grade = less than 50% of the top score of the day

Disputes

Disputes are to be directed to the disputes committee/jury when and if such groups are formed.

Otherwise, the competition results are to be taken at face value and the spirit of sportsmanship is to prevail.

The Range Aggregate Cup

Awarded for:  The grand aggregate of centre fire competitions at 100m and 200m, using open (‘iron’) sights.

Eligibility:  Open to any financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• As for either the centre fire aggregate competitions, or the interbranch competition.

Classes: 

• Not applicable.

Rules:

• Calibre, centre fire up to and including 8mm (7.92mm)
• Only rifles fitted with open sights are to be used.
• Bolt Action Service Rifle Competitions are specifically excluded from this aggregate.

How to Enter:  On the day.

The Stewart Cup

Awarded for:  The grand aggregate of centre fire competitions at 100m and 200m, including scores at any interbranch competition held at the North Auckland Branch range.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch. 

Course of Fire: 

See details for the NSRS

Ladies, see Wangford Shield. Juniors, see Livingstone-Stick Cup.

The Wangford Shield

Awarded for:  The ladies grand aggregate of centre fire competitions at 100m and 200m, including scores at any interbranch competition held at the North Auckland Branch range.

Eligibility:  Open to all female financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire:

• See details for the NSRS

Men, see Stewart Cup. Juniors, see Livingstone-Stick Cup.

The Livingstone-Stick Cup

Awarded for:  The junior grand aggregate of centre fire competitions at 100m and 200m, including scores at any interbranch competition held at the North Auckland Branch range.

Eligibility:  Open to any junior members of the North Auckland Branch who has not attained the age of 16 years as at 1 March of the competition year. 

Course of Fire: 

• See details for the NSRS

Men, see Stewart Cup. Ladies, see Wangford Shield.

The Margaret Lowes Memorial Trophy (Sam Lowes Classic)

Awarded for:  The one day ‘all rounder’ aggregate score of two serials of the designated course of fire.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire (at 100m):

• Each competitor will have a bank of 5 steel targets, arranged form left to right:
  a falling plate, a chicken, a pig, a turkey, and a ram
• Sighters - 5 minutes of unlimited sighters on a paper target, then:
• Fire 8 rounds in 5 minutes consisting of:
• Fire 2 rounds from the prone position.
• Fire 2 rounds from the sitting position.
• Fire 2 rounds from the kneeling position.
• Fire 2 rounds from the standing position.

Rules:

• Calibre, .22LR
• Rifle and equipment according to national rim fire silhouette rules.
• The chicken scores 10 points, the pig scores 6 points, the turkey scores 4 points, and the ram scores 2 points.  The plate scores no points, but no target scores any points if the plate is standing at the end.
• Firers may engage any target at any time in any position, but may only fire two shots in any one position.

How to Enter:  On the day.

The President’s Trophy (Shooting Component)

Awarded for:  The combined score of a trophy on converted Douglas score, and a range shoot – see rules and shooting competitions.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch (financial at the time of securing the trophy, and at the time of entering the trophy for measurement, and at the time of shooting the range component of the competition).

Course of Fire:

• 100m, NZDA target, 10 rounds standing in 10 minutes

Classes:

• Sporting Rifle class firearm and equipment only

Rules:

• Only firearms and equipment that conforms to the Sporting Rifle class may be used for the President’s Trophy shooting component.

How to Enter:  On the day.

The Howlett Cup

Awarded for:  The winner of the nominated centre fire aggregate match being at either 100m or 200m, fired as part of the annual centre fire aggregate programme.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• 5 minutes for unlimited sighting shots, then:
• If at 100m; 5 shots prone, 5 shots kneeling and 5 shots standing
• If at 200m; 5 shots prone, 5 shots sitting and 5 shots standing

Classes: 

• For the Howlett Cup - None (note, this is a single match, highest score)

For other aggregate trophies: class as nominated by the competitor – Sporting Rifle or Target class – see rules below

Rules:

• Calibre, centre fire up to and including 8mm (7.92mm) (8mm gauging is to be applied).
• Ladies and Juniors may use .22LR.  Rifle and equipment according to Sporting Rifle or Target class.
• Score also contributes to the Stewart Cup, Wangford Shield, Livingstone-Stick Cup or Range Aggregate Cup as appropriate.

How to Enter:  On the day.

The Hot Shots Trophy

Awarded for:  The one day aggregate centre fire competition using iron sights.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• At 100m; 2 non-scoring sighters, 5 shots prone, 5 shots kneeling, 5 shots standing.  
• Then at 200m; no sighters, 5 shots prone, 5 shots sitting, 5 shots standing.

Rules:

• Calibre, up to 8mm
• Rifle and equipment according to national rules for the 60-shot prone matches.
• Rifles must be fitted with and fired using iron sights only.

How to Enter:  On the day.

The Douglas Everett Memorial Trophy

Awarded for:  The grand aggregate of rim fire competitions at 50m and 100m.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• 5 minutes for unlimited sighting shots, then:
• If at 50m; 10 shots prone, 10 shots kneeling and 10 shots standing
• If at 100m; 10 shots prone, 10 shots sitting and 10 shots standing

Classes: 

• Target or Sporting Rifle - see ‘Classes’ at the end of this section.

Rules:

• Only .22LR calibre and cartridge permitted.  Rifle and equipment according to class nominated

How to Enter:  On the day.

The Debbie Harlow 200m Trophy (Men, Ladies and Junior)

Awarded for:  The best score from one of two centrefire matches at 200m.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Awards: 

• Separate awards each for men, ladies and juniors

Course of Fire: 

• 7 minutes of unlimited sighting shots, then:
• 30 shots in 1.5 hours

Classes:

• Target or Sporting Rifle.  No distinctions are made, this is a highest score single event.

Rules:

• Rifles and equipment as for national rules for 60-shot centre fire prone matches

How to Enter:  On the day. 

This competition is conducted twice during the competition year, and competitors will have their highest score considered for the awards.

The Anderton-Harris Shield

Awarded for:  The aggregate scores from all rim fire silhouette competitions.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• Modified silhouette (unlimited sighters then 20 rounds to score)

Classes: 

• None

Rules:

• Rifles and equipment as for national silhouette.

How to Enter:  On the day.

The L. J. Harris Shield

Awarded for:  A one-day rim fire competition (100m, 60 rounds prone).

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• Unlimited sighters then 60 rounds to score in 1.5 hours (including sighters).

Classes: 

• None

Rules:

• Rifles and equipment as for national rim fire competitions (see Target class).
• Point bulls are counted as 10
• Ties are resolved by shoot-off – 3 shots each until tie is broken

How to Enter:  On the day.

The Military Medal

Awarded for:  The aggregate of all Bolt Action Service Rifle competitions held in the competition year at either North Auckland or Auckland Branches.

Eligibility:  Open to all financial members of the North Auckland Branch.

Course of Fire: 

• As decided by each branch (normally 2 sighters plus 20 rounds to score).

Classes: 

• None

Rules:

• Rifles must be military issue bolt action magazine fed.
• Sights must be iron (V or peep – sniper scopes on BASR are not permitted)
• Slings, if used, must be as issued for that model and fixed at both points of carry.

The winner or each BASR match will be awarded an arm patch for shirt or jacket.

The overall winner for the year will be awarded the muskets badge for hat or jacket.