Any interest in a Enfield/British rifle match in the PA area (US, Bucks county)

Gentlemen,

Our local club is considering hosting an English service rifle match in the October 2011 time frame; I am trying to see if there is much interest in this sort of match. The club is located in central Bucks Count, PA, well within the Philly, North-east PA, Central New Jersey driving area. We are located in Doylestown PA, 18901 area code

The match would be help at 100 yards but would simulate the old pre 1968 English SR (a) and SR(b) courses

The cost for the matches would likely be 15~20 dollars and awards metals would be given out for SR (a), SR (b) and Home guard rifles.

There would likely be 3 matches:

NRA type 5 stage match:

10 shots standing +2 sighters
10 shots snap, standing or standing to kneeling +2 sighters
10 shots sitting, rapid fire + 2 sighters
10 shots prone rapid fire + 2 sighters
10 shots slow fire + 2 sighters

Slow fire prone, “last man standing match”

Start prone, shoot 2 shots sighters, start match, low shooters scores drop out, last man still in the 5-V ring wins the match

Mad Minute match

Shooter has one minute to fire as many rounds as he likes at two figure targets

For each hit in excess of 5 on each target, the shooter gets the extra on each target totaled and squared. (2 targets, one with 7, one with 8, is 2x2 + 3x3 = 13 bonus added to raw score) Each target must have at least 5 hits in the black to get the bonus


Here below are the tentative rules for the match, If anyone is interested please let me know as we are trying to figure out if we will add this to our calendar for this fall or not. We need some idea of if we can expect shooters to come from out side the club or not, and if we hold the match how many places we need to set aside. Rules are still tentative:


Rules intent and purpose:

These rules are intended to match, as close as possible, the rules in force within the British Empire rifle club movement between 1868 and 1968. The rules are as close to the average of the rules in force during that era as can be accomplished without making them overly complex. The rules are designed to achieve three purposes:

1) Encourage lively and friendly competition with these vintage arms without having the competition succumbing to “gamesmanship”.
2) Teach and encourage practical marksmanship skills with iron sighted rifles.
3) Encourage good sportsmanship, fellowship and an appreciation for British rifles.


Rifle Definitions:

1) SR(A): .303 English service rifle in as-issued condition, excluding sniper rifle variations. The rifles must have original sights and wood configuration. Stocking configuration must be original and no barrel packing is allowed. Trigger pulls must be in excess of 5.0 lbs. If a sling is attached it must be attached to both front and rear sling swivels and be a 1908 web sling or 1914 leather sling. The sling may not be used for support, other than as a hasty sling
The following models in unmodified form may be used:

a) Lee-Medford/ Lee Enfield (any variation)
b) CLLE (any variation)
c) SMLE/No 1 (any mark)
d) P14/No 3 (MK I, MK I*, MK II),
e) No 4 (Mk I, MK I*, MKII, MK I/2, MK I/3)
f) No 5 MK I

2) SR(B): Any of the above service rifles, including sniper variants and shortened long lees, utilizing iron sights. The following modifications may be made to these rifles:

a) Trigger weight may be lowered to 4.5 pounds.
b) An aperture rear sight using existing holes in the action body may be fitted. In the case of the Lee Enfield, an adjustable sight of non-standard form may be fitted to the rear sight bed.
c) A front sight post of non-standard dimensions may be fitted.
d) The wood and metal parts may be specially fitted for maximum accuracy. Barrel packing is allowed. Metal attachments to maintain alignment and rigidity may be included, as long as the weight does not exceed 2 oz. Action bodies may not be glass bedded, but may have glued wooden inserts to maintain draws.
e) In the case of the SMLE and the shortened Lee-Enfield, a heavier barrel may be fitted, as long as the internal dimensions are maintained.
f) A swivel may be fitted in front of, or in place of the King screw for use with a two point sling. No US pattern M1907 or small bore slings may be used, but only two point slings of up to 1.25 inch width may be utilized


3) Home Guard: Any rifle used in significant numbers by the Home Guard of the Dominions of the Empire between 1914 and 1945, including LDV and VDC use. Rifles must be in condition used by Home Guard/VDC/LDV/Royal Navy/Canadian Militia. Trigger pressure must exceed 3.5 pounds. The following rifle list may be amended only if written or illustrated proof of significant use is shown.

a) M1917 (as issued)
b) Any variant of Canadian Ross rifle (as issued)
c) .303 Martini-Enfield
d) Any .303 SMLE (or earlier Lee) with cut back wood (sported)
e) Japanese manufactured rifle in cal 6.5 (as issued)
f) Cadet Martini in .310 Cadet (as issued to Cadets)


Targets:

SR target: To be used in all SR(A), SR(B) and Home Guard courses

Aiming Black 6.5 inch semi-circle (tin hat shape)
Scoring: 5 Ring: 3 Inch circle
4 Ring: 6.5 Inch circle
3 Ring: 12.5 Inch circle (sides cut off beyond 11 inches)
2 Ring: remaining 11 x 17 paper

Running Man Target

Aiming black: leaning trapezoid shape, 15 high by 9 wide
Scoring: 5 Ring: any hit within central aiming black.
3 ring: any hit touching or contacting the remaining portion of the aiming black.
1 Ring: any hit on the target not touching the aiming black

Prone Man Target

Aiming black: Silhouette, 10.5 high 8 inches wide at top, 17 inches wide at bottom
Scoring: 5 Ring: any hit touching head ellipsoid ~6x 8 inch diameter
3 Ring: any hit below ellipsoid touching black.
1 Ring: any hit on the target not touching the aiming black


Equipment and shooting aids:

The following items may be utilized:

1) Spotting telescope, Shooting box, Shooting mat, Sight black, Broad brimmed hat, Shooting glasses, Score book,

All the above may be used

2) Shooting coat: In general any coat that provides more support than a cloth USMC shooting jacket of standard 1960’s design will be disallowed. A coat specifically designed for use in shooting may be utilized, as long as it meets the following requirements:

a) May be made of cloth only, no heavy canvas or leather back
b) May not provide artificial support
c) May have padding. Padding may be internal or external. May not have rubber or other non slip surface.
d) May not have clinches or straps. Buttons only allowed.

The following items are not allowed:

1) Stickum or any kind of glue
2) Shooting glove
3) Blinders on non-aiming eye or blinders attached to shield eyes from sun.
4) Any artificial method used to retain sling on supporting arm in fixed position.
5) Recoil shoe or friction tape on buttstock of rifle.

Would a No. 5 with an AJ Parker rear peep be allowed in the SR(b)? What are the rules about ammo?

Any rifle with a match sight installed becomes SR(b), if sported it goes into Homeguard class.

The ammo rules have not been decided. Most likely any ball or handload allowed.

The only caveat is some folks in the club want to limit the use of Sierra matchkings and limit the bullets to FMJ or softpoint. Trying to level the playing field more or less.