Service Rifle definitions

for The Phoenix Meeting and Gallery Rifle and Pistol Meetings – 2014

The definitions of the Service Rifle classes have been changed to reflect the concerns of competitors that the existing classes were defined too broadly. The effect was to make it difficult for competitors to be sure that they were competing against others with rifles of a similar type. The aim is to move towards fairer competition conditions for all.

Please note that these definitions only apply to the Phoenix Meeting and some events in the GR&P meetings. Although the definitions themselves follow closely others which exist elsewhere, they will only apply for these meetings.

The Phoenix Meeting has always welcomed competitors from all disciplines. While not attempting to reproduce the exact match conditions of those disciplines we have tried to make it possible for competitors to bring a wide variety of guns and have a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
In essence, for pre 1955 rifles, there is a return to the old Service Rifle (a) and Service Rifle (b) classes (as defined in the 1963 Bisley Bible) with the addition of an Open class. For post 1955 rifles, we are using the existing Civilian Service Rifle definitions.

Pre 1955 Service Rifle Classes

SR (a) – Service Rifle Class A

A service rifle as issued by any government and used without any unauthorized alterations or additions.
Sling: an as issued sling.
Gloves: no padded shooting gloves are allowed
Backsight: a backsight as issued must be used. The wind-gauge if any must be set centrally.
Foresight: a blade foresight, which may be undercut.
Wind: must be allowed for by aiming off.
Sights: may be blackened, but nothing maybe affixed for shading of them.
Trigger pull: minimum of 5lbs.

SR (b) – Service Rifle Class B

Any rifle as defined for SR (a) except that :-
(a) The sling may be used as an aid for steadying the rifle. The sling must be attached to the rifle at no more than two points; it must not exceed 2 inches in width or ¼ inch in thickness.
The sling may be placed round one arm and/or wrist but not round any other part of the body.
(b) The wind-gauge if any may be adjusted and used.
(c) An additional aperture backsight may be affixed and used.
(d) No padded shooting gloves are allowed

SR (O) – Service Rifle Open

Any rifle chambered for cartridges used in the above classes.
Sights: of any description including magnifying or telescopic.
Sling: a sling of any pattern may be used as an aid to steadying the rifle.
Gloves: no padded shooting gloves are allowed
Support: when shooting in the prone position competitors may use some form of rest for the wrist or back of the forward hand.
No form of rest is to be affixed to the rifle.

Post 1955 Service Rifle Classes

SR (IS) – Service Rifle post 1955 Iron Sights

a) Iron sights only
b) No restriction on slings
c) Rests are prohibited
d) Trigger weight 4.5lbs minimum
e) Magazine resting is permitted, no part of the wrist of the supporting arm may touch the ground
f) No padded shooting gloves are allowed

SR (SO) – Service Rifle post 1955 Service Optic

a) No restriction on slings
b) Magazine resting is permitted, but no part of the wrist of the supporting arm may touch the ground
c) Fore grips are prohibited, as are any modifications to the fore end, such as hand or sling stops, intended to facilitate an advantage with the support hand.
d) Bipods are prohibited
e) Trigger weight 4.5lbs minimum
f) Optic sights maximum magnification of 4.5x
g) No padded shooting gloves are allowed

SR (PO) – Service Rifle post 1955 Practical Optic

a) No restriction on slings or rests
b) Bipods may be used, but must remain fitted at all times
c) Vertical fore grips may be used, but must remain fitted at all times
d) Trigger weight 1.5kg minimum
e) No restriction on optic sights
f) No padded shooting gloves are allowed

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