UKAHFT RULES 2010 SEASON

Safety

All shooting activities must be carried out in accordance with the UKAHFT rules.

Any air rifle is allowed as long as it complies with current legislation for airguns and has a power output less than 12 ft lbs, which can be subject to a random and/or compulsory chronograph test at each event. 

All shooters must attend a safety briefing at each event held immediately before the session they are shooting in, any shooter not attending the briefing will not be permitted to shoot in that round.

When a single blast of a whistle or hooter is heard all shooting must immediately stop. Shooters must discharge their rifles into the ground, away from the target, at a safe distance. Targets must NOT be sighted or the gun shouldered during a cease fire.

Upon hearing two blasts of the whistle or hooter firing may re-commence after you have visually checked it is safe to do so, only marshals are allowed to halt or commence firing

Guns will only be sighted, shouldered or discharged over a recognized firing line, this does not mean the car park. Guns will always be kept un-loaded & un-cocked when not in use.

Rifles must be cased or carried with the muzzle pointing down at all times when not in use, this includes rifles carried on a sling. Do not cock your rifle until you are ready to take aim. No gun should be loaded between lanes. Multi-shots must have the magazine removed, and be in a visibly safe condition. Every member of a group should ensure all theirs & their shooting partner’s activities are carried out in a safe manner in accordance with UKAHFT rules, it is all our responsibilities to ensure we shoot safely. Failure to comply can result in expulsion from the event, ground & any future UKAHFT events.

NEVER rest the rifle muzzle on your foot. When getting down or up from a prone shots always be aware of where your rifle muzzle is pointing, it should remain pointing down or down-range at all times, ask you shooting partner for their assistance in handing, or taking, your rifle from you if you find it difficult getting up or down safely

If you are approached by a marshal for any reason i.e. shooting technique or safety please do as they have asked as remember they are there to make sure the course is shot fairly and most of all safely. In the case of a dispute, the Head Marshall can be called, and their decision is final. Organisers are not marshals and should not be approached on these matters.

With the exception of the Chief Marshal, UKAHFT will provide all necessary marshals at each event.

No persons other than the shooters that are taking part in that session will be permitted on the course, with the exception of marshals, organisers, press photographers and VIP guests (who all must obtain and wear identification badges prior to entering the shooting arena, these must be obtained from the hosting club & not UKAHFT.

All Juniors must be under the direct supervision their parent/guardian on the day. Juniors not taking part in the competition will not be permitted to enter any of the shooting arenas.

no persons under 9 years of age will be permitted to shoot or enter any of the shooting areas

National Leagues

Throughout the year there will be the following leagues

• Open League
• Juniors 9-13
• Juniors 14-16
• Ladies
• .22”................... PCP rifles and semi recoiling rifles of .22 or .25 calibre
• Recoiling  ...... All recoiling rifles whatever calibre
• Manufacturers Teams
• Club Teams

Manufacturers Teams

All competitors shooting a particular make of rifle is eligible to have their score included in that manufacturers team, the top four scores per manufacturer will be totalled with the highest scoring team on the day winning that round. Points will be awarded at each rounds on a 12,11,10 etc basis for the annual Manufacturers league.

Please note, due to competitors changing rifle throughout the year it is the responsibility of each competitor to submit their score with their manufacturers team captain.

The Course

Targets will be the normal knock over style that fall when hit, with hit zones ranging from 15-45mm. Hit Zones sizes, their distances & the maximum number of reduced hit zones are:

• 15-19mm hit zones                    13-25y (maximum of 4 targets per course)
• 20-24mm hit zones                    8-30yds
• 25-34mm hit zones        8-35yds (maximum of 6x 20-34mm hit zone targets per course)
• 35-45mm hit zones                    8-45yds

There will be the following positional shots on each course:

• 3 x prone only shots using any size hit zone, distances in accordance with the above limits.
• 2 x supported standing shots, 35-45mm un-obscured hit zones at 8-35yds.
• 1 x unsupported standing shots, 35-45mm un-obscured hit zone at 8-35yds.
• 2 x supported kneeling, 35-45mm un-obscured hit zones at 8-35yds
• 1 x unsupported kneeling shot, 35-45mm un-obscured hit zone at 8-35yds.

            (All designated kneeling shots can also be taken standing)

Targets with 35-45mm hit zones may be partially obscured but must be shoot-able without danger from ricochets, these must have a minimum of 50% of the hit-zone visible from the shooting position. Course builders should try to ensure that no splintering of the obscuring object will occur that will either increase or decrease the amount of hit zone visible throughout the sessions. Obscured target but be no closer than 15 yards

The firing peg will be a wooden/plastic post that must be securely fixed in the ground, at least 12” must be showing above the ground. With a supported shot a peg will not be used & the supporting object will be classed as the peg, this support will be marked with the peg number which will designate it as the support that must be touched when taking the shot.

Scoring

Before commencing to shoot the course each competitor must mark their scorecard with the equipment they are using, this information includes :

• Make & model of rifle.
• Make & size of scope.
• Magnification and parallax being used at the event.
• Make & calibre of pellet being used.
• Intensity setting of illuminated reticule, if switched on

If a complaint is received or when checked by a course marshal, it is discovered that scope setting on the card differ from the actual setting the competitor will forfeit their last knockdown, if the shooter reoffends at that competition they will be disqualified.

Once the first shot has been taken, NO adjustments may be made, in any way, to the rifle, stock or scope.

The scoring will be 2 points for a knockdown, 1 point for faceplate hit and 0 for a miss of the target. The target MUST fall to earn a maximum 2 points.

Regardless of any circumstances such as forgetting to load a pellet, not shutting the loading bolt or if the trigger is pull before you are locked on target, if the gun goes off the shot is considered as having been taken & will be scored accordingly. If this does happen, the competitor should make sure the pellet has left the gun by dry firing safely into the ground over the firing line with the consent of their shooting partners.

When a target has been downed the shooter must gain confirmation of the knockdown from a fellow group member before the target is reset.

 
Only a member of your shooting group is permitted to record your scores on your scorecard. Under no circumstance is a shooter allowed to score his/her own scorecard. If an error is entered on any scorecard you must seek a marshal who will amend this error for you & sign the back of the card. 

Upon completion of the course on of your shooting partners should print & sign the top right box on your scorecard, this is to signify that they have checked the card & agree with it’s scoring.

If a competitor hands in a scorecard that is incomplete, unreadable or has any alterations not signed for by an on duty marshal their score will be amended or the competitor disqualified at the UKAHFT organisers discretion.

The UKAHFT Organisers reserve the right to amend and adjust any shooters scorecard at any time during the series, if infringements of the rules or evidence of cheating is subsequently discovered during or after the scheduled events.

Shooting Positions

Sitting shots ARE NOT ALLOWED, this is defined as the shooters backside being in contact with the ground, or sitting on your foot folded under your bum as the shot is taken.

Crouching shots are not allowed, this is defined as two feet on the ground with the upper part of the legs being supported by the calves or foot area.

The peg must be touched by some part of the body/rifle as the shot is taken. Almost any position is allowed including resting the body on anything available within reach.

Moving any of the course fixtures is not allowed, these include the firing line, shooting pegs or any supports (Bails/structures), anyone found doing so will be disqualified from the competition.

 The trigger finger must be behind the firing line & peg when the shot is taken

• Prone – The only part of the rifle allowed to touch the ground when taking a shot from the prone position is the bottom edge of the butt pad.
• Kneeling - The kneeling position is defined as only 3 points of contact with the ground (2 feet & 1 knee).The rear foot shall be upright and straight in line with the knee, sitting on a turned foot is not allowed. A bean bag  may be used to support the knee, shin or foot area only. The leading hand only will support the gun and forward of the wrist the hand should itself be unsupported, please be aware that the hand cannot be dropped to allow the wrist joint, arm or any other part of the body to support the rifle. The leading hand should also be forward of the knee, to illustrate this the supporting hand should be dropped down vertically, if it contacts with any part of the knee/leg the supporting hand is deemed too far back & therefore not forward of the knee.
• Standing – Only your feet may be in contact with the ground.
• Supported Kneeling/Standing – The above rules apply with the exception that any part of the rifle or body may be resting on the supporting tree/object. If a number of supporting objects are available, some part of the rifle or body must be touching the support marked with the peg number as the shot is taken. In addition to touching the numbered support you may also make use of any other supporting objects.

Equipment

Most rifle & stock designs can be used for UKAHFT competition as long as they are within the following rules:

• Forend depth is limited to a maximum of 150mm, this is measured from the centre of the barrel to the lowest part of the rifle forward of the pistol grip.
• FT style butt hooks are not allowed, although the paddle style of butt pad is allowed.
• When standing or kneeling, no part of the rifle may be in contact with the ground.
• When taking a prone shot the only part of the rifle which may be touching the ground is the bottom edge of the butt pad.

If you are in any doubt as to whether your equipment is allowed in a UKAHFT competition please contact a UKAHFT official who will be happy to advise.

Apart from a traditional scope no other optical aids are allowed. No wind indicators or scope levels can be used and must be removed or taped up before you start the course. A standard rifle sling is allowed to be fitted to the stock/rifle but only as a means to carry the rifle between lanes, at no time can a sling to be used as a shooting aid.

Any traditional type scope and settings can be used. However, zeroing, magnification, dialling and parallax must be set prior to the first shot and left untouched until the course is completed, this includes illuminated reticules which if used must be switched on with the brightness set before the first shot is taken and remain that way without any adjustment or switching throughout the competition.

The objective aperture of the scope must be left as it was manufactured and can not be reduced in any way to increase the depth of field, flip up scope caps must always be in an open position when taking a shot & any holes in the caps taped up while shooting the course.

Anyone found carrying out any adjustments whatsoever to a scope once the course has been started will be expelled from the competition. lasers are not permitted and should be removed from the rifle.

Beanbags may be carried to place guns on between lanes and may be used for kneeling shots as specified above   

Use of any Range finding equipmentis prohibited under all circumstances, any person other than course setters caught with one in their possession will be asked to leave the event.

No persons other than UKAHFT or hosting club course officials will be allowed to view any course prior to any event. Failure to comply may result in you not being allowed to attend any UKAHFT event in the future.

Placings

In the event of a tie for any of the first 3 winning places a shoot-off will then occur, the targets used will be 1x15mm, 1x25mm & 1x35-45mm hit zone target (each target being placed within the standard UKAHFT ranges for that hit zone size). Each person will shoot all three targets from the kneeling position, if any competitors are still tied they will then shoot the targets in the standing position. If after this no winner is established then there will be sudden death shoot off. The first to miss would be eliminated from the tied place. In the case of a three way tie or above , any shooter scoring a complete miss, i.e. a zero on their card will be eliminated from the tie. Equal number of shots per shooters will always apply. For 4th places and below the positions may be calculated using a count back system depending on number of shooters and time permitting