HBSA Historic Miniature Rifle Matches

Following 2014’s successful relaunch of the Historic Miniature Rifle event we have clarified and expanded the classes. The idea of this event is to provide a competition for earlier single shot, repeating (slide, bolt or lever actions) and modern Gallery rifles, both Target and sporting, competing in the “Spirit of the Original”. We are able to use once more the historic 25 yard Winans range complex at Bisley (the old Pistol Gallery, fitted with a good roof!), now restricted to lower-powered rifles (up to 2000 fps and1200 ft.lbs energy).

This is ideal for standing (offhand) shooting, and prone shooters will also be very welcome. In addition we also offer the option of the ‘Standing Supported’ matches, to be run in parallel with the standing matches. The Standing Supported part of this event revives an Edwardian tradition where competitors could rest the back of their non-trigger finger hand against an angled wooden support so as to steady their aim. The rifle itself should NOT contact the rest, which is not load-bearing. This was originally for ladies and youthful shooters, but now some of our senior competitors also find it to be of benefit.

All NSRA August competitors will be particularly welcome.

All competitors shall be members of an NRA or NSRA-affiliated club. Any rifle classification issues will be decided by the Match Director on the day. Please bring your Firearms Certificate and Shooters Certification Card (SCC). If you do not yet have an SCC you may shoot under "one to one" supervision subject to availability of SCC holders to do so.

DISTANCE: 25 yards
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PRONE:

MATCH 1:               .22lr Target rifles (pre - 1946 design) to include BSA 12/15s, etc.

MATCH 2:                .22lr Target rifles (pre - 1970 design) to include BSA Internationals

Course of fire:    Two NSRA five diagram ‘Tin Hat’ targets will be set up, with 12 shots at each, and the best 2 x 10 shots will count. NO sighters. To be completed within 30 minutes. Any Iron sights. PRONE ONLY.

STANDING:

MATCH 5:                Historic Breechloading .22 Rimfire repeating rifles (pre-1946 design)

MATCH 6:                Historic Centrefire repeating Gallery Rifles, up to .44-40

Course of fire:    5 minutes for sighters, then five shots fired standing in 15 seconds on each of the Rat, Rook and Rabbit targets. Any Iron sights. To be run as a separate detail within 30 minutes.

STANDING:

MATCH 10:           .22lr Military Training rifles such as the 1906 WO Pattern, and other converted centrefire rifles e.g. Lee-Enfield Mk 8. Iron sights.

MATCH 11:                Historical Sporting .22 Rimfire Rifles (pre-1946 design) with contemporary iron sights

MATCH 12:            Vintage Breechloading Centrefire Rook Rifles (pre-1900, blackpowder only) contemporary iron sights

MATCH 13:                Centrefire Classic Rook Rifles (pre-1919) with iron sights

MATCH 14:                Centrefire full-stocked Training rifles such as the .310 Cadet

MATCH 15:                Any Historic .22 lr rifle fitted with a ¾” tube or less telescopic sight

MATCH 16:                Any Historic c/fire rifle fitted with a ¾” tube or less telescopic sight

Course of fire: Two HBSA 1906 Bullseye targets will be set up, with 12 shots at each, and the best 20 shots will count. NO sighters. To be completed within 30 minutes. Highest possible score is 140 points. Bullseye is 2”, scores 7.

STANDING SUPPORTED:

MATCH 20:            .22lr Military Training rifles such as the 1906 WO Pattern, and other converted centrefire rifles e.g. Lee-Enfield Mk 8. Iron sights.

MATCH 21:                Historical Sporting .22 Rimfire Rifles (pre-1946 design) with contemporary iron sights

MATCH 22:                Vintage Breechloading Centrefire Rook Rifles (pre-1900, blackpowder only) contemporary iron sights

MATCH 23:                Centrefire Classic Rook Rifles (pre-1919) with iron sights

MATCH 24:                Centrefire full-stocked Training rifles such as the .310 Cadet

MATCH 25:                Any Historic .22 lr rifle fitted with a ¾” tube or less telescopic sight

MATCH 26:                Any Historic c/fire rifle fitted with a ¾” tube or less telescopic sight

Course of fire:            As above for Standing

PLEASE NOTE:

Match 1 and Match 2 will be shot prone, and all the other matches will be shot standing or ‘standing supported’ (using the rests provided).

Details will last for thirty (30) minutes, or less. Competitors will be expected to get into position with spotting scopes, etc. promptly. All matches (except those for historic ‘scopes) may use aperture, bead or blade front sights, and any design of rear sight.

ENTRY:

Competitors will be expected to enter and pay on the day. Optionally they can e-mail the Match Director in advance outlining the types of rifle that they intend to fire and in which matches. This will speed up the preparation of the results, which will be circulated by e-mail soon after Sunday evening.

ENTRY FEE:

Fees will be held to £5.00 for the first event and £3.00 for each subsequent event, to encourage re-entries. Prizes will be HBSA Certificates.

QUERIES:

Contact Richard Oldfield at rook&rabbit@hbsa-uk.org or ring 07740812261