Introduction

“Precision Bolt Rifle” is designed specifically for the Bolt Action Shooter, and we have experienced shooters and welcome new shooters who are interested in participating in the sport.

Equipment – Rifle

While this sport is best enjoyed using bolt action rifles with a heavy barrel and detachable magazine system, a hunting rifle with decent optics can be competitive at the short ranges of WEGC and is a good way to test yourself. Semi-autos are allowed, such as the AR-15 Type Platform with optics, M1A Rifle with optics etc.

Most experienced competitors shoot low recoil, high BC bullets in standard short action actions. Typical cartridges include: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6 Creedmoor, 6.5X47 Lapua, 6mm BRA and BRX, and other similar cartridges. Some competitors shoot .308 Win, .223 Win, we often award top .308/.223 because their performance in wind and drop is about 40% below that of the other cartridges mentioned.

A few competitors have brought .300 win mag and even larger calibers, however competitors shooting big bore cartridge may sit out some stages (and zero them) due to our rule of not breaking our steel. Super magnums such as .338 Lapua, 6.5 SAUM-4S and any of the Cheytac cartridges, 50BMG and the like are not allowed. This is not allowed at our match, it will punch holes in our steel or break the poppers.

Max speed is 3150 fps for all calibers. If steel breakage becomes an issue, then a momentum rule will be added to prevent steel damage. This is bullet weight X velocity with a velocity limit.

Equipment – Optics

First Focal Plane

Experienced competitors nearly universally use First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes with a mil reticle and mil external adjustment knobs. This is referred to as mil-mil. Scopes of this type can be had from most major manufacturers, including: Nightforce, Vortex, Kahles, US Optics, Leupold, and many others that are less expensive than the top line equipment listed here. FFP scopes have the reticle magnify when the scope power is changed, so that the hash marks are always the same size relative to the target. We highly recommend using FFP scopes in mil-mil for our competition. Another reason is that since 99% of our competitors use mil-mil, helping out other shooters and calling corrections will always be in mils (not MOA) which makes communication easier. But, if you have an MOA scope, we can convert units with apps and a mil dot master, so come on out!

2^nd Focal Plane

Some shooters use 2nd focal plane scopes, this is the common style of scope used in the United States. The reticle stays the same size when the scope power is changed. In the case of hash marks used for ranging, the hash marks are only accurate at one power, typically around the highest power of the scope. The downside of this arrangement is being locked into high magnification in order to have accurate holdovers or wind corrections relative to the reticle. Also, when looking for targets during a transition, it is much easier to find targets at low power and zoom in if needed. However this takes time and at low power the holdovers and wind corrections relative to the reticle are wrong.

Power Recommendation

We recommend scopes with 10X or higher top end. Most experienced competitors run stages around 8 to 12X. Some will run at 15X or so. On rare occasions it is helpful to have a bit more power, for instance if you have to read a playing card to shoot your card.

COF Examples

This match is designed to make the Bolt or Semi-Auto Rifleman more proficient and confident shooter with the various COF’s (Course of Fire). We typically shoot at steel targets and score by Impact only. If you miss, no call is provided, and no help is provided. The competitor is responsible for spotting their own shots and correcting their misses. Typical Courses Of Fire can be found by reviewing AAR’s of previous matches.

Schedule

We shoot on the 4^th Saturday of the month and check in begins at 0730 and we begin at 0830 at one of the firing lines, typically the long range pads in the new upper area just past the gate and East of the main range. Our normal target engagements range anywhere from 25 to 300+ yards and the match usually concludes between 1300-1400.

Cost

Cost is $20.00 per entry and 60 to 70 rounds is the average round count and there are usually 6-8 stages under par times. Some stages are fired for precision with a longer par time element and others are done under a shorter par time element. We also fire from various shooting positions, however many times from the prone position. Rear sandbags are allowed under the butt stock when competing except when noted in the course of fire.

Safety

Safety is paramount at West End Gun Club, all club safety rules will be recognized and enforced as well as any other safe firearms procedure rules. Please bring a chamber flag with your rifle.

How a Course of Fire (COF) is run

Shooter to prep ahead of running the stage, while previous competitor is running their COF
Shooter is in prep area
Shooter understands the Course Of Fire? – Acknowledge
Shooter may load and make ready
Shooter ready
Stand by
Beep! Start COF
Finish COF or time out
Unload and clear, drop mag and Flag
Clear the line

Competition is different from hunting, police and military action. In these other situations, the rifle is typically in best condition possible, often with a round in the chamber. For competition, no round is in the chamber, and transitions are performed with the bolt open and back, and the rifle pointed in a safe direction at all times.

A match DQ will result if any person, even yourself, is swept by the muzzle, at any time. Or by an ND. Safety is number 1, competition and fun are a distant second.

Semi-auto rifles can transition from one position to another with the safety engaged. The shooter shall engage the safety and audibly announce “safe.” Then move to the new position, and once on target can then disengage the safety.

The primary focus is to make you a better shooter with your rifle, so this match is a great way to practice those techniques that improve your Bolt or Semi-Auto Rifle skills.

Gear and Accessories

We encourage the use of fancy gear and accessories. Just like the 3-Gun guys, we like our gear, and encourage the innovative use of all the extra toys you bring, and any gaming accessory and rule-bending you can come up with. Game-on!

We do have some stages with limited gear, these are announced in the stage brief or the written stage rules. Otherwise, the name of the game is to run the stage within the basic rule set, which is to use the gear you have brought (or borrowed). You cannot use gear you didn’t bring (benched and tables) like they are your own for instance, that is not in the spirit of the stage. So the basic rule is: Run the stage in the spirit of the stage as it was written.