COURSE OF FIRE
25 record shots at 50 yards/50 meters in 30 minutes, from the bench at one target, on an open air range.

MATCH DEFINITION
A regular match contests three classes: Sporter Class, 10.5 Lb. Class, and 13.5 Lb. Class. A competitor can compete only one time in each class.

EVENT DEFINITION
A match or matches held at one range over consecutive days or in a single day. An example of an EVENT would be a two day state championship match, Saturday and Sunday, at the same range.

SANCTIONED MATCH
A club must be sanctioned to hold an officially recognized USRA-IR50/50 match. Sanction dues are $20.00 per current year. Match dates and starting time for matches must be sent to USRA-IR50/50 thirty (30) days in advance of first match date. Sanctioning by USRA-IR50/50 of a club's scheduled matches will be forfeited by that club if matches are not held in accordance with the Official Rules stated in this rule book.

RANGE REQUIREMENTS:
Outdoor 50Y/50M
A club must have a minimum of five benches. Front or rear of firing line must be open.
Indoor 50Y/50M
A club must have a minimum of five benches. All official records will be recorded separately from open air range competition except where score is not a factor.  List points are an example where score is not a factor.

MATCH REQUIREMENTS
There must be a minimum of four competitors. Matches must be scheduled on Saturday or Sunday.. With the exception of State and Regional Championships and the Nationals, regular and SOTY matches may be scheduled within the following criteria:
No more than two matches per month.
No more than twelve matches per year.
No more than seven matches, April through October (List season).

The commence fire command for the first relay can not be before 8:00am or later than 3:00pm. All competitors on each relay must be contesting the same class. Classes must be contested in the following order:
First: Sporter Class Second: 10.5 Class Third: 13.5 Class

FEES
Registration Fees
A registration fee of $1.00 per shooter per target ($1.50 for State/Regional Championships), plus score sheets, must be sent to USRA-IR50/50 within thirty (30) days after match is held to be recognized as a sanctioned match.

Entry Fees
Entry fees per target for a regular match will not exceed $8.00. Entry fees per target at State and Regional Championships will not exceed $10.00.  Entry fees for a national event will not exceed $35.00 per day. Additional fees for items such as cash options, food, camping, etc. are optional and competitors are not required to participate.

EQUIPMENT
The legality of any method, device, or equipment not addressed in these rules will be determined by USRA-IR50/50.

RIFLE
.22 Rimfire - no magnums

AMMUNITION
Ammunition must be a lead projectile produced by a factory manufacturing a minimum of 1,000,000 rounds a year. Competitors using hand loaded ammunition, and/or ammunition produced with jacketed bullets will be permanently disqualified. Shaving, re-swaging, and/or re-sizing, either bullets or cartridge case is not allowed.

WIND FLAGS
Wind flags can be utilized. Flags shall be no higher than line of sight from bench top to bottom of target. Wind flags may be changed when targets are changed and the range has been declared safe by the Rangemaster. No competitor can be forced to change legally set wind flags. The time allowed to change wind flags shall not be less than the time required to change the targets and no longer than the time allowed by the Rangemaster. If a flag interferes with a shooter's line of sight, the Rangemaster or representative will lay the flag on the ground. This must be done before commence fire. Any type of string line flag system will not be allowed.

SAND BAGS
Front rest must be topped with some form of sand bag. Rear rest must be a sand bag with no adjustable or mechanical means. Sand bags must be made of leather and/or cloth. The front and rear rests will not be connected to each other, the bench or the gun. Only sand bag can touch sides and bottom of stock. When rifle is raised straight up, the front and/or rear rest must not rise up with rifle. If the front and/or rear rest rise up with rifle, the front and/or rear rest must be weighed with rifle to determine eligibility. Front and/or rear rifle rest can not restrain the recoil of rifle. Front and rear rifle rest must be placed directly on top of the bench with the following exceptions. Spacers may be placed under the rear rest to attain elevation. A coin, disk, bearing, or similar device may be placed under the legs of the front rest.
Nothing can be attached to the bench that would impede the movement of the front or rear rifle rests.

TARGET
Official USRA-IR50/50 TARGET must be used. Targets are to be taken down by target crew and given directly to scorer. Targets must be hung with sighter targets at the top.

CLASSES

13.5 LB
Unlimited scope power. Gun and scope must weigh 13.50000 lbs. or under. Stock must be 3" or under at its widest point. Barrel, action, or sleeve can be bedded. Bedding can be by glue-in or bolt in. Gun must be designed to be shoulder fired. The bottom of the butt of stock that comes in contact with rear sandbag must be either convex or flat. If flat, the bottom of the butt of stock must be 1" or under in width. The bottom of the forearm must be either convex or flat, except for position style stocks with a hand stop slide. Adding small rails or reshaping the stock to form a mini-rail system is not allowed. No electronic or mechanically assisted triggers allowed.

10.5 LB
Same rules as 13.5 class. Gun and scope must weigh 10.50000 lbs. or under.

SPORTER
Rifle and scope must weigh 7.50 lbs. or under. Scope must be 6.5 power or under. Variable scopes must be set at the legal power and taped by referee. Rifle must be a repeater and hold 2 or more rounds in a removable clip/magazine except for tubular fed rifles. The clip/magazine must be capable of feeding two or more rounds into the chamber and must be installed in the clip/magazine housing when competing and when rifle is weighed. Rifle must have a working safety. Stock must be made of wood and must be designed to be shoulder fired. Laminate wood is allowed and the action area may contain bedding material. The action may be glued into the stock. Proof that the stock is made of wood is the competitors responsibility and must be accomplished to the satisfaction of the referees when requested. Visible wood grain over the entire surface of the stock shall constitute proof.

Stock must be 2.25" or under at its widest point. No stock tape allowed. Any area of the stock that comes in contact with front and rear sandbags must be convex.  Convex will be determined by placing a penny on the stock where convex shaping is required. The outer edges of the penny can not come in contact with the stock in the dimension being measured (see picture below). There must be visible space underneath the outer edges of the penny. If the outer edges of the penny exceed the width of the dimension in question the area must be clearly convex to the referees. The underside of the forend that contacts the sandbag must be convex across the entire width.
Minimum length from the trigger to the end of stock, excluding butt pad, must be 12.5". No vibration devices allowed. Barrel must be made out of one piece of metal with no attachments except for the action and a nut to secure the barrel to the action. Sights are only allowed on factory barrels. No electronic or remotely actuated triggers.

AGGREGATE SCORES
2-Gun Aggregate
Total of the scores for the 10.5 and 13.5 Classes. Only contested at State, Regional, and National matches.
3-Gun Aggregate
Total of the scores for the Sporter, 10.5, and 13.5 Classes. Only contested at State, Regional, and National matches.
4-Gun Aggregate
Total of the scores for 10.5 and 13.5 Classes at both 50 yards and 50 meters. Only contested at the Nationals.
6-Gun Aggregate
Total of the scores for Sporter, 10.5, and 13.5 Classes at both 50 yards and 50 meters. Only contested at the Nationals.

SCORING

Scoring plugs that measure.224 shall be used.

Scoring Protest
After targets are scored, targets must be hung in full view of competitors. Targets are not to be handled by competitors until match results are declared official by Rangemaster. After last relay's targets are hung up, Rangemaster must give competitors a minimum of ten minutes to file any scoring protests with referees. If a competitor removes his target before the match results have been declared official by Rangemaster, he will be disqualified. A Rangemaster may impose a $2 scoring protest fee per bullet hole. A $2 protest fee is MANDATORY at State and Regional Championships and the Nationals.

Scoring Procedure
If a bullet hole touches a line or X on the target bull, shooter receives the highest point. If a plug must be used, the letter (P) must be written on that shot's square by scorer. Inner most ring counts as ten points, and each succeeding ring counts one point less. Outer most ring counts as 3 points. The dot in the middle of the inner most ring counts as an X. If a shot is in a target square but misses the outer most ring of the bull, the score is zero. Any shot touching target square's inside or outside border lines will be counted in that block as a zero. A plug is to be used if visible determination cannot be made by scorer. Any bullet hole that is between blocks shall be plugged. The block that contains the majority of the bullet hole will count for that block as a zero. If more than one shot appears in target square, shooter receives lowest score minus one (1) point. Perfect score: 250 and 25X's. If any holes are bigger than a .22 plug the lowest score will be awarded. If more than two bullet holes are larger than a .22 plug, target will be disqualified. If first shot on paper hits a record target, shooter must notify Rangemaster or referee before second shot is fired. Rangemaster or referee must check target before second shot is fired and notify scorer that shooter will not be charged for that shot.

Ties
The Referees will check the targets starting with the #1 target block. First target block with higher points shot wins. If tie still exists after checking target blocks 1 through 25, go to #1 target block and check X's. The first one who gets an X and the other one does not match it wins. If tie still exists, go to #1 target block and the first X completely plugged out wins if not matched by other competitor.

1. Two Gun Agg Ties
Referees will check score of 10.5 class to determine winner. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check targets beginning with 10.5 class as stated under "TIES".

2. Three Gun Agg Ties
Referees will check score of Sporter class to determine winner. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check score of 10.5 class. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check targets beginning with Sporter class as stated under "TIES".

3. Four Gun Agg Ties
Referees will check score of 10.5 class at 50 yards to determine winner. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check score of 13.5 class at 50 yards. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check targets beginning with 10.5 class at 50 meters. Highest score wins. If tie still exists check targets beginning with 10.5 at 50 yards as stated under "TIES".

4. Six Gun Agg Ties
Referees will check score of Sporter class at 50 yards to determine winner. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check score of 10.5 class at 50 yards. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check score of 13.5 class at 50 yards. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check targets beginning with Sporter class at 50 meters. Highest score wins. If tie still exists, check score of 10.5 class at 50 meters. Highest score wins. If tie still exists check targets beginning with Sporter class at 50 yards as stated under "TIES".

Crossfire
If a shooter fires on another shooter's target and admits mistake to Referee, one point for each shot crossfired shall be deducted from the shooter’s score. “First shot criteria applies as defined in “Scoring Procedure”.  If a shooter fires on your target, notify Rangemaster at once so you will not be penalized. If a shooter fires on another person's target and will not admit mistake, he can be disqualified.

DUTIES OF OFFICIALS
Rangemaster
Person in charge of shoot. Must have match sanctioned by requesting dates for matches in advance.  Results will consist of name of shooter, equipment list, class and score in order of finish. Must sign and send in all possible World Record targets with match results within 30 days of match date or target will be disqualified.

Referees
Three referees will be appointed by Rangemaster. Referees must be competitors in the match they are refereeing. Referee can not be scorer**. Referees will decide problems in crossfire, protests in scoring, eligibility of guns and rests, any other protests that may arise or any rule violations that may occur. Referees at anytime before commence fire and after cease fire may inspect and weigh gun, or inspect rest or scope to determine if shooter is in compliance with rules. Referees must weigh first, second, and third place rifles for each class contested. Referees will decide outcome of any protests lodged by competitors before, during, and after match. Referees must tape all variable scopes in Sporter Class before commence fire. An alternate referee should be named in case one of the three referees has filed a protest or is involved in a protest.

Scorer
Appointed by the Rangemaster to score targets. Scorer must have a plug. Rangemaster can also be scorer. All officials can compete in matches. Scorer cannot be a referee**.

**When only four competitors are present, the scorer will become the alternate referee to alleviate conflict of interest as far as possible.

WORLD RECORD TARGET
Only official USRA-IR50/50 targets sent from sanctioned matches will be considered. If a competitor has shot a potential World Record target, it is the competitor's responsibility to notify the Rangemaster. The competitor is not to remove the target, or the target will be disqualified. After notification by a competitor of a potential World Record target, it is the Rangemaster's responsibility to remove the target, sign it, and direct the three referees to sign it. It is the responsibility of the Rangemaster to mail the target, along with the match results, to USRA-IR50/50 within 30 days of match date. If this procedure is not followed, target will not be submitted to the 50/50 Scoring Committee. If any holes are bigger than a .22 plug, lowest score will be awarded. If more than two bullet holes are larger than a .22 plug, target will be disqualified. All scores shot on the same day and verified to exceed the current record will be recognized as records. The highest score will be the record "holder" and any others will receive recognition for breaking the record and all amenities. For the purpose of this rule the term "day" is defined as midnight to midnight Eastern Time.

PROTESTS
Any shooter may protest his target, someone else's target, questionable guns or rests or other problems that may arise.  The same plug shall be used by the referees for all scoring protests (per class) at a match. Referees will decide outcome and their decision is final. The only protest a club can charge a fee for is a scoring protest.
If any person involved in a match believes a protest was resolved inappropriately because of a misinterpretation of the rules or an adequate rule does not exist, a formal request may be submitted to the USRA for the purpose of clarifying the rules. Enough information should accompany the request to support an adequate understanding of what happened. The USRA will not overturn a decision by the referees but the possibility shall remain open to formulate an agreeable resolution beyond that of rule clarification. Any resolution will be the result of recommendation by a committee of Rangemasters not involved in the event and the committee will be comprised of no less than three Rangemasters.

REGISTRATION
Match to start at predetermined time. Registration will close at the end of the first relay of the Sporter Class. No one will be allowed to sign up after the end of the first relay of the Sporter Class. Registration forms are to be filled out and signed by each competitor.

BENCHES
Drawing for bench and relay is required at every sanctioned match.  Computer software approved by USRA-IR50/50 may be used for bench drawing.
Multi-day or multi-match events are allowed the option to draw bench and relay for each match or draw bench and relay once. If a single drawing is implemented, benches shall be rotated after each class such that a competitor will traverse the entire firing line over the course of the event as far as mathematically possible. An example of one drawing would be a 2 day state championship event at a range with 20 benches. The competitors would draw once and rotate 3 benches each class over both days. (20 benches divided by 6 targets = 3 with an unusable remainder.)

Bench Sharing
A Rangemaster is not required to run an extra relay to accommodate bench sharing except at State and Regional championship matches where two relays are required if requested. If the Rangemaster otherwise allows bench sharing, no more than two competitors can share the same bench***. Competitors must notify Rangemaster at sign up if they wish to share the same bench, and designate which competitor will draw for bench and relay. The bench and relay drawn will be assigned to the designated competitor. The second competitor will be assigned the same bench on the next available relay. If the same bench is occupied, the designated competitor may re-draw for bench and relay until he/she draws a bench and relay that will accommodate bench sharing if that is possible. Requests to share benches shall be made prior to the drawing and can not be rescinded after the drawing has occurred.

Equipment Sharing
A Rangemaster is not required to run an extra relay to accommodate equipment sharing except at State and Regional championship matches where two relays are required if requested. If the Rangemaster otherwise allows equipment sharing, no more than two competitors can share the same equipment***. Competitors must notify Rangemaster at sign up if they wish to share equipment, and designate which competitor will draw for bench and relay. The bench and relay drawn will be assigned to the designated competitor. The other competitor will draw until he/she draws a different relay. Requests to share equipment shall be made prior to the drawing and can not be rescinded after the drawing has occurred.

***When computer software is used for bench drawing, the number of competitors sharing can be extended to equal the number of relays.

Empty Benches
No one will occupy any unused bench at a match for any reason.

SCALES
Scales must be available to all shooters to determine class. Each club should have a 7.5 lb. weight, a 10.5 lb. weight, and a 13.5 lb. weight to check scales.

SPORTSMANSHIP
There will be no loud talk or noise on or around the firing line during a match. Rangemaster or referees may disqualify any person who disregards this rule.

SAFETY
Rifles must be equipped with trigger guards. All rifles must have bolts removed or chamber flags in place at all times when not engaged in active competition and prior to removal from the firing line.  Failure to comply will result in disqualification.  Rifles are NEVER to be on the bench until the Rangemaster calls the relay to the line after determining that the range is secure. When target crew is down range, NO RIFLES will be allowed on benches. Loss of sanctioning may result if this procedure is not followed.