.22 Rimfire Sporter Competition Guidelines

Objectives

• Enhance youth development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activities.
• To involve youth in a life skills program that teaches safe and responsible use of shooting sports equipment including sound decision-making, self-discipline and concentration.
• To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
• To expose participants to the broad array of vocational and life-long avocation activities related to shooting sports.
• To strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities.
• To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety, shooting and hunter education programs using experiential (hands on) educational methods and progressive development of skills and abilities

Event Guidelines

• A county may enter any number of eligible Junior (grades 7-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) 4-H Members. There will be both Junior and Senior Divisions.
• There will be separate individual competition for rifles with open sights (o-class) and rifles with telescopic or aperture sights (t-class).
• Teams in both Junior and Senior Divisions are composed of 3-4 members with the team score being determined by the scores from the top 3 4-H’ers. Counties with less than three participants will compete as individuals. Counties may enter more than one team. If more than one team is entered, they must be designated prior to the start of the event. Any combination of “O” Class and “T” Class participants may be squadded together to form a
team of 3-4 individuals. There will not be separate team competitions for “O” and “T” Classes.
• Targets designated as “CMP Rimfire Sporter Target” or “CMP B-19” will be used.
• Course of fire will be as outlined by the CMP Rimfire Sporter Match. 4-H’ers begin at 50 yards with a 10-minute sighting period where unlimited shots may be fired. Next, 4-H’ers will fire from 50 yards 10 shots slow fire followed by two 5 shot rapid fire series in the prone position. This is followed by 10 shots slow fire followed by two 5 shot rapid fire series in the sitting or kneeling position. Targets are then placed at 25 yards where the 4-H’er will shoot 10 shots slow fire followed by two 5 shot rapid fire series in the standing position. A total of
60 record shots are fired. Targets but not ammunition will be furnished at state matches.
• Rapid fire time limit for semi-autos is 25 seconds, 30 seconds for manually operated rifles for each 5 shot series.
• Rifles are not to be chambered until the 4-H’er is in position. Chambering a rifle before being in position can result in disqualification.
• All competition rules will be governed by the CMP Rimfire Sporter as outlined by the most current rulebook. A copy of the current rule book can be obtained from the CMP website at www.odcmp.org
• Rifles used in the Rimfire Sporter Match must be of standard sporter type not exceeding 7.5 pounds including sights and sling. Rifles must have a trigger capable of lifting a three pound weight when cocked. Thumbhole stocks, adjust butt plates, adjustable check pieces and rails or movable sling swivels are not permitted. Rifles should have a magazine capable of holding five rounds so it can be used in the rapid fire stages. Tactical style rifles are not permitted for 4-H Competition.
• A symmetrical web or leather sling no wider than 1.25 ” inches may be used in the prone and kneeling or sitting position attached to a fixed sling swivel. Slings for 4-H Competition may be of either target style (cuff sling with single point attachment at the forearm) or hunting /traditional style (two point attachment at stock and forearm). Slings may not be used in the standing
position but may remain on the rifle.
• Empty Chamber Indicators (ECIs) made of a highly visible material, preferably orange, are required to be used when rifles are uncased and on the range. ECIs are available through CMP.
• All participants and spectators must wear eye and hearing protection on the range.
• Closed toe shoes that are secured to the feet by use of a heel strap or formed heel must be worn at all times while on the range. Flip flops and sandals are not allowed. Shoes must be worn at the firing line.
• Other 4-H rules will be outlined in the program/agenda for the event as deemed necessary by the development committee. 4-H rules take precedence over other rules.

Coaching/Advising

• No coaching is permitted on the firing line following the 10-minute sighting period. Coaches may not verbally or non-verbally advise or assist 4-H’ers with:
posture, position adjustment, compensation for wind, shot location, sight adjustments or any other non-safety item while they are on the firing line during any event except at the direct instruction of the Range Officer. This rule may be modified for participants with special needs through prior request and approval by 4-H S.A.F.E. staff. Modifications or needs will be announced at coaches meeting prior to the event as needed.
• Following the designated sighting period, coaches must remain behind the designated line to allow for free movement of range officials to ensure a safe range and conduct the match. Assisting 4-H’ers with Safety is permitted and encourage throughout the match as long as other competitors are not distracted. A 4-H’er at anytime my leave the firing line to consult with a coach with permission of the Range Officer. However, the course of fire must be completed during the allotted time.
• Replacement of equipment – A coach may provide replacement or additional equipment as needed after obtaining permission from the range official.
• At the Range Officers discretion, a coach may be requested to assist or assigned to help a 4-H’er at the firing line during record fire due to safety issues and/or equipment malfunction.
• Coach behavior – Coaches must conduct themselves in a quiet, supportive and cooperative manner at all times. Range staff or the 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator may remove a coach from the vicinity of the firing line if they violate rules, distract other 4-H’ers or appear to distract their own 4-H’ers. In the event that a coach is removed, a replacement may be
permitted at the discretion of the range official. Continued disruption shall be deemed cause for disqualification, and removal from event area.

Certified Coaches/Adults

• Counties are required to have a minimum of one 4-H certified coach in the rifle discipline per 10 4-H’ers present at all county, district and state activities.  • The 4-H Project SAFE Committee strongly recommends that there should be one discipline certified coach for each 1-5 person county team.
• A 4-H certified coach in Rifle Discipline must be present for a county practice or event to be recognized as a Georgia 4-H SAFE program.
• Additional adequate adult supervision should be present to serve as safety officers and help facilitate all aspects of Project SAFE events and activities. Certified Coaches and volunteers must meet the UGA policies for volunteers.

Awards and Recognition

• Awards are as outlined by the Project SAFE Development Committee Junior (grades 7-8) high individuals in both O-Class and T-Class will be named state winners.
• The highest scoring Junior Team will be named state winner. All juniors are permitted to compete in future years as either high individuals or as team members.
• The senior high individual in both O-Class and T-Class will be named the state winners and will be eligible for Master 4-H’er status and to participate in the recognition of Special Events Winners at State 4-H Congress. The banquet meal and lodging expenses will be paid for the individual and coach; however, travel costs are not covered.
• The senior state winning team members will be eligible for Master 4-H’er status and to participate in the recognition of Special Events Winners at State 4-H Congress. The banquet meal and lodging expenses will be paid for the individual and coach; however, travel costs are not covered.
• The senior state winning team may be eligible to represent Georgia in the
4-H National Shooting Sports Invitational Match.
• Members of the State Winning (First Place) Team are ineligible to compete as team members in future years. This applies whether or not they compete in a National 4-H Shooting Sports event. Team members may compete as individuals in future contests and may be recognized as State Winners as High Individuals.
• State Winning High Individuals who are not members of the State Winning (First place) Team are permitted to compete in future years as either individuals or as team members.