Another issue was double-barrel rifles shooting against single-barrel rifles. There are now three general groups: One, Two and Three, with each group defined by projectile diameter, projectile weight and muzzle energy. The number of shots fired in competition decreases from Group One to Group Three to take into account increasing recoil.
Additionally, each group has a number of slowly aimed shots and a number of rapid-fire shots to mitigate the differences between rifles. To reflect the typical field conditions in which big-game rifles might be used, no slings or rests are permitted in competition. Scope sights may be used, subject to a points penalty. The emphasis is on offhand shooting and the use of open sights.
As big-game rifles were often traditionally used in tight, dangerous situations, two speed events were conceived: Charging Animal and Special Snap. While these were the first Big Game Rifle events, as the discipline has developed, it was felt that double rifles needed a separate event. At state and branch levels, events have been expanded to include a diverse range of rifle categories and other shooting events, including:. Big Game Rifle comprises eight categories. The course of fire includes differently timed shots and shooting positions in each category, which is fully set out in the rule book.
One early issue was where to start Big Game Rifle categories and how to define them. It was felt that all military calibres should be excluded and that sporting rifles only be used.
In the end, Group One started at the. Group One requires a minimum bullet diameter of. This group covers the. This group encompasses the largest of the big-game-stopping rifles, beginning at the. Group Three requires a minimum bullet diameter of. These cartridges range from the. They are distinctly different from the military and target cartridges of the black powder era, which typically used a heavy bullet propelled by a fairly small powder charge, giving a low velocity and curved trajectory.
Conversely, Express rifles used a large charge of black powder propelling a light bullet to deliberately flatten the trajectory and ease the problems of holdover when stalking.
Black Powder Express has a minimum calibre of. Loads may be full black powder, pyrodex or duplex of at least 80 per cent black powder.
Jacketed bullets may only be used with full black powder. These were the real big-game and dangerous-game-stopping rifles of their day. Typically, they were , or 8-bore firearms firing large charges of black powder and using a round ball or conical lead projectile. This category is a great spectator event, with huge volumes of smoke combined with tremendous muzzle flashes.
This category also includes any bore gun or rifle with full rifling or patent rifling, as in Paradox rifled choke or semi-invisible rifling for ball and shot. Smoothbore ball guns are permitted, provided they are specifically designed for ball and have sights fitted by the original maker. Projectiles must be of a traditional design such as round ball, bluff nosed or Paradox and must be bore riding.
Shotgun slugs, such as Brenneke slugs, saboted projectiles or similar modern developments are not permitted. Firearms of modern manufacture in keeping with the spirit of the event, such as the Greener GP, may be used. These two groups encompass all centrefire double rifles. In the early days of Big Game Rifle, the doubles were mainly of British origin, but since about , there has been an increasing surge of new double rifles from Europe.
These are in both the traditional side-by-side configuration and the popular European over-and-under style. Stalking Double Rifle requires any centrefire double rifle with a minimum calibre of. If using a bore gun or rifle, it must be gauge or greater.
These are rapid-fire events and require a Group One rifle as a minimum. At the National Championships, only the Charging Animal event is shot.
The course of fire uses targets at 75, 50 and 25 yards. It was recognised that some ranges may not be able to accommodate targets at 75 yards, so the Special Snap event, which is fired at 25 yards, can be used as an alternative.
The selection of this team may be done with advice from the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor and National Discipline Chairman. The selection is based on merit and must be approved by the National Board. Big Game and Hunting Rifle shooting allows shooters to enjoy competing, collecting and developing skills with a wide variety of unique firearms not covered by any other form of competition shooting.
Courses of fire attempt to simulate the various hunting conditions under which the diverse types of rifle would be used, typically from 25mm or so. Accuracy and rifle handling skills are put to the test, with emphasis on offhand and field position shooting.
Rapid fire, rapid reloading and the use of open sights is encouraged, with a moderate scope penalty for most events. To reflect the typical field conditions in which big-game rifles might be used, no slings or rests are permitted in competition. Scope sights may be used, subject to a points penalty. The emphasis is on offhand shooting and the use of open sights.
Competitors use everything from genuine antique double rifles and Martini-action firearms through to Lee-Enfield and Mauser bolt-actions to modern big-game rifles such as those from CZ, Ruger, Winchester and other well-known manufacturers.
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