Range Control and Commands

The safety of competitors, range personnel and spectators requires continuous attention by all to the careful handling of firearms and caution in moving about the range.

Self-discipline is necessary on the part of all. Where such self-discipline is lacking, it is the duty of the range personnel to enforce discipline and the duty of competitors to assist in such enforcement.

Under no circumstances shall firing commence or continue on a range where an unsafe condition exists.

No BB gun may be cocked until the competitor is called to the firing line and the preparation period has begun.

BB guns may be cocked and dry-fired during the preparation period but no shots may be fired.

Upon the command CEASE FIRE, all BB guns will be grounded and the coach (or Range Official) will check the BB gun to see that it is not cocked.

If the gun is loaded or cocked when the command CEASE FIRE is given, the competitor must inform the Range Officer who will then direct the competitor to fire it into the safety backstop.

On lever-action guns, the gun can be checked to see that it has not been cocked by drawing the cocking lever forward to check spring pressure, and then leaving the gun in the quarter cocked position to indicate it has been checked.

It is the duty of competitors to properly notify the Range Officer if not ready to fire at the time the command IS THE LINE READY? is given.

The Chief Range Officer will then decide whether to delay until the competitor is ready, to resquad the competitor or to commence firing immediately.

A BB will be inserted into the BB gun only at the firing point and after the command, COMMENCE FIRE.

The muzzle of the BB gun will be pointed in the direction of the targets until the BB gun is discharged or unloaded.

Even if the gun has a magazine, only one BB may be loaded.

Loud or abusive language will not be permitted.

Competitors, coaches, and range personnel will limit their conversation directly behind the firing line to official business.

No competitor may delay the start of a match through tardiness in reporting or undue delay in preparing to fire.

Competitors will be allowed not less than one (1) minute nor more than three (3) minutes, at the discretion of the tournament sponsor, to take their places at their firing points and prepare to fire after the firing points have been cleared by the preceding competitors.

Competitors may dry-fire BB guns during the preparation period, but any shot fired during this period will be scored as a miss on the first or successive record bulls.

It is the duty of competitors and coaches to police their firing points after the completion of each stage.

A Range Officer will repeat the Chief Range Officer's commands only when those commands cannot be clearly heard by competitors and coaches under his/her supervision.

When ready to start the firing of a match, the Chief Range Officer, commands: COMPETITORS ON RELAY NO. 1 AND COACHES MOVE TO THE FIRING LINE, YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD STARTS NOW.

During this period, the competitor should get into position and prepare to shoot. Competitors may dry-fire the gun, but no shooting of BBs is permitted.

The Chief Range Officer may advise the competitors of their correct position and course of fire and caution them about shooting at the correct target and keeping the gun pointed down range at all times.

At the end of the preparation period the Chief Range Officer states, THE PREPARATION PERIOD HAS ENDED.

After confirming that the range is clear the Chief Range Officer proceeds with the range firing commands. The Chief Range Officer then asks, IS THE LINE READY?

When a competitor is not ready, the competitor or coach will immediately raise his/her arm and call NOT READY ON TARGET...

The Chief Range Officer will immediately state, THE LINE IS NOT READY, and the Range Officer will immediately investigate the difficulty and assist in correcting it.

When this has been corrected, the Chief Range Officer calls, THE LINE IS READY. READY ON THE RIGHT. READY ON THE LEFT. READY ON THE FIRING LINE. COMMENCE FIRING.

Commands controlling the start of firing sequence commencing with READY ON THE RIGHT should have approximately a 3 second interval between firing line commands.

After this command, BB guns shall be loaded, firing commences and sighters and record shots are fired without further command for that particular relay.

At the end of the allotted time, the Chief Range Officer commands: CEASE FIRING, CLEAR ALL GUNS, ARE ALL GUNS CLEAR?

Any unfired rounds must be discharged into the backstop at the command of the Range Officer.

The guns are grounded and the cocking lever checked to see that the gun is not cocked. The next command: THE LINE IS SAFE. or THE LINE IS NOT SAFE.

RELAY NO. 1 BACK TO THE READY LINE.

AS YOU WERE means to disregard the command just given.

CARRY ON means to proceed with whatever was being done before an interruption occurred.

Range Officers will immediately command, CEASE FIRING, if any incident occurs which could cause possible injury to some living thing should firing continue. In all other cases commands will originate with the Chief Range Officer.

Only one shot shall be fired and scored on each of the bulls without penalty.

It is the responsibility of the competitor to keep track of his/her shots and to fire only one shot at each bull.

In case more than one shot strikes in one bull, scoring rules in Section 14 shall govern.

No competitor will fire more than one score for the same award except as provided in the program.

Electronic scoring devices which score paper targets must be calibrated before the start of the match.

If recalibration is necessary during the match, all prior targets must be rescored using the new calibration.

If a challenge to the score is made, the individual bull must be challenged.

The shot will be evaluated using the electronic scoring system by the referee/jury and a chief statistical officer and adjusted or rescored as necessary.

No person with an interest in the outcome of the match may evaluate targets.

The decision of the referee or jury is final.

If a target falls or is blown from its target holder or blows loose so that the competitor can no longer fire at it, the competitor or coach must notify the Range Officer who will notify the Chief Range Officer.

The Chief Range Officer at his/her discretion, may cease firing to replace the target, have the competitor wait until firing has ceased to replace the target and continue firing, or resquad the competitor.

If the competitor is allowed to continue firing or is resquadded, that competitor will be given one minute for each record shot that remained to be fired at the time the loose or fallen target was reported.

All record shots fired prior to that time count.