Rifle Matches

BERPC conducts monthly rifle matches from April through October at the August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area Shooting Range. Matches are usually held on the fourth Saturday of each month, but the date may vary (check the match calendar, for exact dates). Matches start at 7:30 AM for setup (first shots at 8:00 AM) and are over by 9:30 AM. Time is limited, so shooters should be at the facility no later than 7:30 AM.

Three types of matches are held: Bench Rest, High-Power Rifle, and 3-Gun. The match type rotates monthly and is indicated on the match calendar.

Rifle matches are open to BERPC members and non-members. Match fees are $12 for members and $18 dollars for non-members.

Bench Rest

Bench Rest rifle matches are patterned after International Benchrest Shooters matches, with appropriate changes to conform to the confines and restrictions of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) ranges. The course of fire for a relay is shown below, and the match consists of two relays (time permitting). Each relay requires 32 rounds, so the round count for the entire match is 64 (sight-in may require additional rounds at the shooter's discretion). Shooters may elect to shoot one or both relays.

Bench Rest matches are a recent addition to the BERPC repertoire, and the rules are subject to change based on the success of the matches.

  • Definitions and Restrictions:
    • At no time shall a shooter fire faster than 1 round every 3 seconds (i.e. minimum of 3 seconds between shots)! Violating this rule may result in permanent loss of range priviledges for the club.
    • A Scoped Rifle is defined as "a rifle with magnified optics." The power and size of the optics is not limited.
    • An Enhanced Rifle is defined as "a rifle with non-magnified optics, such as a red-dot or non-magnified (1X) scope."
    • A Standard Rifle is defined as "a rifle with open or iron sights." A Scoped or Enhanced rifle may be considered a Standard rifle if it is equipped with, and the shooter uses, "backup" open/iron sights.
    • Seated is defined as "sitting on the bench with upper body (e.g. elbows, chest) contacting the shooting table."
    • All shots will be fired from the Seated position, and all targets will be mounted on the lower position of the target backer.
    • All scored shooting will use TQ-3/2(T) 2-bullseye targets.
    • Accessories
      • Slings, bags, bipods, and unweighted rests, such as provided by MDC, are permitted, as are muzzle devices such as brakes and suppressors.
      • Weighted rests such as a "lead sled", rests that support the shoulder stock, and monopods are NOT permitted.
      • Contact the Rifle Match Director for clarification on specific items.
  • Course of Fire:
    • Sight In (10 minutes)
      • Sight-in will be at one distance prior to the first relay of competitive fire.
      • Round count is at the shooter's discretion; sight-in shots are not scored.
      • MDC-provided, 2-bullseye, red targets
    • Far (ammo prep: 2 minutes, equipment prep: 1 minute, shoot: 10 minutes)
      • 16 rounds, 8 at each bullseye
      • Manual, single-load, or magazine-fed with one required magazine change
      • Distance
        • Scoped: 100 yards
        • Enhanced: 75 yards
        • Standard: 50 yards
    • Near (ammo prep: 2 minutes, equipment prep: 1 minute, shoot: 8 minutes)
      • 16 rounds, 8 at each bullseye
      • Manual, single-load, or magazine-fed with one required magazine change
      • Distance
        • Scoped: 75 yards
        • Enhanced: 50 yards
        • Standard: 25 yards
  • Required & Recommended Equipment:
    • Semi-automatic or bolt-action rifle or carbine of less than .50 caliber.
    • Copper, lead, or copper-jacketed lead ammunition. No steel-core or "penetrator" type ammunition is allowed on MDC ranges.
    • A minimum of two (2) clips or magazines appropriate for loading the rifle per the match rules.
    • Minimum of 32 rounds (one relay); 64 rounds (two relays); sight-in period will require additional rounds.
    • Eye and ear protection.
    • [recommended] Shooters will want to invest in a quality spotting scope, but scopes are not necessary in order to get started. Spotting scopes may be borrowed at the MDC range office.
    • Other equipment is available to help improve comfort and performance, but much of it is based on personal preferences. BERPC recommends giving the match a try and talking to experienced shooters before investing.

High-Power Rifle

High power rifle matches are designed to conform to NRA Official Rules for High Power Rifle Matches; however, some variation is necessary to account for range restrictions. The course of fire for the match is shown below. A match consists of a minimum of 50 rounds (sight-in may require additional rounds at the shooter's discretion).

  • Definitions and Restrictions:
    • At no time shall a shooter fire faster than 1 round every 3 seconds (i.e. minimum of 3 seconds between shots)! Violating this rule may result in permanent loss of range priviledges for the club.
    • All distances are 100 yards.
    • Offhand is defined as "standing without any external means of support."
    • Sitting is defined as "a seated position with no part of the upper body in contact with the shooting table; use of a sling is permitted."
    • Prone is defined as "sitting on the bench with upper body (e.g. elbows, chest) contacting the shooting table; use of a sling is permitted."
    • Because these matches no longer meet NRA requirements for High Power Rile matches, exceptions that do not result in a scoring advantage, such as the use of a suppressor, are permitted. Contact the Match Director for clarification on specific items.
  • Course of Fire:
    • Offhand (prep: 3 minutes, shoot: 10 minutes)
      • 10 rounds; manual, single-load
      • SR-1 target
    • Sitting - Rapid Fire (prep: 3 minutes, shoot: 60 seconds)
      • 10 rounds with magazine change (service rifle: 2 & 8, bolt-action: 5 & 5)
      • SR-1 target
    • Prone - Rapid Fire (prep: 3 minutes, shoot: 70 seconds)
      • 10 rounds with magazine change (service rifle: 2 & 8, bolt-action: 5 & 5)
      • SR-21 target
    • Offhand (prep: 3 minutes, shoot: 20 minutes)
      • 20 rounds; manual, single-load
      • SR-31 target
  • Required & Recommended Equipment:
    • Semi-automatic or bolt-action, centerfire rifle. To accomodate more shooters, BERPC adheres to the "any rifle" designation as defined in paragraph 3.2 of the rule book. There are no restrictions on sights or accessories, but caliber is limited to .35 or smaller.
    • A minimum of two (2) clips or magazines appropriate for loading the rifle per the match rules.
    • Minimum of 50 rounds (sighting-in period will require additional rounds).
    • Eye and ear protection.
    • [recommended] Shooters will want to invest in a quality spotting scope, but scopes are not necessary in order to get started. Spotting scopes may be borrowed at the MDC range office.
    • Other equipment is available to help improve comfort and performance, but much of it is based on personal preferences. BERPC recommends giving the match a try and talking to experienced shooters before investing.

3 Gun

3-gun matches are inspired by the popular 3-Gun Nation type competitions, with appropriate changes to conform to the confines and restrictions of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) ranges. The course of fire for a relay is shown below, and the match consists of as many relays as time allows. Each relay requires 26 rifle rounds and 12 pistol rounds Scoring is based on the shooter's two best relays, but shooters may elect to shoot as many relays as desired.

3-Gun matches are a recent addition to the BERPC repertoire, and the rules are subject to change based on the success of the matches.

  • Definitions and Restrictions:
    • At no time shall a shooter fire faster than 1 round every 3 seconds (i.e. minimum of 3 seconds between shots)! Violating this rule may result in permanent loss of range priviledges for the club.
    • Safety is paramount! The match format requirs shooters to move between booths. A limited, but adequate, time to shoot, clear and safe firearms, and move between booths in a calm fashion acceptable to range staff is provided.
    • Each relay will start with shooters standing outside the booth.
    • A maximum of 10 shooters is allowed at one time. If more than 10 shooters are present, relays will be broken into flights to allow everyone to participate.
    • Standing is defined as "standing without any external means of support; use of a sling is permitted."
    • Sitting is defined as "a seated position on the bench; contact with the shooting table is permitted. Forearms my be braced on the table, but handguns may not."
    • Prone is defined as "sitting on the bench with upper body (e.g. elbows, chest) contacting the shooting table; use of a sling or bipod is permitted; bipods must be folded at the start of the relay."
    • All shots fired from the "prone" or "sitting" positions will be at targets mounted on the lower position of the target backer. All shots fired from the "standing" position will be at targets mounted on the upper position of the target backer.
  • Match Procedure:
    • Each shooter will use an odd-numbered booth and the next-higher even-numbered both. The odd-numbered booth will have targets at 100 yards, and even-numbered booths will have targets at 25 yards.
    • Each shooter will place an MR-31 target on the lower position of the target backer at 100 yards in their odd-numbered booth.
    • Each shooter will place 2 MDC-provided, 2-bullseye, red targets at 25 yards in their even-numbered booth. One target will be in the upper position of the target backer; one target will be in the lower position on the of the target backer.
    • Each shooter will place their "100 yard rifle" in the rack in the odd-numbered booth, with magazines removed and the action open.
    • Each shooter will place their "25 yard rifle" and pistol in the racks in the even-numbered booth, with magazines removed and actions open.
    • Each relay will start with shooters standing outside the booth.
    • At the start signal, shooters will:
      • Enter their odd-numbered booth and fire the required number of rounds at 100 yards from the prone position.
      • Clear and rack their rifle, with magazines removed and the action open.
      • Move calmly to their even-numbered booth.
      • Using a rifle, fire the required number of rounds at 25 yards at the upper target from the standing position.
      • Using a pistol, fire the required number of rounds at 25 yards at the lower target from the sitting position.
      • Clear and rack their rifle and pistol, with magazines removed and actions open.
    • AT NO TIME WILL SHOOTERS EXIT A BOOTH WITH AN UNCASED FIREARM! DOING SO WILL RESULT IN A MATCH DISQUALIFICATION.
  • Course of Fire:
    • Preparation (ammo prep: 2 minutes, equipment prep: 1 minute, shoot: 10 minutes)
      • Ammo prep: 2 minutes
      • Equipment prep: 1 minute
      • Shoot: 10 minutes
    • Prone
      • Odd-numbered booth
      • Rifle
      • 10 rounds
      • MR-31 target mounted in the lower position of the target backer at 100 yards
    • Standing
      • Even-numbered booth
      • Rifle
      • 16 rounds, 8 at each bullseye
      • 1 magazine change is required
      • MDC-provided, 2-bullseye, red target mounted in the upper position of the target backer at 25 yards
    • Sitting
      • Even-numbered booth
      • Pistol
      • 12 rounds, 6 at each bullseye
      • 1 magazine change or reload via speedloader is required
      • MDC-provided, 2-bullseye, red target mounted in the lower position of the target backer at 25 yards
  • Required Equipment:
    • 2 semi-automatic or bolt-action rifles or carbines of less than .50 caliber. NOTE: Subsitution of a handgun for a rifle is permitted.
    • 1 pistol, semi-automatic or revolver, of less than .50 caliber.
    • Copper, lead, or copper-jacketed lead ammunition. No steel-core or "penetrator" type ammunition is allowed on MDC ranges.
    • An appropriate number of clips, magazines, or speedloaders for loading the firearms per match rules. NOTE: The standing and sitting strings require a magazine change or reload via speedloader,
    • Minimum of 26 rifle and 12 pistol rounds per relay. Complete scoring requires two relays, so the minimum round count is 52 rifle and 24 pistol.
    • Eye and ear protection.
    • [recommended] Shooters will want to invest in a quality spotting scope, but scopes are not necessary in order to get started. Spotting scopes may be borrowed at the MDC range office.
    • Other equipment is available to help improve comfort and performance, but much of it is based on personal preferences. BERPC recommends giving the match a try and talking to experienced shooters before investing.