Clubs and Shooters
Handbook
2018
American Airgun Field Target Association
By-Laws Rules
& Guidelines
Revised: December 22, 2017
Name: _____________________________________ Club: ______________________________________
Table of Contents
Clubs and Shooters Handbook.......................................................3 The Sport and its History .......................................................................7 Award for Meritorious Achievement ..................................................... 9 AAFTA By-Laws ....................................................................................10
Article I – Name..........................................................................10 Article II – Purpose.....................................................................10 Article III – Membership .............................................................10 Article IV – Responsibilities to Affiliates ..................................... 11 Article V – Dues .........................................................................11 Article VI – Meetings .................................................................. 11 Article VII – Board of Governors ................................................ 12 Article VIII – Representatives.....................................................13 Article IX – Rules and Guidelines ..............................................13 Article X – Suspension or Expulsion .......................................... 13 Article XI – Amendments............................................................13 Code of Ethics............................................................................14 Fitness to Serve as an AAFTA Governor...................................14 Associate Membership...............................................................14 Individuals ..................................................................................14 Clubs or Associations.................................................................14
AAFTA Calendar....................................................................................15 AAFTA Division Rules ..........................................................................16 Open Division.............................................................................16 Hunter Division...........................................................................16 World Field Target Federation (WFTF) Division ........................16 Classification ......................................................................................... 17
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Standard Classes.......................................................................17 Additional Classes......................................................................17 Consolidating Classes................................................................17
Match Director Roles ............................................................................ 18 Common Division Rules.......................................................................19 Equipment .................................................................................. 19 Energy Level .............................................................................. 19 Sights .........................................................................................19 Ammunition ................................................................................ 20 T argets ....................................................................................... 20 Range-finding ............................................................................. 20 Shooting ..................................................................................... 21 Target Sequence........................................................................21 Timers ........................................................................................ 21 Definition of a Shot.....................................................................22 Scoring ....................................................................................... 22 Tied Scores ................................................................................ 22 Target Malfunctions....................................................................22 Disputed Targets........................................................................23 Removing Targets......................................................................23 General Protest Procedure ........................................................23 Penalties..................................................................................... 24 Airgun Malfunctions....................................................................24 Open Division Rules ............................................................................. 25 Equipment .................................................................................. 25 Sights .........................................................................................25 Shooting ..................................................................................... 25 Seating ....................................................................................... 25
Hunter Division Rules...........................................................................26
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Equipment .................................................................................. 26 Sights .........................................................................................26 Shooting ..................................................................................... 26 Seating ....................................................................................... 26 Allowed Bipod Setups ................................................................ 27
WFTF Division Rules ............................................................................28
Equipment .................................................................................. 28 Sights .........................................................................................28 Shooting ..................................................................................... 28 Seating ....................................................................................... 28
Forced Shooting Positions ..................................................................29
KNEELING ................................................................................. 29 OFFHAND (Standing) ................................................................ 30 Sample KNEELING Positions .................................................... 31 Sample OFFHAND (Standing) Positions ................................... 32
Pistol Field Target Rules ......................................................................33
Pistol Rear Attachments.............................................................34
AAFTA Safety Rules .............................................................................35 AAFTA Grand Prix.................................................................................37 Qualifying Rules - Rifle Match....................................................37 Qualifying Rules - Pistol Match .................................................. 39 Scoring ....................................................................................... 40 Match Report..............................................................................40 Championship Awards ............................................................... 40 Season Tie-breaker (in order)....................................................41 Shoot-Off Procedure .................................................................. 41 Match Guidelines ..................................................................................42 Getting Started ........................................................................... 42
Match Planning ..........................................................................42 5
Course Preparation .................................................................... 44 T argets ....................................................................................... 45 Practice Area (Range)................................................................48 Chronograph Testing .................................................................48 Squadding .................................................................................. 49 Shooter’s Meeting ...................................................................... 49 Additional Classes at Nationals .................................................49 Team Competition at Nationals..................................................50 Awards Presentation..................................................................50
Troyer Difficulty Rating System...........................................................51
Target Difficulty – Rifle Course.......................................................51 Average Course Difficulty ...............................................................52 Target Difficulty – Pistol Course .....................................................52 Rating Charts..................................................................................52
Match Terminology ...............................................................................53 Etiquette ................................................................................................. 55 Version History......................................................................................56
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The Sport and its History
by: Jack Kirkendoll
Airgun Field Target shooting got its start in the early 1980’s in the U.K., and by the mid 1980’s had spread to California and Florida, almost simultaneously.
Florida hosted the first U.S. Championship in 1987, in West Palm Beach, and the AAFTA was established soon after for the sole purpose of fostering the sport, and helping it grow larger. For many years a small, “hardcore”, group of airgunners trekked to the each year’s “Nationals” bonding personal relationships with one another, and in-between, forming new Field Target clubs across America. The process was painfully slow, and even today, without major corporate sponsorships, such as Remington, Winchester, and other such corporations that provide advertising and funding for major matches of other shooting sports, AAFTA has had to rely entirely on the individual clubs that make it up for funding.
Yet, today, AAFTA consists of nearly 60 clubs across the North American continent that hold regular weekly or monthly matches among themselves, and still holds the U.S. Championship match every year, as well as several World Championships in the Past 21 years at varying venues.
Airgun Field Target is responsible for a wide range of technological innovations for airgunners in general, including pre-charged air rifles, match quality pellets, and a plethora of high quality riflescopes. There are many more manufacturers of high quality air rifles and scopes than we had 21 years ago, many of whom are catering directly to the sport of Airgun Field Target.
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Airgun Field Target shooting is about reading the range to the target and adjusting your aim based on the pellet’s trajectory from 10 to 55 yards. Shooters must be capable of grouping shots in as little as 3/8” at short distances, and 1” at the longest range. Shooting is done in squads of two or three people and provides opportunities to make new friends, and to learn from more experienced shooters.
We’ve tried to keep the rules of field target shooting to a minimum, as you can see from the Handbook. We don’t have a lot of classes, but there is a class for everyone from the most competitive, to the beginner.
In this handbook you will find the rules as regulated by the AAFTA to help match directors hold local matches at your club as well as contact information for the current members of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions they will be more than happy to hear from you.
Just remember, the object of air gun field target shooting is involvement and camaraderie. Whether or not you ever desire to compete in regional or national matches, you can enjoy this new sport with your club, or just a few friends in a safe shooting location. The most important thing is to enjoy airgunning by shooting as often as you can. Good shooting!
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Award for Meritorious
Achievement
Every organization is obligated to recognize from time to time certain individuals whose contributions toward its goals exceed the standards that it has established for itself. The Board of Governors hereby resolves that "The AAFTA Award for Meritorious Achievement" will henceforth serve to acknowledge those who have made outstanding contributions toward the promotion of Airgun Field Target Shooting in the United States.
1993 Bob Peiser
1999 Rodney Boyce
2000 Jack Kirkendoll
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2005 Brad Troyer 2008 Cliff Smith 2015 Ron Carlson
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AAFTA By-Laws Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the American Airgun Field Target Association (hereinafter referred to as AAFTA).
Article II – Purpose
The American Airgun Field Target Association is established for the purpose of promoting field target shooting clubs in the United States.
To accomplish this objective, AAFTA commits itself to establish a set of Rules and Guidelines so that participants may compete in regional and national competitions in a manner fair to all.
To provide these Rules and Guidelines to affiliated clubs in the interest of creating a standard among all members.
To assist affiliated clubs in conducting regional and national competitions governed by the aforementioned Rules and Guidelines.
To further the sport of Airgun Field Target Shooting in the United States by encouraging gentlemanly conduct, safety, fairness, and participation by all members.
To promote airgun shooting as a healthy and recreational activity to the general public.
Article III – Membership
The membership of AAFTA will be comprised of affiliated clubs within the United States which desire to shoot airgun field targets.
A member shall consist of a club with at least two members, which applies for membership, and is accepted by the Board of Governors.
Member clubs must hold at least one field target match per year strictly following the AAFTA Rules and Guidelines to remain in good standing.
Upon acceptance by the Board of Governors, clubs will be issued a certificate of membership to AAFTA.
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D. Members are required to submit to AAFTA, match results from sanctioned matches. Members are encouraged to submit all match results to AAFTA, and are further encouraged to submit information on club activities and match publicity to local, regional, and national news sources.
Article IV – Responsibilities to Affiliates
Affiliates are responsible for their own affairs, to include safety, club organization, disputes among members, dissemination of information, liability, and conduct in shooting activities. AAFTA will endeavor to assist clubs as requested, and to maintain, as the National Standard, the AAFTA Rules and Guidelines for field target shooting. AAFTA will designate the site for the U.S. Field Target Championship each year, and will provide the trophies for the National Champions.
Article V – Dues
There shall be $25.00 per anum dues, due in January of each year, for an AAFTA member club. The dues will be used to support Field Target shooting through publicity, promotional materials and maintain the AAFTA web-site. AAFTA will remain a non-profit organization. A member whose dues have been received by the AAFTA treasurer shall be considered a “member in good standing” for that year, while a member not having paid its dues will have its status changed to “associate member”, as defined in the section “Associate Membership” of the AAFTA handbook, by March of the year for which dues were to be paid.
Article VI – Meetings
The annual meeting of the association shall be held at the U.S. Championship Match each year with the general membership that is present.
Regular Meetings. The regular meetings for business of the association shall be held at such times and places as may be fixed by the Board of Governors.
Two-thirds Majority Vote. Issues brought before the members at the annual meeting will be decided by two-thirds vote of those present, to include proxy votes.
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Article VII – Board of Governors
The Board of Governors shall be responsible for the business affairs of AAFTA, and shall enforce and regulate the Rules and Guidelines referred to in these By-Laws.
The Board of Governors consists of six members, with two members elected for three-year terms each year. Elections for the Board of Governors shall be held at the annual meeting of the association.
Members in good standing and current members of the Board of Governors can nominate candidates for election. All candidate nominations must be communicated to the Chairman or Vice- Chairman of the board no later than 60 days before the annual meeting of the association.
A proxy ballot sheet listing all nominated candidates for that year’s election will be mailed to all members in good standing no later than 40 days before the annual meeting of the association.
At the annual meeting of the association the election will be held by each member in good standing casting one vote each for two candidates. Votes are cast in secret and in person by the appointed representative of a member at the annual meeting of the association.
Should the representative of a member not be able to attend in person, the member’s representative can authorize in writing another person to cast the member’s votes, or the member can vote by mailing the proxy ballot sheet with votes indicated next to the names of three listed candidates. The vote by ballot sheet must be mailed to the Chairman of the Board of Governors no later than 15 days before the annual meeting.
The candidates receiving the most votes will become members of the Board of Governors on the first of January following the election. In case of a tied vote, the tie will be resolved by each member representative present at the annual meeting casting one vote for one of the candidates in the tie. Should this result in another tied vote, the Chairman of the Board of Governors will resolve the tie with his vote.
Should a member of the Board of Governors resign, or for any reason not be able to fulfill his tenure, a replacement will be appointed by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Governors.
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The Board of Governors will consist of a Chairman, a Vice- Chairman, and a Secretary-Treasurer elected by a majority vote of the Board.
Any member of the Board of Governors may be suspended or expelled for any cause deemed sufficient by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Board of Governors.
Article VIII – Representatives
Each member club of AAFTA will appoint a representative whose purpose will be to handle all business between the Board of Governors and his member club.
Article IX – Rules and Guidelines
The Rules and Guidelines of AAFTA shall be established by the Board of Governors.
Article X – Suspension or Expulsion
Any member may be suspended or expelled from AAFTA for any cause deemed sufficient by the Board of Governors by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the general membership present at the annual meeting of the association.
Article XI – Amendments
Amendments may be proposed to entire articles of these By-Laws by any member at the annual meeting. Such proposed amendments must be submitted to the Board of Governors for approval. After the Board of Governors approves any amendment, they must be acted upon by the AAFTA membership at the next annual meeting. A two- thirds vote of the general membership will be necessary for its passage.
An amendment to a section of an article may be proposed by any member. Such proposed amendments must be submitted to the Board of Governors for approval. After its approval by the Board of Governors, it must be acted upon at the next annual meeting. A two- thirds vote of the members present will be necessary for its passage.
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Code of Ethics
Fitness to Serve as an AAFTA Governor
Each Governor is a representative of AAFTA and shall not by word, act, or omission create even a perception of impropriety in the conduct of official duties.
No Governor, in order to further his own economic interests or those of any other person, shall directly or indirectly use his office for pecuniary purposes.
Removal of a Governor for violation of these ethical standards shall be by majority vote of the remaining Governors.
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Associate Membership Individuals
Individuals may register as AAFTA Associate Members. Voting rights are allocated only to clubs.
Clubs or Associations
The Board of Governors resolves that foreign clubs and associations may join AAFTA as an Associate Member Club or Association. This no cost service may be taken advantage of by putting your request in writing and, upon acceptance by the Board of Governors, your club or association will be issued a Certificate of Associate Club/Association Membership. This membership, like the individual AAFTA Associate Member, carries no voting privileges.
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AAFTA Calendar
The AAFTA Calendar will lock-in certain dates each year for the major field target shooting events. The World Championships, The United States Championships and major Regional’s will all have top priority when the dates are chosen for these events.
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AAFTA Division Rules
Competitors shoot in one of three divisions: Open, Hunter, or World Field Target Federation (WFTF) Division. These divisions offer classes typically based on power plant. Restrictions in each Division are intended to limit the means of support of the gun, and to ensure safety and fairness in competition.
If questions arise about the class a shooter will compete in, the Match Director shall have the final say.
Open Division
The Open Division rules are intended to promote diversity and innovation as a means to advance the state of the art in the sport of Field Target. See section on Open Division Rules.
Hunter Division
The Hunter Division rules are intended to promote accessibility to the sport of Field Target, and the use of typical hunting equipment. As such, the rules shall enforce limits on the type of allowed equipment, and shall allow for a broad range of competitor physical fitness and conditioning. See section on Hunter Division Rules.
World Field Target Federation (WFTF) Division
The WFTF Division rules are intended to promote International style Field Target competition, and as such shall closely resemble the World Field Target Federation (WFTF) Core Rules. See section on WFTF Division Rules.
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Classification Standard Classes
The hosting club will typically offer PCP and Piston classes for the Rifle Divisions, and Limited and Hunter classes for Pistol. The minimum number of shooters required for Place Awards at Nationals is five, and three at Regional or Grand Prix matches.
Additional Classes
The hosting club may offer additional classes based on level of expertise, age group or other criteria. These classes are generally offered if there are at least three shooters per class. For example, Junior or Senior classes. Match Directors should announce additional classes prior to the match, whenever possible.
Consolidating Classes
Per Power Plant: If there are not enough shooters of a given Power Plant to create a class in any Division, for example: (Hunter Piston < quorum) AND (Open Piston < quorum) AND (WFTF Piston < quorum), the Match Director may create an overall Power Plant class (e.g., a Piston Class). In this case shooters compete following the rules of their respective Division (i.e., WFTF shooters follow WFTF rules, and so on.).
Per Division: If there are not enough shooters to create classes in a given Division, for example: (Open Piston < quorum) AND (Open PCP < quorum), the Match Director may create an overall class for the Division (e.g., an Open Class).
Per Class: If there are not enough shooters to create a class in a given Division, for example: (WFTF Piston < quorum), those shooters may compete in another Division provided that they comply with the rules of that Division (e.g., WFTF Piston shooters competing in the Open Piston class). Piston shooters also have the option of competing in the PCP class of their own Division.
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The Match Director should accommodate shooter preferences whenever possible but ultimately will have the final say.
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Match Director Roles
Any airguns declared unsafe to people or property by the Match Director will be barred from use.
Any concession requests regarding equipment constraints or handicaps should be delivered to the Match Director by a minimum of 24 hours prior to match commencement.
Any variations of the rules for Seating or Shooting Positions may be applied at the discretion of the Match Director in recognition of shooters disabilities, while ensuring that no unfair advantage is accrued over other competitors. In the event an advantage is obtained, those shooters shall compete in a separate class for awards.
In any matters arising and not covered by these rules the Match Director's decision will be final.
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Common Division Rules
All AAFTA divisions shall abide by the AAFTA Safety Rules defined in this Handbook, as well as the following rules.
Equipment
Safe airguns of any power plant, shooting a single pellet.
The use of more than one airgun is not permitted during the
course of fire, except in the event of Airgun Malfunctions.
The use of shooting gloves is allowed.
A one-point or two-point sling is allowed, as permitted by specific
AAFTA Division Rules.
Non-electronic wind indicators attached to the gun are allowed.
Kneeling rolls may not exceed 7 inches in diameter.
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Energy Level
Airguns may not exceed the energy level permitted by specific AAFTA Division Rules. The energy level is computed by pellet mass and muzzle velocity, using the following formula:
Energy(ft-lb) = Mass(grains) * Square[ Muzzle Velocity(fps) ]
450436
Velocity readings may exceed by a 2% margin to account for Chronograph variance.
Shooters will be given the opportunity to check their gun's energy level prior to the start of a match, and will be allowed to: adjust the energy level, replace the gun, or compete in another class.
Once a match starts, airguns found exceeding the allowed energy level will result in disqualification of the competitor.
No energy-level adjustments allowed during the match. The Match Director may tape or mark the gun as may be possible to prevent tampering once the gun has been chronographed.
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Sights
Other than a scope mounted on the airgun, no separate range- finding device may be used.
No laser device or flashlight may be used.
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Ammunition
Any design of pellet that is completely made of lead, lead alloy, zinc, zinc alloy, or similar all-metal material may be used.
Targets
Silhouette “fall-when-hit” targets resettable from the firing point will be used. Silhouettes may be of typical airgun quarry, or targets appropriate to shooting sports.
Hit-zones shall be round in shape, and shall range from 3/8" to 2" in diameter. No fake hit-zones may appear anywhere on the target.
Targets shall not be closer than 10 yards nor farther than 55 yards from the firing point.
The Match Director shall assure that shooting lanes and physical limits of the firing points are clearly defined.
Targets must be clearly visible from any shooting position, or from the designated position on Forced Position shots. However, if natural terrain features present visibility challenges on free position shots, the target must be clearly visible from at least a seated position.
Any obstruction (grass, tree limb, etc.) shall be related to the Chief Marshal and removed prior to the first competitor shooting a lane. If an obstruction occurs by some natural condition during the match and only affects a limited number of shooters, the Match Director, at his/her discretion may remove the obstruction and allow the affected shooters reshoot the target. Otherwise, the obstruction must remain for the duration of the competition unless it creates a hazardous condition, such as a potential for ricochet.
Based on the Troyer Difficulty Rating System, and accounting for all difficulty factors except light and wind conditions, individual target difficulty shall be no more than 50T and average course difficulty shall be no more than 36T.
Shooters may reset their own targets once they are given permission from the scorer.
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Range-finding
Range-finding must be done while the shooter is addressing the lane, and on the clock if timers are used.
There are no position restrictions while range-finding, and the gun may be rested on allowed shooting equipment or support fixtures provided by the hosting club.
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Shooting
Any shooting position is allowed, but some targets may be designated for Forced Shooting Position shots.
Other than using aids permitted by specific AAFTA Division Rules (slings, bipods, etc.), the gun must be supported solely by the shooter's hands and body. The gun may not contact the ground. Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground. The body may not lean on, or be supported by any features other than the ground or the shooting seat.
Other than the arm, rifle slings may not be wrapped or attached to any part of the body.
A kneeling roll may be used to support the rear instep/ankle in the kneeling position.
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Target Sequence
The Match Director shall designate a sequence for shooting targets – by number, left-to-right, nearest-to-farthest, etc.
A shot on a target out of sequence shall be recorded as a miss for the correct target in sequence.
If the wrong target was knocked over, it shall be reset and then shooting shall resume on the correct target in sequence.
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Timers
The Match Director and/or Marshal may impose a time limit per lane or per target before or during the match. Match directors should note the use and limits of timers in the match announcement, if possible. Timers should be of the countdown type with an audible alarm when times runs out. Typical time allowed is one (1) minute per shot with one (1) minute set-up time per lane. For example: Four (4) shots on a lane equal five (5) minutes of time for that lane.
The timer can be started by a squad member or the shooter, and can be placed so the shooter can monitor his or her own time. Timers are to be started when the shooter addresses the lane by doing any of the following:
1) Sitting down for a sitting shot.
2) Shouldering the gun for a Kneeling or Standing shot.
3) Kneeling/crouching to assess if a target can be shot prone.
4) Lying down for a prone shot.
5) Looking through the scope.
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If a “cold” line/cease-fire is called while a timer is active, stop the timer and add up to 30 seconds to the remaining time, and restart the timer when “hot” line/resume-fire is called.
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D. Any shots taken after the alarm sounds will be counted as a miss. In case of a tie with the alarm, and the squad members agree on the tie, then the shot is given to the shooter. A Marshal or the Match Director will handle any disputes.
Definition of a Shot
When the gun is addressing the lane/target, any discharge of air down the barrel and/or disengagement of the sear is considered a shot.
Shooters may announce their intention to discharge the gun into the ground without penalty of a miss. However, looking through the scope is not allowed when blowing off a shot.
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Scoring
Scoring shall be on the basis of one point for each hit, and a zero for each miss.
A hit will be awarded when the target falls; any movement of the hit-zone paddle which does not result in the target faceplate falling will be recorded as a miss.
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Tied Scores
In the event of two (2) or more shooters tying for an award, a shoot- off or other tie-breaking system will take place.
Target Malfunctions
Targets can fail to operate properly during a match. When they do fail, the failure needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. On all target issues the Marshal and/or Match Director will decide if a target should be repaired, replaced, or removed from the match and which, if any, shooters will reshoot a repaired or replaced target.
If a reset string breaks or a target has an obvious mechanical failure where proper target operation is affected, a Marshal shall be called immediately to address the problem.
If the failure is the result of a sudden mechanical or anchoring/mounting issue, it may be repaired or replaced and the affected shooters may reshoot the target.
If the failure is due to a mechanical or anchoring/mounting issue that occurs over the course of the match and there is no way to determine how many shooters may have been adversely affected by the failure, then the target should be removed from the match.
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D. If a target is replaced during a match, it should be replaced with a target of the same size hit-zone. If another target of the same size hit-zone is not available, then the target should be removed from the match.
Disputed Targets
Target protests may be resolved during or after the match at the Marshals discretion based on the protests being lodged on a given target.
Some targets can malfunction periodically where it will work for some shooters but not others. If a shooter feels that a target failed to fall with a good hit on the paddle then the shooter may protest the target by marking a “P” on the scorecard for that target and call a Marshal to the lane to explain the protest.
If a protested target fails to fall for the next two shooters after the initial protest, the Marshal should examine the target immediately and address any issues.
If a protested target appears to continue to have issues, the Marshal may decide to examine the target during the match. If an issue is found it should be addressed immediately. If the target appears to be working properly, the Marshal should inform the Match Director about the protest and the target should be tested further at the end of the match.
If a target is checked after the match and found to be working properly, the protests are disallowed. Otherwise, the target is removed from the match.
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Removing Targets
If a target is removed from the match all shooters scores are adjusted to reflect hits for shots on the removed target.
General Protest Procedure
Any protest must be made to the Match Director no later than 30 minutes after the end of each competition day.
Any protest not made in the same day of the competition will not be considered.
The protest will be analyzed/decided and the answer will be given on the same day.
The Match Director's decision will be final.
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Penalties
The penalty for deliberate infraction of the shooting rules, unsafe practice, unsportsmanlike conduct, or any form of cheating is disqualification.
Airgun Malfunctions
The shooter will be given the opportunity to fix the gun, or replace it with a gun compliant with the rules of the class he or she is competing in.
If a malfunction occurs during the course of fire, the shooter must stop the timer and immediately call a Marshal. Once the issue is resolved, the shooter may add up to a minute to the timer and continue shooting.
If a malfunction cannot be resolved, the shooter will be forced to forfeit the rest of the match with all remaining shots counted as misses.
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Open Division Rules
The Open Division shall abide by the Common Division Rules defined in this Handbook, as well as by the following rules.
Equipment
Rifles shall not exceed 20ft-lb of energy measured at the muzzle.
All forms of clothing are permissible.
Body support straps or harnesses are allowed, as long as they
do not provide any means of support to the gun.
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Sights
Any form of sighting system may be used.
Shooting
A single rifle sling is permitted that shall be attached to the rifle at a minimum of one and maximum of two points when a shot is taken.
Seating
The maximum height for any form of seat is 6 inches from the ground to the highest point of the seat, measured with the shooter sitting on the seat.
The seat can only be used as a seat and not any other means of shooting support, EXCEPT to support the rear instep/ankle in the kneeling position, or as back support on free-position extreme angle targets.
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Hunter Division Rules
The Hunter Division shall abide by Common Division Rules defined in this Handbook, as well as by the following rules.
Equipment
Rifles shall not exceed 20ft-lb of energy measured at the muzzle.
Forend depth is limited to a maximum of 6 inches, measured
from the center of the barrel to the lowest part of the rifle forward
of the pistol grip.
No shooting jackets, harnesses, straps, or shooting gloves that
restrict movement (e.g., Anschutz or Creedmoor). Clothing worn
by the shooter must not restrict body movement.
Knee pads or other forms of padding or risers placed between
the arm, thigh, knee, leg and/or rifle may not exceed 2 inches in thickness.
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Sights
Optical sights of any reticle style may be used, but are limited to a maximum of 16 power magnification. Variable scopes of greater than 16X must be turned to the 16X or nearest lower factory marking on the scope.
No Windage or Elevation adjustments allowed during the match.
Optical sights with parallax adjustment may be adjusted so that the target is in focus. Range (yardage) markings may be used.
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Shooting
A rifle sling attached to the rifle at only two points may be used.
Adjustable components on the stock may not be adjusted during
a match. No butt-hooks or thigh-rests are allowed.
Only monopods, shooting sticks, or bipods may be used. Any
such aids must rest on the ground and may not be driven or otherwise embedded into the ground or shooting pad, and cannot be attached to the gun: must release from the gun as the gun is picked up, and must not connect to the gun with studs or devices that restrict gun movement. A single stop may be used in front or behind the gun support, but no other anchoring mechanisms are permitted. See Allowed Bipod Setups.
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Seating
Any form of seat without back or arms support may be used, but the seat may NOT be used to support the gun while shooting.
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Allowed Bipod Setups
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WFTF Division Rules
The WFTF Division shall abide by the Common Division Rules defined in this Handbook, as well as by the following rules.
Equipment
Rifles shall not exceed 12ft-lb of energy measured at the muzzle.
All forms of clothing are permissible.
No harnesses or straps are permitted.
Elbow pads and knee pads are allowed.
Butt-hooks are allowed, but not thigh-rests.
Adjustable rifle stocks are allowed, but no hardware may be
added or removed from the gun during the match, except where allowed by the Match Director due to physical limitations of the shooter.
The Digital Side Wheel (DSW) device is not allowed.
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Sights
Any form of sighting system may be used.
Shooting
A single rifle sling is permitted that shall be attached to the rifle at a minimum of one and maximum of two points when a shot is taken.
Only a kneeling roll may be used to support the rear instep/ankle on Forced Position Kneeling shots.
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Seating
The maximum height for any form of seat is 6 inches from the ground to the highest point on the seat, measured with the shooter sitting on the seat.
The seat can only be used as a seat and not as any other means of shooting support, EXCEPT to support the rear instep/ankle on free-position kneeling shots, or as back support on free-position extreme angle targets.
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Note: WFTF shooters are hereby advised that AAFTA WFTF Division Rules may differ from rules applicable at international events sanctioned by the World Field Target Federation (WFTF). For more information about WFTF Core and Comprehensive Rules, visit: http://www.world-field-target-federation.com/Rules
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Forced Shooting Positions
The range may be set up to require use of a forced position on designated targets. A sign declaring a forced shooting position must be used at a shooting lane. Regardless of any prescribed position, the shooter may opt to shoot the target offhand (standing). Aids such as straps, harnesses, monopods, shooting sticks, or bipods are not allowed on forced position shots.
KNEELING
There shall be only 3 points of contact with the ground (2 feet and 1 knee). The gun must be supported by both hands and one shoulder only. The arm supporting the gun must rest on the knee or leg. The rear foot shall be upright and straight in line with the knee. A legal seat or kneeling roll may be used to support the rear foot and/or ankle, provided that the foot and knee have contact with the ground. The seat may not be used to support the bum or thighs. The leading hand shall support the gun, and be unsupported forward of the wrist joint.
This is a typical allowed Kneeling position.
NOTE: WFTF Rules allow only a kneeling roll for rear instep support.
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OFFHAND (Standing)
No rigid support from the ground to the gun or the hand/arm supporting the gun is allowed. Other than using a sling, the gun is to be supported solely by the hands, shoulder, and cheek.
This is a typical allowed Standing position.
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Sample KNEELING Positions
Not Allowed: The gun must be supported by both hands and one shoulder only.
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Sample OFFHAND (Standing) Positions
Not Allowed: Other than using a sling, the gun is to be supported solely by the hands, shoulder, and cheek.
Allowed (PFT): Pistol is held solely by the hands, and may not contact the arms, body, or any other kind of support. Eye-cup contact with the face is permitted.
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Pistol Field Target Rules
Air pistols only. The maximum caliber is 0.25.
Muzzle energy limited to 12 foot-pounds.
Barrel length is limited to 15 inches including any attachments to the
muzzle (e.g. moderator, or flip compensator). A wooden or other barrel-friendly dowel will be used to determine the length of the barrel, as measured from the tip of the barrel or muzzle attachment to the breech-face.
Forend depth is limited to a maximum of 3 inches, measured from the center of the barrel to the lowest part of the gun forward of the trigger guard.
Attached cylinders at the rear of the Pistol are not allowed.
Overall length including any attachments must not exceed 25 inches.
No shooting jackets, slings, harnesses, or other bodily supports.
Clothing or shooting gloves worn by the shooter must not restrict
hand or body movement.
No shooting sticks or mono/bi/tri-pods.
Knee-pads may not exceed 1 inch in thickness. The intent is to allow
comfort, and not an extra form of support.
Sand bags, knee risers or butt stocks are not allowed.
Scopes maximum magnification of 12x. Variable scopes capable of
greater than 12x are not allowed. Clicking is allowed.
Seats up to 6 inches high allowed.
Time limits may be enforced.
Any shooting position is allowed so long as the pistol is fully
supported by the competitor. Hangy-tanks are allowed, but cannot
contact the ground or shooter’s anatomy while shooting.
Distance 10-35 yards
Kill zones sizes shall be 0.5” to 2” in diameter.
Forced Offhand (Standing) Shots: Pistol is held solely by the hands,
and may not contact the arms, body, or any other kind of support.
Eye-cup contact with the face is permitted.
Classes: AAFTA requires at least one sanctioned class for a legal
match. Other classes may added if desired. Sanctioned classes are:
Limited Class: Rules as defined above.
Hunter Class: Rules as defined above, but no turret adjustment
allowed during the match (no clicking.). Any form of seat without back or arms support may be used. Monopods, shooting sticks, or bipods may be used, with the same restrictions as described in the Hunter Division Rules.
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Standard Common Division Rules apply.
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Pistol Rear Attachments
Allowed: Rear-mounted Velocity Adjuster
Reasoning: The Adjuster is an integral part of the gun, and in some cases an after-market upgrade. It does not provide additional support.
Not Allowed: Buffer tube to fit a butt stock, or rear-mounted air cylinder. Reasoning: May provide additional support and weight balance behind the grip of the gun.
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AAFTA Safety Rules
These Safety Rules will be strictly enforced. Anyone abusing these rules may be expelled from the shooting range and match participation.
All Airguns shall be kept unloaded until on the firing line, with the muzzle pointed downrange, and ready to fire.
Airgun muzzles shall, at all times, be pointed away from all persons.
When on the firing line, safe airgun procedures shall be observed including:
No Airgun will be cocked or loaded until a shot is ready to be fired downrange.
When an Airgun is cocked or loaded on the firing line, the SAFETY will not be released until the muzzle is pointed at the target and the shooter is ready to FIRE.
When cocking piston airguns, the Shooter must hold the cocking lever or barrel while inserting a pellet to prevent the accidental discharge of the gun and prevent injury to one’s self or other shooters.
Safe spacing of shooters on the firing line is both judicious and courteous.
Each shooter is responsible for his or her direction of fire, and safety toward other shooters.
When the Range Safety Officer or Marshal declares the line "COLD", all Shooters will unload (firing pellets into the ground is an acceptable method as long as care is taken to make sure that the direction and surface of impact are safe), break the breech, open the loading port or bolt, or unlatch the cocking lever.
A Marshal must be notified about the need to go downrange for any reason. The Marshal will, at his or her discretion, call for a "COLD" line and perform any required repairs downrange. On the field target course the appointed Marshals will act as deputies of the Range Safety Officer (Chief Marshal).
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For rifles, on all shots the trigger must be behind, and the muzzle past, the firing point. For pistols, on all shots the trigger and shooter's hands must be behind the firing point, and the muzzle no more than two feet behind the firing point.
The Range Safety Officer or Marshal will have the final decision on matters of "Safety on the Range".
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Safety must be encouraged and enforced. Therefore, it is important that all shooters strive to practice safe airgun handling. It is also important that shooters remind anyone of safe airgun handling and, if necessary, report unsafe practices to the Range Safety Officer or Marshal.
NO children shall be allowed on the firing line. Junior Shooters MUST be cleared by the Range Safety Officer by being instructed on RANGE SAFETY.
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No alcohol will be allowed on the sight-in range or field target course.
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AAFTA Grand Prix
The intent of the Grand Prix is to promote participation at regional matches across the nation.
Qualifying Rules - Rifle Match
The following rifle match rules apply to have an event counted as part of the AAFTA Grand Prix:
Only AAFTA member clubs in good standing can host a Grand Prix match.
Except for the National match, a venue’s locale or a hosting club is allowed a single Grand Prix match per season.
An announcement of the match must be submitted to the AAFTA Webmaster at least 60 days prior to the match.
The match must consist of 100 or more shots over at least 2 rounds not exceeding 60 shots each, with no more than 2 shots per target and 3 targets per lane. No more than 2 targets per lane are allowed at the National match.
No more than one round may be held per day, unless safety concerns due to impending weather conditions may dictate shooting two rounds in a single day (e.g., threat of severe thunderstorms.). The Match Director must inform at least one member of the BoG before making that decision.
If the same group of competitors shoot a course for more than one round, at least 50% of the targets must be moved a yard or more to vary the course for each round.
The designated courses for the match shall not be made available for shooting practice or range-finding prior to the start of the match.
At least one third of the targets per course must be beyond 40 yards. Targets beyond 45 yards must be full-size hit-zones (1.5+").
At least 10 but no more than 20 shots for the overall match must be Forced Position shots, with a minimum hit-zone of 3/4" and a maximum distance of 45 yards.
On free position shots the target must be clearly visible from a height of 15 inches above the ground at the firing line.
The Average Course Difficulty per course must be at least 28T and no more than 36T without light and wind conditions.
At least 15 shooters must compete in the match, posting scores each day in their respective classes.
There shall be no awards or prizes given for overall high-score. 37
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Notes (Rifle Match):
Individual target difficulty shall be no more than 50T without light and wind conditions.
Targets beyond 45 yards must have full-size hit-zone’s (1.5+").
Minimum hit-zone of 3/4" on Forced Position shots.
Maximum distance of 45 yards on Forced Position shots.
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Free Position
Free Position + Ext Up/Down
Forced Kneeling
Forced Kneeling + Ext Up/Down
Forced Standing
Forced Standing + Ext Up/Down
Qualifying Rules - Pistol Match
Venues hosting a qualifying Grand Prix rifle match may host a Pistol Match by complying with the following rules:
The match must consist of at least 40 but no more than 60 shots, with no more than two shots per target and 3 targets per lane.
Targets beyond 30 yards must have full-size hit-zone’s (1.5+").
At least 4 but no more than 8 shots must be OFFHAND (Standing),
with a minimum hit-zone of 1" and a maximum distance of 30 yards.
After applying the PFT Conversion to each target, according to
Target Difficulty – Pistol Course formula, the Average Course Difficulty must be at least 30T and no more than 36T without light and wind conditions.
At least 6 shooters must compete and post scores in the match.
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Free Position
Free Position + Ext Up/Down
Forced Standing
Forced Standing + Ext Up/Down
Notes (Pistol Match):
Individual target difficulty shall be no more than 50T without light and wind conditions.
Targets beyond 30 yards must have full-size hit-zone’s (1.5+").
Minimum hit-zone of 1" on Forced Position shots.
Maximum distance of 30 yards on Forced Position shots.
Scoring
Scores will be normalized based on the highest score for the match.
A shooter may compete in a given Grand Prix class even if there are not enough shooters for place awards in that class. If the shooter
opts to also compete for place awards in a Consolidated Class, then the shooter must comply with the rules of the Grand Prix class and of the consolidated class.
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Match Report
Troyer calculations per course, and a descriptive report that includes match results must be submitted to the AAFTA Webmaster no later than 10 days after the match.
Troyer calculations may be submitted separately from the match report, and must account for all applicable difficulty factors, including light and wind conditions.
Clubs are encouraged to use the standard Course Planning spreadsheets available for download on the AAFTA website.
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Championship Awards
Awards will be presented at the last match of the Grand Prix season. The last match will be Nationals, unless that match is held prior to September. Otherwise, it will be the last match of the calendar year.
All AAFTA recognized classes may qualify for awards.
A minimum of two match scores are required per award, with the
best three scores counted.
A minimum of 3 shooters with at least two qualified scores are
required per award.
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Season Tie-breaker (in order)
By shoot-off, if shooters are present at the last Grand Prix match.
Shooter with the highest normalized score at any of the Grand Prix
matches.
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The BoG reserves the right to make decisions related to the implementation of these Tie-breaker rules, as necessary, to facilitate fairness, efficiency and in continuance of the best interest of the sport.
Shoot-Off Procedure
A lane is set containing 2 targets at around 50T of difficulty each, with the far target set at 40+ yards (e.g., 1⁄2” hit-zone at 25 yards, and 1” hit- zone at 45 yards). Competitors with tied scores then proceed as follows:
Sitting:
Each competitor takes one shot at the near target from the Sitting/Free position.
If at least one shooter drops out but more than one remains, the near target round is repeated.
If the remaining competitors are tied, each takes one shot at the far target from the Sitting/Free position.
If at least one shooter drops out but more than one remains, the far target round is repeated.
Kneeling:
If the remaining competitors are tied, each takes one shot at the near
target from the Kneeling position.
If at least one shooter drops out but more than one remains, the near
target round is repeated.
If the remaining competitors are tied, each takes one shot at the far
target from the Kneeling position.
If at least one shooter drops out but more than one remains, the far
target round is repeated.
Standing:
If the remaining competitors are tied, each takes one shot at the near target from the Offhand/Standing position.
If at least one shooter drops out but more than one remains, the near target round is repeated.
If the remaining competitors are tied, each takes one shot at the far target from the Offhand/Standing position.
The far target round is then repeated until one shooter remains. 41
Match Guidelines
The information contained in this section has been gathered from experienced Airgun Field Target Match Directors and shooting participants. The intent is to provide guidance to AAFTA Member Clubs when holding a Regional or National Airgun Field Target Match.
Getting Started
If your club wishes to hold a Regional or National Airgun Field Target Match, there are several things you should consider.
Does your club have enough members who are willing to give their time to prepare and run the match properly?
Are your Facilities adequate?
Does your club have the financial support necessary for the
match?
Does your club have enough targets suitable for the match?
Has the match date been approved by AAFTA and is the
weather in your area acceptable on that date?
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Having answered these questions positively, your next step is to select a Match Director. The Match Director is responsible for seeing that the match is run according to the AAFTA Rules and insuring fair play for all participants.
Match Planning
1. Duties: Predetermine each club member’s duties regarding the match. That includes preparation before, during and after the match.
2. Schedule: Contact AAFTA to schedule an open date on the AAFTA Calendar (consider weather, holidays, school, vacations, and range conditions).
3. Layout: Decide the number of shots and the course layout.
4. Food: Determine what food services will be offered. This will be determined by how much money is available, or how far it is to the nearest store/restaurant, etc. Water should be available to all participants.
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Restrooms: Restrooms must be provided for men and women.
Accessories: Some form of seating should be available for shooters and spectators, taking into consideration rain or shade. Scorecards, clipboards, name tags and pencils should be provided. Whistles or walkie-talkies to call Marshals are highly desirable.
Scoreboard: A scoreboard visible to contestants and spectators should be provided.
Awards: All awards will be presented at the conclusion of the match.
Tie-Breaker: Pre-plan a tie-breaker system for the match.
Announcement: A mailer or invitation should be prepared well
in advance of the match. The invitation should include:
Dates and times of the match and practice hours.
Location of the range, with directions or a map.
Host Organization with contacts and phone numbers.
Awards, Divisions and Classes
Entry fees and deadlines for registration (with registration
limits).
Information on food and drinks.
Safety information, sanctioning, and sponsors.
Lodging (with addresses and/or directions) including rates
and phone numbers.
Air tank availability and/or an air tank rental company name
with an address and phone number.
Patches, shirts, hats or pins for sale.
Any equipment restrictions or special notices.
Copies of pertinent shooting rules.
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Promotion: The AAFTA Webmaster will post match registration and information. However, it is the club’s responsibility to provide promotional material to the AAFTA Webmaster in a form suitable for posting, such as HTML, PDF, or DOC files. The club should also provide detailed match information to all registering shooters by email or US Postal Service, in advance of the match.
Time Management: Shooting times should be planned to allow all shooters enough time to finish the match. Take into consideration the number of shooters, number of lanes, and
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number of shots at each target (remember, two shots at one target takes less time than one shot at two targets).
Shooter’s Meeting: A shooters meeting should be held prior to each match. Allow from 10 to 20 minutes for each meeting.
Marshals: Arrange for Marshals well in advance and get a firm commitment from each person. The number of Marshals you will need depends on the geography of your course. If you have the course laid out over a large area, you will need more Marshals. Train your Marshals well in advance so they can perform properly and be an asset rather than a liability.
Match Report: Send in the match results and a descriptive story to the AAFTA Webmaster as soon as possible following the match. In addition to names and scores by classes, include a description of guns, scopes and pellets used by the competitors.
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A well-run match is a well-planned match... Make a plan... then work your plan!
Course Preparation
Layout: Each course should be laid out using the available terrain. To lay-out a safe course, remember that a "cone of fire" should be developed to direct all shooting away from competitors and into a safe direction. Things to take into consideration when laying-out a course:
A lane should never cross another lane, and a course should never cross another course. These are good safety precautions.
Shooting locations (i.e. "shooting pads") should be on a plane that allows safety for all.
If you will be using tree targets, cut your lanes with the trees in mind for the targets.
Make sure that resetting strings can be run back to the firing line without tangling in briars, etc.
Lanes should not be so close to other lanes that safety or ease of movement of shooters is impeded.
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Shooting Pads: Shooting Pads should be sloped or drained so that no water accumulates. Pea gravel helps drain water and is
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acceptable to most competitors. Pads should be reasonably level so that a competitor can safely take a shot.
Lane Markers: Lane Markers are used to identify where the shooter must take the shot. Two lane markers shall be used for each shooting pad. The gun barrel shall be between the markers with the shooters torso behind the markers when addressing the lane. These markers can be made of wood, steel, or other material and should signify the lane number.
Hit-zone Visibility: Target hit-zones should be clearly visible from the shooters pad with no obstruction in the flight of the pellet. Remember both short and tall shooters when clearing the lane. When trimming the lanes, look for even the thinnest weeds, grass, or vines.
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A well laid-out and properly prepared course eliminates problems at match time!
Targets
Type: Both commercial and "home-made" targets that can be used in matches. Any target that is reliable and capable of withstanding repeated 20 fpe pellet strikes can be used.
Targets should be tested at close range (less than a yard) with both high power (18 fpe or higher) and low power (5fpe or lower) airguns. Targets should fall when hit with both high and low power shots in the hit-zone, and not fall with high power shots on the faceplate.
Since pellet energy decreases with distance, targets placed at longer distances should trip with minimal power hits on the hit- zone (4 fpe), while targets placed at closer distances may trip with slightly higher minimal power on the hit-zone (6 fpe).
The quickest way to ruin a match is to have a target that does not work properly!
Hit-zone size and distance: hit-zones sizes can range from 3/8" to 2". Smaller hit-zones are generally used in lesser numbers at closer distances. Care should be taken when placing targets at close distances since pellets can ricochet or bounce back! When setting a course, shooter proficiency should be taken into consideration.
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Course Difficulty: It is recommended that the course difficulty be designed in the range of 28-33T without light or wind conditions, and with a standard deviation between 6 and 10.
Target strings and rubber bands: It has been found that a good quality braided Dacron line (50-80 Lb. test) will not stretch and will last longer under ultraviolet rays than Nylon or Polypropylene. This line is used for offshore fishing and is extremely durable, but it is rather expensive. It is recommended that Nylon not be used since it stretches and makes the target hard to reset. A simple fishing swivel, 10-12 inches in front of the target, keeps the lines from becoming twisted and makes them easier to wind up after the match. A short, braided steel fishing leader used through the target hole will keep the line from fraying on the metal target. Rubber bands or short bungee cords attached to the target and to the line with a little slack will curtail string snags which prevent target knock-downs.
Note: Competition Kite string is made from the same braided Dacron line, so check kite suppliers for better deals. If the braided Dacron line is too expensive, use only enough for the target placement distance (e.g. 25 Yards, 40 Yards, or 55 Yards).
Target Installation: Prior to installing any target on the course, it is important that all targets be lubricated and checked for proper operation. Targets should be securely attached to the ground or other objects so that they are stable and will not be disturbed by pellet hits or by pulls on the reset line. Targets placed directly on the ground require that any ground cover (leaves, sticks, pine needles, etc.) be removed that might interfere with proper operation.
Using a spirit-level is recommended to ensure targets are properly leveled.
It is strongly recommended to have spare targets of various kill zone sizes readily available during a match, in case any target breaks or malfunctions and needs to be replaced.
Target Painting: Since Field Target shooting is a fun sport as well as a challenging sport, detailed painting of the targets makes them more enjoyable for all competitors. Flat Black targets don't excite anyone! A little art work goes a long way in creating realism! Hit paddles should be given a base coat of
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white paint then day glow orange should be applied over that. Of course, all hit paddles should be repainted between matches. An alternate solution for hit-zone visibility is to use tape on the back side of the faceplate. In any case, the hit-zone should contrast with the faceplate.
7. Target Placement: Placement relies on the imagination of the course designers with the following guidelines:
All participants should share equal visibility of the entire hit- zone.
All competitors should have the same opportunity to shoot in the same shooting position.
When placing a target in a lane, a spotter should be in a shooting position to give detailed instructions to the person setting the target. This way the spotter can make sure short and tall, as well as left and right-handed shooters have the same advantage. Binoculars or a scope will allow the spotter to see if any obstructions exist. Lane markers should be adjusted to afford the shooter the ability to get a clear shot on all targets in the lane.
All targets should be set from a predetermined plan.
When setting targets, the shooting sequence should be
determined (e.g., shoot the nearest target, then the farthest
target).
When two or more targets are in one lane, care should be
taken to make sure that the string from a target does not
interfere with the string of any other target.
If the course has a tendency to have standing water or rain,
make sure targets are not under water if it rains on match
day.
Make sure that the Marshals can get to the targets during
the match. Have ladders available for tree targets if
necessary.
Make sure that targets in one lane cannot be confused with
targets in another lane.
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Target preparation, maintenance, painting and planned target placement are essential to a successful match!
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Practice Area (Range)
A safe practice area should be provided for the competitors the day before the match and just prior to each match. This practice area should have the following:
At least 55 yards of clear safe shooting area.
A suitable dry area from which to sit and shoot.
Some form of target holders for the competitors to use.
Yardage markers each 5 yards from 10 yards to 55 yards.
Gun Racks.
A designated area for SCUBA/air tanks.
A designated and marked "Firing Line".
A range safety officer on the firing line at all times when shooting
is taking place. The range safety officer should have complete
control at all times.
Rest rooms.
Spinners, practice field targets, bench rests, and chronographs add to a good practice area!
Children should not be allowed near the firing line and must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times!
No pets should be allowed in the practice area!
During practice or during a match, all AAFTA Safety Rules
must be enforced.
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Chronograph Testing
The hosting venue should provide a Chronograph station so that shooters may check the Energy Level compliance of their guns prior to the start of the match. The Match Director reserves the right to chronograph guns before, during, or after the match. The following is the recommended procedure for Chronograph testing:
The shooter arrives at the designated Chronograph station and hands the Marshal 3 pellets, along with his/her scorecard marked with the make and weight of the pellets.
The Marshal inspects the pellets, and may optionally weigh one or more of the pellets on a calibrated scale.
The Marshal hands one of the pellets back to the shooter, and instructs him/her to take a shot across the Chronograph.
The shooter gets up to 3 attempts to record a passing shot.
The Marshal records the final reading in the shooter's scorecard,
and signs the card.
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Squadding
It is customary to squad shooters in groups of 2 or 3, depending on the number of shooters attending the match.
For a multi-course match, such as a Regional or National match, shooters in each class should be on the same course to the extent possible. If it is not possible to squad all shooters in a given class on the same course, the lowest ranking shooters in that class should be moved to a different course.
In all but the final round it is customary to squad shooters of different rankings or skill levels. For example: a top shooter, an intermediate shooter, and a novice shooter in a 3-person squad.
In the final round it is customary to squad shooters with those that they are directly competing with, based on scores from previous rounds.
For a Regional or National match, it is recommended not squadding together shooters from the same club, if it is possible.
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Shooter’s Meeting
The Match Director should hold a Shooter’s Meeting prior to each match to discuss information pertinent to the match. This is an opportunity to welcome contestants and introduce Marshals, Scorekeepers, and other workers. This meeting should be from 10- 20 minutes in length and should include the following:
Special club rules and procedures.
Explanation of scoring and scorecards. The score-card should
track the course layout.
Point out where facilities are located, including shooting lanes.
Number of shots per target and the order of shooting; i.e., left-to-
right or near-to-far.
Number of lanes, and targets per lane.
Where to turn in scorecards.
Inform shooters about squad and starting lane assignment.
In-depth discussion of the AAFTA Safety Rules, with an
introduction of the Marshals and any discussion of time limits.
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Additional Classes at Nationals
In a major match such as the Nationals, it is suggested that Lady, Senior and Junior Classes be established encompassing relevant shooters from all divisions, to ensure there are sufficient awards to
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satisfy the number of registered shooters. Other Classes can be created as the situation may dictate.
It is very important to note that shooters competing for Place Awards in their respective Division (Open, WFTF, or Hunter), are also competing for awards in any additional classes they may have be entered, such as Lady, Senior, Junior, etc.
Team Competition at Nationals
It is customary to include a Team prize at the National Match each year. Teams may consist of at most five shooters that are members of the same club, members of clubs across the same state or region, or that otherwise share a common affiliation. The team score should be comprised of the top four scores of the shooters on the team, with the lowest score being dropped.
Awards Presentation
Standard classes should offer at least a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Awards if there are sufficient entrants per class, including Consolidating Classes as may be appropriate.
The recommended number of shooters per Place Award is as follows:
1st Place – 3 or more 2nd Place – 5 or more 3rd Place – 7 or more 4th Place – 9 or more 5th Place – 11 or more
No overall Match Winner should be recognized, and instead, Place Awards should be presented for each class.
It is recommended that there is a single 1st Place or Champion Award for each class, followed by 2nd, 3rd, etc. for each class.
All awards should be presented immediately following the final match. The suggested presentation method is to present the lowest Place Award for each class, followed by the next lowest Place Award for each class, and so on up to the 1st Place or Champion Award for each class.
It is suggested that awards be displayed for easy viewing during the Award Presentation. Pictures for publications should be taken by the host club and identified for the press.
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Troyer Difficulty Rating System
Circa 1995, Brad Troyer developed a simple method to estimate the difficulty of any target, and of an entire course. This can be very useful for planning the course layout so that there is a good mix of easy, moderate, hard and expert level shots on the course.
Target Difficulty – Rifle Course
The Target Difficulty rating formula is as follows:
Target Difficulty = (Distance / Kill Zone Size) * (1 + Difficulty Factors)
Where the Difficulty Factors are any additional factors for forced positions, target placement, or environmental conditions; these factors are defined in the following tables:
Extreme Up/Down: Creates stress from the normal shooting position with shots typically at an angle of 15 or more degrees.
Windy: Winds strong enough to require windage hold-off, typically at distances beyond 25 yards.
Extreme Light/Dark: Light conditions that severely affect accurate ranging or visibility of the target.
The standard difficulty factor is 1. Any additional difficulty factors are added to 1. As an example, if a target with a 1.5” kill zone is placed at 50 yards (add 0.125 for distance past 45) and it is placed in a windy area (add 0.25 for wind), the Target Difficulty comes to:
Target Difficulty = (50 /1.5) * (1.0 + 0.25 + 0.125) = 45.83
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Average Course Difficulty
To get the average course difficulty, simply take average of the individual target difficulties.
Course Difficulty Rating = Average of Target Difficulty Ratings
Target Difficulty – Pistol Course
To account for the relatively higher difficulty of shooting Pistol Field Target, a PFT Conversion factor of 1.575 is applied to the Target Difficulty formula:
Pistol Target Difficulty = PFT Conversion * (Distance / Hit-zone Size) * (1+ Difficulty Factors)
The rationale for applying a PFT Conversion factor is to have a common reference for individual Target Difficulty (max of 50T) and Average Course Difficulty (max of 36T), per Targets section in the Common Division Rules.
Rating Charts
The following charts were developed to relate the difficulty rating of individual targets (left chart), to the average course difficulty (right chart). These two separate charts were developed to account for factors that may influence the overall course difficulty. For example, a single target with a difficulty rating of 36 is considered Hard, but since fatigue and concentration come into play across the entire course, an average course difficulty of 36 is considered Expert.
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Match Terminology
Hot Line: Safe to commence firing. Cold Line: Cease fire, unload all guns.
Hit-zone: Synonymous with “kill zone” and the circular opening through which a pellet must pass to trigger the target mechanism causing the target to fall or otherwise indicate that a “hit” has occurred.
Shooters Meeting: A time when the Match Director will address all competitors and discuss rules, procedures, times, number shots, and other pertinent information prior to a match.
Shooting Pad: A location from which a shot must be taken at a target in a lane.
Lane Markers: Two poles, stakes, etc. used to identify body placement on a shooting pad.
Split: When a pellet hits the edge of a hit-zone on the target and "splits" into pieces, with one of the pieces striking the hit-zone.
Paddle: The round disc to be hit on the target that unlatches the trigger and allows the target face to fall.
Marshal: A volunteer that administers the rules with regard to targets on the course. He also, enforces the safety rules.
Range Safety Officer: Calls the line on the practice range.
Blow-Off A Shot: When a competitor wants to shoot a pellet into the ground because of a bad pellet or mechanical problem. The placement of the “shot” must not be toward a target and must be in a safe direction including consideration of ricochets.
Squad or Squadding: A group of shooters all assigned to shoot the same lane.
Tie Breaker Lane: A lane designated before a match to break a tie score.
Time Limit: A time imposed on a shooter to prepare for and shoot a target.
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Lane: A designated area in which a target is placed when shooting a match.
Air Bottle: SCUBA tank or equivalent.
Shooting Time: The time shooting will commence at a match.
Reset: When a string is pulled from the shooters pad to make the target ready for the next shot.
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Etiquette
Author: Rodney Boyce (R.I.P., 2009)
A definition of Field Target is that it is a freestyle shooting sport that is a viable alternative to the other existing disciplines such as Ten Meter, Silhouette and Benchrest. However, the foundation the sport of Field Target is based on is gentlemanly conduct and good sportsmanship without which our shooting sport would become at the very best unpleasant. It behooves us all to not be distractive while others are shooting. Avoid walking behind and around a shooter trying to concentrate on range finding and shooting. Save idle chatter to moments when it does not disturb others. Admittedly, all this is pretty obvious stuff, but I know that we have all been guilty of lapsing occasionally into a “no- think” state of being distractive.
If a shooter deliberately persists in trying to rattle a fellow competitor a terrible potential burden is placed on the Match Director. Shoot Rule No.9 states: "The penalty for deliberate infraction of the Shoot Rules, unsafe practice, ungentlemanly conduct or any form of cheating is disqualification." A protest invoking this rule would certainly be a loud sour note for any match.
The protocol of Field Target requires us to be gentlemen and supportive of each other. If a shooter makes a good shot, say so. It's music to our ears even if it's a "gimme".
Be quiet while a shooter is in the process of shooting.
Be mindful of other shooters while moving from lane to lane so as not to disturb a shooter in the process of shooting. Stop movement until the shooter has released his/her shot.
Be careful while moving from lane to lane so as not to disturb others equipment.
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Refrain from the use of profanity and foul language while on the course or at the practice range.
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Version History
2018
Definition of Standard Classes.
Revisions to Additional Classes and Consolidating Classes.
No Energy Level adjustments allowed during the match.
Revision to Ammunition to allow other all-metal designs.
Revision to target visibility requirements.
Revisions to Move T arget Malfunctions and Disputed T argets.
Scope magnification increased to 16X for Hunter Division.
Slings allowed for WFTF on Sitting/Free position shots.
Add Sample KNEELING and OFFHAND (Standing) Positions.
1” Knee-pads allowed for Pistol Field Target.
Attached cylinders at the rear of the Pistol are not allowed. Max overall length of 25”.
Full-size hit-zone's (1.5+") beyond 30 yards for Pistol GP.
Limited and Hunter listed as the only sanctioned Pistol classes.
Revisions to Grand Prix Rules.
Definition of Shoot-Off Procedure for Grand Prix matches.
Clarifications to Troyer Rating System.
PFT Conversion factor lowered from 1.75 to 1.575 to account for revised (as of 2017) maximum average course difficulty:
New Max Troyer = 36T (without Wind or Light conditions) Old Max Troyer = 40T (Wind and Light factored in)
New Factor = 1.75 * (New Max Troyer) / (Old Max Troyer) New Factor = 1.75 * 36 / 40 = 1.575
Clarifications for Team Competition.
Revisions to Awards Presentation,
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2017
Revisions to Troyer Difficulty Rating System: 50T for targets and 36T for a course, excluding Wind and Light conditions.
Revisions to Target Visibility in Common Rules.
Add Protest Procedure to Common Rules.
Rename Pistol "Open" class to "Limited" to avoid misconceptions about intent.
Define "Forced Offhand Shots" for Pistol.
Revisions to Target Malfunctions in Guidelines: Use “should” instead of “must”.
Digital Side Wheel (DSW) device not allowed for WFTF.
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2016
Meritorious Achievement Award to Ron Carlson
Energy Level calculation in Common Rules.
Allowed support while range-finding.
Add 30 seconds on timer after “cold line”.
Clarifications to Airgun Malfunctions.
WFTF Rules: compliance with international organization.
Barrel length measurement for Pistol Field Target.
Shots per target and targets per lane on Grand Prix matches.
Add section on Chronograph Testing.
Recommend standard deviation between 6 and 10 for Course Difficulty.
Remove “Max Distance” chart on Match Guidelines.
Specify allowed hit-zone sizes in Common Division Rules.
No slings allowed on sitting position for WFTF.
Best 3 scores counted for Grand Prix championship.
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2015
1. Non-electronic wind indicators allowed.
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No flashlights allowed.
Clarification of “Time per Shot” in Common Division Rules.
Add Range-finding section to Common Division Rules.
Allow set & forget adjustable components in Hunter Division.
No attached monopods/bipods in Hunter class.
Distance extended to 35 Yards on Pistol Field Target.
Add Grand Prix Match Rules, including PFT.
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2014
Remove mention of the AAFTA Newsletter from the By-Laws.
Add mission statement for each division.
Add Common Division Rules section to consolidate rules applicable to all divisions.
Add section on Equipment Malfunctions.
Remove Prone from the list of Forced Position shots.
Redefine forend depth for Hunter and Pistol.
Remove rules for a Hunter-only course.
Rename AAFTA National Event Match Rules as Match Guidelines.
Simplify the target testing procedure.
Add Troyer System for target and course difficulty.
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2013
Add logo and the word “Guidelines” on title page.
Clarify stock requirements for Hunter class.
Clarify forms of support not allowed for Hunter.
Remove seat height requirement for Hunter class.
Clarify Forced Shooting Positions, and defined them (with pictures) on a separate section.
Replace Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) requirement in the Safety section, in favor of the 2007 wording for keeping guns unloaded.
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Revert to the 2007 wording regarding muzzles pointing away from people at all times.
Add wording on Safety section about position of the rifle relative to the firing point, when a shot is taken.
Modify Target Distance table to show maximum distance allowed for specified hit-zone size and shooting position, rather than guidance for expert shots.
Recommend using spirit-level on Target Installation.
Recommend having spare targets on hand during a match.
Redefine Target Malfunction Procedure.
Add section on Repairing, Replacing, and Removing Targets.
Add hyperlinks throughout the document to ease navigation.
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2012
Additional divisions/classes added.
WFTF rules explicity inserted replacing reference to external WFTF Core Rules.
Pistol Field Target rules added.
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2009
Associate Membership – remove newsletter.
AAFTA Division Rules
Add Consolidation of Divisions/Classes
Add WFTF Division.
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AAFTA PCP and Piston Division Shoot Rules
There is a limit of 20fpe on pellet energy measured at the muzzle.
No laser device can be used.
Pellets may be made of lead, lead alloy, zinc, or zinc alloy.
Shooting positions have been refined. Prone position defined. Offhand position removes restriction for support of the rifle.
These rules govern all other divisions where not defined. 59
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AAFTA Hunter Division
There is a limit of 20fpe on pellet energy measured at the muzzle.
Crossed sticks, etc. may rest on ground and may not be driven or embedded into the ground or shooting pad.
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AAFTA Safety Rules
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i. Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) requirement added.
6. AAFTA National Event Match Rules
Title changed and “Regional or” removed to indicate that the BOG intends the strict rules to apply only to the AAFTA (not club) National Match. Added statement that these rules should be viewed as guidelines for local and regional matches.
Basically, all “should”s are now “shall”s.
Promotion will be via the AAFTA web site since the newsletter is no longer published.
Prone shooters are accommodated by adding a 15” rule for non-designated targets; i.e., if not declared as off- hand/standing, kneeling, or prone, the target must be visible to prone shooters.
A testing method for targets was added but is not mandatory.
No fake hit-zones are allowed on targets.
Target difficulty rules have been expanded. Distances up to
55yds added for kneeling and offhand.
Shooting order may be near-to-far or left-to-right at the Match Director’s discretion.
Squadding by ranking mandated for National matches.
Target malfunction rules changed: Malfunctioning targets will be discarded from the match, “malfunction” is redefined.
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2007
1. By-Laws
i) Article V revised
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ii) Article VII revised 2. AAFTA Division rules
i) Revised to include Hunter Division 3. AAFTA Shoot Rules
i) Heading changed to AAFTA PCP & Piston Div. Shoot Rules
ii) 6.B Offhand position rule added.
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iii) 6.C Kneeling position definition added iv) 7.C Seat use revised
iv) AAFTA Hunter Division Shoot Rules added
2005
1. By-Laws
i) Article V revised
ii) Article VI, Subparagraph C, revised
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2. AAFTA Shoot Rules
i) Section 4., Subparagraph A., revised
ii) Section 6., Subparagraph A., revised
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2004
AAFTA Classification (Division) Rules
i) Changed to AAFTA Division Rules
ii) Classes changed to Divisions, Sub-classes to Classes
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AAFTA Shoot Rules
i) Section 5., Subparagraph C., revised
ii) Section 11., All Subparagraphs, revised
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AAFTA Guidelines
i) Match Planning, Section 10., Subsection D., revised
ii) Class System, All Sections, revised
iii) Awards Presentation, All Sections, revised
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2003
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1. By-Laws
i) Article IV revised
Classification Rules
i) Removal of Standard Piston Class as a required AAFTA
class.
ii) Unlimited Piston Class renamed to Piston Class.
iii) Additional Classes revised.
iv) Team Competitions revised.
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AAFTA Shoot Rules
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i) Section 1. Subparagraph C. added
4. AAFTA Guidelines
i) Targets, Section 6. revised
ii) Practice Area (Range), All Sections. renumbered
iii) Class System, All Sections, revised
iv) Awards Presentation, All Sections, revised
v) Target Malfunction Procedures
(1) Sections renumbered (2) Final paragraph revised
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2002
Base Handbook from which this Version History derives.
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