I wrote the following rules for the first German Field Target competition in April 1999. They were submitted to the BDS and are meanwhile accepted as "Official Rules" after minor alterations. These are not yet translated into English. I believe, however, that this will not be necessary at all because you have to note only 2 important items: 1. The maximal muzzle energy is limited to 12 ftp. The Range Director may establish a special class for higher-powered rifles (up to 20 ftp) if there are more than 3 shooters demanding for it. 2. Only single shot air rifles are permitted. In a multi-shot weapon the magazine must be blocked to allow only one shot or a single-shot-option must be available and used.    VB.

  Preliminary German Air Rifle  
Field Target Rules

GENERAL EXPLANATIONS:

Definition: "Field Target Shooting" (FTS) with air rifles is the bloodless simulation of hunting small animals with suitable air rifles as it is very popular in Great Britain. It is performed there, in the U.S.A. and some other European countries in local, regional, national and world competitions. The FTS clubs are mostly members of special associations of which the American Airgun Field Target Association (AAFTA) and the British Field Target Association (BFTA) are the most important ones. In 1998 a World Field Target Association (WFTA) was founded in which every FT club or association can become a member. In Germany FTS was introduced as an official shooting sport discipline by the Association of German Shooters (Bund Deutscher Sportschuetzen, BDS) in 1999. As far as I know, there are, however, up to today no official rules formulated. The preliminary rules presented here are based on those of the AAFTA and the BFTA and are partially adapted to the special conditions of the German Gun Legislation. They are the guideline for FTS competitions in Germany until the official BDS rules are established.

Field Targets: The targets are -according to their "historical origin"- specially constructed and as far as possible naturally painted silhouette targets of animals which are subject of air rifle hunting in Great Britain (rabbits, squirrels, magpies etc.). Because of the fact that such animals can only be humanely killed when hit in a body region with organs essential for life also the targets have in such a place so-called "kill zones" which are called today according to political correctness also "hit zones". These are holes of different sizes in the animal silhouettes behind which a brightly colored spoon-like metal part, the paddle, is mounted in such a way that the silhouette is pushed down by a spring mechanisms when the paddle it hit. Hits on the silhouette itself do not affect the target at all. After the target is shot down it can be re-erected by pulling a suitable cord. These targets are "knock down targets". Targets of another design are "revitalisation targets" which have two hit zones. One of those is the kill zone, e.g. the head, and the other is -although often designed like a kill zone, e. g. in the heart area- re-erects the fallen head when it is hit by a pellet. The latter targets are commonly only used in local competitions. In regional, national and word championships as far as I know only knock down targets are permitted. Some clubs also use normal silhouette targets without a special kill zone or "neutral" targets representing, e. g., a disk. Commonly the targets are made of 3 mm steel sheets but this material is not essential. Any other material is permitted provided it is able to withstand the power of the used air rifles without serious damage. In general the targets must be constructed in such a manner that they will fall securely when hit in a distance of 50 m with a minimal target energy of 1 Joule (J). For German competitions with air rifles with a maximal muzzle energy of 7.5 J. this must be the case in a distance of 25 m.

Match Design: FT competitions are performed on so-called courses. Each course consists of several lanes which are equipped each with 2 to 6 targets which are posted in distances between 7 and 50 m which are unknown for the competitors. In Germany a course consists of at least 6 and maximally 12 lanes. Larger competitions have up to 3 different courses which have to be shot in a fixed sequence. In general, the competitor shoots on the lane targets in a numerical sequence starting with lane 1, target # 1, target # 2 until the last one, the lane 2, target # 1, # 2 and so on until all lanes are passed. Corresponding details are fixed in the following chapter "Special Rules". The task for the shooter is to detect the target, to determine the distance and to knock it down with a hit into the kill zone. For rangefinding special scopes with a parallax correction may be used (range finder scopes). Other range finders like laser or ultrasonic operated ones are prohibited. Wind speed and direction meters of any kind are permitted.

Zeroing Range: In addition to the course the competitors must have the opportunity to zero in their rifles on a special zeroing range which has to match the maximal lane distance of 50 m. On marked distanced between 10 and 50 m targets have to be placed in distances of each 10 m in between. Additional targets marking 5 m intervals are possible. The targets must be constructed in such a manner that a hit is displayed without special optical equipment and that they can be used continuously without replacement (e. g. spinning or rotating metal sheets with a diameter of maximally 45 mm). The amount of targets with distance marks has to be adapted to the number of competitors in such a way that every shooter has the opportunity to use the zeroing range for maximally 30 minutes before the start of the competition. Details are determined by the "Range Directror" (see later).

Initial Meeting of the Shooters: Before the match starts the Range Director has to arrange a meeting of all participants in which he has to verify that the match rules are known and will be followed. In addition, he has to explain the safety rules. He also informs the competitors about the prices. In this meeting the scorecards will be checked and the squads are determined if necessary.

SPECIAL RULES:

1. Airguns: All air rifles up to a maximum caliber of 6.5 mm which are constructed according to the valid German firearms legislation at the date of the competition are permitted. FAC-free (muzzle energy max. 7.5 J) and FAC-airrifles have to compete in special classes. This is also valid for special matches with air- or carbon dioxide-powered pistols. Currently the upper muzzle energy limit is 20 J. It is suggested, however, to harmonize the power limit with the BFTA rules to 16.3 J which corresponds to 12 Ftp which is the upper limit for FAC-free airrifles in Great Britain. The organizing club and the  range director, resp., however, is authorized to determine any power limit up to maximally 20 J  for local competitions.  

2. Sights: Every conventional sight type is permitted. Laser sights, however, are prohibited items in Germany. Any rangefinding device which is not a parallax adjustable scope (integrated or separate Laser rangefinder) is lot allowed. In local competitions where open sights and scopes may be used in the same class bonus and malus points, resp., may be given for compensation.

3. Rifle Tests: The organizing club of a match is authorized to test any air rifle or air pistol with a chronograph to ensure legal power limits. FAC-airrifles have to be declared as such with the registration and the FAC number has to be noted in the register part of the scorecard. The latter may be done before, during and after the competition.

4. Ammunition: All kinds of pellets or balls for the airguns specified in 1. which consist of lead, lead alloy, zinc or zinc alloy are permitted.

5. Range Director, Deputy Range Director, Range marshals and their Duties: For every competition the organizers have to elect a Range Director and, if necessary, a Deputy Range Director. This election includes the assumption of the full resposibility for the keeping of the shot and safety rules and for the performance of the competition. All questions and problems which are not fully and clearly covered by the rules undergo his final decision which is uncontestable. The shooters may shoot as single persons or form squads (depending on the match). They are accompanied by a Range Marshal who -as a rule- is no participant of the competition. They are responsible for the keeping of the safety and shooting rules. They control the scorecards, note the hits into them and determine the final results. They are authorized to make decisions in case of safety and shot rule violations which have to be confirmed by the Range Director in doubtful cases. Only the Range Director, the Deputy Range Director and the Range Marsahls ar permitted to pull up and to repair or to exchange damaged targets. In local club competitions these functions may be taken over by the members of the squad. In this case the active shooter is excluded.

6. Targets: In official competitions only knock down targets are used. which fall down when hit in within the kill zone. This kill zone must be round and the paddle behind it must be painted in a contrasting color. (Course designers should be aware that for color blind participants the paddles should be white or bright yellow). The standard kill zones have a diameter of 25 and 40 mm but a certain amount of targets with smaller kill zones is permitted. In the case the following regulations are valid:

a. The minimal kill zone diameter is 15 mm.

b. The maximal  distance of such a target from the firing line is 15 m.

c. No special shooting position may be demanded but all positions are permitted.

For club, regional and national competitions in Germany resettable normal silhouette and "revitalisation" targets which are resettable with a second shot may be used until the final official rules are formulated. If the "reset hit" fails the first target for the next competitor. All targets have to be consequently numbered in each lane; revitalisation targets bear 2 numbers.

7. Shooting course: The minimal target number of a "full course" for FAC-air rifles is 25. For a valid result the competitor must shoot the whole course (with the exception of all cases of rule 15: Leaving the firing line). For FAC air rifle competitions the minimum distance is 7 m and the maximum distance is 50 m. If the match is international it has to be pointed out for every lane that the distance unit is metric. For FAC-free air rifles the maximum distance is 25 m and the minimum number of targets per course is 12.

8. Shooting sequence: All targets have to be shot in their numerical order. When a wrong target is shot this will be counted as a miss for the shooter and he has to fire on the following numerical target. If a target in a neighbor lane is shot the same procedure is applied, i. e. this target counts in any case as a miss. If this target is, however, in the numerical higher lane it can be shot again with the normal evaluation. On revitalisation targets the numerical sign has not necessarily to correspond with the shot number.

9. Score Evalualtion: Every fallen target counts as "1" and every miss as a "0". If the shot hits the kill zone without further result at all "0" will be counted. If, however, the paddle falls down without knocking down the silhouette a "1" is counted. In the case of the suspect that the target is damaged all members of the squad fire on the kill zone in sequence and if the target is not reacting the Range Marshal will control, repair or exchange it. After that the new target is shot again. In the scorecard the hits will be marked with "X" and the misses with "0". All requested information has to be filled in the scorecard. This implies the following declaration even if it is not printed on the scorecard: "To my best knowledge I declare that the shooting equipment used by me corresponds to the current legal regulations".

10. Shooting: Any shooting position is permitted. The standard position is "sitting" without any restriction provided that only the body of the shooter serves as a rest for the rifle. In local club competitions exceptions are possible, e. g. benchrest position. In single lanes, however, for certain targets special positions may be demanded (standing or kneeling). The prone position cannot be demanded but every shooter is free to use it. If a competitor is not able, e. g. in case of a handicap, to use the demanded position the following procedure is valid: The shooter has to inform the Range Director or his deputy before the match that he/she is not able to perform this position with an explanation of the reason(s). The Range Director or his deputy can give the permission to use another shooting position provided that no unfair advantage will result. Further regulations are:

a. The number of shots in the standing position shall not be higher than 10% of the total number of the targets.

b. The number of shots in the kneeling position shall not be higher than 10% of the total number of the targets.

c. All shots have to fired in such a position that the shooter is able to touch the firing line.

d. Fully adjustable stocks are permitted to adapt to different shooting positions. There is no design limitation..

e. Rifle slings (single or other) and buttplate hooks are permitted to stabilize the aiming position. Any kind of clothes, shoes or gloves are permitted provided that those do not endanger the shooter or other persons.

f. Protecting shooting glasses have to be worn.

g. No other support for the rifle is permitted than the shooter's body.

h. Only one shot per target is allowed (double zones in revitalisation targets count as different targets). The number of shots per lane shall not be higher than the number of targets in the lane. There are some exceptions:

h1. Rule 8.

h2. Rule 17.

h3. unaimed shots with the permission of the Range Marshall and of the squad members.

h4. "Cease fire" situation.

i. Definition of shooting positions other than "sitting": Any lane with the exception of demanded special positions may be shot in any position which corresponds to the rules.

i1. Prone: The rifle and the arm from elbow to hand must be free of any support.

i2. Kneeling: Only 3 contact points to the ground are permitted: 2 feet and 1 knee. A cushion matching the rules may be used to support the foot or knee provided that the foot has ground contact.

i3.. Standing: any shot must be fired without any support else than mentioned above.

Handicaps: Shooters with leg handicaps my use supports which the Range Director has to determine and/or to accept individually. .

11. Time Limitation: In case of an extreme delay of a competitor the Range Director is authorized to set a time limit. Time is running when the target is aimed. The time limit is running per lane or course and results from the time limit per target multiplicated with the number of targets. If the total tome is over all remaining shots are "0".

12. Seats: The maximal height for any type of seat is 75 mm including back support. The seat may be used in all shooting positions according to the rules. In case of handicaps the Range Director may permit exceptions if those do not result in unfair advatage.

13. Discrepancies in Evaluation: Discrepancies in evaluation shall be cleared up before leaving the target. Not soluted problems must be decided finally by the Range Director.

14. Penalties: The penalty for violation of the safety rules and any kind of deception is disqualification. The responsible authorities may decide about further disciplines.

15. Leaving the firing line: Competitors may leave the firing line for the following reasons:

a. Voluntary renunciation of a shot or the further attendance of the competition. Only the number of hits up to this time will be counted in this case.

b. To repair the rifle or a piece of equipment which is unsafe or not functional for firing by any reason. This is not valid for sighting in scopes.

c. Any other reason which is accepted by the Range Director and/or his deputy.

Remark: In case b. the competitor may replace the damaged part with the permission of the Range Director or his deputy. He/she or other persons, however, may not got with the repaired item to the zeroing range without permission of the Range Director or his deputy. In all those cases the scorecards must be handed over to the Range Director or his deputy. The latter must also have given the permission to leave the firing line and must give a time limit for return. Is the scorecard not given back to the shooter within this time it will be forwarded for final evaluation.

16. Tied Evaluations: In case of a tied score the final result will be shot out in one ore more tie breaks. The course and the numbers of targets is decided by the range Director. It is recommended to use the original course with all or selected targets. In the latter case the Range Director determines the closed targets.

17. Design of the firing line and Safety Procedures: The firing line is the starting point of a lane and is marked by 2 sticks with a minimum height of 80 cm positioned in a distance of minimally 1 m from each other. In a typical case a squad of 3 shooters plus the Range Marshall approach the firing line and the latter calls the shooters individually to shoot. He notes the results into the scorecard. In special cases larger squads are possible in agreement of the Range Director. The lanes have to be consequently numbered at the firing line. The rifles can only be cocked and loaded with the muzzle reaching over the firing line. In case that a rifle cannot be fired by any reason the Range Marshal must declare "cease fire". The airgun has to be uncocked and the pellet has to be removed. This may be done with functional rifles by firing into the ground without aiming a target. The muzzle has to be pointed to the ground thereafter. The Range Director decides if the cease fire command is valid for a special lane, several lanes or for the whole course. Again: the rifles have to be cocked, loaded, aimed and fired only over the firing line. On the range all airguns are only permitted to carry around uncocked and unloaded with the muzzle pointing to the ground. The safety procedure is the same at the zeroing range.

18. Competition Classes: There are 4 classes:

Class 1: Open class for precharged FAC-air and carbon dioxide rifles.

Class 2: Open class for FAC spring piston air rifles.

Class 3: FAC-free (max. 7.5 J muzzle energy) precharged air and carbon dioxide rifles.

Class 4: FAC-free (max. 7.5 J muzzle energy) spring piston air rifles.

If necessary further competitive subclasses may be established within the main classes. The competitive class A is the basic one for all shooters and no score criteria are defined. Higher classes have to be exactly defined (e. g. class B = 50% of possible hits). Shooters may move into a higher class but this does not affect their registration in class A provided that their scores match the selected higher class. This applies only to matches with more than one course. Shooters with an age lower than 18 years are only permitted to shoot under supervision of an adult experienced shooter according to the legal regulations.

19. Drugs and Alcohol: The possession and consumption of drugs and/or alcohol is striclty prohibited on the course area and the zeroing range. Shooter who consumed alcohol and/or drugs are not permitted to shoot or to carry an airgun on the whole range. Details are regulated by the range rules of the organizing club.

19. Rule Display: The actual shooting rules have to be displayed in a way that every competitor is easily able to recognize and to read them at the registering office together with a valid insurance certificate of the organizing club or association.

20. Rules: All rules are strictly obligatory for all competitors. In case of violations rule 14 will be applied.
 

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