Equipment

1. The competitor may use only one rifle during the course of the entire match, including the Long Range Side Match.
2. Rifles must be equipped with a sling suitable for safely carrying the rifle muzzle up or muzzle down.
3. All equipment used including, but not limited to spotting scopes, range finders, bags, bipods, tripods, slings, tripods, shooting sticks, gloves, or other shooting support devices, etc are permitted, but must be carried for the entire match (clothing and consumables excluded.
4. All rifles must be equipped with a functioning safety.
5. Cartridge/bullet/ballistic requirements:
   1. Maximum bullet caliber = 7.62mm/.308", minimum caliber = 6 mm/.243"
   2. Maximum muzzle velocity = 3200 fps.
   3. Rounds that do not strike targets with sufficient energy to cause the target to react in a manner observable to the R.O. will be scored as misses.
   4. Armor piercing, steel jacketed, tracer and incendiary rounds prohibited.
   5. Competitors may be required to submit as many as 5 rounds of ammunition to match staff for testing at any time and cooperate in the testing of their ammunition when requested.
6. Since each competitor will serve as the Range Officer (RO) for the competitor following them, it is essential that they be competent and adequately equipped to spot bullets hits or misses on targets at long range. This requires that each competitor have good binoculars.
7. Range rules of the Blue Steel Ranch shall apply.

Scoring

1. Each target that is called a "hit" by the RO shall score one point.
2. A "hit" is a bullet that the RO judges to have impacted on the correct steel target plate. The RO's judgment on hits or misses is final and not subject to appeal. However, if the RO has doubt about his call the benefit should go to the competitor. For example, if the RO observes the target move slightly upon a shot, but is unsure whether it was caused by an edge hit or a hanger strap hit, a hit should be awarded to the competitor.
3. Targets not located and/or engaged, targets engaged after time has elapsed and targets missed shall score no points.
4. The competitor with the most points after completing both courses of fire shall be the winner.

Standard Operating Procedure

1. The competitor shall be completely prepared and ready to begin the course of fire at their assigned start time. Late competitors will be moved to the last start time for the day. The competitor shall start on the course of fire immediately when directed by the Match Staff. The Match Staff may advance the start times if the course is running ahead of schedule and competitors are requested to cooperate in this regard.
2. Competitors are expected to walk directly from stage to stage without excessive rest stops. Those that do not keep up and thus delay other competitors may be required to skip one or more stages and/or fall back as required by the match staff to maintain the match schedule. Competitors will receive no points for stages skipped nor will any match fees be refunded.
3. The trail for each course of fire shall be designated with a specific color of survey tape. The competitor shall follow the trail between stages by traveling from ribbon to ribbon and shall not take any short-cuts.
4. Each competitor will serve as the Range Officer (RO) for the competitor following them on the courses of fire.
5. Each stage shall have a Holding Area. The Holding Area shall be designated with two strips of yellow safety ribbon. The competitor shall not wander about nor advance beyond the Holding Area until directed to do so by the RO.
6. Upon arrival at each stage, the RO will read the stage description to the competitor. When directed by the RO, the competitor will load their weapon then immediately assume the start position.
7. Unless otherwise noted, the start position shall be as follows
   1. Standing at first shooting position
   2. Rifle loaded, with safety engaged, held at port arms.
   3. Pack on back with all gear and equipment on your person.
8. Each stage will have between 1 and 3 shooting positions. Each shooting position shall be designated with a stake, painted mark or other object. The competitor shall remain within reach (with arm or leg) of the position designator when engaging targets. If requested by the RO, the competitor will demonstrate that the position designator is within reach of the competitor's body.
9. Upon the start signal the competitor shall have a fixed amount of time (5 minutes unless otherwise noted) to locate, range and engage each available target with one only round from each shooting position. All targets will located so as to be visible from the start position unless otherwise noted.
10. The competitor is responsible to communicate to the RO as to which target he is engaging so that the RO may direct his attention to the correct target and properly observe the shot.
11. After each shot, the RO will immediately advise the competitor whether it was judged to be a "hit" or a "miss". No other information may be provided to the competitor regarding the location of the bullet impacts until the after the competitor has engaged all of the targets for the stage.
12. Upon request, the RO will provide the competitor with information concerning elapsed time or time remaining for the stage.
13. The RO will announce when the stage time has elapsed at which point the competitor shall immediately unload the rifle and demonstrate to the RO that the rifle is cleared of all ammunition.
14. The RO shall then move clear of the stage area to allow the on-deck competitor to be briefed and shoot the stage without distraction.

Safety

1. Competitors shall practice good muzzle control and firearm safety at all times. Competitors that do not handle their weapons safely will be disqualified from competing further in the match with no refund of match fees.
   1. Do not ever allow the muzzle of your weapons to point at anyone.
   2. Do not load your weapons until directed to do so by a range officer.
   3. Do not put your finger on the trigger until your sights are aligned with your target.
   4. Obey all Range Officer commands immediately.
2. Rifles shall be loaded only upon the command of an RO. Rifles shall remain unloaded at all other times. Rifles may be carried between stages with an empty magazine inserted and the bolt forward, but at all other times, magazines shall be removed and the bolt opened. Rifles shall only be carried muzzle up or muzzle down. Horizontal carry of the rifle is prohibited. Any time the rifle is set down on the ground, it must be pointed in a safe direction.
3. Any unintentional discharge of weapon shall result in the disqualification of the competitor without refund of match fees.
4. Safety glasses and ear protection are required to be worn at all times by competitors and spectators when in the vicinity of any weapons being fired.
5. Violation of any safety rule will result in match disqualification (DQ).

All information and rules subject to change. Be sure to check periodically for any changes. Steel Safari LLC reserves the right to penalize or disqualify competitors that cheat, fail to follow the rules or behave in an unsportsmanlike manner.