New NRA High Power Class - Mid Range Prone Tactical

[Nature Boy]

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2017/11/20/new-nra-mid-range-prone-tactical-rifle-competition/

Caught wind of this over the weekend when I was shooting an F Class match and one of the regular service rifle shooters showed up to shoot this new class.

Bottom line: it looks like fun.

Here’s the gist, as I understand it.

Must be AR pattern rifle, between 223/556 and 308/7.62 (including all manner of 6mm and 6.5mm variants)

Tactical bipod, Harris type or Atlas (so no wide F Class type)

Rear bag with no ears

Magazine between 5-30 rounds, no sled, but single load only, not fed from the mag. So I assume rounds do not have to be mag length

Maximum scope magnification 15x

20” max barrel length with A2 flash supressor, no brakes or supressors

14lb max weight with scope, bipod and empty mag

Shot on service rifle/match/palma target, not the reduced F Class targets, at distances of 300/500/600 yards during the same course of fire used for NRA prone high power matches

The rules are currently provisional and will be solidified at some point in the future. The NRA’s goal here would seem to be directed at getting more participation in competition shooting with the most ubiquitous rifle in most peoples closet for not a lot of investment.

Anyone else heard about this, or more specifically, tried it?

 

[Random 8]

I shot this format with my service rifle with 4.5x Leupold and sling last year in an unofficial trial match. A few guys shot it with rifles more tailored to take advantage of the rules. A couple of AR -10s in various calibers and some other "tacticool" rifles with bipods. It was a very calm day, so high scores were fired by most who would normally fire high scores. Was fun, but I still like sling shooting better. This will probably open the field for more interest though, as there are a lot of those kind of setups out there, but many have longer barrels or wouldn't make weight. I would probably enter the class again with my service rifle if it didn't conflict with a SR or EIC match, all I'd need to do is clamp a bipod on the front. Pretty comfortable holding black on the targets used with my 4.5x scope.

 

[Random 8]

A RRA National match A4 and whatever optics package you wanted to run would be pretty good basic kit for this with the ability to switch between this and service rifle with an optics change and addition of a sling. Sounds like you can run whatever trigger you want, so could add a game-specific advantage there and get some of the less expensive "varmint" options into the game. With the high BC .224s on these targets, I wouldn't feel much at a disadvantage keeping it in 5.56 unless the conditions were really crappy.

 

[Nature Boy]

Sounds like you can run whatever trigger you want, so could add a game-specific advantage there and get some of the less expensive "varmint" options into the game.

I faild to mention that there’s a 4.5 limit on trigger pull.

There’s some ambiguity surrounding the vagueness in the rules regarding the “must use a magazine” wording and there’s some debate about it on other forums. My own sense is it simply means you have to have a mag inserted. Other think it means you have to load from the mag. To me this would violate the “single load” rule in effect for all other high power classes, which precludes loading from a mag. I “use” the mag in the rifle I shoot in F/TR to rest the round on before loading.

All the debate on the verbage surrounding provisional rules is understandable since they aren’t finalized.

It seems you always have 2 camps when it comes to rules in any sport or discipline. One side wants to understand them so they can make sure they are abiding by them, the other side wants to know the rules so they can figure out how to bend them to their competitive advantage

 

[Random 8]

OK, so 4.5# trigger is same as Service rifle, so Giessle will be happy with this new class. Personally, I don't hate my RRA trigger. Maybe I got a good one.

I could see the reason for requiring to load from magazine, 1 at a time, to limit the use of "super BC" bullets and make wind doping a larger part of the game. That would favor the heavier calibers. Significant difference between a 75 HPBT and a 75 ELD-M at the 600 yard line with a squirrely wind. I'll have to look at the proposed rule and see if it makes any more sense.

The trial match I shot just single loaded conventionally. Sled or SSfollower allowed.
Just read chapter 23, and it seems clear that a single load device is not allowed, as that would create a reduced capacity magazine at capacity zero. It makes no mention of loading the single round from the magazine, so I guess start developing those calluses on your pinkie finger!

 

[mavracer]

Looks like fun, guess I need to put my SDM barrel back in a gun.

 

[Varminterror]

Guess I better order another 6 creed Proof barrel in 20" instead of 24" - hopefully some of the local highpower clubs choose to offer this. 20" 6 creed with bare muzzle is gonna be nasty loud though!

 

[Random 8]

Guess I better order another 6 creed Proof barrel in 20" instead of 24" - hopefully some of the local highpower clubs choose to offer this. 20" 6 creed with bare muzzle is gonna be nasty loud though!

Yes, they are. A couple of guys by me shoot AR based match rifles with 20" barrels in various 6-6.5 calibers. Kinda makes me nostalgic for the old M1/M1A days on the line, right down to the concussion and hot brass down the back of my coat when I get squadded on their 3.

 

[Nature Boy]

My AR is an Armalite M4-gery. I’m starting to look at configuring an upper for this class.

I think I’d stick with .223 since I’m loath to add another caliber to my bench right now. The question is what direction will the NRA go with regards to this magazine issue because that would dictate how to throat the barrel. Assuming no restriction on mag length opens up more possibilities. I’d love to be able to shoot the 90g VLDs but they may not stabilize in a 20” barrel. If not, the Berger 80.5 full bores would be a good alternative

 

[Nature Boy]

Guess I better order another 6 creed Proof barrel in 20" instead of 24" - hopefully some of the local highpower clubs choose to offer this. 20" 6 creed with bare muzzle is gonna be nasty loud though!

I’ll bet your local high power club is already shooting it.

 

[Random 8]

Just get you a complete WOA or Keystone NM a4 upper in 7.5 Ratchet and see how you like it with 75-80s. If they do settle on loading from magazine, you're golden with anything 75-77 grains at 2.250. Do give the 75 ELD a try. I've found it to out shoot in terms of wind and come ups, anything 80 grains. When I run the numbers in Hornady 4df, it outshoots their 80 ELD. You can always re-throat it later if you need the 90s, I don't think you will to 600 yards. In addition to being well set up right off the bat with no tinkering required, it will give you a platform you can toss a 4.5x and a sling on and shoot service rifle as well.

Personally, I think it would be fun to build up an AR-10 with no muzzle brake in .308 and blast 168s or 175s, just to make the most shock and awe on the range, and it would give me an outlet for the mountain of 7.62 LCM brass I have in deep storage. Not going to do it, the smaller rounds are just so efficient to reload, and I don't feel like going through 16 pounds of IMR4064 in a summer, but it would be fun.