Comb height questions

[375Short]

That’s a good question. I assume every change to the rules has a story and reason.

I’m only speculating but it would seem the modern Olympic 3 position rifle may be optimal OR is it only optimal as design allows to stay within that sports rules. No matter how a stock is designed as long as Silhouette is shot offhand, outdoors at relatively small targets that are far away EASY won’t enter into the picture.

How hard is High power Silhouette? Lay the most appropriate sized for distance HP rifle bullseye over a Silhouette. They mostly shoot from positions with slings. Our sport is hard.

Like others - leave all rules the same or change some to be nimble through time, I’m in. It’s a fun challenging sport full of good folks and friends.

[TangoBob]

Both Ridgeway & Raton are a lot of fun. First time I went it felt like being at shooters' camp. Go early, get sighted in and comfortable. Lots of nice folks.

[Jetmugg]

My 2 cents: The reason for the current comb height regulations date back to the "Chin Gun" era, when the rules were much more lenient in terms of rifle and stock design. I won't get the timeline exactly right, but the Chin Guns were effectively outlawed by the rules in the late 1980's or into the 1990's (again, I'm working from memory and mine's not particularly good)

I have absolutely no idea if the Chin Gun would offer a performance advantage at the highest levels of the sport in 2025 as compared to the current predominance of dedicated silhouette stocks that fit within the jig and the current state of action, barrel, and ammo quality.

Anyway - that's my 2 cents, and it's worth exactly what you paid for it.

Steve

[No1_49er]

"dedicated silhouette stocks that fit within the jig and the current state of action, barrel, and ammo quality."

Steve

Are you sure?
Allowable dimensions are given in Section 3 of the Rule Book, but there is NO mention or reference to a "jig".
There may have been such a device, in the past, but unless the Rule Book states specific dimensions for such a device, it doesn't exist.

JMO.

49er

[Jetmugg]

This topic has been discussed plenty of times previously.

Disclaimer = I have never shot at the official NRA Metallic Silhouette Nationals

It is my understanding that despite the fact that a jig is not mentioned in the rulebook, there is a jig used at the nationals to check rifles for compliance with the dimensional requirements.

You will not get any argument out of me about the validity of any such jig. That being said - the NRA seems to be OK with this seeming omission / contradiction in the rules concerning rifle dimensions versus the presence of a jig. Feel free to argue with the NRA competition committee as you see fit.

Steve.

[375Short]

It’s hard to argue with the NRA. You find more contact information on the CIA website than the NRA. One must peel back several layers of NRA WEB site to just get to the generic department email addresses. How about a list of employee names, their phone numbers, and a title descriptive of what operation or customer they serve? They exist to take in money any service beyond that is an accidental byproduct. The “Rule Committee” another cloaked NRA operation. Shouldn’t someplace on the NRA web site explain the committee, how it’s structured, where its members come from, how to submit a change, make a suggestion or get clarification? No doubt the NRA has some hard working individuals but as a service organization that is the governing body of our sport they fail by every measure. Why does it matter? I believe they are the single most destructive force behind our shrinking numbers. This is my opinion based on my own experience and observation.

There is hope, growth and improvement within our sport because of hard work and dedication of competitors stepping up and being outstanding ambassadors and leaders. There leadership and hard work is producing great National and local matches. Match directors across the US are bending over backwards to grow the number of shooters at monthly matches. We are sustaining and growing ourselves in the void of leadership from the NRA. Maybe in the end we will be stronger for it.