From the latest version of the rule book:
6.2 Firing Point - That part of the range provided for the competitor
immediately in the rear of the firing line from which firing takes place. Each
firing point is numbered to correspond with a bank of targets. Each firing point
should have a minimum width of 6 feet.

During the Smallbore (not lever action) match at Raton this year I noticed each firing point was 6 feet by 6 feet.
It dawned on me that there must be a reason for that because Whittington appeared to have built everything on their ranges precisely to the minimum NRA specifications. So I looked in the rule book and there it was.

We shoot at a lot of ranges that have less than 6 foot spaces for each firing point.
What about you?
It is something to keep in mind when building a new range.

I would say "most" ranges I have visited do not have a 6X6 firing point. Most of those are older firing line/ranges too. Some of them are multi use ranges, not dedicated to silhouette. Some have concrete benchrest benches and that definitely puts a constraint on firing lines....

Looks like another of the many rules that should be removed.

Dustin

dustinflint wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:02 am Looks like another of the many rules that should be removed.

Dustin

Agreed!

The NRA should stick with "what is commonly in use" paradigm.

-Charlie Meli

dustinflint wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:02 am Looks like another of the many rules that should be removed.

Dustin

Agreed... the book could use a cleaning...

Get rid of some old stuff and clean the good stuff so you can see them clearly....

dustinflint wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:02 am Looks like another of the many rules that should be removed.

Dustin

Yep. I don't have a problem with a good rulebook cleansing.

atomicbrh wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 7:47 am... Each firing point should have a minimum width of 6 feet.

Remember, "should" does not equal "must".

Dustin may argue with me (he is a lawyer ya' know ) but in my mind "should" is a recommendation whereas "must" is a requirement (rule).

If you approach the reading in that way then it seems ok to me as-is.

acorneau wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:33 pm

atomicbrh wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 7:47 am... Each firing point should have a minimum width of 6 feet.

Dustin may argue with me (he is a lawyer ya' know )

Dustin is a lawyer? I have to admit that I am not surprised after seeing him at Nationals with a rule book arguing with one of the line officers over a barrel resonator.

acorneau wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:33 pmRemember, "should" does not equal "must".

Dustin may argue with me (he is a lawyer ya' know ) but in my mind "should" is a recommendation whereas "must" is a requirement (rule)

Actually I agree with you. But I still prefer a short, simple rule book without superfluous suggestions that can easily turn into arguments about unimportant things. I think that if a rule (or suggestion) can be removed from the rulebook without negatively affecting the spirit of the sport, it should be gone.

DavidABQ wrote: ↑Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:50 pmDustin is a lawyer? I have to admit that I am not surprised after seeing him at Nationals with a rule book arguing with one of the line officers over a barrel resonator.

I prefer "defender of rights and freedom," but lawyer will suffice.

To be accurate, I was on the jury at nationals and the question was not only whether the thing would be considered legal/illegal by the jury but more importantly whether under the rules a competitor could be forced to remove it from his rifle without a complaint or protest from a competitor.

Dustin

I stand corrected, it is " defender of rights and freedoms."

I think Allen is correct in that "should" does not equal the term "must" or the term "minimum 6 foot width".
That being said and after some measuring.
Put a rifle stand similar to the Whittington Smallbore Silhouette stands in the center of your shop.
Put the typical spotting scope tripod and your spotter person in place.
Stand there beside the rifle stand like you are the right handed competitor shooting.
Now flip those positions for a left handed shooter because space for a left handed shooter must be taken into account.
If you put measuring tapes on the floor to measure that footprint of those two people in position with all their equipment,
it comes out to almost exactly 6 feet by 6 feet.
If a rifle stand or table is located at the front of the firing line with the competitor directly behind the table the space needed would be different.
For a center stand with the shooter right or left of the stand and not behind it the original creators of the rulebook must have actually measured out the space needed.
Something to think about if a person is ever involved in building a single purpose silhouette range from scratch.

Wow! Somebody actually is reading the rules, what a concept!
Rick

atomicbrh wrote: ↑Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:00 am
Now flip those positions for a left handed shooter because space for a left handed shooter must be taken into account.

Does it.... I think they should be subjugated to the outer edges of the firing line... preferably out in the rain... (they stare at me and make fun when shooting from the position on my right...)

Not only is Dustin a lawyer, I heard he even had to work the other day.

Doodaddy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:31 am Not only is Dustin a lawyer, I heard he even had to work the other day.

That is defender of rights and freedom!