Southern Indiana Rifle and Pistol Club

                Southern Indiana Rifle and Pistol Club Policies and Procedures
The Southern Indiana Rifle and Pistol Club is organized for the purpose of promoting and supporting competitive shooting. The club not only supports competitive, rifle and pistol shooting, but also makes its facilities available to the club membership for non competitive shooting as well. The club does this by having its facilities available for club member use when they are not being used for organized competition or other club sponsored activity.

                                            GENERAL CLUB RULES
1. The monthly club meeting is held on the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Indoor Range building. All members are encouraged to attend.
2. Proper eye and ear protection is required on all ranges when they are in use.
3. Alcoholic beverages or controlled substances are prohibited. Any member or guest that is under the influence or impaired while on club property, either owned or leased, will be asked to leave.
4. A member may bring a guest to one of the club ranges once before membership is required. The member is responsible for the guests’ supervision and their understanding of all club general and safety rules.
5. All junior shooters (those under the age of 21) must be accompanied by a supervising club member in order to use any of the clubs ranges.
6. Any club member may ask anyone at any club facility to see their membership card and a photo I.D.  Please do this in a courteous manner!
7. Each member is responsible for his or her safe gun handling and shooting on all ranges owned or operated by the club.
8. Each member is asked to help others using the club's facilities to use safe gun handling and shooting practices at all times. It is also expected that each member will help maintain a high standard of safety by pointing out any observed unsafe actions to the individual creating an unsafe condition.
9. The outdoor range is open for general use seven days a week from sun up until sun down. The exceptions to this are when a regularly scheduled match is to be held in any of the shooting disciplines. Also the range is closed for general use on the first Saturday of the month from sun up until 2:00 P.M. during the months of March through December, for long-range rifle practice. The range may also be closed by the executive committee or action by the general membership. All matches and other activities are posted both in the newsletter and on the web site. Always check those for activities on the range before traveling to the range.
10. The indoor range is open on Wednesday evenings starting at 5:00 P.M., and Friday starting at 6:00 P.M. Those are the only times the range is open except when a club sponsored match is being held. Those matches are posted in both the newsletter and on the web site.

                         GENERAL RANGE RULES FOR ALL RANGES
1. No shooting is allowed when anyone is forward of the firing line. When multiple ranges are in use at the outdoor facility, all ranges must be made safe before anyone can go forward of any range firing line. This makes cooperation and communication between the various ranges a necessity. Anyone not following this rule will be subject to club discipline ranging from a reprimand to expulsion.
2. All firearms on all ranges must be in a safe condition before anyone proceeds down range. A safe condition is described as follows. Bolts open on rifles, slides back on pistols, cylinders out on revolvers and an empty chamber indicator in the chamber. Magazines are to be out of the rifle or pistol, cartridges are to be removed from the cylinder of a revolver. All firearms are to be on the bench or ground. No firearm is to be handled in any way or for any reason while the range is in a safe condition.
3. When all persons have returned behind the firing line or lines, the range officer or person in charge may declare the line hot. Then firearms may be handled in a safe manner.
4. No firearm is to be in a firing condition unless it is on the firing line and the command to load has been given. This includes all firearms! All actions must be open except when the firearm is on the line ready to be fired.
5. No ammunition using tracer, incendiary, or exploding bullets is to be used on any of the ranges.
6. No firing of a firearm toward the firing line is allowed.
7. Club members should clean up the area when shooting is completed. Preferably members should take their trash with them off the range. If this is not possible, use the trash containers located on the ranges.
8. Members should bring their own targets and target holders to the range when practicing. The club may have target holders available and they may not. When using your own target holders place them so that your bullets will not damage any of the range property such as the target number boards at two hundred yards.  The dirt protects the turning target system on the pistol range. The storage shed is not a back stop either!  No glass of any kind is to be used as targets on any of the ranges!
9. Range courtesy and good sportsmanship is to be used at all times.

                                             OUTDOOR RANGES
A. Rifle Range
1. The high power rifle range will allow 200, 300, and 500 yard shooting. The extended yardages are to be used in cooperation with the shooters that wish to use the range. If a shooter is firing from the 300 or 500 yard line and another shooter wishes to shoot from one of the other ranges, the long range shooter is to have 30 minutes to complete his firing and then is to move to the 200 yard line. The exception to this rule is for long range practice that is to be held on the first Saturday of the month from March through December.  At those dates and times the range is closed to all other activity.
2. Members should use only the targets provided by the club or paper targets supplied by themselves. Members should use the existing target holder or one provided by themselves. Do not use the number boards on the rifle range as a target holder.
3. No firing across the ranges diagonally is allowed.
4. No crew served weapons are allowed on the range.

5. When working in the pits, if you are alone, park your car or truck so that it is visible from the firing line.
6. All safety rules apply to the high power range at all times. Communication and cooperation with other shooters on the other ranges is essential to the safety of all shooters.

B. Pistol Range
1. The pistol range has 23 covered firing points and is set up for 25 and 50 yard conventional pistol competition. The range has turning targets at the 25 yard distance for sustained fire competition. The turning targets are for use only during scheduled matches.

2. The range is open for practice and general shooting at all other times. Members should use the left or west end of the firing line for practice and general shooting in order to not damage the turning target system or the dirt mounds protecting the equipment.
3. Target frames are to be used when shooting on the range. Either use those provided or preferably bring your own. Paper targets are the preferred targets.  If something else is used, clean up the range before leaving the range. No glass of any kind is to be used as a target.
4. No center fire rifles are to be used on the pistol range.
5. When other shooters are using other ranges it is necessary to communicate and cooperate with them in order to maintain range safety for all.
6. All general safety rules apply on the pistol range. During scheduled matches the range officer is in charge of the range and the actions of the shooters. The range officer's commands are to be followed as issued.
7. When the pistol range is in use for scheduled matches all other activity on the other ranges is prohibited. 
C.  SMALLBORE RANGE
1. The smallbore range is incorporated within the pistol range. The smallbore director schedules the matches and is in charge of the range.
2. All safety rules apply to the use of this range as to all others.
3. When in use for scheduled matches all other activity on the other ranges is prohibited.

                              COVERED SHOOTING BENCHES
1. The newest addition to the facility is the covered concrete shooting benches. These benches are used for both the center fire and the .22 varmint matches.
2. The matches are scheduled by their respective match directors.
3. The details of these matches are posted in the newsletter and on the web site.
4. The benches are available to the membership to use at all other times that the range is open and another match is not scheduled.
5. There are only five benches available so cooperation between shooters wanting to use them may be necessary.  Do not tie one up beyond a reasonable amount of time if another shooter is waiting.
6. All safety rules apply at all times.  It especially important to have bolts open or slides back with empty chamber indicators in place while moving firearms to and from the benches.
7. The use of this range, as with all others, requires shooters to communicate and cooperate with the other shooters using the other ranges.

                  RANGE SAFETY RULE TO ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED
No one is to go forward of the firing line on any of the outdoor ranges until a safe condition of all firearms on all ranges has been established. The safe condition of firearms was defined earlier. This is always mandatory on all ranges from the pistol range to the rifle range. Once again, communication and cooperation are necessary to maintain a safe condition for all shooters using the ranges.

                                                INDOOR RANGE
The indoor range facility is used for conventional pistol, air pistol, air rifle, free pistol, and small bore matches. The matches are NRA approved, club sponsored, and NRA sectionals. These matches are organized and run by the individuals in charge of each of the shooting disciplines involved. Information concerning these matches appears in the newsletter and on the web site.
1. The indoor range is only open for use during club sponsored matches.
2. The range is open for use two nights a week. Wednesdays beginning at 5:00 P.M. and Fridays beginning at 6:00 P.M. Club sponsored national match courses are fired in both center fire and .22 caliber. The other matches are scheduled at other times by the discipline directors.
3. The club matches are national match courses of fire. Each match is three targets of one hundred points each. The course of fire is one slow fire target, one timed fire target, and one rapid fire target for a total of three hundred points.
a. The slow fire stage is fired on a slow fire target, 10 shots within a ten minute time limit.
b. The timed fire stage is composed of firing two five-shot strings of fire within a twenty second time limit for each stage, using a timed fire target.
c. The rapid fire stage is composed of firing two five-shot strings of fire within a ten second time limit for each stage using a rapid fire target.
4. Club awards are made each month in each class based upon the three highest match scores fired by each competitor. Three shooters in a class are necessary for an award to be made.
5. Classification of each shooter is determined by the average score fired by each shooter. All shooters begin as a Pro Marksman and advance through the higher classifications by shooting an average score in the next higher class for two consecutive months.
6. Members may fire for no score or "plink," but must wait until all shooters firing for record have had an opportunity to complete firing. The range officer may allow a shooter to "plink" if there is an open spot on the firing line while competitive shooters are on the line. Those shooters must follow the national match format while on the line.
7. The charge for firing is a four dollar range fee paid once each evening. The charge for each match is one dollar. The charge for firing three matches is a four dollar match fee and one dollar for each match for a total charge of seven dollars. Each specialty match is an additional one dollar charge.

                                          SPECIALTY MATCHES
1. The first week of the month a slow fire .22 rifle match is held. This is an off-hand match using any .22 rifle fired on a slow fire pistol target.  The competition is divided into two classes based on the type of sights on the rifle, either open or scope sights.
2. The second week a center fire twenty shot slow fire handicap match is fired. This match is fired with either a center fire pistol or revolver. Each shooter is allowed to add points to their score based on their classification. The shooter scoring closest to two hundred points, including handicap points, is the winner. No spotting scopes are allowed during the match. If a shooter’s score is over two hundred, two points are deducted from the score for each point over two hundred. The handicap points must be put on the score card before firing begins.
3. The third week a twenty shot center fire revolver match is fired. This match is also a handicap match using the same system as described earlier. One slow fire target score is fired and one timed fire target is fired for a two hundred possible score. The shooter closest to the two hundred possible, including handicap points, is the winner. Two points are deducted for each point over the two hundred possible score.
4. The fourth week of the month a concealed carry gun match is held. This match is fired on a silhouette target at fifty feet. The match consists of four stages: two stages of timed fire and two stages of rapid fire. Timed fire allows twenty seconds for each five-shot string and rapid fire allows ten seconds for each five-shot string. Each stage begins with the gun in hand and with the gun resting on the bench when the targets turn firing is to begin. There are two divisions based on the barrel length of the gun used – those guns with 3½ inch barrel or longer, and those with less than a 3½ inch barrel compete in each class.
5. NRA approved matches are held each month beginning in October and continuing through March. These matches follow all NRA rules and are run by the match director of each discipline. Information about these matches can be found in the newsletter or on the web site.
6. NRA sectional matches are held each year in the following shooting disciplines: conventional pistol, air pistol, air rifle, and smallbore rifle. The matches follow all NRA rules and are scheduled at the end of the indoor shooting season for each discipline involved. Information concerning these matches is posted in the newsletter and on the web site.

                                          INDOOR RANGE SAFETY
1. Proper eye and ear protection must be worn at all times while on the range.
2. All firearms must be cased until the shooter is called to the firing line and the range officer allows cases to be opened and firearms handled. All firearms must be in a safe condition and benched. A firearm is in a safe condition when:

a.   Slides are locked back or the cylinder is open or the bolt is open and an empty chamber indicator is in place and the firearm is on the bench.

b.  Magazines out of the firearm, or cartridges out of the cylinder.

c.  The firearm is on the bench with the muzzle pointed down range.

d.  As long as the range is in a safe condition, no firearm can be handled at any time for any reason!

e. This safe condition is to exist with all firearms on the firing line when anyone is down range for any reason. A safe condition of the firing line will be maintained until all persons are back behind the firing line. Only the range officer can change the status of the firing line through his commands.
3. Firearms must remain in a safe condition until the range officer signals the beginning of the preparation period. During the preparation period the shooter may handle his firearm. He may adjust his grip, stance, and dry fire. No magazine may be placed in the gun nor are cartridges to be loaded into a cylinder. At the end of three minutes the range officer will ask if anyone needs additional time. If a shooter is not ready, let the range officer know and additional time will be allowed.
4. The range officer will end the preparation period and give the command to load. At that time a loaded magazine or cartridges may be loaded into the firearm. Slides dropped and cylinders closed or bolts closed and wait for the range officer’s commands. The range officer will declare which stage of fire is coming up and give the time limits involved. The commands are as follows:

a. “This will be the slow fire stage of the national match course, ten shots fired in ten minutes without further command. Is the line ready?” If a shooter is not ready, make that known to the range officer at that time.

b. “The line is ready!”

c.  “Ready on the right!”

d.  “Ready on the left!”

e.  “Ready on the firing line!”

f.  In slow fire, the range officer would say “Your ten minutes begin now, commence fire.”

g.  When firing is completed, the range officer will declare a cease fire, and ask shooters to make the line safe. The safe condition of the firearms was explained earlier.

h.  Once the line has been declared safe, shooters are allowed to go forward to score targets. This is also a good time to load your magazines for the next stage of fire.

i.  When scoring is complete the range officer will state, “All shooters are back. Shooters may handle their weapons.” At that point and not before, a shooter may pick up the firearm and prepare for the next stage. The firearm may not be loaded at this time; no magazines inserted or cartridges inserted into the cylinder.

j.  The next command will be, “Shooters to the line.  This will be the timed fire stage of the national match course.  Two five-shot strings, twenty seconds each.  On the firing line with five rounds load.” At that time shooters may load the firearm. The range officer will then ask, “Is the line ready?”  If for any reason a shooter is not ready, make the range officer aware.  He will allow extra time as needed. Then when the line is ready he will repeat, “Is the line ready? The line is ready” and after a three second delay, the targets will turn and face the shooters for the appropriate time period. When the targets turn away, the range officer will ask, “Are there any alibis?” Should an alibi be declared, it will be dealt with according to tbe NRA rules. Next the range officer will give the following command: “All shooters prepare for the second string of timed fire. On the firing line load.  Is the line ready?  The line is ready. Ready on the right, ready on the left, ready on the firing line.”  Following a three second delay, the targets will face the shooters for the appropriate time. After turning away once again the range officer will ask if there are any alibis? If there are no additional alibis, the alibi from the first string will be fired. At that point the range officer will ask all shooters to make the line safe as described earlier. Then shooters will be allowed to go forward to score.

k. When scoring has been completed and all shooters have returned behind the firing line, the entire sequence of commands will begin again for the rapid fire stage of the national match course. The only difference being the time limit allowed for each string of five rounds. The time limit becomes ten seconds for each string of fire.

l. Alibis are defined as any condition beyond the control of the shooter that makes it impossible for him to complete a string of fire during the time or rapid stages of the national match course. The shooter is allowed only one alibi per match.  A match is all three stages of fire. So if a shooter declares an alibi during timed fire he is not allowed another in rapid fire. An alibi could be caused by a faulty cartridge, a failure to eject, or a failure to feed, or some other condition that stops the firearm from functioning. The shooter must not attempt to correct the problem before the range officer has inspected the firearm in order to determine if the alibi is allowed or not. If the shooter attempts to correct the problem, he will not be allowed an alibi. Once the alibi has been allowed the shooter is allowed to fire an additional five-round string after all other shooters have completed the course of fire. The target is then scored in accordance with NRA rules. The lowest shot values along with any misses for a total of ten shots scored.

m. When all firing is completed after each stage the shooters must make the line safe as described. Shooters are allowed to go forward and score the appropriate target. Shooters may load their magazines before going down range. ONCE THE RANGE IS DECLARED SAFE NO FIREARM MAYBE TOUCHED FOR ANY REASON!

                                              RANGE OPERATION 
1. On nights when there are more than ten shooters wanting on the firing line, the first ten shooters on the line are allowed to fire two matches.  After two matches, the necessary number of shooters are taken off the line by random drawing in order to allow those waiting to get to fire two matches as well.  After those two matches are completed another random drawing is held if necessary to get those taken off the line earlier back on the line. This procedure is repeated until all shooters have been taken care of.  Those shooters who are not firing for record must wait until all those firing for record have fired all of their matches. The range officer may allow a non- record shooter on the line if a spot is available. That shooter will have to follow the national match format until all record firing is completed.

2. Rules specific to the indoor range are posted on the south wall of the range. For example, no magnum loads are to be fired on the range; lead bullets are preferred to jacketed for use on the range.  Be sure to make note of all those rules posted.
3. The range officer or match director is in charge of the range during all the matches.  Always follow their commands and directions as given. This statement applies to all range officers and match directors on what ever range and what ever match you are involved in.

4. Always keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed down range, above the floor, and below the ceiling.
5. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire the shot.
6. Never get in a hurry while on the firing line.  If you need more time let the range officer know.  More time will be allowed.
7. ALWAYS KEEP SAFETY FOREMOST AS YOU USE THE CLUB'S RANGES.