3P rules for shooting jackets

[coolcruiser]

There is a 3P match this weekend in RI. I would like to try this out but my shooting jacket is a Creedmore with sliding buckles. Is this jacket allowable for 3P? TIA

[RobStubbs]

You'd need to check out the rules governing the comp you are entering. Be that NRA (most likely) or ISSF - both should detail jacket dimensions etc on their websites. Or phone the organiser and ask. Most comps will allow you to shoot in a non legal jacket - you just won't be elligible to win anything. But you'll know for sure and have the match experience to boot.

Rob.

[mjguzy]

You didn't mention if the match was under NRA smallbore, NRA international, or USAS/ISU rules. If it is under NRA smallbore rules, you should be OK. Otherwise, there are restrictions on material thickness, stiffness, etc. that I'm pretty sure your Creedmoor coat won't meet, besides the buckles not being legal. I believe that if the buckles are fixed (sewn or at least taped so they aren't adjustable), you can use a coat with buckles under NRA International rules, assuming the other conditions are met. I'm sure there are other folks who will know more of the fine details than I, especially ISU rules. Your best bet may be to contact the match director (if possible) before the match to see what they will allow. Rule books are pretty cheap, so if you intend to do much competing it's a good idea to pick up the ones for the disciplines you intend to pursue (mine have been loaned out at the moment, otherwise I could be more difinitive!).
Good luck with the match,
MJG

[Fuzzy Limey]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of most current National/International shooters might I suggest that you leave the jacket at home and shoot in a "good ol' woolly pully" ... give the others a psychological nudge downwards in that they have to use an "artificial bench-rest device in order to beat you".

Regards,
Bryan - The Fuzzy Limey

[daisy]

You can read the ISSF rules here

http://www.issf-shooting.org/rules/english/rules.asp

daisy

[peepsight]

Hi Fuzzy

I have often wondered how all these world class shooters would perform if you took away their shooting jackets and pants. I suspect that in the prone position there won't be a great reduction in performance but in the standing i guess it would be a distaster.
I tried standing without the jacket and i was terrible.

In the book Air Rifle Shooting, they recommend a few shots with out the jacket to build up your shooting muscles, seems like a good advice.

Peepsight

[Hap Rocketto]

coolcruiser,

It is an NRA 3 P Sectional of the NRA 3P Indoor National Championship. Heavy coats and scopes are allowed.

The Massasoit range is very nice.

I am shooting Saturday morning, perhaps we shall meet.

Regards,

Hap Rocketto

[Guest]

I have often wondered how all these world class shooters would perform if you took away their shooting jackets and pants. I suspect that in the prone position there won't be a great reduction in performance but in the standing i guess it would be a distaster.

Peepsight

I think there would be a real difference. A wooly jumper will not support the sling in the same way as a well fitting jacket. Over the course of a match it will stretch and sag over the shoulder lowering the sling. You get this same effect if using an older thin jacket like the 10Xor a Tucker European, so it would be more pronounced with a knitted jersey. Tightening the sling around the arm might reduce the sag, but it would also hurt and lead to pulsing.

I would think that you would get tired much more quickly, and that your scores would suffer dreadfully. The improvements to jackets are a factor in the reduction of target sizes.

Tim S

Exeter

[Fuzzy Limey]

Hi All,

Thanks for some of the comments on my earlier post. In my 71 years of competition, and up until about 5 years ago I had never owned or worn a shooting jacket ... tried one for about a year and then sold it - lol !

Nowadays the old Royal Marine Commando "woolly pulley" that I had "acquired" at the end of WW2 and that had seen me through many a tournament and Olympic trial in 3 countries has disappeared ... the Missus said it was too disreputable for further display ... and been replaced by a more conventional fleecy sweatshirt !

With regards to sling/sleeve slippage and sagging, the RM pully has minimal problems in that area ... not so the sweatshirts which do sag quite a bit. A large button sewn on the sleeve with a webtape reinforcement can help here. In my coaching activities I'm a firm believer in not allowing students the use of specialised shooting clothing ... one has to develop and master personal skills rather then rely on "external crutches".

Regards,
Bryan - The Fuzzy Limey

[Guest]

I can't agree there.

While it is important not to rely on "crutches" as a beginner, you will do yourself no favours by learning conventional prone shooting without a jacket.

Having a jacket support the weight of the rifle is not a crutch, it's essential. I think modern target rifles are too heavy to be shot with just the sling, they would place too much pressure on the supporting arm.

The jacket anyway is not a crutch, any more than a rest is in benchrest shooting. The jacket's purpose is to support the rifle, so that you can concentrate on aiming, breathing, the wind trigger release etc. It's an equaliser, allowing the skinny (especially junior) shooters to compete fairly against the stronger.

I have been coaching at uni clubs for several years now and I firmly believe that new members would not continue without the support of the jacket. It would be uncomfortable and their performance would be lower. The number of female students staying as members has imcreased since we acquired a heavier jacket that propelry supported the rifle; simply skinny teenagers weren't strong enough even with our 7.5lb 1403.

A jacket is quite unsuiatble (an possibly unsporting) for Gallery Rifle, but not for prone.

Tim S

Exeter

[ritasamson]

Hi, I'm a newbie, I saw a jacket last night in wool fabric with a hoodie and the arms are zipped. I mean we can use as a sleeve less jacket.