The FARM Training Center holds a Tactical Rifle match on a periodic basis to provide a tactical rifle training opportunity to shooters in a safe, supervised environment to help shooters increase their safe gun-handling skills and practice with their rifles / carbines.
Stages are shot under the supervision of a Range Safety Officer (who will also be shooting the match). A timer is used to record the overall time used by the shooter to address the given stage. Penalties in the form of additional time (usually 5 or 10 seconds) are added for targets missed or for procedural errors.
Don’t be intimidated by the scoring! We have iPads that track all that and plenty of experienced competitors happy to help you learn the ropes. Come train and have some fun!
All divisions score minor using the PCSL K-Zone Target. A single round in the K zone neutralizes the target, scoring 10 points, and no second shot is required. If no K zone hit is made, two hits anywhere in the A, C, or D zones are required to avoid misses (mikes). Think of a miss as a “failure to neutralize” with this target scoring.
Steel targets score 5 points for a hit, -10 for a miss. Falling steel must fall to score.
Who can participate: Any responsible, safe shooter who is capable of handling their rifle without endangering others.
When: As scheduled. Check the current calendar for upcoming matches. Match setup begins at 7:00 AM, sign-in concludes at 8:45 AM. You must be signed in by 8:45 AM. Shooters Safety Meeting starts at 8:50 AM. Participants must be present for safety meeting to be eligible to shoot this match. NO EXCEPTIONS. Shooting commences at 9:00 AM. Feel free to come early and help set up.
Cost: The Match Fee is $32. FARM Training Center Annual Members enjoy a $10 discount. Juniors, when shooting with a participant parent, shoot for $17 – be advised that if a Junior is shooting that person must be fully capable of safely handing their rifle (i.e loading, shooting, reloading, unloading) without too much parental assistance (verbal coaching is fine). All participants are expected to help with the event by assisting with setup, tear-down, trash clean up, target resetting and score keeping as a non-monetary fee.
Equipment: The match is designed for people shooting AR15 and AR10 type rifles, though most variations of semi auto, tactical rifles are welcome. Please be advised that any bimetal, armor piercing or tracer ammunition is strictly prohibited. In other words, if your bullets attract a magnet, then leave them home. Bring a way to carry a spare mag or two (back pockets work), eye protection (shooting glasses), hearing protection and a desire to have some fun. Bring 200-250 rounds – more if you typically need make up shots.
- Rests, stands, sandbags, or shooting sticks – bring them if you want, but if they are ever required for a stage, we will provide loaners.
- Please note that the range has no running water, power or amenities nearby, so bring what you need for a day out in the sun/rain/wind
Divisions
- Open/Competition: There are no restrictions on magazine length, optics, or accessories. Supporting devices (i.e. bipods, etc.) may be added or removed at any time.
- Limited/Tactical Must be .223/5.56mm minimum; Bipods and/or rifle support bags are not permitted unless called for in the stage description; Magazine capacity is limited to 30 rounds. Coupled magazines (side by side) are prohibited. No restrictions on optics.
- Factory: Iron sights only, no optics. Must be .223/5.56mm minimum; Bipods and/or rifle support bags are not permitted unless called for in the stage description; Magazine capacity is limited to 30 rounds. Coupled magazines (side by side) are prohibited.
- Heavy: Must be .308 caliber minimum; Magazine capacity is limited to 25rds. Coupled magazines (side by side) are prohibited. Bipods and rifle support bags are not permitted unless called for in the stage description. No restrictions on optics.
- PCC (Open): Must use PCC for the entire match, no other firearms allowed. No limitations magazine length, optics or accessories. PCC supporting devices (i.e. bipods, etc.) may be added or removed at any time. PCC caliber shall not be changed during the event.
- Rimfire: Intended for rimfire like .22 LR; Bipods and/or rifle support bags are not permitted unless called for in the stage description; Magazine capacity is limited to 30 rounds. Coupled magazines (side by side) are prohibited. Some stages with targets further than 100y may be adapted for Rimfire shooters.
Stages
A total of 5-7 stages will be used in the match. The stages are designed to challenge different elements of shooting skills requiring speed, accuracy, ammunition management, and movement. Most stages will require some type of reloading so managing your ammunition is a big factor in how well you do on any given stage.
Other Information
- Targets generally consist of static and reactive metal targets and paper targets.
- Stages typically will require 15-35 shots with make-ups shots permitted for missed targets, unless otherwise noted.
- The Range Safety Officer and/or Match Director can answer any questions participants have about the rules.
- Scores can be found at: https://practiscore.com/clubs/farm_training_center_competition_series
Safety Rules
- Carry rifle with muzzle up if not in a gun case.
- A Chamber Flag is required. These are plastic flags that are placed in the chamber to show the firearm chamber is empty and open. The use of a Chamber Flag is required until the RO gives the “Make Ready” command and must be re-inserted when the RO gives the “Flag” command.
- We highly recommend the use of soft gun cases when carrying your rifle between stages.
- The range is a COLD RANGE, which means that all rifles are unloaded with actions open, flag in, until you are shooting under the supervision of a Range Safety Officer.
- When engaging the targets, shooters must observe the “180 Rule” which means that loaded firearms must be pointed down range at all times.
- When moving between shooting positions, the shooter must have his/her finger outside of the trigger guard.
- In moving between shooting positions, each shooter is encouraged to move only at a pace comfortable and safe for the shooter.
Disqualification (DQ)
Disqualification means the shooter may not continue in any part of the match, may not reenter in another division, and may not shoot any side matches. The shooter’s score will be reported as DQ. A shooter must be disqualified for the following reasons:
- Unsafe firearm handling as defined in the Safety Rules Section
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
- Violations of the Shooter’s Code of Conduct as determined by the Match Director
- Intentionally discharging the firearm at anything other than a target or an activator
- Having a round in chamber when transporting firearm between stages, through any safe area- basically any time you are not shooting the stage and have been told to “load and make ready”
Cancelation Policy
Cancellations made 72 hours or more prior to the match will receive a full refund (minus payment processing fees which the processor does not refund). Cancellations made within 72 hours of the match are non-refundable. Shooting Matches are an investment – not only for the shooter, but also for the hosts and the staff. Each match requires weeks, and sometimes months of administrative and logistical planning. Matches often sell out early, and unexpected cancellations can be very problematic.