rifle range rules

Rifle Range Rules

Benches and Competition Range

When a Range Officer is present on the range, all firing will be under his/her supervision.

Eye and hearing protection is strongly recommended. Neither the Directors nor the club will be liable for injuries received by a shooter who fails to wear the proper protection. Additionally, the Directors reserve the right to remove a shooter from the line for lack of protection as they choose.

All rifle and/or pistol actions MUST be opened, chambers empty and magazines removed (if possible) at ALL times when persons are downrange. Rifles and/or pistols unattended behind the firing line MUST also have actions opened and magazines removed (if possible). A cased firearm meets the listed criteria. (Note: Use of an Open Bolt Indicator O.B.I. is recommended to designate compliance).

If a malfunction of a loaded rifle or pistol occurs: The person having the misfire MUST call for a CEASE FIRE. ALL firing will cease until the firearm is cleared. Any attempts to clear the firearm MUST have the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. (Down range, directed to the impact areas and the ground). NO ONE is to go forward of the line while a firearm is being cleared.

All rifle and pistol firing must be directed at paper targets fastened to the permanent backboards. All bullets must enter earthen backstops. Firing at the wooden framework is expressly forbidden.

All persons NOT in the act of firing MUST remain behind the firing line.

Rifles, Pistols and Shotguns (with slugs ONLY) may be used on the rifle range. No .50 cal smokeless powder rifles. One round only is permitted in ANY type of firearm action or magazine.

When a shooter is downrange checking or setting targets. NO handling of firearms, this includes casing/uncasing and cleaning of firearms. Actions MUST be open (see # 2). Looking thru spotting scopes and/or firearm scopes is forbidden.

NO Diagonal shooting (cross-firing) is permitted.

** No guests are permitted during the month of November. (Exception: Sponsored Club Events)

Range Rules

Benches and Competition Range

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When finished firing, all targets are to be removed and placed in the proper receptacle. Spent brass should be taken home or placed in the brass buckets provided. ABSOULTELY NO LIVE AMMO OR MISFIRES ARE TO BE PLACED INTO THE BURN BINS OR TRASH CONTAINERS.

No firing at targets under 50 yards. All firing MUST be done from the proper firing line. Note: Black powder MUZZLELOADERS ONLY, may place a REMOVABLE target frame down range 25 yards. The firing point is to the right of # 10 bench, and is for their express use only. This target frame MUST be removed upon completion of firing. All firing MUST be done from a point equal to the normal firing line.

NO FIREARMS loaded or unloaded are permitted downrange.

The Wm. F. Pendred Competition Range use is limited to those times when a Range Officer (Rifle) or Director has opened the range for use. Absolutely NO firing from the rifle range is to be directed at targets on this range.

No one is to go forward of the firing line during actual firing. Shooters must communicate cease-fires if both rifle and competition ranges are in use.

Failure to obey these rules may result in serious injury or death. Any and all infractions of these rules are subject to disciplinary action(s) form the Board of Directors.

Clairton Sportsmen’s Club

General Range Rules for All Ranges.

The Clairton Sportsmen’s Club Inc., its officers and directors will not be held responsible for any or all injuries to any member or guest arising out of the use of the clubs ranges and equipment. It is the responsibility of each member or guest to conduct him or herself in a safe manner while using the clubs facilities. It is recommended you read all range signs prior to the use.

Membership cards must be in your possession and shown upon request along with proof of identification if requested.

No live ammo or miss-fired ammunition is to be placed in the trash barrels.

Any member loaning his or her membership card to another for club facilities use will be expelled from the club.

No Junior member (under the age of 18) may use a range unless accompanied by an adult. *(Archery age is 16 and under).

Adult members are permitted one guest per visit. (Exception – immediate family).

Alcoholic beverages, intoxication, disorderly conduct will not be tolerated and are prohibited on any range.

No profane or abusive language is permitted.

Clowning or trick shooting is prohibited. No horse play will be tolerated.

Any infraction of the above rules and regulations will result in immediate suspension of membership and possible expulsion pending a review by the board of directors.

Daily shooting hours for firearms ranges are: 9 AM to dusk.

All shooting is to be directed at paper targets only. (Exception: Holiday Shoots or special events).

Anyone caught defacing club equipment or property will be expelled form the club and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Patterning of shotguns shall be done in the designated area which is located to the far right of #8 trap house. (Near the picnic pavilion).

Archery:

General Rules:

Walk the ranges forward only. Travel the course in ascending numbers, so as not to emerge midway of a target lane.

No broad-heads (hunting tips) are to be used on outdoor or indoor targets unless specified.

Shooting is to be at target faces only (paper targets) on hay bales. There is to be no shooting at any object or animal. (3-D targets exempt).

When searching for a lost arrow, stand your bow crossways in front of the target to indicate your intent.

When arriving at a target and seeing a bow standing in front of the target, hold your position. Someone is searching for a lost arrow. Do not shoot.

No member of a shooting group is to step forward of the position until all members have completed shooting at that particular target.

The range is open to all members at all times except during an organized shoot. During these times the ranges are for only those participating in the event.

A slow moving shooting group should permit a faster group to shoot through as a courtesy.

Shooters should not break or remove vegetation except where growth is interfering with shooting at a proper target from a ground stake (marker). Shooters are encouraged however to keep the ranges clean by removing possible tripping hazards and debris while using the ranges.

Outdoor Archery Range:

General Rules

The outdoor archery range is divided into two (2) halves of 14 targets each. Targets 1-14 begin at the practice range behind the barn (indoor range) and run parallel to the club road toward Coal Valley Road. Targets 15-28 begin across the club road and wind back ending across the road from the barn.

The archery practice range is one firing point with several targets at various distances. Archers may practice at any distance where targets are located, but must fire from a common point.

The archery metric practice range is one line of targets that may be shot from marked distances of 15 to 90 meters. This range is located across the club road from the barn. It will be used during the spring and summer months at which time the broad-head range will be closed. The broad-head range will re-open September 1^st.

( Note: This range is for F.I.T.A. METRIC and equipment use only).

Outdoor Archery Range Safety Rules:

When a tournament director or a range officer is present on the range, all shooting will be under his/her supervision.

NO shooting from elevated structures of any type. No standing on tree stumps, ladders etc. No tree stands of any type are to be used or constructed.

No pistol crossbows are permitted.

Safety rules for crossbows follow the same rules. Note: Draw weight of crossbows is limited to allowable limits as set by PA Game Commission as legal for hunting.

Destroying any hay bale to retrieve a buried arrow or bolt is forbidden.

Indoor Archery Range Rules:

All shooting will be done from the 20 yard marker unless otherwise stated by the director of shooting for the day.

Shooters must straddle the designated shooting line.

All shooting shall be at targets or bales directly in front of the shooter. No cross firing is permitted.

A maximum of six (6) arrows per round are permitted unless otherwise specified by the range officer.

Only equipment authorized by the director of shooting for the day will be permitted on the range. Any equipment in question shall be restricted from use until such time as to have been determined safe for use on the indoor range. No pistol crossbows are permitted on the indoor archery range.

The director of shooting will have the authority to restrict any equipment form the range that appears to be in such condition as to pose a danger to others.

Example: A bow with a badly frayed string.

No eating, drinking or smoking in the shooting room (indoor range).

No person under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication and who is not in full control of there faculties shall be permitted on or to use these ranges. This determination will be made by the range director/officer for the day and verified by at least one other person.

No back quivers are permitted.

No archer is to have an arrow in his/her bow unless they are in a proper shooting position at the assigned distance and the range is clear.

No youth archer or archers under the age of 16 are permitted to use the range unless accompanied by and adult.

No shooter may handle, move, or tamper with in any way another shooters equipment, unless consent is given, by the owner.

No late comers will be permitted to shoot after scoring has begun during an event.

This eliminates possible confusion and errors as event director may also be a participant in the match.

Indoor Crossbow Rules:

General rules are the same except as noted:

Target faces will be same, but shooter must reinforce back of target to limit loosing bolts (arrows) in bales.

The crossbow and parts must be of safe materials.

Mechanical aids are permitted for drawing crossbows.

Crossbow shooters shall stand to shoot form the offhand position. No rests of any type are permitted.

Bolts may be of any material, but must not be of such design as to unreasonably damage target faces, butts or backstops.

Optical aids may be used in locating hits on targets.

Draw weight is limited to legal limits as defined by PA Game Commission.

Crossbows must be equipped with a safety devise on the firing mechanism.

(trigger-safety).

The bow limbs are not to exceed 38 inches strung. The bolt must extend beyond the bow limbs.

Action Pistol Ranges:

General Rules

The designated ‘Action Pistol Range’ shall be used only by or under the supervision of a range officer as approved the Board of Directors.

The action pistol ranges are “cold” ranges. This means there will be no loaded firearm on the range for any reason unless that person is on the firing line with a range officer.

There are two designated areas to handle your firearms, one at the beginning of

bay # 4 and one at the entrance to bay # 1. There is to be no handling of ammunition or loaded firearms at these two areas. These are ‘Safe gun handling areas’.

Eye and hearing protection is strongly recommended. Neither the Directors nor the Club will be liable for injuries received by a shooter who fails to wear the proper protection. Additionally, the Directors reserve the right to remove a shooter from the line for lack of protection as they choose.

Range officers will be responsible for the safety of the shooters. Shooters will follow the current rules as listed in IPSC/USPSA rule book.

Range officers will score targets. One additional person from the squad will each: note the score on the score card, paste targets (cover shot holes), paint the steel.

If a problem arises and a range officer cannot handle/resolve it, the Chief Range Officer of that stage is contacted. If the problem still exists, the Range Master is contacted. If the problem yet remains unresolved, the Match Director is contacted.

These steps are non-negotiable.

The safety rules applying to Action Pistol Ranges shall be the safety rules as stipulated by current United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) rule book.

All safety rules applying to the Action Pistol Range are subject to review by the Range Master.

As all International Practical Shooting Confederation/United States Practical Shooting Association (IPSC/USPSA) matches are sanctioned by the above named organizations, the Range Master designated by Clairton Sportsmen’s Club as Action Pistol Director has the responsibility for all safety concerns and compliance at IPSC/USPSA matches.

Open Covered Pistol Range:

General Rules

No guest in November: unless the range is open for special events. (Holiday shoots, open sight-in day etc.)

No guns down range for any reason. No gun handling while persons are down range checking or setting targets.

When a shooter/person is forward of the firing line: All guns are unloaded, actions open safeties on. There is to be no cleaning or sight adjusting of firearms while a person is forward of the firing line. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Muzzles are to be pointed down range at all times. If you have a malfunction/misfire,

Immediately, call a “Cease Fire”, shooters are to stop firing and ground all firearms until the stoppage/malfunction is cleared. A grounded firearm is unloaded with muzzle down range and action open.

No bottle-neck cartridges are permitted on the covered range. Straight walled pistol cartridges only.

No center fire rifles, (AK, SKS, AR’s, or look a-likes), muzzle-loading rifles or shotguns are permitted. .17 cal. HRM and current family of cartridges are restricted to the rifle range only. A .22 cal conversion kit is permissible for use in a center fire firearm.

Paper targets only … no bottles cans etc. Please keep ranges clean. Remove your targets when finished shooting. All trash must be placed in the proper container.

All persons not engaged in firing will remain behind the firing line during ‘live-fire’.

No diagonal firing (cross-firing) is permitted.

When a range officer is present, all firing will be under his/her supervision.

100 Yard Steel Plate Range:

General Description.

This is a restricted use range. The range is open almost every Sunday from at 9 AM, followed by league shooting at 9:30 AM. Once the leagues first line has fired, under normal conditions, no new shooters may join the shoot. A Director or Range Officer must be present for shooting to proceed.

Off hours use: Permission must be obtained from a 100 yard Pistol Director or the President, Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, at least two (2) weeks in advance of requesting use to allow time for other activities to be advised of use. The Director contacted will have approval from the Board of Directors before permission is granted to use the range. Due to the unique nature and location of this range, non-standard use of the range may on occasion be granted.

Range Rules:

(Off-Hours use) The skeet range off hours lock box must be locked out and tagged with the name and phone number of the person in charge of off hours activity. The lock and tag must be removed upon completion of range use.

No bottles or cans may be used for targets on this range. Miscellaneous types of biodegradable targets (i.e. eggs, fruits, etc.) may be used. The league Directors reserve the right to reject the use of targets other than normal steel plates.

Practice shooting on league days: Firearms, cartridges, and targets used must be approved by a Pistol Director or the Range Manage/Master.

Firearms:

For league shooting handgun selection is limited to those using straight wall center fire cartridges. (.38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Remington magnum etc.) and 32-20 pistol or similar straight wall cartridges.

.22 Rim-fire and .22 Rim-fire magnum cartridges may be used for practice. If and when a .22 Rim-fire program is established, this provision is null and void.

Safety:

All firearms may be loaded to magazine capacity. For revolvers we consider this to be cylinder capacity less one. For semi-automatic pistols, we consider this to be magazine capacity without ‘one in the chamber’.

No handling of firearms is permitted when persons are down range.

100 Yard Steel Plate Range:

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A Director or Range Officer will call a ‘cease-fire’ and clear the range before setting up or putting away targets.

Firearms will not be aimed or pointed in any other direction other than ‘downrange’ and such pointing must be done from the firing line position.

Eye and ear protection is strongly recommended. Neither the Directors nor the Board of Directors will be liable for injuries received by a shooter who fails to wear the proper protection. Additionally, the Directors reserve the right to remove a shooter from the line for lack of protection as they choose.

Trap Field

General Rules

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted beyond the clubhouse porch.

No shot size larger than 7 ½ is permitted.

All firearms must be pointed downrange at all times.

Only shot guns are permitted on the trap field.

No loaded firearms behind the firing line.

One round (shot-shell) only may be loaded at a time, except during a doubles event.

No shooting is permitted beyond the 27 yard line.

Shooting at hand thrown targets must be conducted on fields # 7 and # 8 only.

All firing will be directed toward clay targets only, absolutely no cans or bottles.

Shooters must be alert and cautious for trap-boys exiting from the trap-houses.

All persons not actively engaged in shooting must remain behind the 27 yard line.

All firearms must be empty and the actions open when moving from one station to another or walking to and from the clubhouse.

All trash (empty boxes and shell casings etc.) must be placed in the proper receptacles.

Skeet Field

General Rules

These rules are applicable to each of the three skeet fields

No firearm shall be loaded until the shooter is at the shooting station. Loaded is defined as putting a shell into any part of the firearm.

When not on a shooting station, the firearm will be carried with the action open and unloaded.

When a delay occurs, the shooter will unload the firearm and open the action until the delay has been resolved.

During the shooting of single targets, the range officer/event director may authorize loading of two (2) shells at any station except # 8.

Loading of more than two (2) shells will not be permitted at any time.

No shot larger than 7 ½ is permitted.

Shooting is to be directed at clay birds only.

Squads larger than five (5) are not permitted if other squads/hooters are waiting.

Empty shell casings are not to be retrieved until the round is completed and the trap machines are turned off.