It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and understand the rules and stage briefings set forth and agree to be subject to these rules while participating in an event.

Basic firearms safety rules will be followed at all times:

• 1.2.1Treat all guns as if they are always loaded.
• 1.2.2Never let the muzzle cover anything that you are not willing to destroy.
• 1.2.3Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
• 1.2.4Be sure of your target and what is behind it.

• 1.3.1Rifles shall be transported between stages with detachable magazines removed and chamber empty. Slings are required (see Section 3.4).
• 1.3.2Pistols shall remain holstered at all times between stages. Chamber shall be empty; a magazine may be inserted.
• 1.3.3Competitors shall not handle, manipulate, or load any firearm outside of the active shooting stage under RO supervision. Any such action observed between stages is grounds for Match DQ under Section 9.

Eye and ear protection must be worn at all times while at a shooting stage during a Course of Fire (COF).

• 1.5.1During the COF, a competitor may be required to abandon a firearm in order to transition to another. A competitor shall not engage targets with more than one gun in their hands during a COF.
• 1.5.2Designated locations designed to safely accommodate abandoned firearms shall be pointed out to the competitor during the stage briefing.
• 1.5.3Firearms shall be abandoned in one of the following conditions only.
• 1.5.4MANUAL SAFETY ENGAGED — with the manual safety in the engaged (safe) position.
• 1.5.5EMPTY — empty chamber with no live rounds in the firearm or magazine.

The RO will give the “Make Ready” command then direct and supervise the competitor through the process of preparing firearms for the stage.

After the competitor has made ready firearms to be used on the stage, the RO will accompany them to the start position. The RO will then issue the commands “Are You Ready” followed shortly by “Standby” and the activation of the timer. The lack of any negative response from the competitor after being issued the “Are You Ready?” command indicates that they fully understand the requirements of the stage and are ready to proceed. If the competitor is not ready, they shall state “No” or “Not Ready.” Competitors should assume the required start position to indicate their readiness to the RO.

Any RO assigned to a stage may issue this command at any time during the stage. The competitor must immediately cease firing, stop moving, and wait for further instruction from the RO.

If the competitor has finished shooting, they shall lower their firearm and present it for inspection by the RO with the muzzle pointed downrange, magazine removed, slide/bolt locked or held open and chamber empty. The RO will instruct and accompany the competitor to safely unload all firearms used on the stage.

This command shall be issued only after all firearms have been cleared by the competitor and RO. This declaration signifies the end of the stage. Once this declaration is made, officials and competitors may move downrange to score and reset targets if necessary.

The stage brief read by the RO supersedes any previously posted stage information.

The competitor must carry everything they need to complete the course and all stages when starting the run. Competitors will not be permitted to return to their vehicle for re-supply. This includes water, ammunition, a stopwatch, tools, etc.

• 2.7.1Exception: The 15k or 20k, 2-lap division. Competitors in these divisions will be allowed to re-supply between laps while on their run time.

When a competitor arrives at a stage, they will be given the stage brief and start shooting, or they will be instructed to start their wait time on their own stopwatch. Competitors are responsible for keeping their wait time honestly at each stage. Wait time will be recorded by the RO and deducted from run time.

The competitor will carry all personal equipment throughout each stage unless otherwise stated in the stage brief.

All firearms used by participants must be serviceable and safe. ROs may demand examination of a participant’s firearm or related equipment at any time to check that they are functioning safely. If any such item is declared unserviceable or unsafe by an RO, it shall be withdrawn from the event until the item is repaired to the satisfaction of the RO, Range Master, or Match Director.

If a participant’s firearm becomes unserviceable during competition, the competitor may attempt to make the firearm serviceable again under supervision of an RO, without any assistance, parts, or tools from any other person. Wait time will not be used for this; it must be done on run time.

Firearms — whether semi-auto, select-fire, or full-auto — may only be fired in semi-automatic mode.

A sling or retention device is required on all rifles. The firearm must remain attached to the competitor’s body during transitions and movement between stages. Unslung rifles carried in-hand between stages are prohibited.

• 4.1.1Holsters must be able to safely retain the handgun during vigorous movement.
• 4.1.2The holster material must be rigid and completely cover the trigger on all semi-automatic pistols as well as the cylinder on revolvers.
• 4.1.3Due to safety concerns, shoulder holsters, “belly bands,” magazine pouch holsters, cross-draw chest holsters, and pocket holsters are not allowed.

Only the following pistol calibers are permitted:

• 5.2.1.380 ACP
• 5.2.29mm
• 5.2.3.40 S&W
• 5.2.4.45 ACP
• 5.2.510mm
• 5.2.6.38 Special
• 5.2.7.357 Magnum

Only the following rifle calibers are permitted:

• 5.3.15.45×39mm
• 5.3.25.56×45mm / .223 Remington
• 5.3.37.62×39mm
• 5.3.4.300 AAC Blackout
• 5.3.5FN 5.7×28mm
• 5.3.6Larger calibers may be allowed for specific events at Match Director discretion.

All cartridges shall fire a single projectile only. No shot shells or multi-projectile loads.

The stage brief will specify target type, count, and the firearm(s) required for proper engagement.

Competitors are responsible for listening to the stage brief and asking questions prior to receiving the “Make Ready” command regarding which firearms may engage which targets, in order to avoid procedural penalties or stage safety penalties including DQ.

Any scoring issue a competitor does not agree with may be appealed to the stage RO, and if not resolved at the stage, the Match Director or Range Master will review and address the appeal after the competitor’s run.

Shoot and run time weighting is 50/50.

The match is scored as cumulative stage points in each division.

All divisions will be scored separately regardless of participation. Subject to change for Team or Special divisions.

Targets must be neutralized to avoid time penalties.

• 7.6.1Paper/cardboard — required number of hits anywhere on target within perforations.
• 7.6.2Steel knock-down (KD) plates must fall to score.
• 7.6.3Long-range flashing targets must be struck with the required number of bullets per engagement to score.
• 7.6.4Static plates must be struck with the required number of bullets per engagement to score.
• 7.6.5ROs shall call “Hit” to indicate to the competitor a neutralized target such as static steel, flash targets, etc.

All stage penalties are assessed as fixed time additions of 40 seconds to the competitor’s stage time.

• 8.1.1FTN (Failure to Neutralize) — one hit when multiple hits are required, or a missed target.
• 8.1.2Miss — an un-hit target.
• 8.1.3No-Shoot — a hit on any target designated as a friendly or no-shoot target.
• 8.1.4Procedural violation — failure to follow stage procedures, shooting under walls, or not using correct positions as denoted in the stage brief.

A Match Disqualification (DQ) will result in complete disqualification from the event and the competitor will not be allowed to continue. The following are grounds for Match DQ:

• 9.2.1Cheating.
• 9.2.2Cutting the course intentionally.
• 9.2.3Altering course, COF, or score cards.
• 9.2.4Unsportsmanlike conduct.
• 9.2.5An intentional or unintentional discharge aimed over a berm or significantly off target in an unsafe direction.
• 9.2.6Any competitor found with a round loaded in the chamber of any firearm while not under the direct supervision of a Range Officer shall be subject to DQ.
• 9.2.7A competitor impaired by and deemed unsafe as a result of drugs, legal or otherwise, or alcohol.

A Stage Disqualification (SDQ) will result in no score for the stage. The following are Stage Disqualifications:

• 10.1.1 Negligent Discharge: A competitor who causes a negligent discharge not in the direction of a target shall be stopped by an RO as soon as possible. Rule 9.2.5 still applies. Includes:
  • 10.1.1.1A shot which occurs while loading, reloading, or unloading any firearm after the “Make Ready” command and before the “Range is Clear” command.
  • 10.1.1.2A shot which occurs during remedial action in the case of a malfunction, while transferring a firearm between hands, or during movement between shooting positions.
• 10.1.2Dropping or losing control of a loaded firearm at any time after the “Make Ready” command and before the “Range is Clear” command.
• 10.1.3Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to break the 180-degree safety plane or designated safe direction at any time.
• 10.1.4Allowing the muzzle of any firearm to point at any part of the competitor’s body (i.e., sweeping) during a COF.

• Decisions are initially made by the stage’s RO.
• If the competitor disagrees with the RO’s decision, the Range Master or Match Director will be called to make the final ruling. Competitor’s run time will continue during the appeal.
• Safety violations will not be subject to arbitration.

• The RO has final decision on all HIT/MISS calls.

• 12.1.1If any competitor or official requires medical assistance, any person on the course may call “CEASE FIRE” loudly and repeatedly. All shooting shall halt immediately.
• 12.1.2ROs at each stage shall acknowledge with a “STAGE CLEAR” call or radio confirmation before competitors resume.
• 12.1.3Designated first-aid kits and trauma supplies shall be available at the registration area. Competitors are encouraged to carry personal IFAKs (Individual First Aid Kits).
• 12.1.4In the event of a serious injury, call 911 immediately. Provide location details: Burial Mound Shooting Center address. The Match Director or designated safety officer will coordinate with emergency responders.

• 12.2.1Competitors who fail to finish within 2 hours shall be flagged by the scoring station.
• 12.2.2A designated RO or MD shall initiate contact (radio, phone, or physical check) for any competitor exceeding the maximum time.

• 12.3.1The MD has sole authority to suspend or abort the event for safety reasons including severe weather, lightning, or course hazard.