The rule states:

(e) Barrel: a hunting style tapered barrel. Bull or varmint barrels are not permitted. A factory tuner that does not act as a muzzle break is permitted. Maximum barrel length is 26 inches.

This isn't fully clear to me. What amount of taper is needed to be acceptable for Hunter? Is a presence of any taper at all enough to qualify?

The presence of any taper is enough, any measurement taken about 3" from the front of the action, and the end of the barrel that varies at little as .020" is considered a taper barrel.
Evelio.

Also I noticed the new regs specify the taper has to be from chamber to muzzle.

That's what I was expecting, but wanted some clarification. I didn't measure from right in front of the receiver, but at the end of the forearm and again at the muzzle. A taper is present, but is not visible to the naked eye. Right at 0.05" from the forearm tip to the muzzle so that should be enough.

Now let's hope it makes weight!

Thanks for the answers!

Old ranger,
All barrels including the Anschutz 1712 factory barrel have a short straight section right in front of the action, anywhere from 3/4" to 1 1/2" long, and then it starts to taper gradually to the muzzle.
Evelio.

Evilio, yes I realize that. I saw people arguing for reverse taper barrels where the muzzle was larger than the chamber end. They said "well it tapers!". Thats all I meant was the taper has to be the direction the bullet travels, not the other way round.

Old ranger,
You are correct, reverse tapered barrels are NOT allowed in Hunter class, only on Standard class.
Evelio.

"A taper is present, but is not visible to the naked eye. Right at 0.05" "

So bring it to the match how am I going to figure that out ? no micrometers in the range bag. I would sign it up as a Silhouette rifle if I could not see some taper. Not looking to cause any Internet arguments but consider the average match directors point of view. 90% of matches are going to push it to Silhouette class if they can't see the taper. Even if they allow it the other shooters are going to protest the gun's class. Other 10 % are the local guys who know you and the rifle. Don't shoot out of town no problem

Most people shoot better when not involved in match day controversy, all equipment well within the rules.

Boats

I've only been around one partial season here in Missoula, but I've yet to hear anyone say anything about anyones equipment. We do have the director verify guns at 2 matches (state championship and the Iron Man) but I've never heard a competitor complain about anothers gun.

If you run into trouble at a match come find me. I keep a caliper in my gun tool kit.

Boats,
You don't need a Caliper, just any straight edge held against the chamber end will show a space when tapered, no day light, no taper. The hardest one to tell is the Anschutz 1710 heavy barrel, and believe me it is tapered.
In 40 years of running matches, I have yet to run off a shooter, or heard anybody complain about the barrel taper, as long as it is not a reversed taper, and it makes the 8 1/2 lbs. and 2 lbs. trigger pull, he is good to go.
Do you really think that a non tapered barrel will have an advantage over a tapered one, as long as both make weight ??????
Evelio.

Boats,
Also I forgot, there are only two classes, Standard class, and Hunter class, I never heard of Silhouette class.
Evelio.

boats wrote:"A taper is present, but is not visible to the naked eye. Right at 0.05" "

So bring it to the match how am I going to figure that out ? no micrometers in the range bag. I would sign it up as a Silhouette rifle if I could not see some taper. Not looking to cause any Internet arguments but consider the average match directors point of view. 90% of matches are going to push it to Silhouette class if they can't see the taper. Even if they allow it the other shooters are going to protest the gun's class. Other 10 % are the local guys who know you and the rifle.

This is a bit much. If you come to one of our local matches, there is no way you're going to be turned away (from Standard or Hunter class) for any type of equipment rule violation, ESPECIALLY the lack of a tapered barrel (this is a stupid rule anyway. Like Evelio said, what advantage does a non-tapered barrel give on a rifle that makes weight???)

That said, even if you do want to be a stickler for the rules, the burden is on YOU as a match director to show that his rifle does not qualify. It is NOT the shooter's responsibility to prove that his rifle qualifies. So if you need a caliper to measure taper and dont have it, that's your fault and you should certify the rifle in both Hunter and standard unless you can find another reason to disqualify it.

The rules say that "[r]ifles must be weighed, measured and certified before being fired in a match." So, if you are going to stick to the rules at a local match you better have a scale on hand to weigh the rifles and a ruler and caliper to "measure" the rifles per the rules. Also, you have to weigh, measure and certify EACH rifle at EACH match before ANY of the rifles can be shot in the match (no matter how well you know the equipment or how many times it has been certified before). If you dont have the equipment on hand to weigh and measure, you cant have a match because none of the rifles can be fired in a match because they haven't been weighed AND measured.

All of that is completely preposterous to do at a local match and I cant believe anyone would go to that trouble and I CERTAINLY cant believe a new or unfamiliar shooter would EVER be turned away from a local match, but as a match director if you are going to stand behind the letter of the rules, you have to follow the letter of the rules yourself.


Dustin

Like I said did not want to get into any arguments over it and would not if the rifle showed up at our club match were I am Small Bore and High Power MD. It would be allowed to shoot, never said it would not be allowed to compete. We don’t turn any safe rifle away. Recording scores or awarding class prizes is another matter.

Have not seen the rifle, Doodaddy said “but is not visible to the naked eye”. If it does not look like it tapered it’s probably going to be allowed in Standard (you got me there) Rifle class most clubs. Hunter Class at our club and a lot of others is largely shot with out of the box stock rifles. Something that does not look right is not likely to be remarked until it wins, then the MD has complaints from the competitors to deal with. When the MD records scores he is certifying that all is as it should be, Rifle meeting the class rule is part of that responsibility. I check rifles for competitors several times a year, passing gives them peace of mind should they shoot another club. Nationals sticker on a rifle is another good way to see if it’s OK. Eyeball test is what they get match day most times.

When you compete you have to do so within the rule book and if coming close to the line expect to have your equipment questioned. That’s advice from a long time competitor and MD, take it or leave it.

Boats

Boats... the competitors at your club don't seem as pleasant as the people I've meet at all the ranges I've been to. You've brought up this hard-nosed style of rule enforcement several times in the past. I can support you on some of the ambiguous rules, but the tapered barrel isn't one of them. If the barrel is tapered it's legal. It isn't something that can be contested.

And Dustinflint is right, if you are going to be this hard-nosed then you dang sure should have a set of calipers in your MD box. Along with a scale and a trigger weight. The "naked eye" is not a measuring device.

Also, if you have competitors contesting other people's rifles just because they lost... maybe everyone should contest their poor sportsmanship and send them packing. Sore losers are almost worse than cheaters.

Usually, I see a set of calipers around when guns are being checked in. That being said, having a rifle that I know isn't an obvious taper, I would always show up with a set of calipers simply to nip any buds that may sprout.

This gun will likely only make appearances at two different ranges. Its main purpose is solely for Southern Nationals so Dustin's answer really removes any concern I may have had to be honest.

For the record, the rifle is as it came out of the box. I just wanted to make sure it would qualify before we put effort into it as a silhouette rifle. I've not seen one of these at a match so I was curious about it being a qualified rifle.