The Backfire Accuracy challenge is unlike most shooting competitions. You’re not really pressed for time, and you don’t have to shoot in awkward positions. It’s designed to allow for a very broad range of rifle systems to be viable options–bonus points for cheap lightweight hunting rifles, but not too many bonus points that you can’t also win with an expensive competition rifle. There’s strategy to what rifle/cartridge you pick.

It’s about the accuracy of the rifle system, and your ability to adjust for distance and wind.

HOW THE GAME WORKS

  • Targets are placed at 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 yards.
  • Shooters make 3 shots at each distance for a total of 12 shots.
  • At each distance, there are 3 steel gongs: 2 MOA, 1 MOA, and 1/2 MOA.
  • Shooters take three shots on any target(s) they choose at each distance.
    • 1/2 MOA target (3 points)
    • 1 MOA target (2 points) 
    • 2 MOA target (1 point)

BONUS POINTS (UP TO 4 POINTS POSSIBLE)

  •  +2 points if the gun and all gun attachments and front rest weigh less than 11 lbs (does not include rear bag)
  • +1 if barreled action is under $1,500 (does not include trigger)
  • +1 if muzzle energy is over 2,700 ft-lbs (essentially anything bigger than a 6.5 Creedmoor)
  • +1 if you’re under 18 years old, or 65 years and older
  • +1 if you use a suppressor (my hearing thanks you)

TIME

Shooters lose one point from their total score if they take a shot after the 2 minute mark. At 5 minutes, the round is over.

MORE DETAILS

A perfect score is 40 points. I frankly don’t think anyone on earth can get a perfect score.

At each distance (400, 600, 800, and 1000 yards), you take three shots, and the points are 3 points for a hit on the 1/2 MOA gong, 2 points for 1 MOA, and 1 point for 2 MOA. So if you shoot the half MOA gong three times, you’d get 9 points for each distance. So the maximum score you can get from shooting is 36 points. Then there are the bonus points. You can only get 4 possible points from the bonus points. Last, the time subtraction. If you’re over 2 minutes, you lose 1 point.

EXAMPLE
Jim is shooting a Sako S20 in 6.5 PRC with a simple bipod. The rifle, scope, and bipod weigh 10 lbs. He starts shooting with 4 bonus points because he gets +2 for having a rifle under 11 lbs. He also gets +1 for muzzle energy, and +1 for a barreled action under $1,500.
Results of his shooting:
200 yards: 1/2 MOA hit, miss, miss (3 points).
400 yards: Miss, 2 MOA hit, 1 MOA hit (3 points)
600 yards: Miss, 1 MOA hit, 1 MOA hit (4 points)
800 yards: Miss, miss, miss (0 points)
1000 yds: Miss, 2 MOA hit, 2 MOA hit (2 points)
Jim’s shooting score was 12, and he got 4 bonus points. He took longer than 2 minutes to shoot the course, so he loses one point. His final score is 15 points.

A shooter can purchase a single mulligan for $50 cash. The mulligan allows the shooter to re-shoot the entire course and take the new score. The first score will be ignored even if it was higher. Group size can be repeated at shooter’s option. 100% of the money will be used on our Kid Hunt Prep event we hold each fall.

When filming a challenge, shooters will each shoot a 10-shot group at 100 yards. The group size is recorded (because the audience will want to know the capability of each rifle system). Shooters will compete in order of their group size (smallest group shooter goes first, largest group size shooter goes last). Plenty of time can be given for the barrel to cool before you start.

The use of “MOA” is an approximation. For example, at 400 yards, the targets are 8″ (2 MOA), 4″ (1 MOA), and 2″ (1/2 MOA). There is a rounding error of MOA to inches that we’re ignoring.

Also, there are practical considerations that keep us from having perfect target sizes. For example, the 1/2 MOA target at 400 yards may be slightly bigger because of the difficulty of mounting a tiny 2″ steel gong. At 1,000 yards, we may have difficulty sourcing a 20″ round gong, so it may be 18″.

We’re getting as close as we can within reason, but realize that it’s imperfect.

Shooting is generally done from a prone position, but you can shoot however you like.

You can pretty much use whatever you want within reason. Burris Eliminator scope? Do it. 40lbs rifle? Get after it! 50BMG necked down to 22 caliber? Obviously allowed. The bonus points are really the only mechanism we use to level the playing field so that a broader range of rifles can do well in the challenge. We want to encourage some strategy in the rifle you choose to shoot.

We just ask that your trigger pull weight be at least 1lbs for safety on the range, and that your rifle system is safe for you and those around you.

If, at the end of the competition, the top two shooters are tied, a shoot-off will occur. Rock, paper, scissors and the winner chooses to go first or to defer. Shooters take shots at 1,000 yards at the 1 MOA plate. As soon as one of the shooters hits the plate in a round where the other shooter misses, the game is over and the shooter who hit wins.

The competition is intended to be fun. If, at Backfire LLC’s sole discretion, you are deemed to be sucking the fun, you lose the argument. But seriously, Backfire LLC will seek to make a fair competition, but whatever it says goes. If you get cute with a weirdo shooting rest that tries to skirt the rules, or shoot some wizbang laser shooting gamma ray, at our sole discretion we can outlaw your setup. Don’t get cute with the rules.

No offer of a prize is being made to the viewing audience or to future participants who may come shoot another day.

By agreeing to participate in this event, you indemnify Backfire LLC and its employees and agents of all liability for personal injury that may result from your participation. Be careful on the stairs and do not carry a rifle up the stairs if you are unable to do so safely. From within the shipping container, there is a fall risk out of the shooting ports. Do not stand near the ports. Keep your gun secured within the container and use caution that it does not fall off the end. Pick up all brass immediately after shooting to prevent it from being a slip hazard. If rules of gun safety are not followed, you will be kicked off the range.

No whining: “That was totally an impact!” It’s the RO’s call. They have the best view of the impact downrange. You probably just suck.

The Backfire range is owned by Safe Gun Range LLC and rented by Backfire LLC.