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 (4 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 (To qualify, I must be able to buy EXACTLY that action and trigger online today for less than $1,500. If the whole factory rifle costs $1,700 but there’s no option to buy the exact barreled action for under $1,500, it does not qualify. Does not include trigger.)
  • +1 if muzzle energy is over 2,700 ft-lbs (Basically a 6.5 PRC or larger)
  • +1 if you’re under 18 years old, or 65 years and older
  • +1 if you use a suppressor (my hearing thanks you)

TIME

Time expires at 5 minutes. Any shots taken after 5 minutes will not be counted. As a practical matter, however, shooters often spend more than 5 minutes shooting because we sometimes need to pause time to adjust cameras in order to film it.

MORE DETAILS

A perfect score is 52 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 (if I can find it for that price new online on the day we shoot).
Results of his shooting:
200 yards: 1/2 MOA hit, miss, miss (4 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 13, and he got 4 bonus points. His final score is 17 points.

When filming a challenge, shooters will each shoot two 5-shot groups 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 average group size (smallest group shooter goes first, largest group size shooter goes last).

There are two MAJOR advantages to be early in the shooting order: (1) We don’t paint targets between shooters, so the first shooter has fresh paint to spot impacts, and (2) The wind always picks up later in the morning, so the first shooters have better conditions.

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. Hits on the portion of the gong going up to the mounting bracket DO count as hits. Hits on the t-post are ignored.

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.

If it ain’t on video, it didn’t happen. Official score has to be recorded or a re-do will be performed and previous score wiped out.

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.