1.1 Eligibility: All competitors must be paid-up members of an SABSF affiliated club and hold a valid South African firearms competency certificate for the class of firearm used.
1.2 Registration: Competitors must register before the announced closing time. Late entries will not be accepted after the first relay has begun.
1.3 Competition Format: Standard SABSF matches consist of five 5-shot groups per relay. The aggregate of all groups determines the final score. The smallest aggregate group wins.
1.4 Distances: Short-range benchrest is conducted at 100 and 200 metres. Long-range events are conducted at 300, 600, and 1000 metres in accordance with applicable class rules.
1.5 Time Limits: Each 5-shot group must be completed within 7 minutes. The relay time for five groups is 40 minutes, including preparation time. Range officers will give time warnings.
2.1 Light Varmint (LV): Maximum rifle weight 4.55 kg (10 lbs). Any calibre not exceeding 6mm. Any type of trigger. Mechanical benchrest rests permitted. Front and rear rests must not have vertical movement.
2.2 Heavy Varmint (HV): Maximum rifle weight 6.12 kg (13.5 lbs). Same calibre restriction as LV class. All other LV rules apply.
2.3 Unlimited Class: No weight restriction. Any calibre. Mechanical rests with vertical movement permitted. This class is reserved for national championship and invitational events.
2.4 Sporter Class: Maximum rifle weight 4.55 kg. Factory actions and barrels permitted. Designed to encourage new shooters to the sport without large equipment investment.
2.5 Scopes: No magnification limit in any class. However, scopes and mounts are included in the total rifle weight for weighed classes.
3.1 Range Commands: All competitors must comply immediately with range commands issued by the Range Officer. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
3.2 Firearms Handling: All firearms must remain unloaded, with bolts open or actions open, at all times when the range is not declared "hot". Muzzles must point downrange at all times.
3.3 Eye and Ear Protection: Mandatory for all persons on the firing line or within the designated range area. The host club must ensure availability of range warning signage.
3.4 Unsafe Conditions: Any competitor who identifies an unsafe condition must immediately inform the Range Officer. Competition will be halted until the condition is resolved.
3.5 Ammunition: Only commercially manufactured or hand-loaded ammunition conforming to SAAMI/CIP standards is permitted. No tracer, incendiary, or armour-piercing ammunition is allowed under any circumstances.
4.1 Group Measurement: Groups are measured centre-to-centre between the two widest shots using calibrated measuring equipment. Measurements are recorded to 0.001 inch or 0.025 mm.
4.2 Official Measurers: Only designated SABSF officials may measure competition groups. Competitors may observe measurement but may not touch the targets during measurement.
4.3 Sighters: Competitors may fire sighter shots prior to the scoring group only during the designated sighter period. Sighter shots do not count toward the score. Target must clearly differentiate sighter from score shots.
4.4 Misfires: In the event of a misfire during a scoring string, the competitor must notify the Range Officer immediately. A single re-fire may be permitted at the Range Officer's discretion.
4.5 Aggregate Score: The competition winner is determined by the smallest aggregate measurement across all scored groups. In the event of a tie, the smallest single group from the tied competitors will determine the winner.
5.1 Sportsmanship: All SABSF competitors are expected to conduct themselves with honour, integrity, and courtesy at all times. The benchrest community is built on mutual respect.
5.2 Bench Etiquette: Competitors must not disturb adjacent shooters. No movement behind another shooter's bench is permitted while that shooter is on the line.
5.3 Intoxicants: The consumption of alcohol or any performance-altering substances before or during competition is strictly prohibited. Violation will result in immediate disqualification.
5.4 Penalties: Violations of the code of conduct may result in penalties ranging from a warning to disqualification. Repeated violations may result in suspension from SABSF competition.
6.1 Filing a Protest: Any competitor may file a written protest with the Match Director within 30 minutes of the publication of results. A protest fee (to be announced per event) must accompany the protest.
6.2 Protest Committee: The Match Director will convene a Protest Committee of three officials not involved in the contested decision. The Committee's decision is final at the event level.
6.3 SABSF Appeals: Appeals against a Protest Committee decision may be made to the SABSF Executive within 14 days. The fee for such an appeal is R500, refundable if the appeal is upheld.
7.1 Calibre Restrictions: Light Varmint and Heavy Varmint classes are restricted to calibres not exceeding 6mm (0.243"). The 6mm PPC is the dominant cartridge in these classes worldwide.
7.2 Bullet Construction: No steel-core or bi-metal jacket bullets are permitted. Bullets must be lead-core with copper, copper alloy, or gilding-metal jackets.
7.3 Hand-loaded Ammunition: Hand-loaded ammunition is permitted in all classes. SABSF recommends following established load data from reputable sources and always starting 10% below maximum loads.
7.4 Ammunition Checks: The Match Director reserves the right to inspect any competitor's ammunition at any time. Ammunition found to be non-compliant will result in disqualification of that relay's scores.