FAQs THE FOUNDERS THE RIFLES THE PISTOLS

SAFETY

Safety, of course, is the first and foremost point of attention in the match. We are using real firearms and live ammunition to participate in a sport that we love. With that comes the serious responsibility to pay attention to what you and those around you are doing. Everyone is a range officer, and has the responsibility to see that every shooter conducts themselves in a safe manner. Each range will have their own specific safety rules. Pay attention to, and abide by their rules. The result will be an unending source of shooting fun.

RULES FOR ViMBAR/ViMSAR MATCHES

NEW! Sniper Match Rules | ViMBAR Rules | ViMSAR rules

Vintage Military Bolt-action Rifle (ViMBAR) and Vintage Military Semi-auto Rifle (ViMSAR) are concepts that were developed so that collectors of the myriad of inexpensive military surplus rifles available today can have an opportunity to use them in a fun shooting match environment. You can go out and buy a $100 surplus Mauser, some inexpensive surplus ammunition, and be “in the game” and as competitive as the next guy. The idea behind the ViMBAR/ViMSAR match is to experience the capabilities these rifles had on the battlefield, and the service they provided to soldiers all over the world in conflicts spanning the past century and a quarter. ViMBAR/ViMSAR matches are not intended to be “precision accuracy” or High Power Service Rifle competitions. On the contrary, we encourage the use of life-size or large targets, and specifically prohibit the use on the line of High Power equipment, range finders, wind flags, or other such items as deemed “prohibited” by the match designers. In that vein, we often invoke “Spirit of the Game”, the original adage of the ever popular Cowboy Action Shooting™ game.

Sniper Match Rules

Guns: Any military bolt-action sniper rifle of pre-1950 design. An original bolt-action military (not sporterized) sniper rifle or reasonable replica and chambered for its original military cartridge may be used. Scopes must be a fixed power of 6X or less. Replicas (make-up guns) may have receiver-mounted scopes or “Scout Mount” scopes as on the German Z-141. As the original military sniper rifles can be very expensive, we would like to encourage the use of military bolt action rifles which were at some point sporterized and equipped with a scope. If such a rifle is then fitted with the appropriate original military stock/hardware, it will be a close approximation to a true, original sniper rifle but much more affordable. The idea here is not to ruin the value of older military bolt action rifles in their original condition by drilling and tapping them for scope mounts. Ammunition may be loaded with soft nosed, hollow point, or Full Metal Jacket bullets. No armor piercing or tracer ammunition will be allowed. Photos of some appropriate rifles are shown below.

Equipment: Since our Sniper Match is intended to simulate a lone shooter on a mobile mission, allowed equipment will include only those items the soldier would have in the field. Field packs, rucksacks, binoculars, helmets, etc. may be used. A small roll-up mat or tarp, elbow pads, and recoil-shield may also be used for shooting. No coaching will be allowed except by the score keeper. No laser range finders and no spotting scopes will be allowed. Wearing of period uniforms is encouraged to enhance the experience, but is not required.

The course of fire will be 60 shots for score. Shooting will take place from three different shooting locations on the range. Targets will be of a known size, but will be at unknown distances.

Here are some examples of acceptable sniper rifles. More photos will be posted here soon.

ENFIELD NO. 4 SNIPER

SWEDE 96 SNIPER

SWISS SNIPER

ViMBAR Rules

Guns: Any military bolt-action rifle in as-issued, battle-ready condition, with original as-issued iron sights, and chambered for its original military cartridge may be used. See the Rifles page for more information.

Handguns: There are many opportunities to involve the use of handguns in our matches. These should be limited to any military pistol, or DA revolver in use prior to 1960 and in as issued condition.

Equipment: Sandbags, ammo cans, field packs, helmets, etc. may be used as a rest. A mat or tarp, elbow pads, and recoil-shield may also be used for shooting. The use of Government Issue personal equipment such as pistol belt, harness, ammo pouches, stripper clips, canteens, etc. is encouraged. This equipment will make it easier for individual movements that may be required for various phases of the match.

Ammunition: Ammunition may be loaded with soft nosed, hollow point, or Full Metal Jacket bullets. No armor piercing, or tracer ammunition will be allowed.

ViMSAR Rules

Guns: Any military semi-automatic rifle in as-issued, battle-ready condition, and chambered for its original military cartridge of 6.5mm through 8mm may be used. See the Rifles page for more information.

Handguns: There are many opportunities to involve the use of handguns in our matches. These should be limited to any military pistol, or DA revolver in use prior to 1960 and in as issued condition.

Ammunition: Ammunition may be loaded with soft nosed, hollow point, or Full Metal Jacket bullets. No armor piercing, or tracer ammunition will be allowed.

COURSE OF FIRE

There is no set course of fire. Each club can tailor the course of fire to suit their own particular range. Matches can be as varied as number of people who are designing the course of fire. The first and foremost concern when designing the match is SAFETY.

Some suggestions are:

Fixed targets at known distances. Use steel targets of varying sizes.
Put time limits on the shooting period, or direct that shooting must be from a fixed position such as standing, kneeling, or sitting. Allow the shooters to use any tactical position that a soldier would have available in the field.
Design a Walkabout match. It could be similar to stages of a Cowboy Action, or Sporting Clays course with various firing points, targets at unknown ranges, and specific instructions for target engagement and/or time limits.
Remember, no range finders allowed on the range.
Include a handgun scenario in one or more stages of the walkabout match. Any military pistol or DA revolver in use prior to 1960 and in as issued condition could be used.
Include a scenario where the shooter might be required to use a bayonet, either fixed to the rifle, or hand-held.
Add throwing a dummy grenade into a specific target area with extra points for success.

So go out there and design your course and start having fun with these old rifles!

Best Regards,
Denny Wilcox & Peter Sodoma