The Rules

NRL Hunter UK

2026 Rules & Regulations

NRL Hunter UK provides realistic, blind, field-style rifle competition, training, and practice, under timed conditions. Safety, integrity, and sportsmanship are paramount.

These rules and regulations may be subject to change during the 2026 series where such change is deemed necessary due to, but not limited to, UK law and regulatory changes, and the maintenance of safety, integrity and sportsmanship.

SECTION 1 – Organisation

Executive Directors

Christian Westcough
Simon Armstrong

Advisors

Marc Gardner – Gardners Guns
Brian Llewelyn – Pro Shoot
Dale Pringle – Otterburn
Rob Lonsdale - Leggotts Quarry

Advisors are NRL Hunter Range Operators and/or Match Directors in the current year and provide guidance on discipline and rule changes and, where a vote is required, have one vote each. The Executive Directors preside and break tied votes.

Technical Advisors

Lee Cocozza
Brad Bourner
Richard Sharman

Technical advisors are non-voting.

SECTION 2 – SAFETY

NRL Hunter operates as a cold range at all times.

Every person on the range is responsible for safety. If you see an unsafe act or situation you must act.

Any person may call "Stop, Stop, Stop!" to bring an immediate stop to shooting.

Emergency protocol: RO declares cease fire, MD activates 999 and medical plan.

A. General Safety

Always point rifles in a safe direction.
Treat all rifles as loaded.
Finger off trigger until firing.
Know target and beyond.
No alcohol or drugs.
Venue rules apply in addition.

B. Match Condition

Rifles unloaded unless under RO supervision.
Magazine removed, bolt to rear, chamber flag inserted.
Load only on command.
Ground rifles only where directed.

C. Movement & Stage Safety

Move with bolt to rear and empty chamber.
Only point rifle in the air or down range within safe arc of fire.
Semi-auto movement permitted only with MD approval, safety engaged and verbal "safe." (The use of semi-auto rifles is not always permitted. Please check with the Director before booking).
Misfire drill must be followed. Stage timer will be paused. (If the RO deems the Hunter to have gained an advantage during the misfire drill period the stage will be a zero and, in the case of cheating, a match DQ).

D. Immediate Match DQ

Pointing your rifle at another person.
Negligent discharge (ND).
Intoxication.
Repeated serious safety violations.

E. Progressive Penalties

Cold range violation:

1st – Warning
2nd – Stage Zero
3rd – Match DQ

Unsafe transitioning:

1st – Correct & restart position
2nd – Stage Zero
3rd – Match DQ

Misfire procedure misuse:

1st – Warning
2nd – Stage Zero
3rd – Match DQ

Accidental discharge (mechanical):

Stage Zero and removal until repaired.

In the case of a Team, both Hunters will be subject to any stage zeroes. In the case of a match DQ, the Team result for the match will be removed, however, if one of the Hunters did not contribute to the match DQ they will be invited to complete the match as an individual in one of the other divisions.

SECTION 3 – MATCH FORMAT

A. Structure

Minimum 6 stages.
Minimum 10 competitors.
Mandatory sight-in / zeroing period.
Blind stages: no distances provided (unless requested by a Skills Hunter)
Hunters locate, range, and engage on the clock.

B. Scoring – 2-1 Dead Target

1st round hit = 2 points
2nd round hit = 1 point
Miss both = 0
Target/position complete once hit or missed twice
Max 8 points per stage

Tie-breaker: Centrefire - Highest Power Factor (PF) / Rimfire - Lowest weight

C. Time Limits

Individual: 4 minutes.
Teams: 6 minutes.
Shots score if taken before time is called.
No firing after time (unless pre-arranged in Skills).

D. Equipment Carriage

All gear must be carried for entire match.
Start stage with pack and rifle on person, gear stowed, tripods collapsed, bipods folded.

E. Shooting Positions

Any position within designated area unless specified.
New position must be at least one arm's length from previous.
Positions can be used in any order.
Realistic terrain use.
No novelty stages.

F. Targets

Animal-themed.
First target marked by a 30cm x 20cm orange placard .
Engagement order: left-to-right or right-to-left or near-to-far or far-to-near, as stated in the staging area.
First target orientated to the left of the shooter (body of animal facing left), second target orientated right, third left and fourth right.
Stages consist of:
- 1 target with 4 firing positions
- 2 targets with 2 firing positions
- 4 targets with 1 firing position
Will be visible/partly visible.
Targets must be engaged in correct order.
If a Hunter declares they cannot find a target and confirms to the RO they wish to forfeit that target they can no longer score points from that target.

G. Distances (Centrefire)

Majority: 100–600 yards.
May extend to 1000 yards.

H. Re-shoots

Not permitted under any circumstances.

I. Arbitration

Grievances must be resolved promptly before leaving the stage.
If a grievance cannot be resolved quickly between RO and Hunter, the Match Director will be called to the stage for a final decision.
20-minute post-match arbitration window.
Scores final after window closes.

SECTION 4 – DIVISIONS

Max calibre: .30
Max velocity: 3275 fps

1. Factory Division

Unmodified rifle from approved manufacturer list.
12lb maximum.
No trigger modification.
No stock drilling or permanent weight reduction.
Any additions to the rifle must use factory standard mounting points.
Barrel contour, length, composition, weight and design must remain within original factory specifications.
No minimum PF (used for ties only).
Muzzle energy ≥ 1,000 ft-lb
Factory rifles ≥ 5.6mm/.22"

2. Open Light

12lb maximum.
Minimum PF: 184,000
No configuration restrictions within weight.

3. Open Heavy

≥12–16lb
Minimum PF: 184,000
No configuration restrictions within weight

4. Teams Division

2 shooters.
A Team can follow the requirements of Open Heavy or Skills divisions.
6 minutes per stage.
Combined score (max 16 per stage).
One loaded rifle at a time.
Each Hunter must carry their own rifle and ammunition but can share other equipment.
No rifle sharing unless MD approves due to malfunction. The malfunctioning rifle must still be carried for the duration of the match. Hunter 1 must have the working rifle cleared by the RO and grounded before Hunter 2 can then use it.
Private communication, that cannot be overheard by other Hunters outside the stage, and team mate support is permitted.
Team Hunter number 1 will complete the course of fire first and then confirm rifle is clear with the RO and grounded safely before Hunter 2 can commence the course of fire.
Once Hunter 2 has commenced the course of fire Hunter 1 cannot shoot again.

5. Skills Division

Recommended for developing shooters or those with rifles not meeting the requirements of Factory, Open Light or Open Heavy or which would otherwise be non-competitive.
No PF requirement but will be used in the case of a tie break.
Coaching permitted.
Eligible for points and grand slam selection if not receiving coaching and support during a match.
A Skills Hunter requiring coaching or support during the match must, before attending, make this known to the Match Director so arrangements can be made.

CLASSIFICATIONS

The purpose of the following classifications is to provide additional opportunities for a place at the end of season grand slam events.

Ladies

Competes within chosen rifle division.

Eligible for Ladies recognition and championship pathway.

Eligible for Ladies classification, Ladies trophy and chosen division trophies.

Table walk in order of overall and division ranking.

Young Guns

Ages 8–18 at season start.
Guardian present and responsible for Young Gun at all times, including on stage.

Coaching is encouraged.
Must be able to operate firearm safely without physical assistance.
Eligible for Young Gun recognition and championship pathway.

Eligible for Young Gun trophy.

Table walk in order of overall ranking.

A Hunter aged between 8-18 can decide not to enter Young Guns and select to compete in another division and will be subject to the rules and regulations of their selected division.

Military and Law Enforcement

Competes within chosen rifle division.

Current and previously serving personnel.

Eligible for Mil/LEO recognition and championship pathway.

Eligible for Mil/LEO classification and chosen division trophies.

Table walk in order of overall and division ranking.

EQUIPMENT WEIGHT

Includes:

Barrel, action, trigger, stock/chassis
Scope
Bipod
Weights
Mounted assistive devices

Excludes:

Ammo
Magazines
Sling
Tripod
Bags
Passive recording devices

SERIES POINTS & CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND SLAM

Membership required.
Only best single match score counts.
Rankings by highest score.
Invitations distributed proportionally by division.
Additional allocations:
- 5 Women
- 5 Young Guns
- 5 Skills
- 5 International
Championship Grand Slam determines final rankings and series champions.
Prize walk order defined by overall and division placements.
NRL Hunter UK reserve the right to allocate additional places at the Grand Slams.

PRIZE TABLE

Prize Table walk shall be in the following order:

Overall Winner (immediate trophy, immediate prize table walk, no re-walk for Division win, Skills Hunter cannot be considered for Overall Winner trophy)
1st Factory (immediate trophy, immediate prize table walk)
1st Open Light (immediate trophy, immediate prize table walk)
1st Open Heavy (immediate trophy, immediate prize table walk)
1st Skills (immediate trophy, immediate prize table walk)

1st Young Guns (walk in order of placement, trophy awarded)
1st Ladies (walk in order of placement, trophy awarded)
1st Mil/LEO (walk in order of placement, trophy awarded)

Then based on placement of the match regardless of division
Then Skills Hunters who have received coaching/support
Teams will have their own prize table and may walk their table at any time deemed by the MD.

The taking of scores at a match is not mandatory. There are good reasons why a Hunter may not want their scores taking, such as, but not limited to:

• Not wanting to have your performance compared to others

• Treating the match purely as a training and/or practice opportunity

RIMFIRE SERIES (.22LR)

Standalone series:

Bolt-action only.
20–250 meters.
No PF.
Tie breaker will be rifle weight.
First target placard maximum size 30cm x 20cm.
Standard sealed factory ammunition only.
All other rules, regulations, format, apply.

SPORTSMANSHIP & DISCIPLINE

Good Sportsmanship

NRL Hunter events are a fantastic opportunity for the Hunting community to come together and enjoy a shared passion. Good sportsmanship is important to maintain trust and integrity in the sport and in each other. Outstanding sportsmanship and conduct will be recognised at the end of year at our Grand Slam events.

Cheating (Automatic Match DQ)

Includes:

Target scouting.
Assisting course design.
Equipment changes mid-match that give an advantage.
Sabotage.
Velocity violations.
Score alteration.
Providing stage information to another Hunter.
Receiving stage information from another Hunter.
Gaining an unfair advantage.

NRL Hunter UK operates a Hunter self-attestation system for declaring Power Factor, Weight and Division. This is in response to members' preference not to attend an administrative pre-event rifle check-in the day before a match. The self-attestation system relies on honesty and random checking during the match can be conducted to validate and confirm a Hunter's declaration. If a Hunter is found to have given a false declaration that benefits them they will receive a match DQ and may be removed from the series and have their membership revoked. Any Hunter who wishes to have their rifle's power factor, weight and division compliance confirmed by NRL Hunter staff prior to a match must attend the range the day before the match.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

May result in:

Warning
Stage Zero
Match DQ
Removal from series
Membership revocation

No match points awarded if removed.

NRL Hunter reserves right to refuse entry or membership.

REFUNDS & MEMBERSHIP

Match and event fees are not refundable but can be transferred to another member.
Memberships not pro-rated.
Discounts for active members only.
NRL Hunter reserves right to refuse entry or membership.

FACTORY DIVISION PRE-APPROVED LIST:

Factory Division is described as completely original in the factory configuration and includes any SKU from the following list, as long it is unmodified in any way and 12lbs or under:

Anshutz, Barrett, Bergara, Berretta, Blaser, Browning, Christensen Arms, Colt, CVA, CZ, Daniel Defense, Fierce, FN, Henry, Howa, Kimber, Lithgow, Marlin, Mauser, Mossberg, Remington, Ruger, Sako, Savage, Seekins, Schultz & Larsen, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Stag Arms, Steyr, Thompson, Tikka, Victrix, Weatherby, Winchester.