The format we use in our competition is to have four matches making up an aggregate score. As an extra and to give the stats team time to complete the scoring we also have a "Mad Minute".
For those of you who do not know the history of Classics competitions, the Mad Minute is derived from British Army training in the early part of the 20th Century. So that they could deliver a high volume of aimed fire in a battle British soldiers were trained to fire rapidly as well as accurately. They were expected to be able to fire 15 aimed shots in one minute. All of the shots had to hit the standard target. This is where this match comes from. Speed AND accuracy are essential.
Competition Format. The basic format of the competition is described in our Competition page. The targets used for each match are those used by the Lee Enfield Rifle Association and Historical Breechloading Small arms Association. See their home pages for details.
Timing and Range Capacity. The whole 4-match competition lasts about one hour. We organise the competitors into details. Our range has 12 lanes so we can accommodate up to 24 competitors with two details or 36 with three details. Competitors carry out marking duties in the butts when they are not shooting. With three details there is one waiting detail as well as the shooting and marking details.
Detailed timing is:
Match 1. Twelve shots @ 45 secs each plus 10 mins for marking and 5 minutes for marshalling the detail. A total of 24 minutes.
Match 2. One exposure of 40 secs plus 5 minutes for marshalling the detail and 5 minutes for marking and scoring. A total of 11 minutes.
Matches 3 & 4. Ten exposures of 3 secs with intervals of between 5 secs and 15 secs plus 8 minutes for marshalling the details (change of distance) and 5 minutes for marking and scoring. A total of 15 minutes each.
Match Total. 24 + 11 + 15 + 15 = 65 minutes.
The shooting detail goes straight into the butts from 100yds. By the time they receive their briefing on the marking procedure the next detail should be ready to shoot.
The whole competition should be complete in 2½ hours for 24 competitors and 3½ hours for 36 competitors leaving time for the Mad Minute which takes under 10 minutes per detail.
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Updated: 14 September 2010