Match-Day Range Brief — Northern Plains Schuetzenfest

Northern Plains Schuetzenfest

Match-Day Range Brief · read aloud before the first relay

Front · BriefingSchuetzen Match.22 rimfire · offhand

Welcome

Welcome to the Northern Plains Schuetzenfest: single-shot .22 rimfire, fired offhand in the manner of the American Schuetzenfests of 1890–1917. Shoot your best, help your neighbor, keep it safe.

Check-In & Entry Fees

Every shooter checks in with the match staff, pays the entry fee, and confirms their class, relay and position, and Bracket estimate. The equipment card and estimate are locked at check-in.
Entry fee as posted, paid in cash or online before the first relay. No shooter fires for record until paid.
Optional side bets are collected at check-in and are separate from the prize pool.

Payouts

The prize share of every entry is divided equally across the scored targets and the Bracket.
Each money match pays 50% / 30% / 20% to 1st / 2nd / 3rd. 50 ft: pooled within each class; a class needs two or more shooters to pay. 100 yd: one pool for all shooters; sights are noted at registration but not paid separately.
The King Match is one pot across all classes, winner takes all.
Side bets are winner takes all per target and need two or more bettors.
Scores are certified by the Schuetzenmeister and paid in cash the same day. The Schuetzenmeister settles ties and protests.

Targets & Course of Fire

Target	Rds	Time	Scoring

Relays & Target Changes

The RSO or designee makes the line safe with the NRA commands on the back. No one goes downrange until the RSO or designee announces “The line is SAFE, you may proceed downrange.”
The RSO or designee then directs the next relay forward to hang their own targets.
Shooters do not retrieve their own targets. The next relay takes down the previous shooter's target, hangs their own, and hands the previous target to the RSO or designee for scoring.
On the last relay the RSO or designee collects the targets.

⚠ Safety Brief

Gun-Handling Table

A dedicated table with limited tools is set up in a safe area. It is the ONLY place a firearm may be worked on, with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.

Medical & Emergency

Before the first relay the RSO or designee names the on-site medic: the most qualified person willing to serve (EMT, nurse, medic…).
The RSO or designee names who calls 911 and meets and guides the ambulance in. Know the range’s street address.
The RSO or designee points out where the first-aid kit is.
Anyone who sees an injury or an unsafe condition calls CEASE FIRE.

Range Rules

NO alcohol.
Eye and ear protection for everyone on or near the firing line.
Spectators are welcome, in the designated areas set by the RSO, Manager or designee.

Chamber Indicators & Rack

A chamber safety indicator (CI) MUST be installed whenever a firearm moves: from the case to the line, and from the line back to the case at the end of the match.
Preferred: once a rifle leaves its case it goes to the gun rack on the line and stays there for the rest of the match, space permitting. If a rifle needs to come off the line or out of the rack, coordinate with the RSO or designee first.
Muzzles vertical at all times off the firing line.

On the Firing Line

Never sweep another person. Keep muzzle movement within roughly 90°, 45° either side of center, always downrange.
Load only on the RSO or designee's command. One cartridge at a time.
End of your string: clear the rifle, install the CI, muzzle vertical, place it in the rack, and leave the line for the waiting area.
Misfire: keep the muzzle downrange for 30 seconds before opening the action.

ONE LOUD WHISTLE BLAST = IMMEDIATE CEASE FIRE. Stop in position, finger off the trigger, muzzle downrange. Make the rifle safe and await commands. Anyone may call “CEASE FIRE” for any unsafe act.

When the Timer Sounds or the RSO or Designee Calls Cease Fire

Everyone ceases fire, makes the rifle safe, and removes it from the line the same way: cleared, CI in, muzzle vertical, into the rack.

We Police Each Other

Every competitor shares responsibility for the range. If you see a muzzle sweep, a missing chamber indicator, or anything unsafe, kindly speak up. Let’s take care of each other out there.

Unsafe gun handling or risky behavior means you will be asked to leave the range, with no refund. The RSO, the Manager (Schuetzenmeister) or their designee may eject any shooter.

Target Hand-Out & Signing

Each shooter receives their own set of targets at check-in: one per match, plus the King target.
Before hanging a target, print your name and relay/position on it and sign it. An unsigned target is not scored.
On the King target, sign beside your shot after firing, in front of the RSO or designee.

Range Commands

NRA standard commands, in order, for every relay

Back · CommandsSchuetzen Match

RSO / designee says	Shooters do
A · Make the line safe — before every target change
“CEASE FIRE.”	Stop firing. Finger off the trigger, muzzle downrange. Wait for further commands.
“Unload. Open your actions. Install chamber indicators.”	Remove any cartridge, action open, CI in. Hold at your position, muzzle downrange.
“Is the line clear?”	Each shooter answers “Clear.” The RSO or designee walks the line and checks every position.
“Return your rifles to the rack.”	Muzzle vertical, CI in, rifle into the rack or stand — never left on the bench. Step back behind the line.
“The line is SAFE. You may proceed downrange and remove/add your targets.”	Hands off all firearms while anyone is downrange. No one goes forward before this call.
B · Change targets — next relay goes forward
(Next relay goes forward)	Take down the previous target, hang your own signed target, bring the previous one to the RSO or designee. Outdoors, paint and reset silhouettes.
(Verify everyone is back)	All shooters return behind the line. The RSO or designee looks downrange and confirms the range is clear of people before the next command. Nothing needs to be called aloud.
C · Start the string
“Relay ___, bring your rifles to the line.”	Step to your position. Take your rifle from the rack, CI still in, muzzle vertical then downrange.
“This is the ________ Match, ___ rounds for record. Time limit ___ minutes from the first shot.”	Listen for the match and time limit. Ask questions now.
“Is the line ready?” “Ready on the right? Ready on the left? Ready on the firing line.”	Raise a hand and call out if you are not ready.
“The line is HOT.” “Remove chamber indicators. Load. COMMENCE FIRE.” (Start timer)	Remove the CI, load one cartridge, fire. Muzzle downrange, within the 90° arc.
“One minute remaining.”	Finish your string.
D · End of the string
(Shooter finishes early)	Clear the rifle, CI in, muzzle vertical, rifle to the rack. Leave the line for the waiting area.
“CEASE FIRE.” (time expired or timer sounds)	Stop firing. Unload, CI in, muzzle vertical, rifle to the rack.
Return to section A.	The RSO or designee clears the line before anyone goes forward.

⚠ Whistle / EmergencyOne loud whistle blast or anyone’s call of “CEASE FIRE” stops the match at once. Stop in position, finger off the trigger, muzzle downrange, make safe, await commands. Only the RSO or designee resumes the course of fire.

Alibi · MisfireFaulty ammunition is the only alibi. Keep the muzzle downrange 30 seconds, raise your hand, tell the RSO or designee. One minute is allowed for the alibi shot.

King MatchOne shooter on the line at a time, others spot from behind the line. One shot, 2 minutes. Sign beside your shot. A center hit earns “Fünf und Zwanzig!” from the gallery.

Crossfire. The fouled shooter deducts their lowest scoring shot (on silhouettes, counts it a hit). The shooter who crossfired scores a miss. Tell the RSO or designee at once.

Order of the Day

Check-in. Fees paid, class, relay & position, Bracket estimate locked, targets handed out and signed.
Safety brief for every competitor and spectator. The RSO or designee names the medic and the 911 caller. Late arrivals are briefed one-on-one before they shoot.
Relays fire each target in the order on the front. The line is made safe between every string.
King Match to close, one shooter on the line at a time.
Scoring. The RSO or designee collects the last targets; scores are certified and prizes paid.

Northern Plains Schuetzenfest · Billings, Montana · northernplainsschuetzenfest.com · Gut Schuss und Kameradschaft