Twin Peaks Rifle Club is opening its new hunter-style steel match series with Horns on the Range. Stages are blind, field-oriented, and built around unknown distances and moderate time pressure. You carry everything and start every stage with gear stowed, then find, range, and engage targets on the clock. Pack like you’re going hunting.
Match Basics
- Stage time: 4:00 for individuals, 6:00 for pairs (Director may adjust per stage)
- Ammo plan: 8 rounds per stage plus extras for zero and spares
- Scoring: 3-1-0 — first-round hit = 3, first-miss/second-hit = 1, both miss = 0
- Stage maximum = 3 × number of scoring targets. Once a target is hit, move on. One-shot stages pay 3 only on a first-round hit. Targets marked MOVE never score.
- Match score = raw steel points + rifle equity (equity applied once at the end; stage cards stay raw)
Stage Start Sequence
Stages are blind. You will not see the targets until you arrive. The Range Officer will brief the course of fire, target description, and engagement order (left-to-right, right-to-left, near-to-far, or far-to-near).
Standard RO start:
- “Shooter, what is your name?”
- “Is all gear stowed?” (rifle and ranging device may be out; bipod folded, tripod collapsed, backpack fully on)
- “Do you understand the course of fire?”
- “Your time starts now.”
An affirmative answer is your last chance for clarification. Do not begin ranging until the clock starts.
Gear stowed at start
- Backpack fully on your back
- Bipod folded/stowed or collapsed on the rifle
- Tripod fully collapsed and stowed
- Rifle and binoculars/rangefinder may be carried by hand or slung
You carry all gear for the entire match and start every stage with it stowed. Deploy after the clock starts.
Running the Stage
- Find, range, and engage targets on the clock in the stated order.
- Maximum two scored rounds per target. A third shot does not count.
- Positions may be chosen within the designated area. A new position must be at least one arm’s length from the previous.
- Movement safety: Bolt-action — bolt to the rear, empty chamber during any movement or transition. Semi-automatic (allowed) — safety engaged and yell “safe” loud enough for the RO to hear with ear protection. Observe the 180 rule (muzzle within 90° of straight forward); the RO may reduce the arc further. Ground the rifle only where the RO designates as safe.
- When time is called: Cease fire immediately. Shots fired up to 0.25 seconds after the clock may still score. Make the rifle safe, show clear, and insert a chamber flag. No additional firing after time is called.
Pairs: First shooter must finish, unload, and show clear before the second may load and begin. Communication must be quiet so it does not advantage shooters waiting at the stage.
Key Notes
- Last-shot time is required on every card and is used only for tiebreaks.
- Equity is locked at check-in and does not change during the match.
- Everyone ranks on one ladder. Tags (Field, Light, Standard, Magnum) are for awards only.
- Check rifle equity ahead of time: prmatches.com/tools/hunter-fit
- Register: prmatches.com/c/twin-peaks-rifle-club/matches/twin-peaks-horns-on-the-range-dec
Recommended Gear
These stages are field-oriented. Pack like you’re going hunting. Bolt or semi-auto allowed. Carry everything; start stages with gear stowed.
Rifle & Shooting
- Capable bolt-action or semi-automatic rifle (detachable magazines preferred)
- Quality variable-power scope (~18x+ high end useful)
- Ammunition — 8 rounds per stage plus extras for zero and spares
- Multiple magazines, lightweight adjustable bipod, support bag
Optics
- Binoculars (10x solid; rangefinding models a big advantage)
- Rangefinder if binos don’t range
- Dope/data card or armboard, pens/markers
Carry & Personal
- Backpack large enough to carry everything (start stages with it on)
- Rifle sling
- Hearing and eye protection
- Durable clothing/layers, solid boots, rain gear as needed
- Knee pads, water, and snacks
Nice-to-haves: Tripod, rangefinding binos with ballistic solver, Kestrel, Arca rail, bino harness, extra bags, suppressor (where legal), talking timer, small tool kit. Most shooters prioritize good glass and a solid tripod early. Start with the basics and add what fits your rifle, terrain, and budget.
Factory (Field) Rifle Requirements
The Field tag is for an unmodified production (factory) rifle and earns +1 on the rifle equity calculation. Everyone still ranks on one ladder; Field is an award category only.
Must be an unmodified factory SKU from an approved list, including Barrett, Bergara, Browning, Christensen Arms, CZ, Howa, Kimber, Remington, Ruger, Savage, Seekins, Sig Sauer, Springfield, Tikka, Weatherby, Winchester, and others on the NRL Hunter Factory list.
Allowed
- Any magazine that fits and is legal
- Factory adjustable trigger set to factory specifications
- Picatinny or ARCA rail, or a cheek riser, if it uses factory mounting points
- Aftermarket muzzle device or suppressor if the barrel came threaded and capped
Not allowed
- Changes to the action, bolt, bolt knob, trigger, barrel contour, or bottom metal
- Bedding
- Drilling, tapping, or lightening the stock or chassis
Related tags (awards only)
- Field — unmodified production rifle (+1 equity)
- Light — 12 lb or under
- Standard — 16 lb or under
- Open — over 16 lb (label only; no weight-class award)
- Magnum — power factor 450,000 or higher (stacks with weight band)
Rifle Equity (Simple Breakdown)
Your rifle is weighed (and may be chronographed) at check-in. Equity is calculated once, locked, and held inside ±5. It is the sum of four parts:
- Recoil Index — Bullet grains × velocity ÷ rifle weight, compared to a reference of 36,000. More recoil per pound earns points; less gives them up. Capped at ±3. - Weight Band — Lighter rifles earn; heavier rifles give up. - Under 12 lb: +0.4 per half pound - 12 lb = 0 - Over 12 lb to 16 lb: –0.4 per half pound - Past 16 lb: an additional –0.8 per half pound Examples: 10.5 lb = +1.2 • 12 lb = 0 • 14 lb = –1.6 • 17 lb = –4.8 - Field (Production) — +1 if the rifle meets the factory rules. - Suppressor — +0.5 if you are running a suppressor.
The four numbers are added, then capped at ±5. This total is added to your raw steel points at the end of the match.
Examples
- Light production rifle (10.5 lb, factory, no suppressor, moderate recoil): Weight +1.2 • Field +1 • Suppressor 0 • Recoil +0.5 = +2.7 equity
- Heavy rifle with suppressor (15.5 lb, not production): Weight –2.8 • Field 0 • Suppressor +0.5 • Recoil –1.0 = –3.3 equity
- Light magnum production (11 lb, factory, high velocity): Weight +0.8 • Field +1 • Suppressor 0 • Recoil +2.0 = +3.8 equity
A heavy rifle gives up points twice — once on the weight band and once on the recoil index. Check your numbers ahead of time at prmatches.com/tools/hunter-fit.
Questions? Contact Chris Baxter — TwinPeaksRifleClub@gmail.com • 316-347-1327
Register now and get your equity numbers locked in before December 5.