The game is simple: knock down as many plates as you can as fast as you can. The 6 plates on the rack are shot in 6 passes of 6 shots each. Three passes are left to right, three passes are right to left. Scoring is 4 points for each plate knocked down, minus the time it took to hit them. 36 total plates if you hit them all (it's harder than you think), 144 points possible, minus your total time. Shooters are grouped according to previous scores, from A to Master (100 points or more). Men, women, and kids all shoot together by score levels.
The game seems to be about speed, but really is about gun control. You have to hit the plates to make points. Shooting fast and missing gets you only negative scores, so slow down, place each shot carefully, and develop speed as you develop your skill.
Great fun for the shooters of all skill levels happens on the third Saturday of the month. Practice starts at 9:00 and the match at 9:30 for Rimfire. Practice for Centerfire starts at the end of the Rimfire match or 12:30 depending on number of rimfire participants. Both .22LR and centerfire pistols can be used.
OBJECTIVE:
The object of the Falling Plates Match is to shoot six plates with six rounds in the fastest time. There are six strings of six shots each. The first three six shot strings are shot from left to right. The second three six shot strings are shot from right to left.
The number of fallen plates are counted and 4 points are awarded for each fallen plate. The time for each six shot string is subtracted from the point total for the fallen plates to give a total for each string. Then all six strings are totaled for an aggregate score. The highest aggregate score determines the winners.
FALLING PLATE RULES:
A. DO NOT HANDLE FIREARMS IN ANY MANNER WHEN NOT ON THE FIRING LINE. You may load your magazine while behind the firing line but all firearms will remain in a cased condition until the shooter is called to the firing line. If you need to work on your firearm, you must take it in the case or shooters box to the designated Ready Area. Remember at all times when you are making these repairs, to keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a save direction.
B. Eye and ear protection is mandatory. If you do not have this equipment, you may borrow the extra muffs and shooters glasses from the match director. Corrective lenses, sunglasses, or shooter glasses with shatterproof lenses are acceptable.
C. Firearms will be brought to and taken from the firing line in a cased condition or shooters box with the firearm in a safe condition, magazine out, slide back, cylinder open and unloaded.
D. Score will be 4 points for each plate knocked over. You will fire a complete match each time you go to the firing line, a total of 36 rounds. The match officials will keep score and time. Your time will be deducted from your points total. Time will be recorded to the nearest 0.5 seconds with a maximum deduction of 20 seconds per round of 6 shots. A perfect string of 36 plates will result in winning a hat!
E. Misfires and equipment malfunctions may permit a refire, called an alibi, however only 1 alibi is permitted in a six string round. The alibi is called by the match official and at their discretion only.
F. Double entry is permitted and encouraged, however only the top score will be used in the award of the match trophy and in the average of your score, which is done quarterly for the purpose of classification. If you shoot a perfect score of 36, a hat will be awarded regardless of your higher score. Only 1 hat per match will be awarded regardless of the number of perfect scores shot. Remember, rimfire and centerfire are treated as 2 separate matches so you may win a hat in each category on the same day!
G. Awards will be given in each classification where 3 or more shooters compete, 2nd place awards when 4-6 competitors, and 3rd place when 7 or more competitors. If there are not 3 competitors in any given classification, you may be moved up to compete in the next higher classification. Overall match winners may come from any classification.
H. All firing will be done from behind the line in a standing position. You must start with you firearm muzzle on the bench top and finger off the trigger. Once the match official has started the timer, there will be no further voice commands. Hits and times will be recorded at the end of each 6 shot string unless an alibi is called, in which event you will be notified that the alibi is allowed and a refire for that string of 6 shots may be allowed.
I. Upon completion of your match, case your firearm and remove it from the line in a safe condition
J. All standing rules are in effect as well as the range rules.
K. Anyone found violating any of the safety or range rules will be asked to leave the range and forfeit the opportunity to shoot for that date, and possibly any future date.
L. While not on the firing line , keep your conversation at a minimum so you do not interfere with the shooter, timer or scorekeeper.
M. In the event of a tie, the score will be decided by a shoot off conducted immediately after the conclusion of the match. Scores shot in the shoot off will not count toward a hat or toward a quarterly average.