14. SCORING AND MARKING

14.1 When to Score-

(a) Before scoring any target, examine it and count the hits to determine
whether there are hits of uncertain value requiring gauging (Rule
14.3), possible ricochet hits (Rule 14.8), or conditions possibly
requiring application of Rules 14.9 through 14. 13. Only a Pit Officer
(Range Officer if targets are scored on the frames without pits, or
Statistical Officer if scored in the Statistical Office) may decide the
scoring when any of these rules apply. If they do not, or if they do and
their applicable procedures have been completed, then proceed as in
paragraphs (b) or (c) below for each shot credited to the competitor.

(b) When targets are scored in the pits:
      1. In slow fire, spot and signal each shot when fired.

      2. In rapid fire, spot and signal all shots after completion of each string.

(c) When targets are scored on the frames without pits, or are scored in
the Statistical Office, score at the end of each target or string.

14.2 Where to Score-Targets may be scored in the Statistical Office, in
the pits or on the frame in view of competitors and spectators.

14.2.1 Targets Are Score Cards-Targets constitute the score cards when
scored in the Statistical Office and therefore must be retained in good order
until the time allowed for filing challenges and protests has expired.

14.3 How to Score-Hits will be scored based upon the
diameter of the bullet fired. A shot hole, the leading edge of which
comes in contact with the outside of the “X” ring or other scoring
rings of a target, is given the higher value (including keyhole or
tipped shots even though the hole is elongated to the bullet’s length
rather than being a circle of the bullet’s diameter). X’s must be
scored. A proper scoring gauge, overlay or magnifying glass may
be used to determine the value of close shots. The higher value will
be allowed in those cases where the flange on the gauge touches the
scoring ring. Close shots should be checked for the shooter’s
benefit. Scoring gauges will comply with the following dimensions. 

Devices other than scoring gauges may be used to assist in establishing the
correct value of hits. These devices are not to be inserted into the bullet hole
and do not constitute a scoring gauge.



                          Correct method of scoring.
                    The shot on the left bulls eye counts nine,
                             the one on the right ten.

14.3.1 Scorers' Duties-Scorers are required when targets are scored in the
pits or on frames. In team matches and individual matches, the scorer's
position will be established at least 2 paces to the rear of the firing line. Upon
assuming the duties of a scorekeeper, an individual becomes an official of the
match. The Scorer's duties include but are not limited to the following:

(a) It is the scorer's responsibility, where scorers are present on the firing
line, to confirm that the data required on the score card are entered and
are correct, to record the serial number of the rifle, and when a
competitor changes rifles in accordance with Rule 9. 1. 1, the score-
keeper is responsible for recording that information on the score card
and to make certain that a Range Officer is notified.

(b) During rapid fire, the scorer will position himself so that he can
closely observe the competitor's firing and the operation of the target.
He will carefully count the shots as they are fired and note any unusual
occurrence such as mechanical malfunctions or late shots. If a late
shot is observed the scorer will immediately notify the Range Officer
in accordance with Rule 14.1 1. 1. Under no circumstances will the
scorer observe the targets through a spotting scope during the firing
phase of a rapid fire string. The scorers spotting scope will be turned
away from the targets while they are exposed for firing. If for any
reason the number fired differs from the number prescribed, immediately 
after the command "Cease Firing", notify the Range Officer of
the number actually fired. (See Rule 14. 10 (c)(5)).

(c) When targets are scored in the pits, enter the value of each shot on the
score card as signaled, announcing the value to the competitor in this
manner: "Mr. Blank's first sighting shot (first shot etc.) is a." After
entering all shots of the string, enter the total. If the competitor
requests that the shot value not be called out in slow fire, the shooter
forfeits the right to challenge the recorded score. (See Rule 16. 1)

(d) When targets are scored on the frames, enter the value of each shot and
the total on the score card, announcing the values to the competitor in
this manner: "Mr. Blank, 5 tens, 4 nines, I eight, total score 94."

(e) An individual value (X, appropriate Arabic value numeral, or M for
misses) must be entered for each shot in the separate spaces provided
on the score card. For slow fire scored from the pits, enter the value
for each shot in the order in which fired and signaled. For other types
of fire or scoring, record all shots after completion of a string,
recording the highest value hits first, then hits of the next highest
value, etc. Any shot not individually recorded as here prescribed shall
be scored a miss.

(f) At the conclusion of scoring, the scorer will:
    (1) Enter the total score.
    (2) Sign the card.
    (3) Have the competitor (or Team Captain in Team Matches) sign
          the card.
    (4) Deliver the scorecard to the Statistical Office via the established
          means.

(g) The competitor is responsible for all safety regulations. The score-
keeper will verify that the rifle is unloaded and in a safe condition
upon completion of a string of fire and the open bolt indicator is in
place before the competitor's departure from the firing line.

14.3.2 Authorized Use of Plug Type Scoring Gauges-When competitors 
are acting as target pullers, they will be allowed to use a plug to verify the
correct value of the shot being marked. When hired target pullers are being
used, the Pit Officer, or his designate, will plug all shots.

14.4 Misses-Hits outside the scoring rings or scoring areas defined in
Section 4 are scored as misses. If the competitor fires fewer than the prescribed
number of shots through his own fault, or fires on the wrong target, he is scored
a miss for each unfired shot or each shot fired on a wrong target.

14.5 Early or Late Shots-In matches with pit operated targets, any
sighting shots or record shots fired prior to the signal to "Commence Firing",
shall be considered "record shots" and be scored as misses.

In slow fire matches the competitor will be penalized by being scored amiss
for his first record shot. In rapid fire, he will be penalized by being scored a miss
for the hit on the target of highest value.

In matches fired at stationary targets, any sighting shots or record shots fired
prior to the signal to "commence firing", or after the signal to "cease fire", will
be penalized by being scored a miss for the hit of the highest value on the target
in both rapid fire and slow fire.

14.6 All Shots Count-All shots fired by a competitor after he has taken
his position at the firing point will be counted in his score even if the rifle may
be accidentally discharged. (In the event of a trigger malfunction, see Rule
9.6.1(b) or 10.10(b)).

14.7 Hits on Wrong Target-Hits on the wrong target are scored as misses.

14.8 Ricochets-A hole made by a ricochet bullet does not count as a hit
and will be scored as a miss. It must be noted that the bullet which keyholes is
not necessarily a ricochet. If there is doubt in the mind of the target marker as
to whether a hole is caused by a ricochet bullet, the Pit Officer (Chief Range
Officer or Statistical Officer if pits are not used), must be called and his
decision obtained before the value of the hit is signaled or scored.

14.9 Visible Hits and Close Groups-As a general rule only those hits
which are visible will be scored. An exception will be made in the case where
the grouping of three or more shots is so close that it is possible for a required
shot or shots to have gone through the enlarged hole without leaving a mark,
and there has been no evidence that a shot or shots have gone elsewhere than
through the assigned target and when there are no excessive hits on one or two
adjacent targets. In such case, the shooter will be given the benefit of the doubt
and scored hits for the non-visible shots, on the assumption they passed
through the enlarged hole. If such assumption could place a non-visible hit in
either of two scoring rings, it shall be scored in the higher-valued ring.

14.10 Excessive Hits- Excessive hits are defined as hits in
excess of the prescribed number of shots, or in excess of the number
shots the competitor has fired. A competitor will not be credited
with more shots than he has fired. If excessive hits are found, any
hit which the Pit Officer (Range Officer or Statistical Officer if
targets are not scored in the pits) can distinguish as having been
fired by some other competitor or during some other string, the
incorrect shot holes will be ignored and the correct shot holes
counted and scored. This distinction may be by type or caliber of
bullet hole, backing target (if used) or other means. In rapid fire,
scoring discs will be placed in the top of the target according to
Rule 14.13 (2) or (3) based on the initial number of hits. (The
scoring discs are for the purpose of notification of competitors in the
vicinity of the affected target that the target has excessive hits). If
excessive hits remain indistinguishable, the following procedures
apply:

(a) In any string, if all hits are of equal value, score the number of shots
the competitor fired, assigning a miss for each required shot he failed to fire.
(b) In slow fire:
    (1) When targets are scored in the pit, if more than one hit appears
         when the assigned competitor fires, put spotters in all hits, score
         the hit of highest value, and make no record of the other hit(s).

    (2) When targets are not scored in the pit, a Range Officer shall
         notify the competitor if there are excessive hits, and the score
         corresponding to the number of shots he has fired of lowest
         value. The competitor has the option of accepting that score or
         of refiring a string of the same number of shots. He must select
         his option immediately upon being informed of the excessive hit
         situation. If he elects to refire, this is not chargeable under Rule 9.14.

    (3) If more than one hit appears on a competitor's target while he is
         firing sighting shots, these hits will be spotted but not scored. A
         Range Officer will inform the competitor and allow him an
         additional sighting shot and time.

    (4) Slow Fire - If a competitor fires more than the required number
         of shots, the extra shots will be disregarded.

(c) In rapid fire:

    (1) When targets are scored in the pit, hold any target in the pit
         which has excessive hits and is not covered by paragraph (a)
         above, until the Pit Officer directs further actions according to
         paragraphs (2)or(3) following. No spotters will be inserted until
         the Pit Officer's decision is made.

    (2) If the competitor fired fewer than the required number of shots
         through his own fault, and more hits than he fired appear on the
         target, he shall be given the score corresponding to the number
         of shots he fired, of highest value, and scored a miss for each shot
         which he did not fire. (See also Rule 14.12.)

    (3) If the competitor fired the required number of shots in the
         required time and eleven (11) hits are found on the target, all hits
         will be spotted on the target and the value of all hits will be
         indicated on the score board and the score keeper will record the
         value of the ten (10) hits of highest value and the competitor will
         not have the option to refire (See Rules 9.25 and 14.3. 1).

    (4) If the competitor fired the required number of shots in the
         required time and more than eleven (11) hits are found, the
         competitor may either accept the value of the ten (10) hits of
         lowest value or refire the string. If the score is accepted, all hits
         will be spotted on the target and the value of all hits be indicated
         on the score board and the score keeper will record the value of
         the lowest ten (10) hits. (See Rules 9.25 and 14.3. 1).

    (5) If the competitor fired fewer than the required number of shots
         through no fault of his own (see Rule I 0. 10) and more hits than
         fired appear on the target, all hits will be spotted on the target and
         the value of all hits will be indicated on the score board and the
         score keeper will record the score corresponding to the number
         of shots fired by the competitor of highest value on the front of
         the score card. The competitor will refire the string on the alibi
         relay and the score will be recorded on the back of the score card.
         The shots of lowest value needed to complete the string will be
         transferred to the front of the score card.

    (6) If a competitor fires more than the required number of shots, and
         this is verified by the scorekeeper (Rule 14.3.1 (b)), and he has
         more than I 0 hits on his target, and there are no insufficient shots
         one or two targets to the left or right of the assigned target, the
         competitor will receive a score of zero for that string of fire.

14.11 Non-Visible Hits-All in the 9 and/or 10 Ring-In a rapid fire
string where a competitor fires a complete 10 shot string in the required time,
and where only nine hits are visible in the 9 and/or 10 ring, and where there is
no evidence that a shot went elsewhere than through the assigned target, and
where there are no excessive hits one or two targets to the left or right of the
assigned target. The competitor may:

(a) Accept the score as fired.

(b) Challenge the score:
    (1) Before refiring an additional string, or

    (2) Before accepting the score as fired.

(c) Fire an additional 10 shot string. Scoring procedure: The value of the
nine hits on the competitor's target will be recorded on the front of the
score card. (If the problem occurs on the first string of a two string
match or stage, it shall be recorded as the first string even though it is
incomplete. The next string fired will be recorded as the second
string.) The refire string will be fired on the alibi relay, and recorded
on the back of the score card. The shot or saved round of lowest value
of the refire string will be transferred to the front of the score card to
complete the score. If the refire string results in a non visible hit as
specified above, the refire string will be disregarded and another
string fired.

Note: In the event three adjacent targets result in two targets having only
nine hits all in the 9 and/or 10 ring and there being only one excessive hit on
the three targets, both the competitors with insufficient hits will have the
options of (a), (b), or (c). Rule 14. 10 will apply to the competitor with excessive
hits.

14.11.1 Non-Visible Hits-Late Shots-In a rapid fire string, if the scorer
observes a late shot, he will immediately notify a Range Officer. If the score
results in insufficient hits, a refire string will not be allowed.

14.11.2 Non-Visible Hits-NOT All in the 9 and/or 10 ring-In a rapid
fire string where a competitor fires a complete 10 shot string in the required
time, and where there has been no evidence that a shot went elsewhere than
through the assigned target, that is, one or two targets to the right or left of the
assigned target, and where fewer than 10 hits are visible on the target, the
competitor may challenge, or accept the score of the shots visible.

14.12 Insufficient Hits--If a competitor fires fewer than the required
number of shots through his own fault, he shall be given the score corresponding 
to the number of shots he fired, and scored a miss for each unfired shot.

14.12.1 Misses Scored-In any string, the competitor must be scored the
required number of shots, assigning a miss for each required shot which he
failed to fire.

14.13 Notification of Competitor-In all cases where Rules 14.9, 14. 10,
14.11,14.11.1,14.11.2,14.12, or 14.12.1 apply, the competitor will be notified45
at once of the fact that there is a problem with his target in the following
manner:

    (1) Insufficient Hits: If there are insufficient hits on a target, a scoring disc
         will be placed in the top center of the target and the number of hits
         written on the top of the rapid fire score board. If they are all in the 9
         or 10 ring, the word ''YES'' will be written under the figure 9 and if
         all the apparent hits are not in the 9 or I 0 ring, the word ''NO'' will be
         written under the figure 9. If Rules 14.11 through 14.12.1 apply, the
         competitor will also be notified if there are any excessive hits one or
         two targets to the left or right of the assigned target.

    (2) Excessive Hits: If there are more than eleven (11) hits on a target, the
         scoring disc will be placed in the top right hand comer of the target.
         The score of the ten hits of lowest value will be written on the top of
         the rapid fire score board and the target will immediately be placed at
         half mast to expose only the value spotter and the top of the score
         board.

    (3) Eleven (11) Hits: If there are eleven (11) hits on a target, scoring discs
         will be placed in the top center and the top right hand comer of the
         target. The eleven (11) hits will be spotted and the value of the eleven
         (11) hits will be indicated on the score board. The target will then be
         run up.

    (4) Inadvertently pulled target-If a target puller inadvertently moves the
         target just as a shooter fires a shot causing a hit high or low on the
         target or a shot to miss the target, he should immediately notify the
         shooter, scorer, and Range Officer in the following manner: He shall
         paste up the shot hole if any, place a value marker on the target frame
         at 9 o'clock and a value market at 3 o'clock and run the target up fully.
         The shot fired shall be ignored and the competitor given an additional shot.

    (5) Pit Range Alibi - When a pit range alibi is granted, all
          holes will be pasted and the target run up with a scoring
          disc placed in the 3 o’clock position (The hole for scoring
          an eight in slow fire). (See Rule 10.7.2)

14.14 Target Puller Responsibilities-Target pullers are responsible for
following the scoring procedures prescribed in this section ofthe rule book and
to follow directions of the Pit Officer. During slow fire, the target puller will
pull and mark the target after each shot only after the shot has been visually
located on the target unless directed by a pit official.

14.15 Score Cards--Score cards must be prepared by the Statistical Office
and delivered to the competitor or to the Range Officers who will check the
target assignments of each competitor as he reports at the firing point, then give
the score cards to the Scorer. At the conclusion of each relay, Range Officers
will take up the score cards and deliver them to the Statistical Office.

14.16 Score Card Corrections-No erasures are allowed on score cards.
When an incorrect value has been entered on the score card, the scorekeeper
will immediately advise the shooter, draw a line through the incorrect value,
enter the correct value above, and initial. When targets are scored in the pits,
the recorded value of any shot will not be changed (except when re-disked or
re-marked) unless some special message with reference to it is received by a
Range Official from one of the Pit Officials.

14.17 Use of Shot Hole Spotters-When targets are operated from a pit,
shot hole spotters are used to show the location of hits; white spotters for hits
in the aiming black and black spotters for hits elsewhere (including hits scored
as misses). See Rule 14. I. In slow fire, a spotter is placed in the first hit, the
target exposed and the value signaled, and the target is left exposed for the next
shot. As each succeeding shot is fired the target is withdrawn, the spotter
moved to the new hit, the previous shot hole covered with a target paster and
the target is re-exposed and the new hit value signaled. In rapid fire, spotters
are placed in all hits of the string, or as many as feasible, before exposing the
target to signal the values. After signaling all hits, the target is withdrawn,
spotters removed and holes pasted before the next string. In the case of
excessive or insufficient hits in rapid fire, spotters shall not be inserted in the
target until directed by the Pit Officer. The same size spotter will be utilized on
all targets for each stage of fire. The following spotters will be used:

    (a) A 3 inch spotter for slow fire, 200 yards through 600 yards.

    (b) A 5 inch spotter for slow fire for all ranges in excess of 600 yards.

    (c) 1 1/2 inch or smaller spotters are to be used for all rapid fire matches.
        (White golf tees in the black are acceptable substitutes for 1 1/2 inch spotters.)

14.18 Signal Systems for Scoring Targets-The visual signaling system
described below will be used in all high power tournaments:

(a) Slow Fire: Value spotters are placed as indicated on the target frame,
all of a highly visible color such as fluorescent orange or black. The
shooter may request the color they can see best:

        X............................Bottom left corner
        10................................Bottom Center
        9...........................Bottom right corner
        8............................Center of right side
        7................................Top right corner
        6..................................Top left corner
        5..............................Center of left side
        Miss...................................Top center

(b) Rapid Fire: A narrow vertical chalk board is hung on the left side of
the target frame (during scoring phase only), with the successive
scoring values painted on it. Opposite each value is chalked the total
number of hits of that value scored in the string.