USHPSA Distinguished Rifleman Program
United States High Power Shooting Association Distinguished Rifleman Program
The purpose of this program is to designate those shooters who have distinguished themselves in performance in Regional and State Championship matches based on their rifle type they are shooting along with having performed in one of these matches at a very high level while finishing in the top 10%.
In the ideal situation everyone would shoot the same rifle with basically the same ammunition and then you could just take the top 10% and be done. This is how the NRA Smallbore Distinguished program works and works quite well with Distinguished being very hard to get as in most cases beat the distinguished shooters to get the steps in earning the badge. However with Highpower this isn't the case as there are two major different disciplines (Sling and f-class) along with different match types and multiple rifle types within the match types and disciplines. This creates different circumstances that one broad rule such as that used in the NRA Smallbore distinguished program would not work and more importantly not be fair to the shooters.
The different rifle types have their own limitations because of ballistics and what may be a really good score for one type is average for another type. In development of this program it was noted that in certain areas there are major ballistic and equipment differences between rifle types which make it almost impossible for shooters of those rifle types to attain steps against other rifle types.
In developing this program it was decided that within the two disciplines there is a hierarchy of rifle types of which on paper is the rifles that ballistically are superior in the prone matches. For F-Class F-Open> F-T/R. For Sling Any>Palma>Service. For Across the course Match>Service. For this reason in some of the match types you will see the requirements for rifle type are different when it comes to combining and when it comes to percentages for hard steps. However in some match types most notably mid range they are not, while there may be some ballistic difference this award is a measure of shooter skill and the more skilled shooter can over come this.
Care was taken in developing this program in talking to shooters who shoot each discipline at a high level nationally and internationally to see what they thought would make the USHPSA Distinguished Rifleman program fair, but yet challenging enough that attaining a DR badge would be a challenging achievement.
How a DR badge is earned
A total of 4 steps must be earned for a DR Badge for a given rifle type. Three (3) steps may be “soft” these are steps in which the shooter finishes in the top 10% as calculated for that rifle type. A minimum of one (1) step must be a “hard” step. This is a step in which the shooter finishes in the top 10% for that rifle type, but also meets the minimum percentage threshold. A shooter is not limited to the number of steps they may get in one year. Any shooter who is Distinguished and finishes in the top 10% of that rifle type will receive the step and block a new shooter from receiving a step. This program is not a next man up type DR program where the DR shooters no longer factor into the results for steps, they still count and can “block” non-distinguished shooters from receiving steps. Shooters may not decline steps and pass on to the next shooter. A shooter will receive a stop for the rifle type they shoot. Depending on how that rifle fits in the hierarchy they may chose to receive a step for a rifle type that is higher in the hierarchy. The logic being a rifle lower on the hierarchy scale is (in theory) harder to shoot so the shooter can take a step for an “easier” rifle if he/she chooses.
Example 1: There are 10 shooters (1 step) who finish in sequential order. Shooter 1 wins the match and is not distinguished, shooter 1 receives the step. Example 2: There are 10 shooters (1 step) who finish in sequential order. Shooter 1 wins the match and is distinguished, shooter 1 still receives the step, no non-distinguished shooter wins a step. Example 3: There are 10 shooters (1 step), shooter 2 wins, followed by shooter 1 (distinguished) and then shooters 3-10 finish in sequential order. Shooter 2 receives the step.
Rifle Hierarchy A shooter who wins a step with a lower hierarchy rifle may chose to take a step for a higher rifle hierarchy rifle type.
Example 1 F-Class: F-Open > F-T/R
An F-T/R shooter who wins a step may elect to take either a F-T/R or F-Open step. An F-Open shooter who wins a step may only receive a F-Open step
Example 2 Sling Prone: Any>Palma>Service
A Service rifle shooter who wins a step may elect to take either a service, palma, or Any step.
A Palma shooter who wins a step may elect to take either a palma, or any step
A Any rifle shooter who wins a step may only receive a Any step
Example 3 Across the Course: Match>Service
A Service Rifle shooter who wins a step may elect to take either a Service or a Match Rifle Step
A Match Rifle shooter who wins a step may only receive a Match Rifle Step
If a shooter elects to take a step of a rifle higher in the hierarchy that DOES NOT allow the next shooter of that rifle type to receive a step
Example: F-Class there are 5 F-Open Shooters and 7 F-T/R Shooters. There is 1 F-Open step and 1 F-T/R step. The winning F-T/R shooter elects to take their step as an F-Open step. The T/R step has been used, there is no step remaining for the other 6 T/R shooters.
What matches are DR step eligible DR steps may be earned in USHPSA Regional or State Championship matches. Those matches are defined as matches in which scores (Regional and State Championships) are submitted to the USHPSA and in the case of Regional the USHPSA Common medal(s) are given out.
What DR Badges are available Across the Course: Match Rifle and Service Rifle Mid Range Prone: Any, Palma, Service, F-Open and F-T/R (F-Practical after a baseline is figured) Long Range Prone: Any, Palma, Service, F-Open, and F-T/R (F-Practical after a baseline is figured) Fullbore: Palma, F-Open, and F-T/R
Steps from other organizations Any shooter who earned from another organization in which the criteria is the same or higher as USHPSA will have those steps honored as “Soft” steps. “Hard” steps must be earned at USHPSA sponsored matches. If a shooter has received Distinguished status in another organization prior to August of 2020 in which the four step method is used for distinguished they will be considered distinguished in USHPSA.
Soft Steps
Prone F-Class: F-Open and F-T/R The top 10% of each rifle type will receive a step. The rule of “rounding 5” will be used. 5-14 shooters will be 1 step, 15-24 shooters will be 2 steps, etc.
1. If both rifle types have at least 5 shooters then a step will be given out for each rifle type.
2. If the rifle type of a higher hierarchy does not have 5 shooters then a step for that type will not be given.
Example: 2 F-open and 5 F-T/R shooters. F-T/R will receive a step, F-Open will not.
3. If a rifle type of a lower hierarchy does not have 5 shooters then they will be combined with the rifles of a high hierarchy. The shooter in the top 10% firing the highest score will receive a step for that rifle type.
Example: 5 F-Open and 2 F-T/R shooters. F-T/R will be combined with F-Open. If neither rifle type has 5 shooters then the rifle types will be combined.
4, If neither rifle type has 5 shooters then neither rifle types will receive a step.
Sling: Any, Palma, and Service
The top 10% will receive a step for that rifle type. The rule of “rounding 5” will be used. 5-14 shooters will be 1 step, 15-24 shooters will be 2 steps, etc.
1. For each rifle type that has at least 5 shooters a step will be given to the top shooter of that rifle type shot. Regardless of where they are in the overall match standings.
Example: 10 Any rifles, 7 Palma Rifles and 5 Service Rifles. There will be 1 step for each rifle type.
2. If one of the rifle types does not have at least 5 shooters, then it will be combined with the rifle type of a higher hierarchy. The shooter who shoots the highest score in the combined group will receive a step for the rifle type shot.
Example: 6 Any rifles, 4 Palma rifles and 3 Service rifles. The service rifles will combine with the Palma rifles. There will be 1 step for Any, and 1 step for combined palma/service
3, If none of the rifle groups have at least 5 shooters then all three types will be combined. If there are at least 5 shooters, but there are at least 10 shooters then all three types will be combined. A step will be given to the shooter in the top 10% for the rifle type they shot.
Example: 4 Any rifles, 4 Palma Rifles, and 2 Service Rifle. There is 1 step available for the combined group of all 3.
Across the course: Match and Service Rifle The top 10% will receive a step for that rifle type. The rule of “rounding 5” will be used. 5-14 shooters will be 1 step, 15-24 shooters will be 2 steps, etc.
1. If both rifle types have at least 5 shooters then a step will be given out for each rifle type. If the rifle type of a higher hierarchy does not have 5 shooters then a step for that type will not be given.
Example: 2 Match and 5 service shooters. Service will receive a step, Match will not.
2. If a rifle type of a lower hierarchy does not have 5 shooters then they will be combined with the rifles of a high hierarchy. The shooter in the top 10% firing the highest score will receive a step for that rifle type.
Example: 5 Match and 2 Service shooters. Service will be combined with Match.
3. If neither rifle type has 5 shooters then the rifle types will be combined. If there are at least 5 shooters then a step will be given out to the shooter in the top 10% for the rifle type they shot.
Example: 2 Match and 4 Service Shooters. Match shooter wins, he will receive a Match step.
Hard steps The hard step is designed to be the step where not only does the shooter need to finish in the to 10% of a match with at least 10 shooters of that type or combined where they are eligible for that rifle type (see soft step combining rules), but also where they have performed at a level that is of a high standard for that rifle type. This does not allow someone to run regional/state matches and get DR steps and a DR badge because they are a Big Fish in a little pond. It is important to note, just because you shoot a score that is of a level to earn a hard step, if you do not finish in the top 10% you will not receive it. To receive a hard step the following must occur.
1. Must be a USHPSA match.
2. Must be at least 10 shooters of that type or combined where all shooter are eligible for a step. (See soft step section for combining rules)
3, Must shoot a score that is at or above the percentages listed below.
4. Must finish in the top 10%.
F-Open- The top 10% of shooters who shoot a score of 99.5% or better in mid-range will receive a F-Open mid-range hard step. The top 10% of shooters who shoot a score of 98.5% or better in long range will receive a F-Open long range hard step.
F-T/R: The top 10% of shooters who shoot a score of 99.5% or better in mid-range will receive a F-T/R mid range hard step. The top 10% of shooters who shoot a score of 98% or better in long range will receive a F-T/R long range hard step
F-Practical: will be added after a baseline score is calculated for that rifle type and appropriate criteria can be determined for a hard step.
Any: The top 10% of any and palma shooters who shoot a score of 99.5% will receive a mid-range hard step for their rifle type. The top 10% of shooters who score 98.5% will receive a long range hard step for their rifle type.
Palma: The top 10% of any and palma shooters who shoot a score of 99.5% will receive a mid-range hard step for their rifle type. The top 10% of shooters who score 98% will receive a long range hard step for their rifle type.
Service Rifle (Prone): The top 10% of service rifle shooters who shoot a score of 98.5% will receive a mid-range hard step for service rifle. The top 10% of shooters who score 96.5% for long range will receive a long range hard step for service rifle.
Across the Course: Match rifles and Service rifles have the same requirements a shooter must be in the top 10% will receive a step for that rifle type. A minimum score of 98% must be shot to earn a hard step.
Fullbore Sling: The Mid-Range percentages for palma will be used for hard steps.
Fullbore F-Class: The Mid-Range percentages for F-Open and F-T/R will be used respectively.
Match Type Requirements Across the Course: Any match in which Offhand, Rapid Sitting, Rapid Prone, and slow prone is shot. Offhand and Rapid sitting must be shot at 200yd, Rapid prone must be shot at 300yd, slow prone may be shot at 500yd or 600yd. 80 shot course of fire (20 offhand, 20 Rapid Sitting, 20 Rapid Prone, 20 Slow Prone) is only course of fire that is permitted. If the regional/state championship is a multi-day match, the grand aggregate will be used.
Mid Range: Any prone match shot between 300yd to 600yd. Matches may be of 3/5/6, or 3x600. If no 600 yard line is present matches must have at least 2 500yd stage (3/5/5, or 3x5). 3x300's are not permissible or matches where the 50% or greater of the matches are shot at 300yd are not permissible. Minimum of 60 shots (3 20 rounds matches) is required. If the match is a multi-day match the grand aggregate of all days will be used.
Long Range: Any prone match shot at 1000yd*, or shot at 800-1000yd where MOA (sling) or ½ MOA (f-class) targets for the distance shot** are used. Minimum of 4 matches must be fired. If the match is a multi day match the grand aggregate of all the days will be used. *If a palma match is part of the regional/state championship additional 1000yd matches must be used and then only the 1000yd portion of the palma aggregate may be used. **If a range creates a MOA 800yd, 900yd and/or ½ MOA 800 and 900yd targets then they are permissible to be used for DR steps. The current LR and LR-F targets are not MOA (.5 MOA for F-Class) targets at 800 and 900 so therefore are not allowable for use towards a DR step.
Fullbore: Any prone match shot from 300yd-1000yd. Minimum of 60 shots required. The course of fire must include at least 1 15 shot match at 1000yd. Also a minimum of 25% of the shots must be at 800yds or greater (long range). If ranges are limited to 600yd or less, then the fullbore match will be considered mid-range. In this case the yardage requirements of mid-range steps must be followed but the strings can be 15 shot and the minimum daily requirement is 45 shot. In this situation Mid-range palma, f-open, and t/r steps will be given and their percentages for hard steps will be used.
Step Database: Record of steps will be kept on a central database along with date. The shooter will have confirmation via match results if he/she wins a step and if it is a soft or hard step. Upon meeting the requirement of a DR badge the shooter will be notified. If the shooter thinks he/she has met requirements they may contact the administrator of the database to check.
Distinguished Award: At this time the shooter will receive a certificate notifying them they are distinguished. When it is appropriate a medal will be made showing the shooter is distinguished for that course of fire and with the rifle type.
DR Step Tracker
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fKUUsn-TfVSwVkR92WInp7dX6vExHnUC3RqZDossp9U/edit?usp=sharing
Revised: 8/23/2020
