Background

The Combined Services Discipline commenced in the 1980's in Victoria and Queensland, but is now proudly shot in all Australian states and territories. Although formally called Military and Service rifle, the discipline has in recent years adopted a Pistol competition. Pistols must be of 'service origin' conforming to the specifications and class as contained in the rule book.

The aim of the Combined Services discipline is to encourage organised competitive shooting with a view towards a better knoledge of the safe handling and proper care of service firearms. The objective is to allow anyone to get into the sport quite cheaply and have everyone on an equal footing.

The Firearms

Standard military rifles are the order of the day for events, with the 3-Positional Core being the principle event shot, from which a competitor's grading is obtained. Most popular rifles are SMLE's and Swedish Mausers, with P14's and M17's as well. Rifles used in combined Services Rifle competitions must fall into one of the following catergories:

• Class A

 Class A rifles comprise close-range (100m) short-barrel (21") centrefire carbine-type rifles.

• Class B

Class B rifles comprise medium-range (200m to 300m) bolt-action or lever-action centrefire manually-operated or self-loading repeating rifles.

• Class C

Class C rifles comprise long-range (500m+) long-barrel centrefire rifles, including antique military rifles.

• Class D

Class D rifles comprise breechloading cartridge rifles such as black powder single-shot centrefire rifles and falling block action centrefire rifles.

• Class E

Class E rifles comprise muzzle loading single-shot and non-cartridge breech loading rifles (antique military rifles).

• Class F

Class F or Sniping rifles comprises of two sub classes. Class F1 includes Vintage Sniper Rifles of genuine unmodified 'as issued' and faithful reproductions as before January 1, 1946, while Class F2 includes Sniper Rifles of genuine unmodified 'as issued' and faithful reproductions as after January 2, 1946. Class F rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of class.

• Class T 

Class T or Tactical rifles are rifles of service caliber fitted with a range finding reticle-equiped telescopic sight, as may be employed by the Combined Services, intended for precision shooting between 25 and 600m. Such rifles may be genuine 'sniper' rifles as issued or may be a rifle built up to meet these requirments as after January 1, 1991. Class T rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of class.

• Class H

Class H or Modified/Accurised rifles are rifles of service origin and calibre with modification beyond service specifications (such as plastic stock, floating barrel, glass-bedded barrel, lightened trigger action and so forth); or modification to enhance accuracy beyond the specification of the regular service issue rifle and adopted or evaluated for use by a defence or law enforcement organisation for special issue, for purposes other than as a Class F rifle. Class H rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of class.

• Class J

Where to Start?

Most SSAA ranges 

Major Benchrest Shoots:

• National

Scoring
Group sizes

Targets

The official  

State Benchrest Dicipline Chairperson Phil links please.  

National Rule Book Phil links please.

National Benchrest Dicipline Page - National Hall of Fame, Scores, Up Coming Shoots, Posters and much more.

Phil links please.

Military/Service Discipline

The discipline had its genesis primarily in two states. ‘Military Rifle’, as it is known in Victoria, and ‘Service Rifle’, as it was colloquially known in Queensland, evolved around the same time.
Military/Service Pistol is a relatively new discipline that has grown rapidly in popularity. In general terms, the pistol rules are similar in make-up to rifle rules.
The two disciplines have now evolved into the Military/Service Discipline. The name change was warranted simply because at national and state competitions both types of firearms are shot in the course of the competition.
The aims and objectives of the discipline are to encourage organised competitive shooting with a view towards a better knowledge of the safe handling and the proper care of military firearms.
The Military/Service Discipline caters for either original or faithful reproduction military firearms.
In Military/Service Rifle, the classes are Standard, Modified/ Accurised and Sniper, which is broken into three divisions: F1 is Military Sniper Rifle and faithful reproductions as before January 1, 1946; F2 is Military Sniper Rifles and faithful reproductions as after January 2, 1946 and Tactical is a specialised rifle equipped with telescopic sights.
Military/Service Pistol is also broken into classes, which are Class 1 - Military, Class 2 - Para-Military Special Forces/Police and Class 3 Accurised/Modified/Target Military.
Matches are shot in standing, sitting and prone shooting positions and use a different target for rifle and pistol.
The Military/Service Discipline is specifically designed for military firearm enthusiasts.