High Muzzle Energy (HME)

HME Training notes Please print a copy and bring to the range

NRA Zeroing target in Pdf format

Gallery ranges and field firing ranges with a safety back stoop

Following an incident at Altcar ranges the MOD safety committee were alerted to the fact that if a round struck the range floor in front of the mantlet there was a potential risk that the resulting ricochet would miss the back stop and leave the range danger area.

Therefore the military have imposed a muzzle energy limit of 4500 joules on MOD ranges for civilians, unless a safe training system is introduced and a new zeroing procedure implemented.

The new requirements will affect shooters of Match rifles F class rifles i.e. 300 win mag and 308 with heavy bullets and sporting rifles, plus firearm using light bullets travelling at high speeds

Implementation of the zeroing procedure will allow a return to the previous 7000 joules for military ranges. (Subject to individual range rules)

A special zeroing target must be used so that the firer can demonstrate quickly and easily that his sights are zeroed, the zeroing must take place on each day that shooting takes place unless shooting on two consecutive days and the sights have not been altered or knocked between shoots. The RCO must be specially trained to carry out the zeroing practice.

All persons shooting HME must be authorized in writing to fire the specific type of firearm by the chairman of the club.

Zeroing is to be conducted on the NRA/MOD approved target.

Zeroing will be at 200 Yards only (excluding Bisley who have a special 1/8 target for use on the NDA zeroing Range)

The firer must zero with sights set at 600 yards, even though he is shooting at 200 yards. This will ensure that that all shots will strike near the centre of the target and be contained by the back stop.

A spotter who may be the butt marker must observe the fall of shot until the initial strike on the target screen is identified,

If a strike off the target screen has been clearly identified the firer must adjust and re-fire

If no strike is identified the firer must cease fire and may not continue until the rifle has been re collimated or bore sighted to the RCO’s satisfaction.

All sighting shots should be shown with the normal spotting disk and previous shots patched out in the normal way. The firer may adjust his sights to bring his shots into the centre of the grouping rectangle.

When a firer is satisfied with his sighting shots he must instruct the marker that he intends to complete his group. His final sighting shot may be his first grouping shot. The marker must not indicate the remaining shots.

All 5 rounds must be within the rectangle before the firer may move to a further distance.

Zeroing targets must be signed by the firer and RCO HME. The club must retain targets for one year. The fire must enter the make of ammunition used and bullet weight, powder type and weight if home loaded ammunition is used, plus the serial number of the firearm

The firer must zero with every batch of ammunition he intends to use.

If two people share a rifle both shooters must zero.

The shooter must have access to a collimator and chronograph.

It is assumed that the shooter is using telescopic sights and that he knows how to set them and can use a collimator and chronograph.

What you the shooter will need to know.

Shooters of HME rifles will need to show to the club that they know how to set their sights use a collimator and chronograph. You will need to know how many clicks per minute of angle your scope uses. European telescopic sights use different measurements to British or American scopes

You must have access to a collimator and chronograph. The club will have one however it is the shooters responsibility not the clubs or the RCO’s to supply

Any person using the clubs collimator or chronograph will be liable for any damage remember that with sight set at 600Yards it easy to shoot a chronograph

You will need to know the Muzzle Velocity MV of all the ammunition you use plus the powder and bullet weight in home loaded ammunition.

The shooter will need to prove if challenged, all the above, if you cannot you will need to zero before you can shoot.

You must be able to place 5 rounds into the zeroing rectangle at 200 yards.

You will need to sign your zeroing target

Late arrivals on the range will be unable to zero and therefore unable to shoot.

You will have to inform the club that you wish to shoot HME so targets can be arraigned and the range warden informed. Details have yet to be worked out however it is envisaged that the club will hold HME days at 600 yards and that it will not be possible to shoot outside those dates

Home loaders should have the MV of potential loads supplied in the loading manual commercial ammunition manufacturers normally have it on the box or on their website

Ballistics programs are readily available free of charge on the web. The club has one on the web site.

Remember it is not the calibre of the firearm but the Muzzle energy of the ammunition, 308 sporting rifles for deer stalking can easily exceed 4500j with a heavy bullet.

Below is a chart that will tell you if your round is likly to exceed 4500j

Contact Via Snail Mail to
BM&BLGC, PO Box 110, Kingswood Bristol BS30 9AS (please enclose a stamped addressed envelope)
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