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Competition Rules

COMPETITION RULES
EXERCISE RULES
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
ENROLMENT: CLASSES OF PARTICIPATION & ENTRY FEES

You will be able to enrol for the National Competition on your Natshoot Member Portal from 06:00 on 28 August 2026

ENTRY FEE

The entry fee is a once off payment to participate in the Annual National Competition, irrespective of how many exercises you choose to compete in during the competition. Entry Fees for the NHSA National Competition for all classes of participants is R165.00 (R144.00 entry + R21.00 VAT).

Payments to be facilitated via your Member Portal, when registering for the Competition

CLASSES OF PARTICIPATION

  • Classes for participation for the Annual National Competition (called peer groups), are as follows:
  • Junior Class: A Competitor who turns 20 years of age in the competition year or younger.
  • Open Class: A Competitor who turns 21 years of age in the competition year up to competitors who turn 59 years of age in the competition year
  • Senior Class: A Competitor who turns 60 years of age in the competition year and older.
 
  • There can unfortunately be no refund of competition fees if members do not follow all prescripts of the competition correctly.
  • Correctly scored and completed as well as witness signed shot targets for the NHSA Annual National Competition must be uploaded on a participant’s Member Portal as Competition (for the specific year) not later than midnight on 30 September of the specific competition year (No scores for competition purposes will be accepted after this date and time – no exceptions will be made).
  • Competition score entries for which a competitor has received a Review with Feedback notice per Email and which must be fixed in the manner as described in the Email a member will receive, must be fixed (Edited) by 24:00 on 2 October of the specific competition year for the score to be taken into account for ranking in the year’s annual competition. If such entry has not been corrected in time, the entry will disqualify itself and not be considered for exercise ranking.
  • Competition results will be made available and published on the Natshoot Member Portal hopefully not later than mid November of the specific competition year, to afford the judges adequate time to sort out conflicts if there should be any.
  • Participants may only use the Firearms they personally legally own – as the member has made the firearm to fit him/her as person (open steel/iron sights or scoped).
 
  • The exception to this rule is where spouses or partners or juniors shoot with firearms of their partners or parents (guardians) or under supervision of the owner of the firearm(s).
TARGET EXAMPLE 1
  1. Participants download and use the Competition Specific Targets for all competition exercises, which can be downloaded from a member’s Competition Page on his/her Natshoot Member Portal.
  2. Targets for the National Competition will be available to download from 06:00 on 31 August of the specific competition year.
  3. The targets to be downloaded are all in PDF format and are all A4in size. All Targets MUST be printed in A4 format with the Adobe Reader’s Document size set at 100%
  4. Only scores on targets specifically marked as Competition Target will be accepted for the National Competition (Competition Targets are all numbered, as examples, Target # Com01 or Target # Com14, etc., on each competition target or competition score sheet)
  5. Only exercise specific Targets may be entered for a specific exercise a competitor partakes in for the National Competition. You MAY NOT use a Target for an exercise you want to compete in, which is not specificallymarked for that specific exercise.
  6. Each member’s targets are individually designated with their personal information – please DO NOT print targets for anybody else or use another member’s targets.
  7. Targets with altered personal information will be declined.
  8. Competition targets may not be used for anything other than the annual competition, and must please not be submitted for in-House Postal Scores or as Sport Shooting Activity Targets as submissions of competition specific targets under those headings will be declined by Scores and Activity Evaluators by default.
  9. Targets, which have not been completely scored, or on which ALL fields of inscription have not been completed, will not be evaluated, and will be sent back to the participant as Reviewed with Feedback.
  10. The participant then has the opportunity to correctly fill out all fields on the Target(s) and to re-submit before midnight on 2 October of the specific competition year.
  11. If the participant, however, does not Edit the Target(s) and make the corrections and re-submit the Target(s) before 24:00 on 2 October, the specific Target(s) will not count towards the Competition.
  12. Each individual Target’s scores for the Annual National Competition must be entered as a separate entry.
  13. No sticker of any colour may be pasted on the centre of the target to make it better visible. Targets submitted with such “markers” on the centre will automatically be disqualified – it is considered unfair competition.
  14. The final day for electronic submission of competition targets and scores on participant’s Natshoot Member Portal is 23:59 on 30 September. The specific year’s “Competition Button” on a member’s Member Portal will be deactivated at 23:59 on 2 October of the specific competition year (members thus have time till 23:59 on 2 October to make corrections to targets as are or might be requested by the evaluators).
  15. The majority of competition targets for the annual national competitions look like the examples below. The majority of targets have more than one target-circle on the A4 page of the exercise specific target which can be downloaded. Please be sure to shoot only the indicated number of shots per target-circle as targets with more than the allowed shots per target-circle will be declined. PLEASE NOTE: Once a target for a specific competition exercise has been declined, no other target may be entered for that competition exercise.
  16. Compulsory Video: For all semi-auto rifle exercises it is required that the competitor make a video of the full exercise being shot.
  • The video must be taken from behind the shooter in such a manner that the shooting position of the shooter is visible in relationship to target A and target B of the specific exercise.
  • The video must also capture the shooting time used for both targets of this exercise.
  • Smart phones can be used to make the video.
  • This video must be kept for 3 months after the closing date of the competition and must be made available to the competition evaluators if so requested.
  • If this video cannot be produced on request by returning via Email, the competitor will automatically disqualify himself/herself from that specific competition exercise.

Target Definition

The target is the complete A4 sheet on which the scoring rings are printed.
The target does not include the backing material onto which the target is attached.

X-Ring Value

The X-ring is worth 10 points.

Pure Shot (Clean Shot)

A Pure Shot is a shot that:

• Falls completely inside a scoring ring.

• Does not touch or cut the scoring-ring line.

A leaded-edge hole that touches the line but remains fully inside the scoring ring is scored according to the ring in which it lands.

Example

Hole completely inside the 9-ring = 9 points

Cut Shot

A Cut Shot is a shot where the bullet hole:

• Cuts,

• Touches, or

• Crosses

the scoring-ring line.
A cut shot is awarded the higher score.

Example

99% of hole in the 9-ring and 1% touching the 10-ring line = 10 points

Keyholed, Tipped or Skid Shots

If a bullet strikes sideways, tumbles, or creates an elongated hole:

• The score is still determined by whether the hole cuts the next scoring ring.

• The higher value applies where appropriate.

Bullet Entry from Rear of Target

Any bullet that enters the target from the back is scored as:
0 points (Miss).

7.7 Shots Outside the Scoring Rings Any hit outside all scoring rings is scored as:
0 points (Miss).

CORRECT SCORING OF TARGETS

Prescribed Positions

Competitors may only use the firing position specified in the exercise description.

Competitors with Disabilities

Competitors with disabilities who cannot reasonably use the prescribed position may shoot using the most suitable alternative position.

The disability must be clearly noted on the target before score submission.

Approved Shooting Ranges

Competitors may shoot at:

  • Publicly recognised shooting ranges.
  • Club shooting ranges.
  • Private (farm) shooting ranges recognised / registered by Natshoot

Ranges must meet the minimum distance requirements for the exercise being shot.

Firearm Type   Minimum Distance

Handguns          10 Meters

Rifles                    100 Meters

Natshoot Friendly Ranges

A list of Natshoot Friendly Shooting Ranges is available on the Natshoot website.

Use of these ranges is optional. You may use any other NRCS or SAPS approved accredited ranges that is not Natshoot friendly.

Competition Targets

Competitors MUST obtain official targets from their Natshoot Member Portal.

Shooting ranges MAY NOT supply competition targets to competitors.

Range Fees

Competitors are responsible for any shooting range fees charged by the range.

Witnesses and Timekeepers

The witness or timekeeper may be:

  • A shooting range staff member.
  • A Natshoot member.
  • Another shooter present at the range.

 

The witness must:

  • Observe the shoot.
  • Understand the exercise requirements.
  • Sign the target.
  • Provide a contact number if verification becomes necessary.

*The above MUST happen on the ranges itself and not off location

Video Requirement for Semi-Auto Rifles

For all semi-auto rifle exercises:

Mandatory Video Recording

A complete video of the exercise must be recorded.

The video MUST show:

  • The shooter.
  • Shooting position.
  • Target A.
  • Target B.
  • The time taken during the active shooting of the exercise.

 

Retention Period

The video must be retained for:

  • 3 months after the competition closing date.

 

Failure to Produce Video

If requested and the video cannot be provided:

The competitor will be DISQUALIFIED from that exercise.

Important Instruction

  • Enter each Annual COMPETITION TARGET score as one separate entry.
  • Each target score MUST be captured individually, regardless of how many scores you submit for the competition.

Entering Competition Scores

Participants MUST log their own competition scores on their Natshoot Member Portal.

Competition Entries

Each score entered for the Competition will automatically appear as a competition entry on the Competition Page of your Scores Page in the Natshoot Member Portal.

Correcting Mistakes

If you make an error when entering a competition score:

  • You MAY edit the competition entry and re-enter the correct score.
  • You MAY delete the entry and re-submit the entire competition score.
  • Changes MUST be made BEFORE the score has been evaluated.

 

Use of Competition Targets

  • Competition targets MAY ONLY be used for the Annual National Competition.
  • Your results of the competition will AUTOMATICALLY count towards your marksman grading achievements AND count your dedicated status (This obviously excludes Air Rifle entries).
  • DO NOT UPLOAD THEM AGAIN UNDER SCORES OR ACTIVITIES

 

Evaluation of Competition Scores

  • Competition scores are evaluated as they are submitted.
  • Due to high submission volumes, approval or decline notifications MAY take up to 3 business days
  • If a score is declined:
    • You will receive an email.
    • The email will clearly state the reason for the decline.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

Once a score has been submitted for the Annual Competition and is subsequently declined:

  • The declined target (exercise) MAY NOT be repeated.
  • The declined target MUST NOT be re-entered for that same year’s competition.
SCORE RANKING PER EXERCISE AND PEER GROUP

Ranking is firstly determined by the Highest Exercise Score. Competitors with the same exercise scores are then ranked according to the highest number of shots closest to centre of Target (called shot indicators).

  1. First by highest total of pure X-Shots plus cut-X-shots;
  2. Then by highest number of clear X-shots;
  3. Then by highest number of cut-X-shots;
  4. Then by highest total of pure 10-shots plus cut-10-shots;
  5. Then by highest number of pure 10-shots,
  6. Then by highest number of cut-10-shots, and so on with pure shots and cut-shots in the 9-ring, the 8-ring and the 7-ring (if it is on the target).

 

Competitors with the exact same Exercise Scores and Shot Indicators, share the ranking in alphabetical order. Exercise Scores below 60% are indicated with “P” (Participated).

  • A certificate of achievement will be available for download on the competitor’s portal for the competitor who comes first and follow-up for Top Gun
  • A certificate of achievement will be available for download on the competitor’s portal for those competitors who have achieved a place among the Top-10 handgun and rifle shots competition.
  • A certificate of achievement will be available for download on the competitor’s portal for those competitors who achieve gold, silver, and bronze positions in the exercises they had competed in
  • All participants in the specific year’s National Competition will be able to download a Certificate of Participation denoting their participation in that year’s National Competition from the Documents page on their Natshoot Member Portal after competition closing date (see the Certificates Page under the Documents Page).
  1. All scores for all exercises in the national competition count towards the Marksman Grading in a specific year (December to end November)
  2. Approved competition targets (with exception of Air Pistols and Air Rifles from 5,5mm and below), will count towards maintenance of Dedicated Status and will reflect on a member’s Activity & Scores Report as a sport shooting activity.
1. Exercise Qualifiers and Final Shoot-off Rounds
  1. The top five (5) competitors in each national competition exercise and class so identified in the Preliminary Scores and Rankings of an annual national competition will be recognized as Exercise Qualifiers.
  2. Exercise Qualifiers will be required to participate in an additional Final Shoot-Off Round to determine the final podium and medal positions and the winner for the relevant exercise and class.
  3. With publication of the Preliminary Scores of the Annual National Postal Target Shooting Competition, all Exercise Qualifiers will be contacted by email to structure the procedure as indicated below for that individual.
  4. Exercise Qualifiers will be required to finalise their Final Shoot-Off Rounds within 4 weeks after the Annual Preliminary Scores and Rankings have been made available and published on the Natshoot website.
  1. No final ranking or podium position for a specific exercise and class will be awarded until the Final shoot-off results have been verified and approved by the Competition Organizer.
  2. In instances where there are less then 5 competitors (to determine a 1st,2nd and 3rd place) in a relevant exercise and class – there will be no qualifying or shoot-off round. The preliminary results will then remain as indicated in the Preliminary Scores and Rankings.
  3. If a top five (5) Exercise Qualifier cannot partake in a Final Shoot-off round for that competition exercise and class, his/her score will automatically be moved to the fifth position in the final ranking of the specific competition exercise and class.
  1. An Exercise Qualifier may shoot his/her Final Shoot-off Round (or rounds) at any public acknowledged shooting range, or Natshoot recognised private shooting range.
  2. An Exercise Qualifier will be required to, in writing, indicate the name and place of such identified shooting range before the relevant exercise target will be couriered to him/her.
  1. The Competition Organiser will issue one Final Shoot-off Target relevant to the exercise and category for each Exercise Qualifier, which target will be couriered to the Exercise Qualifier on Natshoot account
  2. Each target will contain a unique reference number for identification and verification purposes.
  3. The final shot target will be couriered to the Natshoot office on Natshoot account
  1. An Exercise Qualifier must conduct his/her Final shoot-off Round for a specific exercise and class under the direct supervision of a nominated and identified witness or RO, of who the name and surname have been submitted to legal@natshoot.co.za before the Final Shoot-off Target will be couriered to him/her.
  2. A witness may be a friend or family member at a Natshoot recognised private shooting range or may be an identified person at a public shooting range who is willing to act as RO under whose supervision the Qualifier will then shoot the relevant exercise on the specific couriered target.
  3. A supervising witness (private or public range) acts as the official witness and is responsible for confirming that:
    • The correct couriered official Shoot-Off target was used.
    • All competition rules and safety requirements were adhered to.
    • The exercise was shot according to the exercise rules.
  4. Final shoot-off targets may not be scored by either the Qualifier or the official identified witness.
  5. Any Exercise Qualifier who is unable to complete the Shoot-Off under the supervision of a witness (private range or public range) must contact the Natshoot Office prior to participation.
  6. The supervising witness or RO must complete a statement which will be included in the document pack accompanying the Exercise Qualifier’s final Shoot-off Target, on which s/he officially declares and confirms that the Exercise Qualifier’s Final Shoot-Off was conducted in accordance with all competition requirements.
  7. Any proven false declaration, misrepresentation, or deliberate attempt to manipulate the process will result in:
    • Immediate disqualification of the competitor;
    • The forfeiture of awards, rankings, or prizes; and
    • Further disciplinary action at the discretion of Natshoot’s disciplinary committee.
  1. To preserve the integrity and fairness of the competition:
    • Shoot-Off targets may not be copied, duplicated, reproduced, or reused. Each target will contain a unique reference number issued by the Competition Organiser.
    • The supervising witness or RO must record an uninterrupted in-line video (taken over the back of the Qualifier) showing the Qualifier engaging the target during the Shoot-Off.
    • The video must clearly demonstrate compliance with competition requirements.
    • Neither the Qualifier nor the supervising witness or RO may score the target.
    • Final scoring will be conducted by the Competition Organiser’s appointed scoring officials.
  1. All submitted results will be subject to verification by the Competition Organiser.
  2. The Competition Organiser’s decision regarding verification, scoring, rankings, and results shall be final and binding.
  3. The following items must be submitted within the prescribed submission period:
    • An uninterrupted in-line video of the competitor completing the Shoot-Off (procedures for submission will be included in the document pack accompanying the Qualifier’s final Shoot-off target).
    • A clear photograph of the completed target sent by email to legal@natshoot.co.za
    • The completed supervising witness (RO) verification questionnaire.
    • The signed Range Officer Declaration (document will be included in document pack accompanying the Qualifier’s final Shoot-off target).
  4. Incomplete submissions may be rejected and could result in disqualification.
  1. A Supervising Witness or RO will be required to also complete the Statement Document included in the document pack accompanying the Qualifier’s final Shoot-off target.
    • Did you personally supervise the competitor during the Shoot-Off?
    • Did you print copies of the official Shoot-Off target to serve as a practice target?
    • Did the competitor only fire the official Shoot-Off target for scoring? Were all competition rules complied with?
    • Was the target left unscored by both the competitor and yourself? Was the required in-line video recorded and submitted?
    • Do you have any concerns or observations that should be brought to the attention of the Competition Organiser?

The verified Shoot-Off score will determine the final ranking, podium positions, and overall winner of the relevant exercise and class, including determination of the specific year’s Top-Gun and Top-10 handgun and rifle shots.