1. NSSP and Royal Rangers have developed a shooting program to offer both Royal Rangers and Girls Ministries across the nation an opportunity to participate in NSSP Top Shot Competition.

1. Each Royal Ranger district should have a Royal Ranger National Shooting Sports Coordinator. These coordinators are familiar with setting up NSSP Top Shot Competitions. They have a wealth of resources and specialized certifications which can help your outpost practice for and compete in NSSP Top Shot Competitions.  Your district Royal Ranger National Shooting Sports Program Coordinator is the subject matter expert who can help on anything shooting sports related.

1. All competitors may only enter this match once per calendar year.

2. All competitors must be one of the following:

   • FCF Members who are Young Bucks

   • FCF Members who are Old Timers(Frontiersman, Buckskin Wilderness).

   • A member of Royal Rangers Alumni.

1. It is recommended that the following merits be completed prior to participation in Top Shot Competition.

   • For Young Bucks: Complete Silver Black Powder Safety and Black Powder Shooting merits.

   • For Old Timers: Complete Silver Black Powder Safety and Black Powder Shooting merits.

2. Only adults who are certified as NRA Range Safety Officer are allowed to supervise the firing line.

NOTE

NRA Range Safety Officer Certification and merit requirements for both Black Powder Safety and Black Powder Shooting are NRA courses which need to be taught by NRA qualified Instructors.

Either seek out your district NSSP Coordinator for assistance or find an instructor at https://www.nrainstructors.org/search.aspx . Be aware that instructors on the NRA Instructors page are very expensive. Your district NSSP Coordinator may be able to provide the classes at a very minimal cost.

1. Current NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun Rules book will govern this competition.

2. NRA Rule Books may be downloaded online at https://competitions.nra.org/competition-resources/rule-books/.

1. Read NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter 3:Equipment and Ammunition

2. Cross sticks with the following specifications:

   • Cross Sticks (2) are no larger than 1.5 inches diameter.

   • Length of cross sticks based on competitor’s height to support rifle in a standing position.

   • Cross sticks are made of wood and tied/lashed together.

   • Cross sticks ends may be tapered at the end (no more than 6 inches) to facilitate inserting into the ground for stability.

   • Have one layer of protective material suspended or inserted between the sticks “V” to protect the rifle’s finish.

3. Muzzle Loader rifles

   • Flint Lock or cap lock/percussion cap allowed.

   • Smooth bore or rifled barrels are allowed.

   • No in line modern style black powder rifles allowed.

   • Ammo is only round lead balls. No Sabots.

   • Iron sights only. Adjustable are allowed.

   • Set Triggers allowed.

   • Slings not allowed.

   • Only Black Powder or other approved Black Powder Substitutes are allowed.

1. Read NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter 4:Targets for specifics on allowable targets.

2. The B-19 target (50 Yard Slow Fire Pistol Target) is to be used for Black Powder Rifle Top Shot Competition.

3. Shooter’s name, position and event date will be printed in the upper right-hand corner of each target.

4. NRA official targets are required. For a list of licensed target manufacturers’ visit:

http://competitions.nra.org/competition-resources/nra-licensed-target-manufacturers

1. NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter 6:Range Standards will be followed.

2. NRA Safety Protocols will be followed for all live fire periods.

3. Eye and hearing protection is required for all shooters, firing line supervisors, and all nearby spectators.

4. Shooting distance from the firing line to target will be 25 yards.

5. Firing line will be supervised by an appropriate number of Certified NRA Range Safety Officers.

1. Shooting positions are to be in accordance with NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter 5: Positions.

2. For competitors with temporary or permanent disabilities, read NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter 13: Physically Disabled Competitors.

3. Time limits. See NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter:8 Time Limits for more details.

4. Ten (10) shots will be fired from 25 yards in each of the below two positions.:

   • 10 shot Standing unsupported              Time limit of 30 minutes

   • 10 shots Standing supported                Time limit of 30 minutes

5. All 20 scoring shots will be fired on the same target/same bull in the following sequence.

   • After firing the 1st 10 shots from the standing unsupported position, a cease fire is called and  the firing line is made safe. During this pause in firing, targets are scored (in place on the target stand) for the first ten shots. Each hole is marked to identify it as the shots made from the standing unsupported position.

   • Competitors then return to their firing points. The remaining 10 supported shots are fired as directed by Range Safety Officers.

1. All targets will be scored in accordance with NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun Rules book Chapter 14: Scoring and Marking. See the following special notes

   • Unlike other shooting disciplines, each shot’s score is not determined by the edge of the bullet hole but by the center of the bullet hole. See Paragraph 14.3 of the Rules book.

   • Only the top seven of ten scores will be counted for each of the 2 positions.

   • If there is a tie, the 6 uncounted shots will determine the winner.

2. Each target must be scored by two individuals and in accordance with NRA Rules. If targets are scored electronically, verification by two individuals is not required.

3. Sponsors keep all targets until the challenge period has ended and all results are final

1. Top Shot Competitions will begin on January 1st and will end on December 31st of each calendar year.

1. The team match is the combined scores of four participating individuals.

2. The team category will be determined by the group the individual is shooting in.

3. Competitor and Team Groups are listed in the AWARDS section.

1. Results will be emailed out to NSSP Advisors and posted on the NSSP Website.

1. Individuals,1st – 5th place winners will receive a medal and a certificate.  

2. Teams, 1st – 3rd  place, each team member will receive individual medals and certificates. 

3. Competitors and teams will compete based on the following groups

   • Young Bucks

   • Old Timers

1. Individual competitor fee is $10.00 each.

2. Teams will be comprised of four individual competitors. An additional $10 will be paid by each team member. Therefore, the team fee for each 4 competitor team is $80.00.

3. Each competitor may only be a member of one Black Powder team per calendar year.

4. Multiple 4 competitor teams per outpost/church are allowed. Rules #2 and #3 still apply.

5. Payment of fees is made by one of the below options.

   • Mail a single check (Total fees for all your Outpost/church competitors and teams) payable to:  
     NSSP
     P.O. Box 7724
     Riverside, CA. 92513-7724

   • Zelle the fee total amount to (949) 599-4148 Darell Freeman. Be sure to note the following information in the “Add a Memo” box:
     NSSP Top Shot fees
     Your outpost number.
     Your church name.
     Your state abbreviation

NOTE

Fee payments are to be sent on the same date the Top Shot Competition fillable forms are submitted as described in the ADMINISTRATION section.

1. Download the RR /NSSP Black Powder Top Shot Competition fillable form at:
   Black Powder Fillable Form.

2. Fillable forms are to be completed by one of the following leaders:

   • Any NSSP representative (Preferred).

   • Outpost Senior Commander (Alternate).

3. To help minimize confusion please save the fillable form(s) with the following file name format: YEARSBlackPowderStateOutpost###Group.pdf.

   • Example: 2024BlackpowderAZOutpost130OT.pdf.

   • Group abbreviations are YB for Young Bucks, OT for Old Timers.

4. ​Ensure all requested information is entered on Top Shot Competition fillable forms.

5. All scores must be returned by January 15th of the following year.

6. Submit completed score reporting fillable forms to Peter Triana by one of the below options.

   • Preferred method: US Mail to:
     Peter Triana
     9283 Daisy Ave.
     Fountain Valley, CA 92708

   • Alternate method: Email completed PDF forms to trianamo@yahoo.com