The following are the "official" NRA firing line commands from the Highpower Rifle rulebook. You may expect to hear these commands at large tournaments such as the National Matches at Camp Perry. The text in red are explanations and clarifications of what happens between commands.

Highpower Firing Line Commands

SLOW FIRE

"RELAY (number), MATCH (number), TAKE YOUR POSITIONS ON THE FIRING LINE. DO NOT HANDLE YOUR RIFLES. YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD WILL START IN TWO MINUTES.”

“RELAY (number) TAKE YOUR POSITIONS AS SCORERS”

After two minutes have passed...

“COMPETITORS, YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD WILL BEGIN WHEN YOUR TARGETS APPEAR.”

Three minute preparation period.

“COMPETITORS, YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD HAS ENDED. THIS MATCH WILL BE TWO SIGHTERS AND (number) SHOTS FOR RECORD IN A TIME LIMIT OF (number) MINUTES. WITH ONE ROUND LOAD...IS THE FIRING LINE READY? ... THE FIRING LINE IS (IS NOT) READY. YOUR TIME WILL BEGIN AND YOU MAY FIRE WHEN YOUR TARGETS APPEAR”

The targets are run up and time is marked to start that relay’s match. Competitors may start firing until time expires.

“CEASE FIRE. TIME HAS EXPIRED. HAS ADDITIONAL TIME BEEN AUTHORIZED...ON THE RIGHT...ON THE LEFT?

If additional time has been authorized...

“THOSE TARGETS AUTHORIZED ADDITIONAL TIME, YOUR TIME BEGINS WHEN YOUR TARGETS APPEAR."

The targets are run up for additional time.

"ALL OTHER COMPETITORS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLES AND INSERT EMPTY CHAMBER INDICATORS."

When time has completely expired...

"CEASE FIRE. UNLOAD ALL RIFLES AND INSERT EMPTY CHAMBER INDICATORS.”

All competitors that have completed firing must make their rifles safe and remove them from the firing line.

"IS THE FIRING LINE CLEAR? (just finished), REMOVE ALL OF YOUR EQUIPMENT FROM THE FIRING LINE.”

“RELAY (next) YOU MAY TAKE YOUR POSITION ON THE FIRING POINT WHEN IT IS VACANT BUT DO NOT HANDLE YOUR RIFLES.”

The next relay takes their positions on the firing line.

A brass call may be held at this time.

“YOU MAY NOW POLICE BRASS AND TRASH.”

“YOUR BRASS PERIOD IS ENDED. ALL PERSONNEL RETURN BEHIND THE FIRING LINE.”

RAPID FIRE

“RELAY (number), MATCH (number), TAKE YOUR POSITIONS ON THE FIRING LINE. DO NOT HANDLE YOUR RIFLES. YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD WILL START IN TWO MINUTES.”

“RELAY (number) TAKE YOUR POSITIONS AS SCORERS”

After two minutes have passed...

“YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD WILL BEGIN WHEN YOUR TARGETS APPEAR.”

Three minute preparation period. At the end of three minutes, the targets are withdrawn to half-mast.

“COMPETITORS, YOUR PREPARATION PERIOD HAS ENDED. YOU WILL NOW HAVE A SIGHTER PERIOD OF TWO MINUTES FOR TWO SLOW FIRE SIGHTERS, WITH ONE ROUND LOAD. IS THE FIRING LINE READY? THE FIRING LINE IS (IS NOT) READY. YOUR TIME BEGINS AND YOU MAY FIRE WHEN YOUR TARGETS APPEAR.”

The targets are run up for sighters. Each shot is scored and marked individually until time expires.

“CEASE FIRE, UNLOAD. YOUR SIGHTER PERIOD HAS ENDED. YOUR NEXT STRING OF FIRE WILL BE RAPID FIRE (SITTING/KNEELING) (OR PRONE) FROM STANDING; TEN SHOTS FIRED IN A TIME LIMIT OF (60) (OR 70) SECONDS. SHOOTERS STAND.”

Shooters on the firing line will now stand. When the “LOAD” command is given, the shooter will load the appropriate number of rounds (2 for service rifle, 2 or 5 for semi-automatic match rifle, 5 for bolt-action match rifle). Bolts on all rifles (except the M-1 rifle) must remain open.

“WITH THE BOLT REMAINING OPEN, LOAD…IS THE LINE READY…THE LINE IS READY.”

“READY ON THE RIGHT” three second pause. “READY ON THE LEFT”. Three second pause. “READY ON THE FIRING LINE.”

The targets are run up for the rapid fire string and withdrawn at the end of allotted time. Time starts when the last target reaches its uppermost travel. Competitors may assume their firing positions when the targets begin their upward movement.

Firing stops when targets are withdrawn.

“CEASE FIRE. REMAIN IN POSITION UNTIL THE LINE IS CLEARED. ARE THERE ALIBIS OR SAVED ROUNDS ON THE RIGHT? ALIBIS OR SAVED ROUNDS ON THE LEFT? Unload”

Competitors must notify the range officer if they have any saved rounds or if they feel that they are due an alibi.

“IS THE LINE CLEAR? THE LINE IS CLEAR. STANDBY TO RECEIVE SCORES AND GROUPS.”

“YOUR NINETY SECOND CHALLENGE PERIOD HAS BEGUN.”

Scored and marked targets are exposed for viewing from the firing line. Range officer will resolve all scoring challenges, if any.

“THE CHALLENGE PERIOD HAS ENDED-EXCEPT FOR THOSE TARGETS UNDER CONTENTION IS SCORING COMPLETE ON THE RIGHT? IS SCORING COMPLETED ON THE LEFT?”

“EXCEPT FOR TARGETS UNDER CONTENTION ALL SCORING IS COMPLETE.”

Targets are withdrawn into the pits. If there is another string to be fired the targets are pasted and placed at half-mast. Otherwise, a brass call may be held at this time.

If a second rapid fire string is to be fired...

FOR YOUR SECOND STRING OF RAPID FIRE (SITTING/KNEELING) (OR PRONE) FROM STANDING; TEN SHOTS FIRED IN A TIME LIMIT OF (60) (OR 70) SECONDS. SHOOTERS STAND.”

The firing of the string is executed.

When this second string is completed…

“CEASE FIRE-UNLOAD. PLACE THE OPEN BOLT INDICATOR IN YOUR RIFLE. REMAIN IN POSITION UNTIL THE LINE IS CLEARED. ARE THERE ALIBIS OR SAVED ROUNDS ON THE RIGHT? ALIBIS OR SAVED ROUNDS ON THE LEFT?”

“IS THE LINE CLEAR?…THE LINE IS CLEAR. YOU WILL NOW MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND REMOVE ALL OF YOUR EQUIPMENT FROM THE FIRING POINT. YOU MAY THEN POLICE BRASS AND TRASH.” “ STAND BY TO RECEIVE SCORES AND GROUPS.”