I'd have answered quicker, but I went to the bench and sent 20 light loads.

I fully understand what Doug put up with. I've communicated with him many times, prior to and after the Nationals. We've actually shared quite a little.

Now.............

See! This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about and have been talking about. Nobody can even agree on the dang the time of day.
Doug shot within the existing rules and I don't care if he shot a BB gun and cleaned everyone's clock, as long as his rifle met the rules, let the other people bitc. Its exactly what's happening here and now over the Ultimate, realize it or not. You can not get people in person to agree what is a custom. How do you suppose it'll ever get agreed to on the internet??????

So until an organization like the NRA or NMLRA comes up with a DEFINED rule for inline rifles, it'll continue to remain up to interpretation by each single individual. It gets no where but continued debate.

Now what I think happened for the Friendship match that is actually the fairest and best process yet, was that they matched a shooter's ability with a classification, based on his/her previous score.
They are: Sharpshooter, Expert, Master

There's a 1st place winner for each classification. Everyone starts in Sharpshooter and based on their score works up in classification. Can someone sandbag? Yup, once. But an honest shooter who knows he/she can shoot better, can ask to be placed in Expert or Master. IMO the Nationals should be the same way, and if a shooter has never shot before, maybe make them qualify for classification.
The different classifications of shooters allows a winner for all classifications and regardless of his/her type rifle, shoots within his/her capabilities with others in the same class. That IMO is better than the custom/production debate. IMO more fair for all.

Problem is, no one is taking the initiative to completely resolve the concern.

Please excuse me. I can come back to play after I clean my muzzleloader LOL