Irascible,
You've said it better than I ever could. If it ain't in the rule book it's not legal.
Not to say of course that individual Schuetzenmeisters can't allow whatever they want at their matches. Of course any records that are shot under "non" rule book rules won't qualify for the record book.
boats,
Maybe things have changed since I wrote a few articles for the "new, new" (forget which one

) editor a year or so ago, but I was paid $150 apiece for them.
I will agree with JD tho that the reason I quit was the articles were "lost" or changed to the point I felt there wasn't much sense sending in anymore. I don't particularly blame that editor since he had a "road" job and way to many irons in the fire.
I will also say I think 40_Rod is doing a pretty good job. The issues have come on time.... I got my latest issue last week.
As he says the content is very subjective to what the individual reader wants.
Personally I don't care to see all those scores published. I've graduated beyond that sort of thing. But I also know a lot of "newbies" need them so they can see what bullets, powders and loads are being used. I know I "ate" them up when I first started. Nothing like being out in the sticks with no one else interested in your game and not having a clue as to where to start.
A friend thought that long dissertation on West Coast shooting was a farce. I thought it was pretty neat. But then I'm an arm chair historian and like that sort of thing.
And I'm sure many thought what I wrote wasn't their cup of tea either, altho I did get some private emails and printed letters to the editor wanting more.
And of course as every editor has said since I first joined the ASSRA back in the late 70's...... They can't print what they don't have. So we have to submit articles, take what's given us, or lump it. No sense complaining about it if you're not part of the solution. I've encouraged two people to write because I know they could do a good job. But so far nothing.
PETE