stuffing a kneeling roll

[Albert B]

Guys,
Does anyone have experience with materials used for filling a kneeling roll and subsequent equipment control before a match?
Recently a kneeling roll was disqualified before a match because it was filled with waste cotton (the stuff they use at a car garage for cleaning purposes). The official had the oppinion that it gave the kneeling roll a pre-formed shape.
Any comments/advice apreciated.

Albert
(The Netherlands)

[Nicole Hamilton]

The official had the oppinion that it gave the kneeling roll a pre-formed shape.

Really! Looking at the USAS version of the rifle rules, there doesn't seem to be much basis for that decision, assuming it started out cylindrical and only got scrunched into some other shape when the shooter put his weight on it:

7.4.7.12.5 Kneeling Roll
Only one cylindrically shaped roll is allowed for shooting in the kneeling position. The dimensions are a maximum of 25 cm long and 18cm in diameter. It must be made of soft and flexible material. Binding or other devices to shape the roll are not permitted.

[Albert B]

The material of the 'shell' of the kneeling roll was in accordance with issf rules, the roll was a little flattened from (a shallow u-shape) because the fibres were compressed from many years of use.
Filling the roll witch sand or other granular material gives the same effect as soon as the shooter sits on it. In fact, this forms better to the foot than compressed cotton fibres that can not shift easely.
Your oppinion?

Albert B.

[RobStubbs]

I seem to recall hearing some of our rifle shooters using oats in their rolls.

Rob.

[Nicole Hamilton]

I seem to recall hearing some of our rifle shooters using oats in their rolls.

That would be rolled oats, I presume? :)

[pdeal]

I have used two different things with good success.

1) plastic pellets. These I think are used for injection moulding plastic items. They are often sold in craft stores for stuffing bean bags. These work well but are heavy. My kneeling roll weighed about 5lb with these.

2) tiny styrofoam (polystyrene?)spheres. These are used in beanbag chairs, some pillows, dog beds, etc. I put these in recently and they work as well as (1) but the weight of my kneeling roll is now 0.5lb. These are tough to get in because they are so light.

Niether of these will start to grow or mold after they get wet.

[Albert B]

Gentlemen,
Taking the matter of the filling of the kneeling roll straight to the highest God of gods - the ISSF - I received the following answer from the Technical Committee Chairman:

"There is no regulation concerning the material inside the kneeling cushion, it just says "It must be made of soft and flexible material. Binding or other devices to shape the roll are not permitted". I have never seen a kneeling roll disqualified owing to the material inside except when it was a shaped insert which is contrary to the last sentence."

Albert B.
(The Netherlands)