Why competitions require “mass produced” projectiles
- Fairness / level playing field — prevents a competitor from using one-off, hand-tuned or experimental projectiles that give an unfair precision or performance edge.
- Availability — ensures any entrant can buy the same ammo; you shouldn’t have to have a private supplier or custom machinist to be competitive.
- Consistency & reproducibility — factory-made pellets are manufactured to consistent dimensions and tolerances so performance differences are small and measurable.
- Safety & standards — commercial products are more likely to meet safety expectations (materials, hardness, etc.) than improvised munitions.
- Enforceability — it’s easier for officials to verify compliance when a product has a brand/model, UPC or vendor listing than when every shooter brings bespoke rounds.
- Cost control / accessibility — discourages an arms race where only well-funded shooters can afford special projectiles.
- Record validity — championships and records are more meaningful if equipment is ordinary and widely available.
What “mass produced” usually means (how officials interpret it)
- Made by a commercial manufacturer with standardized tooling and processes.
- Produced in quantities beyond a single batch or bespoke run.
- Widely available for purchase through normal retail channels (manufacturer website, major dealers, hobby shops).
- Not custom-hand-tuned for a single shooter or made in a home shop.
It does not automatically mean “sold for profit.” A product can be mass produced and distributed free, or sold at cost; the key is standardized, repeatable commercial production and public availability — not the seller’s margin.
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