Steel No Shoots have worked well for the NC Tactical 3 Gun Championships. If the No Shoot falls you receive the penalty. It may not be perfect but it is consistent.
As far as optics. One optic of your choice for the whole match. And please don't create a bogus, used in the military, list. US Optics is approved for SOF and I have never seen any soldier to date that would carry that ginormous scope for real.
Major rifle should be a viable category. We need innovation in the big guns. Competition shooters are the most sadistic, crazy, try it, it might work, guys and gals out there.... They push the limits...
Grounding loaded firearms... I recently tested a theory of mine. I loaded three weapons, laid them on the ground and stepped back. After complete bordem had set in, not a single weapon had went off.
Safety is great. But having a competitor speed clear his weapon is crazy. I have been to matches where they allow the shooter to drop the mag and blast the last round out into the heavens, or at least near the berm, before they continue to the next shooting position. Come On.... How Practical is this, and how safe...
KyleL