Main Menu
Sport Disciplines
Training
The Rifle Bulletin
| Smallbore Rifle Rules |
 |
 |
 |
|
All current NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules apply at LCSA shoots. These are some excerpts taken from the " NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules - Revised - January 2010" book to aid in getting started in Smallbore Rifle shooting. The complete rules can be ordered from the NRA Program Marerials Center for less than $4.00. We intend to start the program at LCSA shooting "Conventional Prone" at 50 yards. Text in ***italics*** has been added by the author and is not part of the official rules. INDEX
3. EQUIPMENT AND AMMUNITION ***Please refer to the "NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules" book for complete rules.*** 3.1 The Rifle - The rifle authorized for use in smallbore rifle matches is the .22 caliber rimfire chambered for cartridges commercially cataloged as the .22 Short, .22 long, or .22 Long Rifle cartridges. There are no restrictions on the barrel length or overall weight of the rifle and and accessories. No portion of the rifle or any attachment to the rifle shall extend more than 3 inches beyond the rear of the shooter's shoulder. The trigger pull must be capable of lifting 3 pounds. The same rifle must be used throughout all stages of any one match (except aggregate) except in the case of a malfunction or disabled rifle, when the competitor may change rifles with permission of the Chief Range Officer. 3.7 Sights - ***Only metallic sights are allowed for the LCSA NRA Conventional Prone Smallbore shoots.***
3.9 Shooting Kits - The shooting kit may not be placed forward of the shooter's forward shoulder on the firing line, except that in the standing position a shooting kit, table, or stand may be used as a rifle rest between shots. 3.9.1 Personal Wind Indicators - Competitors may use personal wind indicating devices, placement of which is not to exceed 24 inches in front of the firing line, as long as they do not interfere with other competitors or range operation. (See Rule 6.9 and 9.9) 3.10 Ground Cloth - Ground cloth may be used provided it is not constructed or used in a manner to provide artificial rest or support. 3.11.1 Shooting Coats - Are permitted in all events. They may be constructed of cloth, canvas, nylon, leather or any combinations of these materials. They may be lined or unlined. The lining may be smooth or quilted. There may be elbow pads, a shoulder pad and a sling pad made of non-slip material. 3.13 Slings - Unless otherwise specified in the conditions of the match, the rifle sling may be used in connection with the rifle and one arm only as an auxiliary to steady the rifle except in the standing position. Sling cuffs and sling pads are permitted. (See rules 5.12, 5.13) No part of the sling under tension may touch the rifle stock except at the sling swivel and handstop. (Loose, excess sling material not involved in supporting the rifle may make incidental contact with the stock if not arranged to cause artificial support.) 3.15 Butt Plates and Hook - A butt hook projecting not more than 153mm (~6 inches) past the rear of a line, which is perpendicular to a line drawn through the axis of the bore of the rifle, and which is tangent to the deepest part of of the butt plate depression that normally rests against the shoulder. It must have a total length around any curve or bend of not more than 178mm (7 inches).  3.17 Ammunition- Rimfire cartridges commercially catalogued as the .22 Short, .22 Long, or .22 Long Rifle which have an overall length not more 1.1 inches and loaded with a lead or alloy bullet of not larger than .23 inch diameter. Hollow point, tracer incendiary or explosive bullets are specifically excluded from ammunition authorized for match use. ***If you are using a LCSA issued rifle, standard velocity .22 Long Rifle ammunition must be used.*** 3.18 General - All devices or equipment which may facilitate shooting and which are not mentioned in these rules, and which are contrary to the spirit of these rules and regulations, are forbidden. A Tournament Official shall have the right to examine a shooter’s equipment or apparel. The responsibility shall be upon the competitor to submit questionable equipment and apparel for official inspection and approval in sufficient time prior to the beginning of a match so that it will not inconvenience either the competitor or the official. 3.19 Eye Protection - All competitors and other personnel in the immediate vicinity of the range complex are urged to wear eye protection devices. 3.20 Ear Protection - All competitors and other personnel in the immediate vicinity of the range complex are urged to wear hearing protection devices. Only sound reducing devices may be worn by competitors forward of the ready line. Competitors should be aware that match sponsors (and/or ranges) may require that all competitors wear eye and ear protection while attending a match on their range. 3.21 Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) - A smallbore ECI is required in all smallbore rifle competitions to indicate that the chamber is empty. Any substitute indicator may be used as long as it has a probe into the empty chamber, has a flag attached and is a bright color. 3.22 Audible Timing Devices - Audible timing devices are allowed. 4. TARGETS ***Please refer to the "NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules" book for complete rules.*** 4.6 50 Yard Target.A-23/3 - 3 bullseyes, and A-23/5, 5 bullseyes. for use in Conventional 4-Position and 50 Yard stage of Conventional Prone Competition only. 7 through 10 rings black. ***Download sample practice target here.***
*** TQ-4 Practice target may be used in lieu of A-25 target for informal club shoots. ***
5. POSITIONS ***Please refer to the "NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules" book for complete rules.*** Positions - The positions for use in a match shall be stated in the program under conditions of the match and shall be in accord with the definitions of positions prescribed in this section. No portion of the shooter’s body or body clothing may rest upon or touch the ground in advance of the firing line. 5.1 The Ground - All references to the ground in the following position rules are to be construed as applying to the surface of the firing point, floor, such as shooting mats, or platforms as are customarily used on shooting ranges. 5.2 Artificial Support - Any supporting surface except the ground not specifically authorized for use in the rules for the position prescribed. Digging or use of elbow or heel holes at the firing points or the use of depressions which form artificial support for the elbows, arms, or legs is prohibited. Use of artificial support including back braces is prohibited except as individually authorized by NRA for a physically handicapped shooter. 5.3 Position of Rifle Butt - In all positions, except standing (Rule 5.12), the butt of the rifle must be held against the front of the shoulder on the outside of the shooting coat or shirt and must not touch the ground. 5.6 Prone - Body extended on the ground, head toward the target. The rifle will be supported by both hands and one shoulder only. No portion of the arms below the elbows shall rest upon the ground or any artificial support, nor may any portion of the rifle or body rest against any artificial support. The forearm supporting the rifle shall form an angle with the line from the point of elbow contact, to the target of not less than 30º. (Measured through the axis of the forearm.)  6. RANGE STANDARDS ***Please refer to the "NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules" book for complete rules.*** 6.9 Wind Flags (a) Tournament sponsors, only, may erect the desired number of flags or other devices to indicate wind direction forward of the firing line. Competitors may not change or add thereto but they may use wind indicating devices at the firing line as long as they do not interfere with other competitors or range operations. (See Rule 3.9.1) (b) Where a firing point is enclosed (see Rule 6.3) in such a manner as to prevent competitors from being exposed to prevailing winds, the tournament sponsor shall erect a row of wind flags or other devices parallel to the targets to indicate wind direction at approximately the target line and midway thereto spaced between the firing lanes of at least every fourth point. Competitors may not change or add thereto but they may use wind indicating devices at the firing line as long as they do not interfere with other competitors or range operation. (See Rule 3.9.1) 7. COURSES OF FIRE ***Please refer to the "NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules" book for complete rules.*** 7.1 Courses of Fire - In 50 yard, 50 meter, 100 yard matches it is customary to change targets after each 20 shots. The Time Limit shall be the same for the first and second 20 shots, even though it is at the same distance. (See Rule 8.2 for time allowances.) The customary number of shots on record bulls at each distance are as follows: 50 feet, 1 shot; 50 yards/meters, 5 shots; 100 yards and beyond, 10 shots per bull. The following are the courses and types of firing commonly found in competition. 7.2 Conventional Prone
8. TIME LIMITS ***Please refer to the "NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules" book for complete rules.*** 8.1 Computing Time - Time is not checked on each shot. The time allowance is computed for a complete stage (including sighting shots when specified) on the basis of the specified number of shots multiplied by the allowances per shot. The Chief Range Officer may terminate any relay before completion of the full time allowed, if all competitors in that relay have completed firing. Time allowed, but not used, does not carry over to another string or stage. 8.2 Time Allowance (b) Outdoor Conventional Prone, Metric Prone and Position matches. One minute per record shot prone and 1 1/2 minutes per record shot for Sitting, Kneeling, and Standing positions will be allowed. The competitor will be allowed a minimum of an additional 5 minutes for each position change in a stage or match. Additional time will be allowed for a target change if needed. In matches at more than one range or stage when firing must cease to change targets or stages, time may not be accumulated at one range or stage and used at another range or stage. Time for each range or stage will be allotted separately. For one Relay Outdoor Prone Tournaments sponsors shall allow sufficient time between fired matches, minimum 20 minutes. 8.4 Passage of Time - Range Officers will not voluntarily warn competitors of the passage of time. Competitors, and Team Captains in team matches, may inquire of Range Officers as to the time remaining before expiration of the time limit. The request for time and the response shall be given in a tone which will not disturb other competitors.
|
Smallbore Rifle 
