Iowa Smallbore Rifle
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This information is borrowed from the NRAHQ Website.
Smallbore Rifle Competition
Many individuals become interested in smallbore rifle competition; however, unless they start off with
the proper information, they find it difficult to begin. The cost of equipment is generally a stumbling
block. Many feel that unless they have the best of everything they cannon compete. This is not true.
Most start with a minimum investment of a .22 caliber rifle (new or used), spotting scope with stand,
sling, glove and shooting coat, and most important, eye and ear protection.
Equipment
Section 3 of the NRA Smallbore Rifle Rule Book defines authorized equipment and ammunition. This
section is not meant to restrict equipment but to define limitations.
Rifle - (light rifle or match rifle) Whichever rifle you select, be sure it will be suited for the rules of the
particular type of shooting you wish to do. A reliable gun dealer is most helpful in selecting a proper
rifle. Remember, a used rifle for a beginner is not a bad idea if the dealer can certify the condition of
the rifle.
Rifle Sights - After checking the rules, the purchase of good quality sights for whatever type of
shooting is a sound investment.
Spotting Scope/Stand - It is the most important piece of equipment after the rifle and rifle sights.
Allows you to check your target from a distance. Spotting scopes are precision optical instruments
(often you get what you pay for). Scope stands should be suited for the job you will want them to do.
Gun Case - Used to protect your rifle as you travel to and from the range. Necessary in some areas to
comply with local laws.
Ammunition - Generally, standard velocity ammunition will shoot more accurately than will high
velocity. If you wish to become more competitive, tournament quality ammunition best suited to your
particular gun will give the best results.
Accessories
There are many accessories available and no attempt will be made to mention them all. Some of the
most common and useful ones will be discussed.
Shooting Box or Kit - Some means is necessary to transport your accessories to and from the range.
This can be as elaborate as a leather case or as simple as a large box or cloth. The choice will
depend on the type and amount of shooting you do.
Specialty Equipment - Shooting mat, shooting coat, glove, sling, kneeling roll, shooting pants,
shooting boots - are too varied to mention. The purchase of such equipment depends on personal
preference. However, some of these pieces of equipment can be essential depending on the type of
competition in which you wish to become involved.
Courses of Fire
Smallbore rifle competition is held over distances of 50 feet, 50 yards/meters, and/or 100 yards.
Match competition can be as quick as 30 shots (10 shots prone, standing, kneeling) in a league or as
long as 40 shots at the National Championships. Competition is conducted in as many as four
positions - prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing - to as few as one - prone only or standing only.
Section 7 of the Smallbore Rifle Rule Book discusses all courses of fire recognized by NRA, while
section 17 covers all courses of fire recognized for national records. Smallbore rifle competitions may
be fired outdoors or indoors.
A group of matches added together for a total aggregate score is called a tournament. They can be
held locally, state-wide, regionally or nationally.
(Information from this point forward is from the Arizone Rifle Shooting Website
An NRA conventional outdoor prone match consists of 160 shots, a perfect score would be 1600, so
that's what we call it.
All from the prone position. Matches are specified as either Iron sight or Any sight (scope permitted).
Typically a 3200 2-day match has a day of each. a 6400 is two 3200's.
The day's match consists of eight 20 shot stages, or 4 two stage matches. Each stage is 20 minutes.
Each with unlimited sighters.
50 yards
100 yards (these two constitute the Dewar Match)
100 yds
100 yds (the 100 yd match)
50 meters
50 meters (the 50 m match)
50 yards
50 yards (the 50 yd match)
The 50 yd target (A-23) and 50 m target (A-26) each have 1 sighter bull and 4 record bulls. 5 shots are
put on each.
The 100 yd target (A-25) has 1 sighter bull and 2 record bulls. 10 shots on each.
Conveniently, the match starts and ends at 50 yds, so your sights stay set for the next match, and with
unlimited sighters, you can find the sight settings for that day.
You go up about 7 minutes from 50 yds to 100 yds. Don't forget!
Most everyone uses premium ammo. Eley EPS, Lapua Midas, RWS R50 etc.
Smallbore was started like 80 years ago as a less expensive type of rifleshooting sport....
well, it is NOT less expensive now!
A competitive Anschutz NIB is over $2000. vs $1500 or so for an AR-15.
Top of the line ammo is about $100 for 500, or 0.20 per shot. You can reload the best .223 for about
that, or just a shade less. BUT..... you shot more than TWICE as much in smallbore. A 1600 with a
practice and sighters takes about 250 rds and a full day. An 80 shot takes 88 shots and a full day. So
at the top end, ammo cost is almost 3 times as high!
For a beginner, you can get by with less expensive, 1/2 to 1/3 the cost ammo, and maybe an older
used rifle for well under $1000.
The only area where smallbore is cheaper than HP is in real estate, a 100 yd range is great for
smallbore. 50 feet is still usable.
There are other disciplines like indoor, 3 or 4 position.
Smallbore Rifle Competition
Many individuals become interested in smallbore rifle competition; however, unless they start off with
the proper information, they find it difficult to begin. The cost of equipment is generally a stumbling
block. Many feel that unless they have the best of everything they cannon compete. This is not true.
Most start with a minimum investment of a .22 caliber rifle (new or used), spotting scope with stand,
sling, glove and shooting coat, and most important, eye and ear protection.
Equipment
Section 3 of the NRA Smallbore Rifle Rule Book defines authorized equipment and ammunition. This
section is not meant to restrict equipment but to define limitations.
Rifle - (light rifle or match rifle) Whichever rifle you select, be sure it will be suited for the rules of the
particular type of shooting you wish to do. A reliable gun dealer is most helpful in selecting a proper
rifle. Remember, a used rifle for a beginner is not a bad idea if the dealer can certify the condition of
the rifle.
Rifle Sights - After checking the rules, the purchase of good quality sights for whatever type of
shooting is a sound investment.
Spotting Scope/Stand - It is the most important piece of equipment after the rifle and rifle sights.
Allows you to check your target from a distance. Spotting scopes are precision optical instruments
(often you get what you pay for). Scope stands should be suited for the job you will want them to do.
Gun Case - Used to protect your rifle as you travel to and from the range. Necessary in some areas to
comply with local laws.
Ammunition - Generally, standard velocity ammunition will shoot more accurately than will high
velocity. If you wish to become more competitive, tournament quality ammunition best suited to your
particular gun will give the best results.
Accessories
There are many accessories available and no attempt will be made to mention them all. Some of the
most common and useful ones will be discussed.
Shooting Box or Kit - Some means is necessary to transport your accessories to and from the range.
This can be as elaborate as a leather case or as simple as a large box or cloth. The choice will
depend on the type and amount of shooting you do.
Specialty Equipment - Shooting mat, shooting coat, glove, sling, kneeling roll, shooting pants,
shooting boots - are too varied to mention. The purchase of such equipment depends on personal
preference. However, some of these pieces of equipment can be essential depending on the type of
competition in which you wish to become involved.
Courses of Fire
Smallbore rifle competition is held over distances of 50 feet, 50 yards/meters, and/or 100 yards.
Match competition can be as quick as 30 shots (10 shots prone, standing, kneeling) in a league or as
long as 40 shots at the National Championships. Competition is conducted in as many as four
positions - prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing - to as few as one - prone only or standing only.
Section 7 of the Smallbore Rifle Rule Book discusses all courses of fire recognized by NRA, while
section 17 covers all courses of fire recognized for national records. Smallbore rifle competitions may
be fired outdoors or indoors.
A group of matches added together for a total aggregate score is called a tournament. They can be
held locally, state-wide, regionally or nationally.
(Information from this point forward is from the Arizone Rifle Shooting Website
An NRA conventional outdoor prone match consists of 160 shots, a perfect score would be 1600, so
that's what we call it.
All from the prone position. Matches are specified as either Iron sight or Any sight (scope permitted).
Typically a 3200 2-day match has a day of each. a 6400 is two 3200's.
The day's match consists of eight 20 shot stages, or 4 two stage matches. Each stage is 20 minutes.
Each with unlimited sighters.
50 yards
100 yards (these two constitute the Dewar Match)
100 yds
100 yds (the 100 yd match)
50 meters
50 meters (the 50 m match)
50 yards
50 yards (the 50 yd match)
The 50 yd target (A-23) and 50 m target (A-26) each have 1 sighter bull and 4 record bulls. 5 shots are
put on each.
The 100 yd target (A-25) has 1 sighter bull and 2 record bulls. 10 shots on each.
Conveniently, the match starts and ends at 50 yds, so your sights stay set for the next match, and with
unlimited sighters, you can find the sight settings for that day.
You go up about 7 minutes from 50 yds to 100 yds. Don't forget!
Most everyone uses premium ammo. Eley EPS, Lapua Midas, RWS R50 etc.
Smallbore was started like 80 years ago as a less expensive type of rifleshooting sport....
well, it is NOT less expensive now!
A competitive Anschutz NIB is over $2000. vs $1500 or so for an AR-15.
Top of the line ammo is about $100 for 500, or 0.20 per shot. You can reload the best .223 for about
that, or just a shade less. BUT..... you shot more than TWICE as much in smallbore. A 1600 with a
practice and sighters takes about 250 rds and a full day. An 80 shot takes 88 shots and a full day. So
at the top end, ammo cost is almost 3 times as high!
For a beginner, you can get by with less expensive, 1/2 to 1/3 the cost ammo, and maybe an older
used rifle for well under $1000.
The only area where smallbore is cheaper than HP is in real estate, a 100 yd range is great for
smallbore. 50 feet is still usable.
There are other disciplines like indoor, 3 or 4 position.
