Smallbore target rifle events
There are many types of Smallbore target rifle competition, each with a well defined and detailed set of rules and instructions. A complete in depth knowledge of the rules is not necessary for a person to be able to shoot in a competition but some idea of the basics will certainly help. The most likely starting place for competition shooting will be at a club as part of a team. Clubs can provide the support and guidance that help a shooter find their feet in competitions.
Most events are shot with competitors being split into classes based on their ability (usually assessed from their average). A shooter can work out their average as either the average of all the scored cards they have shot or more commonly the best 10 of the last 12 competition cards. For a person who has never shot in a competition their average should be taken from the last 5 -10 scored cards shot.
Whatever the type of competition all that is required is that each shots hit the target in the middle, sounds simple doesn’t it?
The information below describes the main types of rifle event and the following links will take you to pages about some major UK smallbore rifle events.
Types of competition
This section provides general details about the types of smallbore target rifle competition available, there are too many variants to list them all and the finer details can vary depending on who organises the competitions. This information is provided as a guide only and is not a definitive source of competition information, full rules and competition formats will be available from the event organisers.
Competitions can vary based on the distance from the targets, if they are held indoors or outdoors, the number of shots fired per target, the number of shots fired in total, team or individual, what classes or divisions are available for entry, if the matches are shot and scored on the same day or if the targets are sent off by post to be scored by an official scorer and the results provided at a later date and sometimes there may be a handicap scoring system.
Postal competitions
A team or an individual shoots a competition target which is usually marked by a sticker affixed to either the front or back of the target. The shot targets are then signed by the shooter and an independent witness before being posted to the official scorer. The results are returned by post or email at a later date.
There are both local and national postal competitions in which teams can shoot against a club 5 miles down the road or 500 miles across the country. The benefit of a postal competition is that it can provide a greater variety of people and teams to shoot against compared to only shooting against teams within reasonable travelling distance. Postal competitions can also take the form of a knockout tournament or a league.
Shoulder to Shoulder matches
Two or more teams, or individuals, shoot against each other on the same range at the same time whilst lying next to each other, quite literally ‘shoulder to shoulder’ on the firing point. The scores for the event are assessed when the shooting is finished and the winner is usually declared on the day.
Open matches
An extension of the shoulder to shoulder match, this is where a club, association, county or country hosts an event which is open to all shooters who meet the entry requirements. These events often have different classes to allow entrants to at many levels of ability. The scores for the event are worked out after the shooting is finished and the winner is usually declared on the day.
National competitions
These can be run as either a postal or an open event with competitors travelling to a single location. Sometimes the first few rounds can be done by post with the final being held as a shoulder to shoulder event.
Indoor competition
Usually shot at a distance of between 15 and 25 yards using standard ten diagram competition targets. Sometimes 50m events are held indoors however this is rare because most 50m ranges are outdoors.
Outdoor competition
Usually 50m, 100yds, or both, using standard competition targets with competitions usually comprising one (or more) of the following event types:
- English match – 60 shots to count fired at 50m with a total score out of 600
- Scottish match – 60 shots to count fired at 100yds with a total score out of 600
- Dewar – 20 shots to count fired at 50m and 20 to count shots fired at 100yds with a total score out of 400
- Double Dewar – 40 shots to count fired at 50m and 40 shots to count fired at 100yds with a total score out of 800
Information for beginners
Click here to go to the Information for Beginners section
Core skills
The Prone position
Aiming
Breathing
Trigger control
Practice exercises
Smallbore history
University Shooting
Events
A Practical Guide
Shooting Jackets
Links
Stirton Forum
PERITUM Shooting Services
If you are looking for kit why not visit our shop and take advantage of the great prices on a huge range of kit. The shop is provided by our partner 'Peritum Shooting Services'
If you cannot find what you are looking for in the shop please let us know and we will try to find it for you.
If you are looking for kit why not visit our shop and take advantage of the great prices on a huge range of kit. The shop is provided by our partner 'Peritum Shooting Services'
If you cannot find what you are looking for in the shop please let us know and we will try to find it for you.