Nova Scotia Rifle Association

Smallbore Target Rifle Program

[Introduction] [Schedule] [Results]

Smallbore target rifles are chambered for the .22 Long Rifle calibre cartridge and fall into four categories: Sporting Rifle, Practical (formerly called Hunting) Rifle, Standard or Match Rifle, and F -Class Rifle. The rifles are fired from three positions; prone, standing, and kneeling at bullseye targets. Sporting and Match rifles are fitted with adjustable, aperture (peep) metallic target sights and the Match rifles are fitted with slings. Practical class rifles can be any .22 rifle which is not, and never has been, a target rifle, any action and any type of sights (including optical) can be used - many current high quality field / hunting / varmint / plinking .22's are in this category. Telescopic sights, bipods, and rear bags are permitted with F-Class rifles. All F-Class shooting takes place in the prone position.  Detailed F-Class equipment rules are outlined below.

Sporting Rifles must have trigger weight not less than 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs.) and the total weight of the rifle, complete with sights and accessories cannot be more than 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs.) As well, movement of butt plate, upward or downward from the neutral position is limited to +/- 30 mm (1") and palm rests and slings are not to be used. Match Rifles have much lighter trigger pull requirements and the butt plate may be adjusted upward or downward from the neutral position. Sling use is permitted. The weight of these rifles, with sights, cannot exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs.).

In addition to standard competitions using rifles in Match (ISSF), Sporting, Practical, and F-Class, NSRA has introduced .22  LR  100m  Benchrest which uses scoped heavy target rifles shooting at very small targets and 30m "Simplified Silhouette" using various rifle types and steel targets cut in simple geometric shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles) all shot at 30m from the standing position.  Detailed Benchrest eqiuipment rules are outlined below.  "Simplified Silhouette" information is also noted below.

In NSRA Smallbore Rifle F-Class competition, rifles and related equipment must meet the following specifications:

SBF1:  An F-Class rifle is limited to .22 LR calibre.

SBF2: Rifle support is limited to the use of an attached bipod (see note below) and/or a sling as front support, optionally together with, but not connected to, a single rear bag.

Note: There are many  types of acceptable bipods available which attach to the rifle.  Attachment can be to a swivel stud or to an adaptor which fits into a rail in the forestock.  The least expensive, lightest, and most common is the Harris bipod. Contact Smallbore Rifle chairman for sources.

SBF3: Triggers are to be manually operated; electronic, set or “release” triggers are not permitted.

SBF4: Trigger pull weight is not restricted, but must be safe (specifically, the rifle must not fire on closing the bolt or action).  

SBF5: As a guideline (this is a rule in fullbore F-TR) the overall weight should not exceed 8.25 kg including all attachments such as bipod and telescopic sight.

 Benchrest Rifle and Related Equipment Specifications

 In NSRA Smallbore Rifle Benchrest competition, rifles and related equipment must meet the following specifications:

BR1: A Benchrest rifle is limited to .22 LR calibre.

BR2: Rifle front support type is unlimited and may or may not be attached to the rifle.

BR3: Rifle rear support type is unlimited, but there is to be no connection between front and rear supports.

BR4: Triggers are to be manually operated; electronic, set or “release” triggers are not permitted.

BR5: Trigger pull weight is not restricted, but must be safe (specifically, the rifle must not fire on closing the bolt or action).

BR6: There is no weight restriction for benchrest rifles.

“Simplified Silhouette” Information

Steel silhouette shooting with .22LR cal rifles is being re-introduced after an absence of several years.  As the name implies, the silhouette program this time will be in a form which is simple and relatively inexpensive to set up, maintain, and organize.  In addition it should appeal to new, somewhat experienced, and very experienced shooters because the targets and course of fire have features which will enable various skill levels to enjoy this type of competitive shooting.

Targets: Four simple geometric shapes - 5”x 5” square, 3”x 4” and 2”x 3” rectangles, and a 4”x 4”x 4” triangle mixed with NRA standard animal silhouettes - rams, turkeys, javelinas, and chickens.  One shot per target, scoring values increase as target sizes decrease.

Shooting Distance: 30m to start; possibly increasing to 40m as experience dictates.

Shooting Position: Standing.

Rifle Classes / Specifications:  Two classes- •Target Rifle (any rifle designed as a target rifle; any weight; any sights including optical; no sling support; trigger pull weight not restricted, but must be safe, rifle must not fire on closing the action) . • Practical Rifle (any field, hunting, varmint, plinking rifle; any weight; any sights including optical; no sling support; trigger pull weight not restricted, but must be safe, rifle must not fire on closing the action).

Other: Shooting jackets not allowed in either class.

Schedule:  

Dates: April 22 and 23.

2017 Outdoor Schedule - Competitions & Practices:

April 22: 30m Silhouette Practice - BM "B" *

April 30: 100m Benchrest Practice - BM "C" *

June 24: 100m Prone Competition - BM "C"    cancelled

July 8: 100m Brenchrest Competition - BM "C"

July 29: 30m Silhouette Competition - BM "B" *

August 12: 100m Benchrest Competition - BM "C" * - postponed  until September 17

August 20: 30m Silhouette Competition - BM "B" *

September 3: 100m Prone Open Competition (includes F-Class Robertson Memorial) - BM "C"

September 17: 100m Benchrest Competition - BM "C" (morning)

September 23: 30m/50m Practice - BM "B" *  - cancelled

October 14: 50m Competition - BM "B"

October 28: 30m Silhouette Competition - BM "B" *

November 12: Fun Shoot - BM "B"

 * NOTE:  The events marked with an * will be held in the afternoon; all other events will be morning starts.

NOTE: May 7, June 24, Oct. 14 are open competitions. The Sept. 3 John Robertson Memorial 100m F-Class is open to NSRA and AMA members only.  All other events are NSRA members only. 

Detailed descriptions of competitions will be circulated 1-2 weeks prior to the competition date. In general, the 50m competitions will include Match (ISSF) Rifle prone, Sporting Rifle prone & 3P, Practical Rifle prone & 3P, and F-Class. The 100m prone competition will consist of Match, Sporting,and Practical Rifle and F-Class. Refer to the Smallbore Introduction above for definitions and rules for the various rifle classes. The Silhouette competitions will be “simplified metallic silhouette” as described above.

NOTE: Smallbore practices are restricted to members and prospective members only. These practices are mainly intended as preparation for competitions, but all members are welcome including those who wish to do some recreational shooting with any .22 LR cal. rifle.

100m Prone Open (Robertson Memorial) Competition   held on Sept. 3, 2017 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

30m Silhoutte Competition  held on August 20, 2017 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

30m Silhoutte Competition  held on July 29, 2017 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

100m Benchrest Competition held on July 8, 2017 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

Another 2016 50m Open Competition was held on Oct. 15, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

Another 2016 100m Open Prone Competition was held on Sept. 4, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

Another 2016 30m Silhoutte Competition was held on August 21, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

Another 2016 30m Silhoutte Competition was held on July 17, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2016 July 100m Benchrest Competition was held on July 3, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2016 100m Open Prone Competition was held on June 25, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

Another 2016 30m Silhoutte Competition was held on June 18, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2016 50m Open Competition was held on May 15, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2016 30m Silhouette Competition was held on April 23, 2016 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2016 Indoor Provincial Smallbore Championship has held  on April 9 & 10, 2016 at Pictou County Military Rifle Association

The 2015 October 50m Open Competition was held on October 18, 2015 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2015 August 30m Simplified Metallic Silhouette Competition was held on August 29, 2015 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2015 100m Benchrest Competition was held on May 3, 2015 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2015 Indoor Provincial Smallbore Championship has held  on April 25 & 26, 2015 at Pictou County Military Rifle Association

The 2014 30m Silhouette Competition was held on Sept. 13, 2014 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2014 50m Outdoor Open Competition was held on August 23, 2014 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2014 100m Benchrest Competition was held on July 13, 2014 at Bull Meadow Range, NS

The 2014 Indoor Provincial Smallbore Championship was held on May 10-11, 2014 at Pictou County Military Rifle Association,  Stellarton, NS

The 2014 50m Outdoor Open Competiton was held on May 4, 2014 at Bull Meadow Range, NS