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Get Started In Competitive Shooting

An excellent way for a new shooter to start in competitive shooting is to get involved with a league. Although NRA rules are used, a league is generally informal and provides a relaxed setting for the beginning competitor.

Should you decide that competitive shooting is for you, you may wish to join a local club. Ask three questions of your prospective club leaders:

  • Does the club have a range or access to a range?
  • Does the club have the type(s) of shooting program(s) you're interested in?
  • Is the membership open?

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Eye and Ear Protection

Eye and ear protection should be the first accessories purchased.  Shooting glasses designed for that purpose and ear plugs or muffs are necessary.  Some competitors choose to wear both ear plugs and muffs.

NRA Rule Book

The NRA Rule Books give pertinent information to the structure of competition and provide important guidelines for the sport.

Equipment

Equipment is outlined in section 3 of the respective NRA Rule Book.

A used firearm for a beginner is not a bad idea, especially if the dealer can certify the condition of the firearm and/or guarantee it. A reliable gun dealer is helpful in proper firearm selection. 

NRA Classification System

The NRA Classification System, developed to provide an equitable distribution of awards, places all shooters in a particular class: Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, Master or High Master, depending on their average. Tournament sponsors award prizes in each class and in some tournaments, depending on the number entered, second and third place. Complete information on the NRA Classification System is in Section 19 of the NRA Rule Book.

Bianchi Cup Competitor Shooting a Revolver in an Outdoor Range

Action Pistol

NRA Action Pistol is open to all individuals who are interested in “Action” courses of fire, which combine speed and accuracy while shooting at multiple targets of steel and cardboard/paper from a static position.  It is a dynamic discipline within the “Action Pistol” shooting sports. The combination of speed and accuracy with an emphasis on accuracy while employing speed makes this a fun and challenging competition.

Air Gun 

Air guns, traditionally regarded as guns for beginners, have now made the transition to guns for everyone. Some types, such as the familiar BB gun, are excellent as a "first gun;" other types are designed and used by seasoned international competitors. Whether they are used for recreation or sport, for field use or as an inexpensive training tool, air rifles and air pistols are an excellent way to enjoy competitive shooting. In recent years, air guns have undergone dramatic improvements in reliability, durability and accuracy. Air guns offer flexibility - they can be safely fired by shooters of all ages and experience levels.

Black Powder

NRA Muzzle Loading Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun competition allows any safe black powder firearm to be fired in competition. In certain tournaments the matches can be used as a vehicle for tryouts and membership on the U. S. International Muzzle Loading Team. Depending on the firearm used, the bulls eye matches are generally fired at distances of 25, 50 and 100 yards or meters in the standing, sitting or kneeling or prone positions.

Precision Pistol

NRA Precision Pistol, also known as Conventional - Bullseye Pistol, is a shooting sport in which participants shoot handguns at paper targets at fixed distances and time limits.  Precision Pistol was the inspiration for the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) International 25-meter (82 feet) Standard Pistol event.  The development of skills required to shoot one-handed at targets 25 and 50 yards away takes practice and determination to achieve proficiency. This sport produces some of the best pistol competitors in the world today.

High-Power Rifle

Every NRA High Power Rifle match for which classification records are kept is a multiple or a combination of slow fire or rapid fire strings. This popular sport utilizes service and match rifles with metallic sights or scopes. The type of sights a competitor chooses will determine the division of the rifle.  High Power competition incorporates courses of fire ranging from 200 to 1000 yards.

Silhouette

The challenging NRA Silhouette discipline utilizes both smallbore, high power, or pistol firearms and shoots at a steel target.  With multiple firearm options available to shoot in competition, including lever action and black powder models, this sport has something for everyone.

Smallbore Rifle

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.

Want To Know More

For more information about the NRA Competitive Shooting Division, call (877) 672-6282 or email [email protected].

 

Competitive Shooting Programs

The Competitive Shooting Division of the NRA offers a wide range of activities in all types of shooting, sanctions over 11,000 shooting tournaments and sponsors over 50 national championships each year.

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