Our Shooting Disciplines

Click Try Shooting to find out how to try any of the following disciplines before becoming a member.

Target Rifle

Target rifle is shot at ranges from a distance of 300 up to a 1000 yards/metres. It is known as the traditional Fullbore shooting throughout the world and is usually one of the shooting sports included in the Commonwealth Games. This type of shooting dates back to the 1860s when it was used for training civilian militia.

Shooting is now known for equality for all competitors - everyone can compete side by side regardless of gender, age or size.

Target Rifle is shot with the bare eye or using prescription lenses. Scopes are not used in this discipline. Shooters wear a jacket with a sling connected to the rifle for support while in the prone position. See our YouTube Channel for videos with NSWRA members on setting up new shooters and correct positioning for Target Rifle. (Credit QRA). Rifles are loaded one shot at a time and fired on either paper or electronic targets. The rifles used are .308 or .223 (calibre) which reflects the size of the ammunition.

When starting out, a coach will instruct you with adjusting the rifle’s sights, depending on distance and weather conditions like wind, which all come into play.

One of the most prestigious competitions for Long Range Target Rifle Shooting to take part in is the ‘King’s Prize’. The winning Target Rifle Shooter is traditionally chaired to the presentation.

Target Rifle Key Points

• Shoot with the bare eye - no scopes are used
• Rifle entirely supported by the shooter - using a firm coat and sling connected to the rifle while shooting prone position
• Shot over 300 to 1000 yards/meters - covering one or multiple distances during a competition shoot that can be organised over multiple days
• Specific calibres used - shooting with .308 Win or .223 Rem calibres only as per guideline of the (inter)national rules of the game
• Participation - can be enjoyed recreationally and competitively at club, state and (inter)national level. In Australia TR is shot side by side with the F-Class and Sporter disciplines.

F-Class

F-Class target shooting is performed at ranges from 300 up to a 1000 yards/metres in prone position, using scoped rifles. This sport is divided into three different categories, known as F-Standard, F-Open and F-TR. Each of these categories has their own criteria of various calibres, weights and equipment specifications that effect the precision of the shot. What they have in common is that single rounds are loaded at a time.

F-Standard is using .308 or .223 calibre rifles that can be held by a bipod or stand with a sandbag rest for support. It was developed in Australia in the 1990s initially to assist aging shooters to transition from Target Rifle to scoped rifle shooting on rests, so they could continue to enjoy our sport. Now, the discipline attracts shooters of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

F-TR and F-Open are very similar to F-Standard, though F-TR is using the same rifles but has no specifications on the projectile (bullet) weight, and F-Open can use a wider range of calibre (up to 8mm). This means that F-Open and F-TR provide greater potential accuracy, using projectiles that are less affected by wind.

F-Class Key Points

• Telescopic sights - using a scope for target sight improvement
• Rifle supported by equipment - a bipod or front rest can be used and a sandbag at the rear
• Shot over 300 to 1000 yards/meters - covering one or multiple distances during a competition shoot that can be organised over multiple days
• Different calibres per F Class category – F-Standard and F-TR using .308 Win, .223 Rem calibres and F Open up to 8mm calibres
• Participation - can be enjoyed recreationally and competitively at club, state and (inter)national level. In Australia F-Class is shot side by side with the Target Rifle and Sporter disciplines.

Sporter

Sporter is designed to allow shooters with standard shop-bought sporting type rifles to shoot on the National Rifle Association of Australia’s rifle ranges. The prime purpose for its introduction is to encourage participation. Sporter is becoming increasingly popular and competitive

This young discipline is growing from the eagerness of numerous shooters who own high quality hunting rifles that are accurate and ready to go at long range. Add a good quality scope and shooters are able to engage in long distance target shooting.

Take advice on appropriate equipment to ensure you can reach required distances and range regulations like calibre and/or energy limits. In Australia, Sporter rifles are increasingly being shot side by side with Target Rifle and F-Class disciplines.

Sporter Key Points

• Choose your own sights - shooting takes place in prone position and any sights can be used, including magnifying or telescopic
• Rifle supported by shooter or equipment - magazines are allowed, a hunting bipod can be used at the front, and a sandbag at the rear
• Shot over 300 to 800 yards/metres - covering one or multiple distances during a competition shoot that can be organised over multiple days
• Max. 26inch barrel length - with range regulations or event rules determining the specific allowed calibre, mainly based on energy limits
• Participation - this sport allows the average sporting shooter to participate in the club environment and join organised events.

Click Try Shooting to find out how to try any of the above disciplines before becoming a member.

Field Class (photo at 200m)

Field Class Target Shooting (FCTS) is 3 positional shooting which started in 1992. It can be a low cost format of target shooting using over the counter 5 shot (repeating type) sporting rifles.

The most popular setup is a .223 rifle with a variable power scope of 6-24. Shooting gloves, jackets, rifle rests are not permitted and shooting mats must be no more than 5mm thick. Slings are permitted.

Course of Fire-

• 2 sighters - one 20-second exposure of the target for each shot. These 2 shots are not scored.
• 5 shots FORCED APPLICATION – one 20-second exposure of the target for each shot.
• 5 shots TRAIN FIRE – one 60-second exposure of the target for all 5 shots.
• 5 shots RAPID FIRE – one 30-second exposure of the target for all 5 shots.
• 5 shots SNAP – one shot at each exposure of the target. Target will be up for 3 seconds only and down for between 5 and 10 seconds.

Targets - These are 5 rings V,5,4,3,2. The V is 100mm diameter, going out to the 2 which is 900mm diameter.

Field Class key points:

• Shot from 100 to 300m - Being: Standing at 100m, Sitting at 200m and Prone at 300m.
• Rifles – 5 shot repeaters up to a maximum calibre of 8mm.
• Sights – any sights are permitted, with telescopic being the most common.
• 20 shots per match – maximum possible score is 100.
• Participation - can be enjoyed reacreationally and competitively at club and state level.

Rimfire Class (photo at 30m)

RIMFIRE CLASS Target Shooting (RCTS) is 3 positional shooting, the same as Field Class. The only difference being the rifles, target size and distances shot. 

It’s a low cost format of target shooting using over the counter 5 shot (repeating type) .22 LR sporting rifles, also Magnum’s are permitted. Standard Velocity ammunition is the most used for .22 LR.

Any sights are permitted, with variable telescopic sights being the most popular.

Shooting gloves, jackets, rifle rests are not permitted and shooting mats must be no more than 5mm thick. Slings are permitted. 

Course of Fire -                                                                                             

• 2 sighters – one 20-second exposure of the target for each shot. These 2 shots are not scored.
• 5 shots FORCED APPLICATION – one 20-second exposure of the target for each shot.
• 5 shots TRAIN FIRE – one 60-second exposure of the target for all 5 shots.
• 5 shots RAPID FIRE – one 30-second exposure of the target for all 5 shots.
• 5 shots SNAP – one shot at each exposure of the target. Target will be up for 3 seconds only and down for between 5 and 10 seconds.

Targets - There are 6 rings: V, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The V is 25mm diameter, going out to the 1 which is 250mm diameter.

Rimfire Class Key Points

• Shot from 30 to 90m - Being: Standing at 30m, Sitting at 60m and Prone at 90m.
• Rifles – 5 shot repeaters. Rimfire .22 LR and Magnum.
• Sights – any sights are permitted, with telescopic being the most common.
• 20 shots per match – maximum possible score is 100.
• Participation – can be enjoyed recreationally and competitively at club and state level.

Military

Service Rifle has its origins with the Australian Armed Forces, such that most firearms used in this discipline are firearms that were used by Australian and other countries' armed services. Due to firearms restrictions, only bolt action rifles are permitted.

To widen the opportunities for participation, it is permitted to use a modern rifle with telescopic sights with various rifle match categories existing for both traditional service rifles and telescopic-sighted rifles. The rifle calibres used vary from 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .303in, 30.06in and for special matches .22 Rimfire.

The Service Rifle matches are shot at varying distances from 100m to 400m, using different shooting positions, IE:

• Standing at 100m
• Sitting at 200m
• Prone at 300-400m

There is a variety of targets used with differing dimensions, with the shooter given a limited time of between 4 seconds to 2 minutes to engage their target with a specified number of shots.

As with all of our shooting disciplines, all range operations are conducted safely in accordance with the NSW Police Firearms and NSW Rifle Association Regulations. All our range actifities are controlled by certified Range, Safety and Target Control (Butts) Officers.

Service Rifle is a fast and exciting discipline, which participants find challenging and competitive. There is a dfiferent match for every range operating day.

To try Service Rifle, contact the following clubs and associations, with their details available on their websites:

• Sydney - Military Rifle Clubs Associations - http://www.mrca.com.au/index.htm
• Cessnock - BHP Rifle Club - https://bhprifleclub.com.au/

Biathlon

Biathlon target shooting is shot at a range of 50 metres. Modern biathlon is a civilian variant of the old "military patrol" combined exercise of skiing and shooting and was contested at the Winter Olympic Games in 1924. The first Biathlon World Championships were held in 1958 and the sport was included in the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge was standardised in 1978.

Biathletes uses a .22LR small bore rifle which is carried on their back during competition. The rifle must weigh at least 3.5 kilograms excluding ammunition and magazines. The target range shooting distance is 50 metres and there are five circular targets to be hit in each shooting round. When shooting in the prone position the target diameter is 45mm; when shooting in the standing position, the target diameter is 115 mm. On biathlon ranges, the targets are self-indicating, flipping from black to white when hit, giving the biathlete as well as the spectators instant visual feedback for each shot fired.

Biathlon target shooting uses peep sights. Shooters use a sling connected to the rifle for support while in the prone position. The Standing position is unsupported. A maximum of 4 x magazines of 5 shots are to be placed on the biathlon rifle. Up to 3 spare bullets may be used in training drills or relays, which are hand loaded individually.

Biathlon Target Shooting Key Points

• Shoot with the bare eye - peep sights are used
• Rifle entirely supported by the shooter - a sling is connected to the rifle while shooting in the prone position, standing position is unsupported
• Shot over 50 meters
• Specific calibre used - international standard .22 inch (5.6 mm)-long rifle rim-fire ammunition
• Participation - Biathlon is primarily a winter sport combining elements of cross-country skiing and target shooting.  Summer versions of the sport are also practiced, substituting roller-skiing, running, or bike riding for cross-country skiing. Biathlon is a Winter Olympic sport.