Rifle Shooting

The shooting sports include those competitive sports involving tests of proficiency (accuracy and speed) using various types of guns such as firearms and airguns (see Archery for more information on shooting sports that make use of bows and arrows). Hunting is also a shooting sport, and indeed shooting live pigeons was an Olympic event (albeit only once, in 1900). The shooting sports are categorized by the type of firearm or target used.

Rifle

Target for 10 m air-rifle (Olympic).

• The four Rifle ISSF shooting events (including two Olympic events) consist of long-time target shooting from distances of 10, 50 and 300 m.
• The two Running Target ISSF shooting events consist of rapid shooting at a target that moves sideways from distances of 10 and 50 m.
• Biathlon is an Olympic sport combining shooting and cross-country skiing.
• The CISM Rapid Fire match is a speeded version of the ISSF 300 m Standard Rifle event.
• Muzzle loading and Cowboy action shooting are concerned with shooting replica (or antique) guns.
• Gallery rifle shooting is popular in the UK and was introduced as a substitute for many pistol shooting disciplines following the 1997 handgun ban.
• Benchrest shooting is concerned with shooting small groups with the rifleman sitting on a chair (bench) and the rifle supported from a table. Of all shooting disciplines, this is the most demanding equipment-wise.
• High Power Rifle (also known as "Across the Course" or 'traditional' High power) in the United States is a format that shoots 3-position (standing, kneeling or sitting, and prone) at 200, 300, and 600 yards. The term "Across the Course" is used because the match format requires the competitors to shoot at different distances to complete the course of fire.
• Fullbore target shooting is concerned with shooting at targets at ranges of 300–1200 yards.
• Field Target is an outdoor air gun discipline originating in the United Kingdom, but gaining popularity worldwide.

Sport shooting with air rifles, 10 m.

• There are a vast number of nationally recognized sports, including:
  • Full bore and small bore, rifle shooting in the United Kingdom.
  • Three position airgun competitions, popular in the United States.
  • Field shooting, often at very long distances, popular in Scandinavia.
  • Running target shooting at 80 m, on a target depicting an elk, popular in Sweden as a hunting exercise.
  • Summer biathlon, with skiing replaced by running, popular in Germany.
• Military Service Rifle is a shooting discipline that involves the use of rifles that are used by military forces and law-enforcement agencies, both past and present use. Ex-military rifles, sniper rifles (both past and present) and civilian versions of current use service rifles are commonly used in the Military Service Rifle shooting competitions. It is popular in the United States and culminates each year with the National Matches being held at Camp Perry, Ohio. Some countries have outlawed civilian shooting at human-silhouette targets, though. Silhouette targets are not used in the National Match Course of Fire. Bullseye targets are used. High Power Rifle competition often is held at the same events as Service Rifle, such as the U.S. national championships each year at Camp Perry. High Power competitors generally are civilians using whatever rifles they prefer within the rules, whereas Service Rifle entrants are limited to current or previous U.S. armed forces weapons. Although according to NRA rules only certain matches allow optical sights, normally those conducted at ranges over 600 yards.
• Palma competition dates from 1876, featuring long-range rifle shooting, out to 1,000 yards. The first Palma match was contested by teams from the U.S. and Ireland (with muzzle loaded rifles at that time), and continues in various nations today.
• One other air rifle event is the 3-position (3P), which consists of the standing, kneeling and prone (lying down) positions.
• Finally, there is a different air rifle class, not yet in the olympics, called the sporter class. This is where you shoot under strict rules, and are not allowed much of the stiff clothing precision shooters use. You can also get sporter 3P events.