NRA Shooting Classification
David Honeywell
attain a "rank". For example, what does one have to do to be considered
a marksman, sharpshooter, etc. I would be most interested in revolver
shooting at bulls eye targets. Does anyone know what distance, score,
and number of shots are required? Any information would be greatly
appreciated (I primarily shoot .38 special rounds in my Python). Thanks!
- David
Stefan
#I am curious about NRA shooting classifications and what is required to
#attain a "rank". For example, what does one have to do to be considered
#a marksman, sharpshooter, etc. I would be most interested in revolver
#shooting at bulls eye targets. Does anyone know what distance, score,
#and number of shots are required?
Target sizes
-------------
50 yd slow fire target (B6)
---------------------------
x ring....... 1.695"
10 ring...... 3.39"
9 ring....... 5.54"
8 ring....... 8.00"
7 ring....... 11.00"
6 ring....... 14.80"
5 ring....... 19.68"
8, 9, 10, and x ring are black
25 yd rapid and timed fire target (B8)
--------------------------------------
exactly the same as the B6 slow fire target except that 9, 10, and x ring are
black.
Courses of fire
---------------
A typical course of fire is called the National Match Course:
10 shots in 10 minutes at the B6 target
2 5-shot timed fire strings, 20 secs each string, at the B8 target
2 5-shot rapid fire strings, 10 secs each string, at the B8 target
Other courses of fire is to shoot 20 rounds for each of the
slow, timed and rapid fire strings.
In the larger or more elaborate matches, there are 3-gun matches: 22 rimfire,
any centerfire and the 45. You would shoot each of the above courses of
fire in each pistol category. Many people use their 45 for the any centerfire
category so that they need only two guns.
There are also targets for the 50 ft distance used for indoors shooting, and
25 yd and 20 yd targets used for reduced distance courses.
And there are other targets and rules for international pistol (eg
UIT and olympic) shooting.
One last item, to be officially classified by the NRA, you must shoot in
a NRA sanctioned league or matches. If you can't find one near you, you
can organize your own league/matches.
classification average (%)
marksman below 85
sharpshooter 85-89.99
expert 90-94.99
master 95 and above
If you are interested in this type of competition you can get the rulebook
from the NRA (when the 1993 version is available) and you can find match
locations in the the NRA publication called Shooting Sports which will cost
$15/year to non-active parcticipants and $5/year to active competitors.
#(I primarily shoot .38 special rounds in my Python). Thanks!
With a revolver, you may be at a disadvantage during the timed and rapid fires.
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* Is the line ready? *
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Eric A. Schwartz
David Honeywell <d...@netcom.com> wrote:
#I am curious about NRA shooting classifications and what is required to
#attain a "rank". For example, what does one have to do to be considered
#a marksman, sharpshooter, etc. I would be most interested in revolver
#shooting at bulls eye targets. Does anyone know what distance, score,
#and number of shots are required? Any information would be greatly
#appreciated (I primarily shoot .38 special rounds in my Python). Thanks!
#
I don't know offhand, because it varies by gun type, target
type, and distance from the target. I could tell
you the needed scores for airgun or smallbore rifle, but I
can't really guess what it might be for centerfire pistol.
As a rough estimate, Expert with air pistol is to shoot ten targets
(not necessarily in a row), ten shots per target, with a score
over 80/100. Make sure you are using the proper target for your
caliber and range-to-target. You also have to hold the gun the
proper way or it doesn't count. Airgun matches must be shot
one-handed; I have no idea about .38s. Each level below Expert (nine
bars of Sharpshooter, plus Sharpshooter, then Marksman, then
Pro-Marksman) drops, I believe, 5 points below the previous level.
Thus, if you shoot consistently in high-60's to low-70's (on the correct
targets at the correct distance, using the correct hold, and if
centerfire scores are the same as airgun scores), then you are
probably 8th Bar Sharpshooter, or at least 7th and on the way up
to 8th.
There's also competition rankings, but I'm not sure who governs
that now for live-fire guns. The NRA is no longer the official
governing body for airgun and smallbore matches, but I think they
may still govern centerfire rifle and pistol.
E.S.
Robert Cavaleri
: I am curious about NRA shooting classifications and what is required to
I just spoke to NRA competitions division, and with regards to classification,
you must compete in an NRA registered or approved match. An NRA registered
match requires, I believe, that you be an NRA member. An approved match
does not. After you fire the match, the sponsor will forward the results to
the NRA, who's classification department will then go through and, well,
classify you.
Your best bet is to check with the clubs in your area for upcoming pistol
matches. Check to see wether it will be approved by the NRA. Then enter,
win, and wait for your classification card to arrive in the mail.:)
For more info, contact the NRA at 703-267-1000, or the competitions
department directly at 703-267-1450. Good luck, and happy shooting!
--
Rob Cavaleri
SEAS GWU
Washington, DC
Randy Pafford
|> d...@netcom.com (David Honeywell) writes...
|> #I am curious about NRA shooting classifications and what is required to
|> #attain a "rank". For example, what does one have to do to be considered
|> #a marksman, sharpshooter, etc. I would be most interested in revolver
|> #shooting at bulls eye targets. Does anyone know what distance, score,
|> #and number of shots are required?
|>
|> In the larger or more elaborate matches, there are 3-gun matches: 22 rimfire,
|> any centerfire and the 45. You would shoot each of the above courses of
|> fire in each pistol category. Many people use their 45 for the any centerfire
|> category so that they need only two guns.
3-gun matches are also commonly referred to as "2700s" -- i.e. 270 rounds
fired, max possible score 2700. You shoot 90 rounds with each gun:
20 shots slowfire @ 50 yards
30 shot National Match Course
10 slowfire [50 yd], 10 timed fire, 10 rapid fire [25yds]
20 shots timed fire @ 25 yds
20 shots rapid fire @ 25 yds
--
90 shots. This is called a 900 aggregate.
It takes about 6 hours [with a lunch break] to shoot a 2700 with one relay.
The good news is, you get to shoot all day. The bad news is, you
have to shoot all day :-).
|>
|> There are also targets for the 50 ft distance used for indoors shooting, and
|> 25 yd and 20 yd targets used for reduced distance courses.
|>
|> And there are other targets and rules for international pistol (eg
|> UIT and olympic) shooting.
UIT Standard pistol is loosely based upon an NRA bullseye 900 aggregate,
except that 60 shots are fired rather than 90 [NMC deleted].
UIT free pistol is similar to bullseye slowfire, while UIT rapid fire
doesn't really have an analog in NRA competition. UIT is not that
popular in this country, probably due partially to "competition" with NRA
bullseye [i.e. two similar events]. UIT also restricts you to
iron sights, while bullseye permits optical sights [keeping many
older shooters competitive].
|>
|> One last item, to be officially classified by the NRA, you must shoot in
|> a NRA sanctioned league or matches. If you can't find one near you, you
|> can organize your own league/matches.
|>
|> classification average (%)
|>
|> marksman below 85
|> sharpshooter 85-89.99
|> expert 90-94.99
|> master 95 and above
high master 97 and above
As of 94, a new classification, high master, was added.
|>
|> If you are interested in this type of competition you can get the rulebook
|> from the NRA (when the 1993 version is available) and you can find match
|> locations in the the NRA publication called Shooting Sports which will cost
|> $15/year to non-active parcticipants and $5/year to active competitors.
|>
|>
|>
|>
|> #(I primarily shoot .38 special rounds in my Python). Thanks!
|>
|> With a revolver, you may be at a disadvantage during the timed and rapid fires.
A revolver probably puts you at a disadvantage during rapid fire. There is
enough time per shot during timed fire to thumb cock without panicking.
However, some good scores were shot in the past this way. Most folks
now use their .45, at Stefan notes, in the centerfire stage.
I should note that NRA (and UIT) rules require you to shoot with only one hand
on the gun.
The necessity for rapid and timed fire (or similar) shooting is why
most competition target guns are semi-autos.
You should try and shoot some in competition. You won't win -- at first,
anyway -- but you will learn more about accurate shooting in one year
by competing, and learning from good shooters, than you will in 10 years
"just plinking." This is not to demean "plinking;" it's just that
competition clearly exposes weaknesses, and focuses you on improving.
Randy