Airgun and Smallbore General Rules

For the rulebooks for each event, go to the State 4-H website.

Airgun Events

  • No limit on of events.
  • Check rule book for new rule changes this year.
  • Eye protection is mandatory by state rules and ear protection is recommended. Clubs requiring such protection in their instruction and local competitions should make their own decisions regarding their competitors.
  • No boots or high-top shoes – ankle bone cannot be supported, no socks only or bare feet at all (must wear shoes at all times)
  • Ammunition will be .177 match grade (flat face) pellets.
  • Air rifles and air pistols shall be .177 with iron sights.
  • ALL AIR GUNS MANUFACTURED WITH SAFETIES MUST BE INTACT AT STATE MATCH.
  • Clear Barrel or Open Bolt Indicators are required – if you don’t have one, they will be available at registration.
  • The 2022-2024 National Standard Air Rifle Rules will apply.
  • All decisions made by the Chief Range Officer will be considered final.
  • Precision shooters are strongly encouraged and allowed to wear shooting gear (coat, pants and shoes) verses Sporter shooters who can only wear everyday clothing.

Air Pistol:

  • The air pistol match consists of 40 shots fired at 10 meters.
  • Target height will be 55” for all positions.
  • Ages 9-12 – Basic Supported - two hands sitting table rest with support allowed (hand or butt of pistol allowed on rest, barrel may not be on rest. Elbows are allowed on the table.
  • Ages 13-14 – Standing Supported - one hand standing with T-Stand or unsupported 
  • Ages 9-14 – Sub-Junior International Standing – one-handed unsupported.
  • Ages 15-18 – International Standing - one-handed unsupported
  • Shooters are allowed 1 ½ minutes per shot. A spotting scope, scope stand, and binoculars are allowed.
  • We will use USA Shooting NRA Progressive Position Air Pistol Rules (1-31-14).
  • Ranking of scores will be done by age groups. If a competitor chooses to shoot in a position that is more advanced, they will still be scored in the appropriate age group.

Sporter and Precision Air Rifle-Three Position:

NEW FOR 2024

  • 10 shots Kneeling, 10 shots Prone, 10 shots Standing at 10 meters.
  • Timing is as follows:

- Kneeling:             8-minute sighters, 10-minute record shots, 5-minute changeover

- Prone                  5-minute sighters, 10-minute record shots, 5-minute changeover

- Standing:             5-minute sighters, 15-minute record shots

  • The 10-Bull NRA AR-5/10 Target will be used.
  • Web slings are allowed in prone and kneeling.
  • Shooting gloves are allowed.
  • Shooters must bring their own shooting mats and kneeling rolls.
  • A spotting scope, scope stand, or binoculars are allowed.
  • Orion Scoring system will be used to score all targets.

Sporter Air Rifle-Prone

  • Timing as follows: 8-minute sighters first target, 10-minute record shots, no change-over time, 5 minutes on remaining targets.
  • Open to all age groups
  • 40 Shots Prone at 10 meters.
  • Equipment allowed is the same as 3 positions.

Sporter and Precision Air Rifle-Standing:

  • Timing as follows: 8-minute sighters first target, 15-minute record shots, 5 minutes on remaining targets, no change-over time.
  • 40 Shots Standing at 10 meters.
  • A spotting scope, scope stand, and binoculars are allowed.

All airgun questions should be directed to Lee Nelson – lee.nelson.330@gmail.com – 406-579-0612.

Silhouette Events

  • Equipment will be provided.

Silhouette questions should be directed to Lee Nelson – lee.nelson.330@gmail.com – 406-579-0612

Smallbore Rifle Event– Greenway Range, Gallatin County Fairgrounds:

  • Firearms to be used will be target rifles with metallic sights only. Firearms will be inspected prior to firing.
  • The course of fire will be a total of 60 shots: 20 Prone, 20 Standing, 20 Kneeling at 50 feet.
  • Time for shots will be: Prone-1 minute per shot, Standing-2 minutes per shot, Kneeling-1 ½ minute per shot.
  • Shooters must have their own eye and ear protection, standard velocity ammunition and other required equipment. Equipment should be supplied by the competitor and will be checked prior to shooting.
  • Competitors must be 10 years old or older by October 1, 2022 to participate.
  • The age categories for competition will be 10-12 yrs, 13-14 yrs, 15+ yrs.
  • Competition is limited to the first 40 registered competitors. The competitor is allowed to enter the event only once.
  • Event will not be an NRA sanctioned match, though NRA rules will apply.
  • See the NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules and NRA Smallbore Rule Changes.

Smallbore Pistol Event – Greenway Range, Gallatin County Fairgrounds: 

  • Must have signed approval form from parents and present to Range Officer prior to shooting.

The Youth Safety Handgun Act (as included in the Gun Control Act of 1968 puts restrictions on the use and possession of handguns by youth under 18 years of age.  Event officials will require “the prior written consent of the juvenile’s parent or guardian who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from possessing a firearm.”  This written permission must be in the possession of the youth – even if a parent/guardian is present.  Failure to have this document will require us to disqualify the shooter to avoid violation of federal law.  See attached document.

  • All smallbore pistols are required to use a CBI (Clear Barrel Indicator) when the handgun is uncased. 
  • Cased pistols will be the last equipment to be brought to the range and the first to be removed from it.
  • All events are “single pistol” matches, meaning participants are to shoot the entire course of fire, with the same pistol. 
  • No pistol changes will be allowed between stages, and only one pistol per shooter is allowed on the line.  Pistols may be replaced only if they are disabled or malfunctioning.
  • Target – NRA B-2 & B-3
  • Distance – 50 feet
  • Course of Fire:  90 shot match: Gallery course of 30 shots slow fire, 30 timed fire and 30 rapid fire
  • Timing as follows: Slow fire: 5 minutes (10 shot string), Timed fire:  20 seconds per 5 shot string, Rapid fire: 10 seconds per 5 shot string.
  • Position:  One-hand standing
  • View the NRA Precision Pistol Rules and Precision Pistol Rule Updates.

Equipment: 

Rule 3.1.3 Standard Smallbore Pistol .22 caliber rim fire – The pistol may be any .22 rimfire pistol, either semi-automatic or revolver.  The pistol may have orthopedic or specially shaped grips.  Sights are restricted to open sights (service pistol rules) with adjustable rear sights.  The pistol must have a trigger pull of at least two (2) pounds. 

Service pistol (and therefore a qualifying pistol for this event) has “Open sights only with a non-adjustable front sight.  The rear sight may be adjustable and must have an open “u” or rectangular notch. [NRA Conventional Pistol - General Service Pistol Specifications 3.1 A (3)]

All other questions should be directed to Scott Francis @ 406-581-6845 or Tom Everett @ 406-570-8878. 

CMP Rimfire Sporter Rifle – Greenway Range, Gallatin County Fairgrounds

Please read carefully, as there are event rules listed that may not be found in the CMP rules.

8.1.1 Intent and Spirit - The intent and spirit of CMP Rimfire Sporter rules is to provide smallbore rifle target competitions where competitors use low-cost, readily available sporter type, .22 caliber rimfire rifles. Any rifle configuration or item of equipment that is not mentioned in these rules or that is contrary to the intent and spirit of these rules is prohibited. The rifles and equipment permitted in Rimfire Sporter are strictly limited in order to prevent an “equipment race” from occurring in the Rimfire Sporter discipline.

Note: In Timed Fire and Rapid-Fire stages: after the “Load” command, all actions must be locked open or CLOSED on an empty chamber prior to the “Start” command. Manually holding the action open with the magazine inserted is not permitted. Actions may not be cycled or closed until the shooter is in the firing position with firearm safely pointed down range. TARGET 1321RF and 10512RF: CMP Rimfire Sporter Target (States should call target suppliers to find target being used at National Competition. These may not be available online, but suppliers may have targets available in their warehouse.)

DISTANCE 50 Feet

COURSE OF FIRE 60 shots for record

• 50 Feet; Prone position -10 shots, Slow fire & 10 shots, rapid fire

• Sitting or Kneeling – 10 shots slow fire & 10 shots rapid fire

• 50 Feet; Standing – 10 shots slow fire & 10 shots rapid fire

TIME LIMIT Slow fire- 10 shots in 10 minutes; Rapid fire- 5-shot strings in 25 seconds (semi-auto) or 30 seconds for manual repeater.

Equipment

Current CMP rules allow for 3 different classes. Any rifle that meets any of the CMP classes for use will be allowed, with the exception that any rifles in the configuration of a modern military style rifle will not be permitted. All rifles still must meet the weight, trigger pull and optic limit requirements. There are NO exceptions to these limits. All classes will be scored together as one.

Rifle: Overall weight of the rifle may not exceed 7.5 lbs., with sights. If sling is used; it may be removed when rifle is weighed. Any type of action, semi-automatic or manually operated with a trigger pull of at least 3.0 lbs.

Stock: Rifles may be configured with non-standard stocks, barrels or configurations. Rifles with thumbhole stocks, adjustable stocks, adjustable cheek-pieces, orthopedically shaped cheek-pieces, or a pistol grip, may be used, provided they comply with weight and trigger pull limitations. The stock may have a sling swivel in a FIXED (non-adjustable) location on the fore end. If the buttstock length of pull or the cheek-piece is adjustable, buttstock length and cheek piece adjustments must remain the same for all three positions. These adjustments should be taped or fixed in a single position. Any magazine extending below the stock may not be used as a palm rest or used for support on the forearm. Barrels may be fluted or have non-standard contours.

Sling: Standard leather or web sling no wider than 1 1/4 inches may be used in the prone, sitting, or kneeling positions. Must be fixed in at least one position. (Rails with adjustable sling swivels are not permitted).

Sights: Open sights may be used; receiver sights or a scope not exceeding 6x magnification is permitted. If a variable power scope is capable of greater than 6x, the adjustment device on variable telescopes must be secured with tape or other similar means so that it cannot be changed during match. Check-in seal must remain intact. The magnification must remain at the sealed power during the entire match.