The intent of CMP Rimfire Sporter rules is to promote target competitions that are restricted to low-cost, readily available sporter-type, .22 caliber rimfire rifles typically used in informal target shooting and plinking or small game hunting. 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.

Any .22 cal. rimfire rifle that complies with the following requirements may be used in CMP Rimfire Sporter Matches.

2.1 General Rifle Configuration

The rifle must be a standard sporter-type rifle of conventional appearance that is chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge (Note: Magnum rimfire or .17 cal. Rimfire rifles may not be used.) The barrel may be tapered or straight, but fluted barrels may not be used.

2.2 Overall Weight

The overall weight of the rifle, including sights, may not exceed 7.5 pounds. T-class rifles must be weighed with the telescope and mount attached; slings may be removed for weighing. External or internal weights may be added to the barrel or stock as long as the overall weight of the rifle, with sights, does not exceed 7.5 pounds. External weights may be added to the barrel only and must be concentric in appearance.

2.3 Stock

The rifle must have a standard sporter-type stock that is constructed of wood or synthetic material. The stock may have a Monte Carlo cheek piece, but may not have an orthopedic or asymmetrically shaped pistol grip. The stock may have a fixed sling swivel on the fore end. Thumbhole stocks, stock adjustments of any type (adjustable butt plate, adjustable cheek piece, etc.) and rails or adjustable sling swivels are not permitted.

2.4 Action Types

Sporter rifles may have any type of action, semi-automatic or manually operated. Rifles should be repeater-type rifles with magazines capable of holding a minimum of five rounds. In rapid-fire stages, shooters with manually operated rifles are given additional time to compensate for the need to manually reload these rifles (see Table 1).

2.5 Trigger Pull

Rimfire Sporter rifle triggers must be capable of lifting a three-pound weight when cocked.

2.6 Sights

There are two competition classes that are determined by the type of sights on the competitor’s rifle:

3.1 Slings

A sling, not more than 1 ¼ inches wide, may be attached to the rifle using a fixed, non-adjustable sling swivel (no adjustable hand-stops or rails). The sling must be a simple leather, synthetic or web strap. The sling may not have any special padding, lining or asymmetrical construction. The sling may be used to support the rifle in the prone and sitting or kneeling positions. The sling may not be used to support the rifle in the standing position, but it may remain attached to the rifle or it may be detached from the rifle during standing.

3.2 Clothing

Competitors may wear no more than two layers of ordinary casual or sports clothing (shirt, sweatshirt, etc.). Shirts or sweatshirts must be made of single layers of soft, flexible clothing. The addition of shoulder or elbow pads or double layers (except normal pockets) is not permitted. Jackets or heavy winter clothing are not permitted (an exception may be made during unusually cold weather). Special shooting jackets, shooting trousers or special shooting boots are prohibited. Shoes may be ordinary low-cut shoes or work or hunting-type boots may be worn.

3.3 Telescope or Field Glasses

Competitors may wear one ordinary work glove on the hand that supports the rifle. Padded gloves or mitts or special shooting gloves are not permitted.

3.5 Shooting Mat

Competitors may use a shooting mat or ground cloth, provided it does not provide artificial support.

3.6 Kneeling Roll

If the shooter elects to fire in the kneeling position, one kneeling roll that is not more than six inches in diameter may be used. The kneeling roll may be placed under the foot or ankle or between the foot and buttocks.

Rimfire Sporter Matches must be conducted so that all shooters fully comply with these safety rules and procedures to ensure the safety of all competitors, officials and other persons on or in the vicinity of the range. The following safety rules shall be enforced at all times:

4.1 Muzzle Control

All rifle muzzles must be controlled so that they are always pointed in a safe direction. On the range, muzzles must be pointed up or downrange.

4.2 Actions Open, Mandatory Use of ECIs

As soon as a rifle is removed from a vehicle, gun case or container on the range, its action must be opened, magazine removed (if removable) and an Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) inserted. Rifle actions must be kept open, with ECIs inserted, at all times except when the rifle is on the firing line, between the beginning of the preparation period and the end of the shooting time. As soon as firing is completed, the rifle action must be opened, an ECI must be inserted and the rifle must be grounded or benched on the firing point. Rifles may not be removed from the firing line until the Range Officer gives instructions to remove them.

4.3 Magazines

4.4 Carrying and Handling Rifles

Shooters may carry rifles, with actions open, magazines removed and ECIs inserted, on the range area behind the firing line. With the exception of carrying a rifle on the range, shooters may not handle their rifles behind the firing line. Handling is defined as closing the action, dry firing, pointing the rifle or holding it in a firing position. Adjusting sights, adjusting slings without placing them on the arm or making minor adjustments to the rifle in the ready area or behind the firing line is not regarded as handling and is permitted as long as an ECI remains inserted. Competitors may load removable clips or magazines in the ready area. Handling rifles is permitted only on the firing line after competitors have been called to the line. ECIs may not, however, be removed until the preparation period begins.

4.5 Range Officer

A Range Officer(s) will be in charge of firing at every range. The commands and instructions of the Range Officer must be obeyed. Range Officers must check rifles brought to the range to be sure actions are open and magazines are unloaded. When firing is finished, Range Officers must check grounded rifles to be sure actions are open and ECIs are inserted before competitors may remove their rifles from the firing line.

The following firing procedures and Range Officer commands will be used to conduct firing. A violation of any of these procedures or commands will result in a warning. In the case of repeated violations or a serious safety violation that endangers others, a competitor may be disqualified.

5.1 Call to Firing Line

The Range Officer announces that competitors may move their equipment to the firing line. Rifle actions must be open, with ECIs inserted, when they are carried on a range. After

shooters are called to the firing line, they may handle their rifles, put on a sling or get into position, but they may not remove the ECI until the preparation period begins.

5.2 Preparation Period

One minute after calling competitors to the line, the Range Officer must give competitors a three-minute preparation period before the sighting series or a one-minute preparation period before every record series. During preparation periods, competitors may continue to handle their rifles and assume their firing positions. During preparation, competitors may remove ECIs, close rifle actions and dry fire. Competitors may load removable magazines during this period, but they may not insert them in their rifles. Loading a rifle or non-removable magazine during the preparation period is not permitted.

5.3 LOAD

5.4 START

5.5 STOP-UNLOAD

5.6 After Completing Firing

If a competitor completes the firing of a slow-fire series before the time expires or the command STOP is given, he/she must open the action, insert an ECI and ground the rifle. Competitors may not remove their rifles and equipment from the firing line, but they may step back from the firing line after grounding their rifles.

5.7 Removing Equipment from Line

After the Range Officer inspects the firing line to be sure all rifle actions are open with ECIs inserted, the Range Officer will instruct competitors as to remove their rifles and equipment from the firing line. Rifles may not be removed from the firing line until authorized by the Range Officer.

The following conditions control the conduct of Rimfire Sporter rifle competitions.

6.1 Competition Classes

Competitors are divided into two classes, T-Class and O-Class, according to whether their rifles are equipped with telescopic sights (T-class) or open sights (O-class). The official results list must rank competitors in each class separately.

6.2 Course of Fire

The course of fire for the CMP Rimfire Sporter event is given in Table 1.