RIMFIRE SPORTER FIRING PROCEDURES
June 25, 2026
June 25, 2026
Observations during recent Rimfire Sporter competitions noted that there are three rules that are sometimes violated and where Match Sponsors and Competitors need to make sure all Rimfire Sporter competitors know about these rules and follow them. If violations are seen, quietly and respectfully advise that competitor what the correct procedure is.
- Violation #1, Resting a loading rifle on a stool.
Applicable Rule: G2.9 d) Safety During Firing. …Rifles may not be loaded when the muzzle or butt is resting on a shooting stool. Rifles may not be rested on a shooting stool after they are loaded…
In Rimfire Sporter where loading is done by placing five rounds in a magazine, the rifle cannot be rested on a stool or other stand between shots. When a competitor lowers their rifle butt to rest it on a stool, this often places the muzzle of a loaded rifle below at least part of the competitor’s head. That is a definite safety concern. Competitors in any event where slow-fire stages involve loading from a magazine should be taught by cradling their rifle in their arm and rest between shots while keeping the muzzle pointed downrange.
The only times when the butt of the rifle could be rested on a stool would be before the LOAD command, after they fire five shot and have removed the magazine and before they reload, or after they CLEAR their rifle at the end of the series.
- Violation #2, Closing the bolt after loading and before START.
Applicable Rule: G9.4.4 Range Commands. After the preparation period ends, the Range Officer commands WITH ACTIONS OPEN OR CLOSED ON EMPTY CHAMBERS…LOAD FIVE ROUNDS. After the LOAD command, competitors may insert a magazine loaded with five rounds (slow or rapid fire), but rifle actions must remain open (manually-operated rifles) or closed (semi-auto rifles) on empty chambers until after the START command. Competitors may not close rifle actions or cycle rifle bolts to chamber the first round until the START command is given.
Competitors who close the bolt on a manually-operated rifle immediately after loading are violating this rule. The correct LOAD procedure for a manually-operated rifle is to 1) keep the bold open, 2) insert the magazine or 5 cartridges and 3) close the bolt only after the START command and you are down in position.
- Violation #3, Starting Rapid-Fire with rifle butt in shoulder.
Applicable Rules: G9.5.3 b) & c) Rapid-Fire Procedures. In the standing ready position, the competitor holds the rifle with both hands and with the toe of the butt below the belt line. After the range officer gives the START command, competitors may then assume their firing position, close or cycle the action to chamber the first round and fire five shots within the time limit….
Competitors who are authorized to begin a rapid-fire series from a firing position must begin each series with the butt plate off their shoulder and may not fire the first shot in a rapid-fire series (see Rule 4.6.5).
This violation concerns two different competitors, regular competitors who do not assume a legal ready position after LOAD and before START in standing rapid-fire series and competitors who are authorized to start rapid-fire series in position who keep the rifle butt in their shoulder after LOAD and before START in all three positions.
Regular competitors need to correct their standing positions so that the butt of the rifle rests “below the belt line.” Competitors who load in position should LOAD on command and then hold the rifle butt down until the START command is given.