NYS Sporterifle

Sporterifle is a target program for men, women and juniors who like to shoot light weight 22 caliber rifles from the standing, off-hand position. Practical and inexpensive, Sporterifle has become a major activity for rifle and sportsmen's clubs. Plinkers, small game hunters, anyone interested in shooting, can fire in competition without the need for costly equipment or special skills. The program emphasizes marksmanship, safe handling of firearms and better shooting habits.

This light rifle program, with a newly designed target, was started at the Rochester Rifle Club in 1953 by Mr. Olin G. LeRoy. Four years later the moniker Sporterifle was coined. From a small local beginning at the Rochester Rifle Club, Sporterifle has grown to over 40 teams across New York and northern Pennsylvania.

RRC has several active Sporterifle teams. Junior competitors (ages 12-19) also compete for awards in a junior-only league. We have all the required equipment needed for our junior Sporterifle competitors. All our juniors need is an interest in light rifle shooting to participate. Adults may also use our equipment to try out the sport if they don't already have a suitable rifle when the equipment is not needed for junior competitors.

The rifle requirements include: a maximum weight of 7.5 lbs, slings or other means of artificial supports are not allowed, and be capable of single loading. Most people use optical sights but we also have an iron sights category that doesn't include the weight limitation. The competition uses the NRA A-32 target with 10 minutes to shoot 10 rounds. A match consists of 3 targets. We hold weekly matches from about mid-September till March with breaks for holidays. Competitions take place on Thursday evenings.

The NYS Sporterifle website has more information including a NYS map showing team locations, our current schedule, and a large section for Sporterifle members where we post individual and team results, Sporterifle news, meeting notes, etc.