| Air Rifle 3-Position · Smallbore Rifle 3-Position · Smallbore Rifle Prone
 In American Rifleman qualification courses, shooters develop 3-position shooting skills using either a smallbore rifle or an air rifle. The prone qualification program is designed to develop prone skills, first indoors at 50 feet, and then outdoor shooting out to 100 yards. The prone course culminates by having the shooter fire a Dewar (50 yards and 100 yards) to earn the 9th Bar, Expert and Distinguished Expert ratings. The Dewar is the same course of fire that is used at the National Championships held at Camp Perry.
Rules
Except where specific exceptions are made, NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules apply.
Rifle
Any .22 caliber rimfire rifle, or .177 caliber air rifle may be used.
Sights
Metallic or telescopic sights may be used.
Positions
All prone, or 3-position (a combination of prone, standing and kneeling) are used.
Equipment
Personal wind indicators, shooting jackets, gloves, slings, and palm rests as described in Section 3 of the rule book may be used.
Target and Distance Options
Air Rifle: AR-5 target at 10 meters.
Smallbore Rifle 3-Position Course: A-36 target at 50 feet.
Smallbore Rifle Prone Course: A-17 and A-36 target at 50 feet, A-23 at 50 yards, A-25 target at 100 yards.
Awards
American Rifleman Patch. Parchment certificates. Medals, medal bars and skill rockers used in all courses. See qualification awards.
American Rifleman
3-Position Aggregate Course of Fire
(10 Shots Each Position)
Smallbore Rifle or Air Rifle |
| Rating |
Score |
Repeat |
| Pro-Marksman |
120/300 |
2 times |
| Marksman |
150/300 |
4 times |
| Marksman 1st Class |
198/300 |
6 times |
| Sharpshooter |
225/300 |
8 times |
| Expert |
249/300 |
8 times |
| Distinguished Expert |
273 or better 10 times, or 264 in 2 NRA sanctioned smallbore or air rifle competitions. |
American Rifleman
3-Position Stage Skill Course of Fire
(Smallbore Rifle or Air Rifle) |
| Rating |
Position |
Score per Bullseye |
Repeat |
| Basic Practical |
This rating is achieved by completing the practical exercise conducted during an NRA Basic Rifle Course. |
| Pro-Marksman |
Prone |
5 |
20/50 |
10 times |
| Marksman |
Prone |
5 |
25/50 |
10 times |
| Marksman 1st Class |
Stand |
5 |
11/50 |
10 times |
| Sharpshooter |
Kneel |
5 |
15/50 |
10 times |
| Bar 1 |
Prone |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
60/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 2 |
Prone |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
70/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 3 |
Prone |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
80/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 4 |
Stand |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
30/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 5 |
Stand |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
40/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 6 |
Stand |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
50/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 7 |
Kneel |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
40/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 8 |
Kneel |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
50/100 |
3 times |
| Bar 9 |
Kneel |
1 per bull/10 bulls |
60/100 |
3 times |
|
|
|
Score per Aggregate |
| Expert |
30-shot aggregate (10 shots each position) |
230/300 |
1 time |
| 240/300 |
1 time |
| 250/300 |
1 time |
| OR |
| 60-shot aggregate (20 shots each position) |
460/600 |
1 time |
| 480/600 |
1 time |
| 500/600 |
1 time |
| Distinguished Expert |
60- or 120-shot aggregate 540/600, 1080/1200 or better 10 times, or 528/600, 1056/1200 or better in 2 NRA sanctioned smallbore or air rifle competitions. (See witness requirements) |
American Rifleman
Prone Course (Smallbore Rifle) |
| Rating |
Distance |
Target |
Shots per Bullseye |
Score per Bullseye |
Repeat |
| Basic Practical |
This rating is achieved by completing the practical exercise conducted during an NRA Basic Rifle Course. |
| Pro-Marksman |
50 feet |
A-17 |
5 |
20/50 |
4 times |
| Marksman |
50 feet |
A-17 |
5 |
30/50 |
4 times |
| Marksman 1st Class |
50 feet |
A-36 |
5 |
20/50 |
4 times |
| Sharpshooter |
50 feet |
A-36 |
5 |
25/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 1 |
50 feet |
A-17 |
5 |
35/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 2 |
50 feet |
A-17 |
5 |
40/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 3 |
50 feet |
A-36 |
5 |
30/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 4 |
50 feet |
A-36 |
5 |
35/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 5 |
50 yards |
A-23 |
5 |
35/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 6 |
50 yards |
A-23 |
5 |
40/50 |
4 times |
| Bar 7 |
100 yards |
A-25 |
10 |
35/100 |
4 times |
| Bar 8 |
100 yards |
A-25 |
10 |
40/100 |
4 times |
| Dewar Course: 20 shots (5 each bull), at 50 yards on A-23 target (4 record bulls on target, and 20 shots (10 each bull), at 100 yards, on A-25 target (2 record bulls on target). |
| Bar 9 |
Dewar |
350/400 |
6 times |
| Expert |
Dewar |
370/400 |
6 times |
| Distinguished Expert |
Dewar |
392/400 or better 10 times, or 388/400 in two NRA sanctioned smallbore rifle competitions. (See witness requirements) |
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