| BB Gun · Air Rifle · Smallbore Rifle
Indoors or outdoors, the 4-position qualification course may be used by BB gun shooters, air rifle shooters, and smallbore rifle shooters alike! The air gun components in the program make it especially suited for home ranges and the perfect way for parents to introduce their children to the practices and challenges of rifle shooting. The courses of fire focus on the development of four shooting positions -- prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing. While developing position skills (Bars 1-9), shooters should NOT concentrate on the development of just one position; they should begin to earn qualifying targets in all positions concurrently. Position bars may be obtained as they are earned without regard to numerical sequence.
BB Gun Requirements
Gun: Only a smoothbore, spring-type air gun may be used.
Ammunition: Lead or steel balls.
Target/Distance Options: Either AR-4 or TQ-40 (experimental) targets may be used at a distance of 5 meters (approximately 16½ feet).
Rules: NRA 5-Meter BB Gun Rules apply.
 Air Rifle Requirements
Gun: Spring-piston or pneumatic (single-stroke, multi-pump, or CO2 gas) air rifles with rifled barrels may be used.
Ammunition: Caliber .177 inch skirted pellets.
Target/Distance Options: AR-5 or TQ-18 target at 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) or TQ-5 target at 25 feet.
Rules: NRA Sporter Air Rifle Position Rules apply.
 Smallbore Rifle Requirements
Gun: Any safe .22 rimfire rifle may be used.
Ammunition: .22 rimfire short, long, or long rifle only.
Target/Distance Options: A-17 or TQ-1 target may be used at 50 feet, or A-23 target at 50 yards.
Equipment: Telescopic sights and palm rests are not allowed.
Rules: NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules apply.
| 4-Position Stage Skill Course of Fire |
| For Pro-Marksman through Expert ratings: ten bullseyes (set of concentric scoring rings) must be fired for each rating. Each bullseye must contain five shots and the total score for the five shots must meet or exceed the required score. The ten bullseyes do not have to be fired consecutively or in the same session. (Option - the number of shots per bullseye may be reduced if scoring becomes difficult. Example: three shots on one bullseye and two shots on another.) |
| Rating |
Position |
Shots per Bullseye |
No. of Bullseyes |
Min. Score Per Bullseye
(AR-4, A-17, A-23, TQ-1, TQ-5, or TQ-40 targets) |
Min. Score Per Bullseye
(AR-5 target) |
| Basic Practical |
This rating is achieved by completing the practical exercise conducted during an NRA Basic Rifle Course. |
| Pro-Marksman |
Any |
5 |
10 |
20 |
15 |
| Marksman |
Any |
5 |
10 |
25 |
20 |
| Marksman 1st Class |
Any |
5 |
10 |
30 |
25 |
| Sharpshooter |
Any |
5 |
10 |
35 |
30 |
| While developing position skills (Bars 1 - 9), shooters should NOT concentrate on the development of just one position; they should begin to earn qualifying targets in all positions concurrently. Position bars may be obtained as they are earned without regard to numerical sequence. |
| Bar 1 |
Prone |
5 |
10 |
40 |
35 |
| Bar 2 |
Sitting |
5 |
10 |
30 |
25 |
| Bar 3 |
Sitting |
5 |
10 |
35 |
30 |
| Bar 4 |
Sitting |
5 |
10 |
40 |
35 |
| Bar 5 |
Kneeling |
5 |
10 |
30 |
25 |
| Bar 6 |
Kneeling |
5 |
10 |
35 |
30 |
| Bar 7 |
Kneeling |
5 |
10 |
40 |
35 |
| Bar 8 |
Standing |
5 |
10 |
30 |
25 |
| Bar 9 |
Standing |
5 |
10 |
35 |
30 |
| Expert |
Standing |
5 |
10 |
40 |
35 |
| For the Distinguished Expert rating: ten strings -- consisting of 5 bullseyes in each string -- are required for each position. Two shots are fired on each bullseye. Each five-bull string must be fired as a complete unit and each bullseye in the string must meet or exceed the required score or the entire string must be refired. (See witness requirements) |
| Distinguished Expert |
Prone |
2 |
10 |
18 |
15 |
| Sitting |
2 |
10 |
18 |
15 |
| Kneeling |
2 |
10 |
16 |
13 |
| Standing |
2 |
10 |
16 |
13 |
4-Position Aggregate Course of Fire
10 Shots Each Position |
| Rating |
Score |
Repeat |
| Basic Practical |
This rating is achieved by completing the practical exercise conducted during an NRA Basic Rifle Course. |
| Pro-Marksman |
180/400 |
2 times |
| Marksman |
220/400 |
2 times |
| Marksman 1st Class |
272/400 |
2 times |
| Sharpshooter |
316/400 |
3 times |
| Expert |
356/400 |
3 times |
| Distinguished Expert |
380/400 or better 10 times, or 372/400 in 2 NRA sanctioned 4-position competitions. (See witness requirements) | |
