Smallbore Rifle & Air Rifle   

This information is a general overview of what we will learn at our meetings. We have a variety of shooters in our club. Some just want to learn how to shoot but we have some that want to take their shooting to another level and compete at matches. That’s ok. All skill levels are invited and welcome for the camaraderie and to Learn By Doing. 4-H rifle instruction begins with the basics of safe firearm handling, range procedures, part identification, and shooting fundamentals and skills.

For smallbore rifle and air rifle meetings, we will build on the basic shooting fundamentals like becoming proficient at sight alignment and trigger control in order to master the sport.  4-H Shooting Sports offers safety instruction as well as recreational and competitive county, state and national shooting events in small bore .22 or .177 air rifle.  All equipment is provided by the club but if you’d like to bring your own CASED .177 air rifle or .22 smallbore rifle to a meeting, please let a leader know so we can inspect it before making it to the firing line. Safety equipment, ammunition and supplemental equipment are provided by the club too. If you have a favorite pair or safety glasses or favorite hearing protection, please bring them to meetings.

In rifle, three positions will be practiced. 

• Prone- laying on a mat on the ground, with or without a sling

• Kneeling

• Standing for Seniors and Intermediates and Sitting for Juniors

In 4-H Shooting Sports: 

•  8-10 year olds are considered Juniors  

• 11-13 year olds are considered Intermediates

• 14-19 years old are considered Seniors

More info can be found here on our Arizona State 4-H Shooting Sports Disciplines: https://www.extension.arizona.edu/programs/4-H/state-4-h-programs/shooting-sports/disciplines

Here are the specific rules for a State match for all disciplines: https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/attachment/2024-2025%20State%20Shooting%20Sports%20Match%20Rules%20as%20of%2020%20January%202024_1.pdf