Shooting Disciplines

Smallbore rifle shooting at St. Nicholas is primarily undertaken as a prone discipline. Matches include deliberate slow-fire precision events and faster timed details.

Slow-fire details normally allow 20 minutes for 20 shots at 50 metres or 100 yards, or 10 shots at 25 yards. Timed events at 25 yards may require 10 shots to be completed within 90 seconds.

At 50 metres and 100 yards, competitions may use traditional iron sights or any sights, depending on the match rules.

Rifles commonly include Anschütz models from the 1813 and 1913 series, alongside older Martini-action BSA target rifles.

The club supports two principal forms of air pistol shooting.

The first uses slow-fire, single-shot precision pistols. These are commonly pneumatic, CO₂, or pre-charged compressed-air pistols with adjustable sights, long sight bases, and shaped wooden grips.

Makes such as Walther, FAS, Hämmerli, and Röhm are commonly encountered.

The second format uses paper targets in timed details and may include rapid-fire sequences inspired by traditional Police Pistol and Service competitions.

Multi-shot pistols such as the Walther CP88 may be used for these timed events.

Air rifle follows many of the same principles as precision air pistol, with an emphasis on consistent position, sight alignment, trigger control, and accurate shot placement.

Black powder pistol is commonly shot using percussion revolvers and single-shot percussion pistols.

In addition to an appropriate pistol, shooters typically require black powder, a powder flask, percussion caps, lead balls, spare nipples, a nipple wrench, lubricated patches, and a loading starter.

It is a distinctive discipline involving plenty of smoke and rather more cleaning than most forms of target shooting.

Gallery Rifle allows shooters to compete in practical and action-style courses of fire using suitable rifles.

Common firearms include Ruger 10/22 smallbore semi-automatic rifles and pistol-calibre under-lever rifles from manufacturers such as Marlin and Remington.

Courses of fire may include Police Pistol 1, Service B, Bianchi-style events, and the 1500.

Rifles range from standard factory configurations to extensively customised examples with upgraded stocks, barrels, triggers, and sighting systems.

Events such as Man versus Man combine speed and accuracy, with two shooters racing to knock down a bank of steel plates.

Target, gallery, and light sporting rifles may be used. The front of the rifle is supported on a rest while the shooter concentrates on consistency, stability, and precise shot placement. Any suitable sighting system may be used.

Light Sport Rifle uses .22 semi-automatic rifles such as the Ruger 10/22 and suitable rifles from Remington and Marlin.

Low-power telescopic sights are common, while some shooters use red-dot sights from their Gallery Rifle setups.

Equipment requirements are relatively simple: a suitable rifle, sights, and ammunition.

NSRA PL14-style targets may be shot as slow-fire precision or timed competitions, normally from an unsupported standing position.

Field Target tests a shooter's ability to judge distance, read outdoor conditions, and place an accurate shot.

Suitable air rifles include break-barrel, under-lever, and pre-charged pneumatic rifles.

Shooting is commonly undertaken from a seated position, although courses may also include standing, kneeling, or prone shots.

Targets are normally metal silhouettes containing a circular hit zone. A pellet passing through the hit zone operates a mechanism that causes the target to fall.

A competition course may include up to 30 targets at varying distances. The discipline is suitable for adults and juniors competing on equal terms.

Hunter Field Target developed from Field Target and uses break-barrel, under-lever, and pre-charged pneumatic air rifles.

A course consists of a number of lanes. Each lane contains a shooting peg and a metal knock-down target positioned to create a varied shooting challenge.

The shooter must remain in contact with the peg using part of their body or rifle while taking the shot.

Targets are often shaped like traditional quarry species and contain circular hit zones typically between 15mm and 45mm in diameter.

• Hit the circular zone and knock the target down: two points.
• Hit the target outside the zone: one point.
• Miss the target: zero points.

The club does not have facilities for full-bore rifle shooting at the Foxbury range. Members therefore travel to Bisley and shoot through suitable affiliated or partner clubs.

Full-bore precision shooting is broadly divided between Match Rifle and Target Rifle.

• Match Rifle is normally shot at 1,000, 1,100, and 1,200 yards.
• Target Rifle is normally shot at 300, 500, 600, 900, and 1,000 yards.

Target Rifle has traditionally been the more widely followed full-bore discipline among club members.

Shooting usually takes place on the Century and Stickledown ranges using commercial, ex-military, or custom-built rifles, commonly chambered in 7.62mm (.308) or .303.

Service Rifle is distinct from long-range Full Bore Target Rifle and is usually shot at 100, 200, and 300 yards.

Ex-military rifles are commonly used, particularly the No. 4 Lee-Enfield, alongside earlier SMLE and Long Lee variants.

Courses of fire may include Service Rifle A, Service Rifle B, Match Rifle, and Free Rifle.

Shooting takes place on ranges such as Century, Stickledown, and Short Siberia at Bisley. Club bookings are often arranged for Saturday mornings and may include a paid marker.

Members may also take part in three-position rifle shooting at the St. Nicholas ranges.

When visiting suitable external ranges, members may also participate in shotgun and clay-target disciplines, subject to the rules and arrangements of the relevant venue.