An ARA match event consists of a minimum of two competitors, shooting from two to six targets per day, at ARA affiliated and Sanctioned Clubs throughout the United States and Canada.

1. Rifles

Any firearm chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge may be used. There are no weight limits, no classes, and no dimensional restrictions to barrels, stocks, or limits on scope magnification.

2. Rests

Any rest may be used to shoot from the bench. One piece rests, separate front and rear rests, or sandbags may be used, so long as any such device prevents the barreled action from being affixed to the bench in an immovable manner.

3. Ammunition

Any brand of factory loaded .22 caliber Long Rifle ammunition may be used. It must be available for sale over-the-counter and consist of the original, unaltered factory cartridge case, powder and projectile. No hand loads are allowed and there shall be no removal, replacement or addition to factory lubrication whether accomplished by dipping into various liquids, removing existing lubes or adding new lubes. Simply stated, the alteration, in ANY MANNER, of factory ammunition used in ARA competition is NOT allowed.

Targets and Target Distance

An ARA target consists of 25 record bulls, upon which one shot per bull is shot for score in a maximum of twenty minutes. The top row of the target, above the record portion, provides three sighter bulls that are the only Official Sighters. Other sighters are available on the bottom portion of the target, if needed.

The distance from the forward edge of the bench to the target shall be a minimum of 50 yards.

Firing Period

A maximum of 20 minutes shall be allowed to complete each 25 shot target.

The command to begin shooting shall be: "You have 20 minutes to complete your firing - You may insert your bolts - You may begin NOW!" at which point the Match Director starts the official timer.

Time-remaining warnings should be given at five minutes, two minutes and one minute remaining.

Upon completion of the firing period, the command shall be, "CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE! All competitors remove the bolts from your rifles. Step back from your bench and make the range safe."

If local Range Rules permit, for the sake of convenience and to insure safety, a competitor may request that a Match Director either permit some or all competitors to place a bolt flag in the receiver of their target rifles to indicate a "safe" condition in lieu of bolt removal or they may remove their firearms from the bench. Once the Match Director has determined that the range is safe, he may then direct the designated target retriever downrange. At the discretion of the Match Director, any competitor who flagrantly fires after the "Cease Fire" order, shall have a penalty of 100 points deducted from his/her score on that particular target.

Match Fees: Members $5 / target, non members $7 / target, juniors (under 18) $2 / target. Tournaments: $10 / target, juniors (under 18) $4 / target.

Barnyard Benchrest is a .22 cal 50 yard benchrest match. It does not require the costly equipment of some of the other divisions. It is a good place to start out and see if you like the shooting sports.

A North American made .22 RF rifle with original stock, barrel and trigger. Any type of action is allowed. The rifle must retail (as of 12/07) or have 1999 Blue Book (100% condition) for $500 or less . Glass bedding, trigger job and re-crowning of barrel allowed. No barrel tuners. Rifles must weigh 7.5 lb. or less with scope. Rifles will be weighed prior to competitor’s 1st 2008 Match. Winners will be spot checked. Scope must be 6.5X or less (variable OK if set at 6.5X or less). Ammo must be Ameri-can made and have a list price of $5.00 per 50 or less. (No Federal 711B will be allowed with the dimpled case ). No wind flags are allowed. Any sand bag style rests may be used. A front bipod may be used, but will be considered as part of the total weight of the rifle.

The targets for benchrest have 20 bulls rather than 25 as in the other divisions. The bulls are slightly larger and are red instead of black. A link to a picture of the barnyard target is on the home page of our web site.

There is a 20 minute period in which to complete each Barnyard target.

All matches are conducted under the guidance of a taped instruction system. Safety guidelines are given in the tape system. All shooters must have the bolts of their rifle disengaged from their rifles until the moment permitted on the tape. All rifles are removed from the benches at the finish of the 20 tape and time alotted for the target. No loading or firing is permitted until the command is given. Any infraction of these guidlines can result in severe penalties pertaining to club membeship.

In Barnyard division the cost is $10 for 3 targets. This increases to $25 for the Barnyard Nationals. Your ammo will cost no more than $5.00 per box of 50.

In Chief City Shooters Club the CMP Benchrest is shot with the same target and timeframs is the Barnyard Division. CMP stands for the Civilian Marksmanship Program which is a program through the United States Military, for training in marksmanship skills. CMP Division allows for higher prices rifles and scopes with higher powers.

Any .22 RF target rifle purchased through the CMP (or civilian equivalent rifle). Above rules apply except: no weight restriction, no $ limit on rifle and 12X or less scope (or variable set at 12X or less).

The CMP match is 3 targets for $10 or $25 for the 5 targets of the Nationals. Ammo costs will be no higher than $5.oo per box of 50.

The target for CMP is the same as used in Barnyard Benchrest. Also see the link on the home page for a picture of the Barnyard/CMP target.

Same as Barnyard Benchrest......... see same question on Barnyard FAQ.

Rifle: Rifles to be used in High Power Rifle competition must be equipped with metallic sights (Some long range, 1000-yard matches allow the use of "any sights"), should be capable of holding at least 5 rounds of ammunition and should be adapted to rapid reloading. Tournament programs often group competitions into two divisions, Service Rifle and Match Rifle. The rifles currently defined as "Service Rifles" include the M1, M14, M16 and their commercial equivalents. Winchester and Remington have made their Model 70 and Model 40X rifles in "match" versions and custom gunsmiths have made up match rifles on many military and commercial actions. 1903 and 1903-A3 Springfield, 1917 Enfields and pre-war Winchester Model 70 sporters in .30-06 are all equipped with clip slots for rapid reloading. The most suitable rear sights are aperture or "peep" with reliable, repeatable 1/2 minute (or finer) adjustments. Front sights should be of either the post or aperture type.

Sling: The shooting sling is helpful in steadying the positions and controlling recoil. The sling may be used in any position except standing.

Spotting Scope: A spotting scope or a substitute optical device is important for scoring and observing the placement of shot spotters on the target. The beginning shooter will benefit from the use of about any telescope which gives an erect image. The most suitable spotting scopes, however, have a magnification of from 20 to 25 power and an objective lens at least 50mm in diameter. Eyepieces angled at 45 to 90 degrees are convenient for using the scope without disturbing the shooting position.

Shooting Coat: The shooting coat is equipped with elbow, shoulder and sling pads which contribute to the shooter's comfort. Since there are several styles of shooting coats of varying cost, the shooter is advised to try out several types before making an investment.

Shooting Glove: The shooting glove's primary function is to protect the forward hand from the pressure of the sling. Any heavy glove will serve the purpose until the shooter makes a final choice among several shooting gloves available.

Sight Blackener: The shooter using an exposed front sight such as the blade found on the service rifle will require some means of blackening the sight. A carbide lamp will do this job or a commercial sight black sold in spray cans can be used.

Scorebook: If the shooter is to learn from experience, they should record the conditions and circumstances involved in firing each shot. Sight settings, sling adjustments, wind and light conditions and ammunition used all have a place in the scorebook. Actual shot value is the least important data recorded.

Ammunition: Most competitors eventually turn to handloads. Careful handloading will yield ammunition less expensive and more accurate than otherwise available. Both tracer and incendiary ammunition are prohibited by NRA Rules and armor-piercing ammunition may be prohibited by local range regulations.

Chief City Shooter's Club defines "course of fire" as follows:

Three classes: Service Rifle
(any US service rifle - past or civilian version of present), Match Rifle
(any sights ) and Match Rifle (iron sights ). 10 rds. in 10 min. standing, 10 rds. in 60 sec. sitting, 10 rds. in 70 sec. prone & 20 rds. in 20 min. prone at NRA reduced to 100 yds. targets. You may shoot in more than one class if there is an open target in a 2nd relay.

The NRA elaborates as follows:

Courses of Fire
There are 4 strings of fire which are the basic building blocks of any NRA high power rifle course of fire or tournament. These are:

1. Slow Fire, standing - 10 rounds at 200 yards in 10 minutes.
2. Rapid Fire, sitting or kneeling - 10 rounds at 200 yards in 60 seconds.
3. Rapid Fire, 10 rounds prone - 300 yards in 70 seconds.
4. Slow Fire, 10 rounds prone - 500 or 600 yards in 10 minutes.

Every NRA High Power Rifle match for which classification records are kept is a multiple or a combination of one or more of these strings. The popular National Match Course, for instance, consists of 10 rounds slow fire standing; 10 rounds rapid fire sitting or kneeling; 10 rounds rapid fire prone and 20 rounds slow fire prone. Matches fired all at one distance and in one position are known as "single-stage" matches and are usually 20 shot matches (2 times one of the basic strings).

"Slow Fire" does not require much explanation. The shooter takes his position on the firing line, assumes the prescribed position and is allowed one minute per shot to fire the string.

"Rapid Fire," on the other hand, is more elaborate. In rapid fire sitting or kneeling, the shooter uses a preparation period to establish sitting or kneeling position; then comes to a standing position and, on command, loads either 2 or 5 rounds (depending on the firearm) into the rifle. When the targets appear or the command to commence fire is given, the shooter gets into the firing position, fires the rounds in the rifle, reloads with 8 or 5 more for a total of 10 and finishes the string. The procedure for rapid fire prone differs only in the firing position and the time spent.

Reduced Distance
High power rifle shooting at the full regulation distances requires a range with firing lines at 200, 300 and 600 (or 500) yards.

Every official NRA stage or course of fire normally conducted at 200, 300, or 500 yards can be run at 100 yards on the NRA official reduced targets. The SR-1 target simulates the 200 yard target; the SR-21 is the 100 yard equivalent of the 300 yard target and the MR-31 gives the same appearance at 100 yards as the normal 600 yard target does at the full distance.

The term "Highpower" does not refer to rifles that are unusually powerful but was originally used to distinguish between smallbore (.22 rimfire) and centerfire events. Today, Highpower events are modeled after a course of fire once given to U.S. soldiers. This includes firing from the offhand (standing) and sitting positions at 200 yards and the prone positions at 300 and 600 yards.

Time Allowances:

(a) Slow Fire-The time allowance is one minute per shot, except that at
ranges over 600 yards it may be up to 1 1/2 minutes per shot if so
specified in the program. At distances of 1 000 yards, where unlimited
practice shots are allowed, all record firing and practice firing must
be completed within the time limit of 30 minutes for a 20 shot match.
This is computed at 11/2 minutes per shot for each record shot. In the
Palma Course, all practice firing and the specified 15 record shots
must be completed within a 22 minute time limit per stage.

(b) Rapid Fire-In rapid fire, the competitor is to be standing when the
command "COMMENCE FIRING" is given. When the sitting or
kneeling position is to be used, the time limits for 10 shots will be
60 seconds. When the prone position is to be used, the time limits for
10 shots will be 70 seconds.

Here are a couple of good websites

http://www.nrahq.org

www.illinoishighpower.org

25 record shots at 50 yards/50 meters in 30 minutes, from the bench at one target, on an open air range.

A regular match contests three classes: Sporter Class, 10.5 Lb. Class, and 13.5 Lb. Class. A competitor can compete only one time in each class.

EQUIPMENT
The legality of any method, device, or equipment not addressed in these rules will be determined by USRA-IR50/50.
RIFLE
.22 Rimfire - no magnums
AMMUNITION
Ammunition must be a lead projectile produced by a factory manufacturing a minimum of 1,000,000 rounds a year. Competitors using hand loaded ammunition, and/or ammunition produced with jacketed bullets will be permanently disqualified. Shaving, re-swaging, and/or re-sizing, either bullets or cartridge case is not allowed.
WIND FLAGS
Wind flags can be utilized. Flags shall be no higher than line of sight from bench top to bottom of target. Wind flags may be changed when targets are changed and the range has been declared safe by the Rangemaster. No competitor can be forced to change legally set wind flags. The time allowed to change wind flags shall not be less than the time required to change the targets and no longer than the time allowed by the Rangemaster. If a flag interferes with a shooter's line of sight, the Rangemaster or representative will lay the flag on the ground. This must be done before commence fire. Any type of string line flag system will not be allowed.
SAND BAGS
Front rest must be topped with some form of sand bag. Rear rest must be a sand bag with no adjustable or mechanical means. Sand bags must be made of leather and/or cloth. The front and rear rests will not be connected to each other, the bench or the gun. Only sand bag can touch sides and bottom of stock. When rifle is raised straight up, the front and/or rear rest must not rise up with rifle. If the front and/or rear rest rise up with rifle, the front and/or rear rest must be weighed with rifle to determine eligibility. Front and/or rear rifle rest can not restrain the recoil of rifle. Front and rear rifle rest must be placed directly on top of the bench with the following exceptions. Spacers may be placed under the rear rest to attain elevation. A coin, disk, bearing, or similar device may be placed under the legs of the front rest.
Nothing can be attached to the bench that would impede the movement of the front or rear rifle rests.
TARGET
Official USRA-IR50/50 TARGET must be used. Targets are to be taken down by target crew and given directly to scorer. Targets must be hung with sighter targets at the top.

CLASSES
13.5 LB
Unlimited scope power. Gun and scope must weigh 13.50000 lbs. or under. Stock must be 3" or under at its widest point. Barrel, action, or sleeve can be bedded. Bedding can be by glue-in or bolt in. Gun must be designed to be shoulder fired. The bottom of the butt of stock that comes in contact with rear sandbag must be either convex or flat. If flat, the bottom of the butt of stock must be 1" or under in width. The bottom of the forearm must be either convex or flat, except for position style stocks with a hand stop slide. Adding small rails or reshaping the stock to form a mini-rail system is not allowed. No electronic or mechanically assisted triggers allowed.
10.5 LB
Same rules as 13.5 class. Gun and scope must weigh 10.50000 lbs. or under.
SPORTER
Rifle and scope must weigh 7.50 lbs. or under. Scope must be 6.5 power or under. Variable scopes must be set at the legal power and taped by referee. Rifle must be a repeater and hold 2 or more rounds in a removable clip/magazine except for tubular fed rifles. The clip/magazine must be capable of feeding two or more rounds into the chamber and must be installed in the clip/magazine housing when competing and when rifle is weighed. Rifle must have a working safety. Stock must be made of wood and must be designed to be shoulder fired. Laminate wood is allowed and the action area may contain bedding material. The action may be glued into the stock. Proof that the stock is made of wood is the competitors responsibility and must be accomplished to the satisfaction of the referees when requested. Visible wood grain over the entire surface of the stock shall constitute proof.
Stock must be 2.25" or under at its widest point. No stock tape allowed. Any area of the stock that comes in contact with front and rear sandbags must be convex.  Convex will be determined by placing a penny on the stock where convex shaping is required. The outer edges of the penny can not come in contact with the stock in the dimension being measured (see picture below). There must be visible space underneath the outer edges of the penny. If the outer edges of the penny exceed the width of the dimension in question the area must be clearly convex to the referees. The underside of the forend that contacts the sandbag must be convex across the entire width.
Minimum length from the trigger to the end of stock, excluding butt pad, must be 12.5". No vibration devices allowed. Barrel must be made out of one piece of metal with no attachments except for the action and a nut to secure the barrel to the action. Sights are only allowed on factory barrels. No electronic or remotely actuated triggers.

Follow this link:  http://www.ir5050.com/rules

Match Fees: Members $5 / Target , Non - Members $7 / Target,  Juniors (under 18) for SOTY Matches $2 / Target, Regional & State  $10 / Target, Juniors (under 18) $ 4 / Target.  

Follow this link:  http://rba.benchrest.net/misc/rules.htm

25 record shots at 50 yards or 50 meters in 30 minutes (25 Minutes for Indoor Matches) from a bench at one target, on an open air, indoor range, or altered range.

EQUIPMENT
The legality of any method, device, or equipment not addressed in these rules will be determined by Rimfire Benchrest Association
 
A. Rifle    
 .22 Rimfire – Chambered for Short, Long, or Long Rifle.
 
B. Ammunition
Ammunition must be a lead projectile in .22 Rimfire short, long, or long rifle calibers and available for purchase at usual retail or mail order outlets.
Competitors using hand loaded ammunition and/or ammunition produced with jacketed bullet, or ammunition not available from usual outlets will be disqualified.
 
C. Wind Flags
Wind flags can be utilized. Shooters must place wind flags in position before match begins. Wind flags cannot be moved or taken down until match is over. If a flag is in a shooter's line of sight, the Match Director or referee will lay the flag on the ground. This must be done before commence fire. Any type of string line flag system is not allowed.
 
D. Sand Bags
Front rest must be topped with some form of sandbag. Rear rest must be a sandbag.  Sandbags must be made of leather or cloth. The front and rear rests will not be connected to each other, the bench or the gun. Only sandbags can touch sides and bottom of stock except that a thin plastic film or cloth may be attached to the stock where it touches the bag only for the purpose of reducing friction between the stock and sand bag. When rifle is raised straight up, the front and/or rear rest must not raise up with rifle. If the front and/or rear rest raise up with rifle, the front and/or rear rest must be weighed with rifle to determine eligibility. Front and rear rifle rest must be on top of the bench but not attached to the bench. Sand bag and rest rules do not apply to the Unlimited Class.
 
E. Target
The Official Rimfire Benchrest Association TARGET purchased from Rimfire Benchrest Association must be used. Targets are to be taken down by the target crew and given directly to scorer.

CLASSES
 
A. Sporter
Rifle and scope must weigh 7 1/2 lbs. or under. Scopes limited to 6.5 power maximum. Variable scopes must be set at the legal power and taped by a referee. Rifle must be a repeater and must be capable of holding two or more rounds in a clip or magazine. Rifle must be able to feed from the magazine or clip by bolt operation. Rifle must have a working safety. Stock must be 2 1/4" or under at its widest point. Holes can not be drilled or cut in exterior of stock to make the legal weight. Rifle must be designed to be shoulder fired. No vibration tuning devices allowed. No electronic or mechanically assisted triggers allowed. 
 
B. 10.5 Lb.
Unlimited scope power. Gun and scope must weigh 10 1/2 lbs. or under. Stock must be 3" or under at its widest point. Barrel, action, or sleeve can be bedded. Bedding can be by glue-in or bolt in. Gun must be designed to be shoulder fired.
No electronic or mechanically assisted triggers allowed.
 
C. Unlimited
Unlimited scope power and weight. Firearm must sit entirely on bench and cannot be attached to the bench.

Rifles must be equipped with trigger guards. All rifles must have bolts removed at all times except when shooting (Rifles without removable bolts must have actions open with a safety flag inserted). Rifles are NEVER to be on the bench until the Match Director calls the relay to the line after determining that the range is secure. When anyone is down range, NO RIFLES will be allowed on benches.
An alternative procedure at the Sanctioning clubs option is to allow rifles to remain on the bench when someone is down range with bolts removed (or safety flags inserted for rifles without removable bolts) and competitors behind and away the benches until the Match Director calls shooters to the line.
Loss of sanctioning may result if these procedures are not followed.

Match Fees: Members $5 / Target  Non - Members $7 / Target,   Juniors (under 18) for SOTY Matches $2 / Target.