Fullbore Target Rifle

Fullbore target rifle (TR) is a distinctively British and Commonwealth of Nations shooting discipline that evolved from Service rifle (SR) shooting in the late 1860s, and is governed in the UK by the rules of the National Rifle Association, UK (NRA). Similar rules are used in several Commonwealth countries, but the issue in 2009 of the rule book of the International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA) has provided an alternative basis for the administration of the sport.

Modern target rifles are extremely accurate, and have 'iron' aperture sights which are fully adjustable for elevation and windage.

To level the playing field as much as possible without stifling progress, and to make it possible for riflemen of all budgets to compete seriously, the rifle or all its component parts must be 'readily available in quantity'. This stipulation also keeps faith with the longstanding traditions of the NRA that the rifles used in competition should be of a type that, if necessary, could be readily used for homeland defence.

Fullbore Target Rifle involves prone position single shot precision shooting using 'iron' aperture sights at 'round bull' targets at distances from 300 to 1000 yards, with each shot being carefully scored and analysed. The usual calibre used is 7.62x51 NATO.

In the UK the 'home' of target rifle shooting (and match rifle competition) is the NRA's extensive ranges at Bisley, Surrey. The worldwide influence of Bisley on the sport is illustrated best by the South African terminology, where Target Rifle is called "Bisley Shooting", the governing body is the South African Bisley Union (SABU) and almost any target shooting competition is known as a "Bisley".

Fullbore Target Rifle Shooting has been established formally in the United States and is administered by the National Rifle Association of America NRA. The annual National Championship is currently held during September at the Wittington Center, Raton, NM.