Marksmanship Air Rifle Basics
Air Rifle
The type of rifle marksmanship that is taught and practiced in the JROTC program is three-position air rifle shooting that is done with 4.5 mm (.177 cal.) air rifles with the targets placed at a distance of 10 meters. JROTC riflery was once done with .22 cal. rim fire rifles with the targets placed at a distance of 50 feet. Three-position air rifle target shooting that is done by JROTC cadets is closely related to the air rifle standing and three-position smallbore rifle events that are in the program of the Summer Olympic Games.
The most common air rifle that is used in JROTC marksmanship training is the Daisy M853 pneumatic air rifle. Some JROTC units have Daisy M753 air rifles that are the same as the M853, except that they have an improved stock design and better sights. Some JROTC units now are acquiring newer Daisy M888, Daisy XS40 or Crosman M2000 CO2 air rifles. Some units also have various types of precision air rifles. Most of those units, however, reserve these precision air rifles for members of their rifle team.
History
Target rifle shooting involves firing in three different shooting positions, standing, kneeling and prone. These shooting positions originated with firing positions that once were taught to warriors and soldiers and were used in battle or hunting. Today, these traditional firing positions have evolved into specific shooting positions that are part of target shooting and are defined by competition rules recognized throughout the world.
Standing
The standing position is the first shooting position that is taught because it is both the easiest shooting position to learn and the most challenging to master. The position is especially challenging because it has a smaller base of support and the body is higher. It is normally not as stable as the lower prone and kneeling positions where a sling can also be used to help stabilize the rifle. Slings may not be used in standing. Most shooters find that it takes more practice to develop the ability to hold the rifle still in standing.
Prone
The prone position has the lowest center of gravity and is the steadiest of the three target positions. Prone has extra stability because the shooter is allowed to use a sling in this position. A highly trained rifle shooter is capable of holding a rifle almost as steady in the prone position as a test cradle or machine rest can hold a rifle.
Kneeling
In the kneeling position, the shooter kneels to sit on the right foot that is supported by a kneeling roll. The rifle is supported by the sling and left arm that rests on the left leg. The kneeling position is similar to prone in that the sling is also used in this position. It is similar to standing because the body’s center of gravity is higher and precise balance is essential to achieving a stable kneeling position.
Competitions
The most common three-position air rifle competition event for JROTC and high school rifle teams is the 3x10 event. 3x10 means firing ten record shots in each of the three positions, prone, standing and kneeling. JROTC rifle team members also sometimes fire 3x20 events (20 shots in each position) in major competitions. The 3x10 and 3x20 events are sometimes also called courses of fire.
Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting is the most popular and fastest growing form of shooting sports competition for youth of high school age or younger. Two different Three-Position Air Rifle events are available. Precision Air Rifle is modeled after Olympic-style shooting and allows the use of specialized target rifles and equipment. Sporter Air Rifle is designed for new competitors or those who desire to compete with a minimum of equipment and expense.
In both types of shooting, competitors fire at targets at a distance of 10 meters in three different positions, prone, standing and kneeling. Sporter and precision air rifle classes may also be combined into one “open” class. Three-Position Air Rifle provides young competitors with competitive shooting sports opportunities that can be offered on a wide variety of easily accessible or easily constructed ranges, with equipment that is commonly available at affordable costs.
The CMP actively promotes Three-Position Air Rifle shooting as a premier youth marksmanship competition by providing low-cost equipment and pellets as well as training curriculum materials and competition activities.
The type of rifle marksmanship that is taught and practiced in the JROTC program is three-position air rifle shooting that is done with 4.5 mm (.177 cal.) air rifles with the targets placed at a distance of 10 meters. JROTC riflery was once done with .22 cal. rim fire rifles with the targets placed at a distance of 50 feet. Three-position air rifle target shooting that is done by JROTC cadets is closely related to the air rifle standing and three-position smallbore rifle events that are in the program of the Summer Olympic Games.
The most common air rifle that is used in JROTC marksmanship training is the Daisy M853 pneumatic air rifle. Some JROTC units have Daisy M753 air rifles that are the same as the M853, except that they have an improved stock design and better sights. Some JROTC units now are acquiring newer Daisy M888, Daisy XS40 or Crosman M2000 CO2 air rifles. Some units also have various types of precision air rifles. Most of those units, however, reserve these precision air rifles for members of their rifle team.
History
Target rifle shooting involves firing in three different shooting positions, standing, kneeling and prone. These shooting positions originated with firing positions that once were taught to warriors and soldiers and were used in battle or hunting. Today, these traditional firing positions have evolved into specific shooting positions that are part of target shooting and are defined by competition rules recognized throughout the world.
Standing
The standing position is the first shooting position that is taught because it is both the easiest shooting position to learn and the most challenging to master. The position is especially challenging because it has a smaller base of support and the body is higher. It is normally not as stable as the lower prone and kneeling positions where a sling can also be used to help stabilize the rifle. Slings may not be used in standing. Most shooters find that it takes more practice to develop the ability to hold the rifle still in standing.
Prone
The prone position has the lowest center of gravity and is the steadiest of the three target positions. Prone has extra stability because the shooter is allowed to use a sling in this position. A highly trained rifle shooter is capable of holding a rifle almost as steady in the prone position as a test cradle or machine rest can hold a rifle.
Kneeling
In the kneeling position, the shooter kneels to sit on the right foot that is supported by a kneeling roll. The rifle is supported by the sling and left arm that rests on the left leg. The kneeling position is similar to prone in that the sling is also used in this position. It is similar to standing because the body’s center of gravity is higher and precise balance is essential to achieving a stable kneeling position.
Competitions
The most common three-position air rifle competition event for JROTC and high school rifle teams is the 3x10 event. 3x10 means firing ten record shots in each of the three positions, prone, standing and kneeling. JROTC rifle team members also sometimes fire 3x20 events (20 shots in each position) in major competitions. The 3x10 and 3x20 events are sometimes also called courses of fire.
Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting is the most popular and fastest growing form of shooting sports competition for youth of high school age or younger. Two different Three-Position Air Rifle events are available. Precision Air Rifle is modeled after Olympic-style shooting and allows the use of specialized target rifles and equipment. Sporter Air Rifle is designed for new competitors or those who desire to compete with a minimum of equipment and expense.
In both types of shooting, competitors fire at targets at a distance of 10 meters in three different positions, prone, standing and kneeling. Sporter and precision air rifle classes may also be combined into one “open” class. Three-Position Air Rifle provides young competitors with competitive shooting sports opportunities that can be offered on a wide variety of easily accessible or easily constructed ranges, with equipment that is commonly available at affordable costs.
The CMP actively promotes Three-Position Air Rifle shooting as a premier youth marksmanship competition by providing low-cost equipment and pellets as well as training curriculum materials and competition activities.