CMP Announces Release of Four 2026 Competition Rulebooks

CMP Announces the Early Release of Four 2026 Competition Rulebooks
Four rulebooks that govern CMP Highpower Rifle, CMP Games, Bullseye Pistol and Action Pistol competitions in 2026 have been updated and approved by the CMP Rules Sub-Committee. These four rulebooks were published on 12/1/2025, one month before they will take effect on January 1, 2026. This early release will give competitors and match sponsors a head start on preparing for their next competition year. Download these Four New Rulebooks at https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-competitions-rulebooks/.

The following 2026 rulebooks are now posted on the CMP website:

29th Edition 2026 CMP Highpower Rifle Competition Rules
13th Edition 2026 CMP Games Rifle and Pistol Competition Rules
29th Edition 2026 CMP Bullseye Pistol Competition Rules
4th Edition 2026 CMP Action Pistol Competition Rules

Copies of these new rulebooks can be downloaded from the CMP Competition Rulebooks Webpage. On that CMP webpage, the listings of downloadable documents will include the 2026 rulebooks, lists of changes in each 2026 rulebook, and the Range Officer scripts that are to be followed.

Notable CHANGES IN 2026 CMP RULEBOOKS

The four CMP rulebooks that are being released now contain some important changes that may impact your 2026 competition plans. Here are some of the most significant 2026 rule changes.

New F-Practical F-Class Category (HIGHPOWER RIFLE). The 2026 CMP Highpower Rifle rulebook introduces a new F-Practical F-Class Category that is limited to factory production rifles and equipment. Cartridges cannot exceed .308 in bullet diameter; “magnums” will not be allowed. Rifles may not weigh more than 14.0 pounds and must have a minimum trigger pull of 2.0 pounds. Optics are limited to 16X. Total retail cost of a competitor’s rifle and equipment is limited to $3,000. This new category will be offered in all CMP Mid- and Long-Range Matches. Clubs are encouraged to include it in their sanctioned matches.

Suppressors and Silencers (HIGHPOWER RIFLE). The use of silencers or suppressors is already widespread in some shooting sports disciplines. Their use is promoted as a means of reducing range noise levels and mitigating the possibility of hearing loss. The CMP has taken its initial steps in approving suppressors for use in CMP Matches. In 2026, competitors in most F-Class categories (F-TR, F-O, AR Tactical) will be allowed to shoot with suppressors.

Highpower Rifle Scoring (HIGHPOWER RIFLE). Several years ago, the CMP adopted the highpower rifle scoring protocol used by the NRA. This calls for scoring highpower rifle targets according to the size of the competitor’s bullet. This meant that competitors with AR-Type rifles had their shots scored with a .223″ gauge while competitors firing M14-Type rifles had their shots scores with a larger .308″ gauge. Starting in 2026, electronic targets used in CMP Highpower Rifle events will have the same sized scoring rings. Electronic targets, of course, score to the center of the shot hole, not the outside edge, so those targets will now assume that all shots were fired with a 7.62mm/.308 bullet to determine precise scoring ring sizes. All shots fired on paper targets will be scored with a uniform .308 inch scoring gauge.

Nat’l Trophy Match New Shooter Rule (HIGHPOWER RIFLE & BULLSEYE PISTOL). National Trophy teams will get a break if they have two or more new shooters on their National Trophy Teams. They must designate one of them as their new shooters. Any other new shooters retain their new shooter eligibility.

At-Large Teams (HIGHPOWER RIFLE, BULLSEYE PISTOL). The new rules for both Highpower Rifle and Bullseye Pistol changed “Out-of-Competition” teams to “At-Large” teams. This rule is used extensively in the National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Team Matches to allow teams that could not comply with eligibility requirements to still shoot in the match even when they could not win awards. To give status to these teams, the name was changed to “At-Large” and the possibility of giving awards has been added.

Smallbore Rifle and Air Gun Rulebooks Delayed. The completion of two 2026 CMP rulebooks is being delayed while the shooting world awaits final decisions from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regarding major proposals to change rifle clothing and rifle 3-position finals.