Lookin’ Back — Rimfire Tactical Matches Before PRS and NRL22
AccurateShooter’s Editor trains with .22 LR Anschutz model 64R back in 2008.
Rimfire Tactical Matches Aren’t Really New
NRL22 and PRS rimfire shooting disciplines are fun, affordable forms of competition. We’re pleased to see the rapid growth of NRL22 and PRS rimfire. However, the concept of a rimfire tactical/practical match is not new — at least on the West Coast. Way before anyone every heard of PRS, California shooting clubs conducted “Rimfire Tactical” matches. These matches were first fired nearly two decades ago. CLICK HERE to read our comprehensive Rimfire Tactical report from way back in 2008. That article includes free targets, ballistics charts, and a complete run-down on suitable rimfire rifles.
Composite photo copyright © 2008, DesertFrog, All Rights Reserved.
The Concept Behind the Rimfire Tactical Match by Bill Erwin
Many guys who shoot long-range tactical matches practice with .22 LR rifles of similar configuration. Rimfire ammo is way more affordable than centerfire, you do not need a big range facility, and shooting rimfire saves wear and tear on your centerfire rifle. Further, for learning how to read the wind, there really is no better training tool than a 22 LR, even as close as 50 yards. Check out this table showing how a .22 LR ballistics compare to .308 Win:
| .22 LR vs. .308, Distances for Equal 10 MPH Wind Drift | |||||||
| This table shows the corresponding distances at which a 10 mph full-value crosswind pushes a .22 LR bullet and .308 projectile the same amount. Values are based on 0.130 BC for a 40gr .22 LR bullet, and 0.496 BC for 175gr .308 bullet. | |||||||
| 22 LR 40gr 1050 fps |
50 yd Wind 1.0″ |
75 yd Wind 2.2″ |
100 yd Wind 3.8″ |
125 yd Wind 5.8″ |
150 yd Wind 8.2″ |
175 yd Wind 11.0″ |
200 yd Wind 14.3″ |
| .308 Win 175gr 2650 fps |
130 yd Wind 1.07″ |
180 yd Wind 2.15″ |
230 yd Wind 3.68″ |
280 yd Wind 5.63″ |
330 yd Wind 7.98″ |
380 yd Wind 10.71″ |
440 yd Wind 14.56″ |
This table shows how the .22 LR can be an effective substitute for a .308 Win during training. Because the smaller bullet drifts more in the wind, a .22 LR rimfire shooter will experience roughly the same crosswind effects as if he was shooting a 175gr .308 Win twice as far out. So, rimfire work can teach you to dope the wind like a .308 Win, but at less than half the distance. Shooting a .22 LR at 100 yards is like shooting a .308 Win (with 175gr SMK) at 230 yards.
These FREE targets by DesertFrog are offered in Adobe Acrobat format for easy printing.
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Rimfire Training Target for Fun Matches
Here’s a rimfire training target with “big to small” target circles. Start with the largest circles, then move to the smaller ones in sequence. This systematic drill provides increasing challenge shot-by-shot. Novices often are quite surprised to see their accuracy improve as they move from bigger to smaller aiming points. That provides positive feedback — always a good thing.
Right Click and “Save as” to download printable PDF versions of target.
