Well folks, today is the first day of August, National Shooting Sports Month (NSSM). To help grow the shooting sports, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) asks you to bring a new shooter to the range this month. That’s a good mission — adding to the ranks of shooters is the best way to preserve our Second Amendment rights.

This coast-to-coast celebration spotlights the fun and enjoyment of target shooting. Newcomers can take their first shots, and experienced shooters can invite someone new to the range or help an erstwhile shooter rediscover the fun of target shooting. This month-long event involves all the shooting sports — rifle, pistol, and shotgun.

The NSSF has an online database of NSSM shooting events scheduled for August. In most states you’ll find a large number of August events in the database — matches, clinics, training sessions, special sales — and much more. To see the events in your region, go to the Shooting Events Page and select a state or put a ZIP Code in the search field on the right. The scheduled events will then be listed in a scrolling vertical list in the right column. Here is an example from the state of Texas:

Here’s Your Chance to Win $500 with 2024 #RangeChallenge

Feelin’ Lucky? Then head to the range and shoot a target for a change to win $500.00. Celebrate National Shooting Sports Month and take the #RangeChallenge for a chance to win rewards this month. The NSSF will randomly select 10 winners in August to each receive a $500 gift card!

Enter by either: (1) posting a photo or video of you and your target to Instagram accompanied with the #RangeChallenge hashtag; or (2) Uploading a photo of you and your target directly to the Sweepstakes Page. You can CLICK HERE to download official August 2024 Range Challenge Target.

FREE Downloadable Fun Targets for Shooting Sports Month

On the NSSF Shooter Toolkit Page, you’ll find 17 FREE Downloadable Targets. Shown below are 15 of the targets. Pick the target(s) you want on the Shooter Toolkit Page or Download all 17 FREE Targets.

There are regular bullseyes, as well as Darts, Golf, and more. We really like the Billiards target and kids love the Water Balloons target. You can download all 17 targets for free, and then print them out, ideally with a color printer.

What Shooters Can Do to Promote National Shooting Sports Month:
The NSSF says: “As shooters, you serve a critical role in the continued growth of gun ownership and shooting sports participation. We urge you to join us this August for National Shooting Sports Month.” There are a variety of ways you can help this August:

— Introduce a family member, friend, or group of friends to the shooting sports by taking them to a local range that’s hosting an event.

— Spread the word to family/friends and encourage them to get out to the range in August.

— Encourage the ranges and retailers near you to host an event this August and add them to the official events calendar at www.ShootingSportsMonth.org.

NSSF encourages gun owners across America to take part in the 2023 #RangeChallenge held during August, National Shooting Sports Month. For the seventh year, National Shooting Sports Month celebrates the sport of target shooting by encouraging firearm owners to enjoy a summer day at the range — preferably with friends or family members.

National Shooting Sports Month Target and Gift Cards
For National Shooting Sports Month there is a special target you can download and shoot (or get from local shooting ranges). Then you can enter your target or a photo of your shooting session for a chance to win one of ten $500.00 gift cards.

How To Get Involved — Get Target, Shoot Target, Enter to Win

1. Download a Target
Download and print the target — CLICK HERE or Right-Click Target Below.

2. Find a Range and Shoot Your Target
Use the Shooting Sports Month host/events map to find a participating range near you.

3. Review the Game Instructions:
Choose one of three options, then shoot pistol at 15 feet, or rifle at 30 feet.

4. Enter to Win Prizes!
After shooting, upload a photo of you and/or your target OR post a photo or video to your Instagram feed using the hashtag #RangeChallenge for your chance to win one of ten $500 gift cards.

The #RangeChallenge provides shooters of all levels with a fun and competitive game plus a chance to win great prizes. Get a free #RangeChallenge target at a National Shooting Sports Month-participating range or download a target below. Get a chance to win gift cards by posting a photo on the #RangeChallenge website or a photo on Instagram using hashtag #RangeChallenge. You’ll be entered to win one of ten $500.00 gift cards. See the #RangeChallenge website for full details and rules.

Click the target above to get a printable PDF. Or you can get a free #RangeChallenge target at any participating local range. CLICK HERE for more information about the NSSF’s 2023 Range Challenge.

Here’s a great way to have fun at the range, and also get chances to win 10 Weekly prize packages. Just download the printable Autumn target, and showcase your skills. Find participating ranges HERE, or you can go to your favorite local range. There are three different challenge scenarios listed on the target sheet. Shoot indoors or outdoors — 5 yards for pistol, 10 yards for rifle. The point of the Range Challenge is to enjoy yourself and showcase the fun of target shooting.

Ten Weekly #RangeChallenge Rewards Prize Packages Now through December
For the next ten (10) weeks there will be prize packages. The first week closes Sunday, October 27, 2020 — so you can get involved this weekend. The final week 10 concludes December 29, 2020.

CLICK HERE for Range Challenge Rules and Prize List »

How to Enter Weekly #RangeChallenge Rewards Sweepstakes
To enter each weekly contest, simply post a #RangeChallenge photo you took on Instagram. Most entry photos will have the Autumn target in view, but that’s not mandatory. You enter all ten (10) weeks, but can only post a maximum of two (2) entries per week. You much be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter the Weekly Sweepstakes by posting a photo or video to Instagram accompanied with the #RangeChallenge hashtag. You must agree to allow NSSF to share the image via social media and grant the NSSF photo rights. Photos are only eligible for this sweepstakes if they depict proper firearms safety, including but not limited to: fingers off the trigger until actively target shooting, keep muzzles pointed in a safe direction, keep firearms unloaded when not in use, be sure of their target and what is beyond. If any photos illustrate complacency around these core firearms safety rules, they will not be eligible. There is a maximum of two (2) eligible entries per week.

CLICK HERE for All Weekly Prize Lists with photos (PDF) »

Here is the $477.97 Prize Package for the Final Week 10 in December 2020: