ARA Competition Rules & Information

Updated: April 18, 2026

 

Match Schedule

ARA competitions are held monthly from March through November on the third Saturday of each month for a total of 9 matches per season.

• Match start time: 9:00 AM sharp

• Competitors are encouraged to arrive early for setup.

• Shooters may remain after firing to observe scoring or assist if approved.

• Each target card contains 25 targets.

• Entry fee: $5.00 per card

• Maximum of 4 cards/classes per shooter per match

• Each card has a 20-minute time limit

• Time will be allowed between cards for:

  • Changing rifles

  • Adjusting rests

  • Performing firearm maintenance

 

Important Safety Rules

• Firearms may not be touched or handled during a cold range.

• Competitors shooting multiple classes may fire them in any order.

 

Club Championship Rules

Club Champion awards are available to club members only.

Eligibility

• A member qualifies by participating in at least one match.

Championship Scoring

• Season totals are calculated using all match scores minus the shooter’s lowest score.

• If a shooter participates in 8 or fewer matches, no score is dropped.

• Missed matches count as a zero score, and that zero may become the dropped score.

• A shooter may technically win with fewer than 8 matches fired.

Awards

• Only 1st Place in each category receives a championship badge.

 

Shooting Categories

Competitors may enter into the following categories during each match:

1. Sporter Class

2. Factory Class

3. Heavy Varmint Class

4. .22 LR Semi-Auto Unlimited Class

5. Two Gun Class

6. Three Gun Class

7. Four Gun Class

 

Sporter Class Rules

• Factory-produced sporting rifle

• Maximum weight: 8.5 pounds including scope

• No barrel tuners allowed

• No limit on scope magnification

• Minimum trigger pull: 2 pounds

• Rifle must remain in factory configuration:

  • Original stock

  • Original barrel

  • Original action

• Glass bedding and trigger work permitted

• Custom triggers are prohibited

• Stock width may not exceed 2.25 inches

• No stock tape allowed

• Forearm and buttstock contacting sandbags must be convex

• Convex shape determined using the “penny test”

 

Heavy Varmint Class Rules

• Any shoulder-fired rifle permitted

• No weight limit

• No scope power limit

• No minimum trigger weight, provided the rifle operates safely

 

.22 LR Semi-Auto Unlimited Class Rules

• Any semi-automatic rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle Rimfire

• No weight limit

• No scope power limit

• No minimum trigger weight, provided the rifle operates safely

 

Factory Class Rules

General Requirements

• Must be a magazine-fed or tube-fed rifle currently in production

• Must be readily available in quantities greater than 500

• MSRP must be under $1,450, or the rifle must appear on the approved ARA Factory Rifle List

Ammunition

• Ammunition does not have to be fed from the magazine

• Single-round loading is permitted

Optics

• Any optic may be used if mounted according to manufacturer design

Permitted Modifications

Trigger

• Trigger may be modified or fully replaced

• Must function safely

• Triggers without safeties are allowed

Barrel

• Barrel recrowning is permitted

• No tuners or barrel attachments allowed

• Thread protectors are permitted only if:

  • Used solely to protect threads

  • Flush with barrel end

• Factory-installed muzzle brakes must be removed

Bipods

• Bipods are permitted

• Bipod must have two contact points on the bench

• Wider-than-standard Picatinny rails (~1”) must be removed unless using a bipod

Bedding

• Glass and pillar bedding allowed

• Rifle must remain removable from stock

• Only inletting modifications allowed

Stock Adjustments

• Length of pull may be altered

• Swivel studs may be removed

• Butt plates may be replaced if:

  • Original stock shape is maintained

  • Plate does not extend beyond stock edges

• Non-permanent cheek risers/padding allowed

• Stocks may be:

  • Oiled

  • Refinished

  • Clear coated

• Small individual stickers permitted

• Paint and wraps prohibited

Hardware Replacement Allowed

• Bolt knob

• Butt plate

• Action screws

• Load indicator

• Magazine well

• Magazine release

• Magazine well cover

OEM Replacement Parts Allowed

• Firing pin

• Firing pin spring

Additional Notes

• Loaded round indicators do not need to function

• Factory iron sights may be removed for optic mounting

Prohibited Factory Class Modifications

The following are NOT allowed:

• Re-chambering barrels

• Adding weight to stock or bipod

• Barrel tuners

• Forearm plates or stock attachments

• Any other non-approved modifications

 

Approved Factory Rifle List

Approved Manufacturers & Models

• Browning — All models except Model 52

• CZ — 452, 453, 455, 512, and approved 457 variants

• Izhmash — BI-7-2

• Henry — All models

• Husqvarna — 1622

• Lithgow — LA101

• Marlin — All models except Model 2000 variants

• Mossberg — Approved listed models

• Norinco — NS522

• Remington — All models except listed exclusions

• Ruger — All models

• Savage — All models except Savage/Anschutz

• Sears Ted Williams — Models 34 and 42-103-2840

• Smith & Wesson — All models

• Thompson Center — R55 Benchmark

• Weatherby — Mark XXII Auto

• Winchester — All models except Models 52 and 75

 

Excluded Factory Rifle List

The following rifles are NOT approved for ARA Factory Class:

• Anschutz — All models

• Browning Model 52

• Cooper 57

• CZ Brno and VPT-MTR

• Kimber — All models

• Kleingunther / Voere / Mauser K22/201

• Marlin Model 2000 variants

• Remington 37, 40X, 504, 513, 540, 541, 547

• Sako — All models

• Savage Anschutz

• Springfield M2/1922

• Stevens Ranger

• Vudoo Series 1 Renegade

• Winchester Models 52 & 75

 

Gun Classes & Scoring

Awards are given for:

• 1st Place

• 2nd Place

• 3rd Place

in each category.

Individual Classes

• Sporter Class

• Heavy Varmint Class

• .22 LR Semi-Auto Unlimited Class

• Factory Class

Combined Gun Classes

Two Gun Class

Best two category scores combined, including X-counts.

Three Gun Class

Best three category scores combined, including X-counts.

Four Gun Class

All four category scores combined, including X-counts.

 

Scoring Rules

• Scoring is conducted by the scoring team

• Shots touching a scoring line receive the higher value

• A scoring “plug” may be used for close calls

• Multiple shots on one bull receive the lower score

• Shots outside scoring area count as misses (0)

• Perfect score: 250-25X

Crossfire Rules

• If a shooter fires on another competitor’s target and immediately reports it:

  • Score will count minus one point

• If another shooter fires on your target:

  • Notify the Match Director immediately

 

Bench & Relay Information

• Maximum of 14 shooters per relay

• Additional relays will be added if needed

 

Wind Flags

• Wind flags are permitted

• Flags must be placed before relay start

• Any line-of-sight issues must be reported to the Match Director before the “Commence Fire” command

 

Sandbag & Rest Rules

Front Rest

• Must use a sandbag top

Rear Rest

• Must be a sandbag only

• No mechanical or adjustable rear rests allowed

General Rest Rules

• Front and rear rests may not be connected:

  • To each other

  • To the bench

  • To the rifle

• Only sandbags may contact the rifle sides and bottom

• One-piece rests are strictly prohibited

• Either the front or rear of the rifle must remain free to lift from the rest

Bipods

• Bipods are allowed

• Bipod must maintain two contact points with the bench

• Bipods may not be attached to or placed inside another fixture