Sporting Rife and Hunting Rifle - Shooting Federation of Canada

[CanuckCooper]

Hi All, Anyone here shoot SFC Sporting Rifle or Hunting Rifle? It looks like there’s a handful of members posting pics of rifles that would be suitable for this discipline. I was hoping to start a thread for anyone who shoots it or would like to shoot it to post scores, targets and just share in the sport…

I’ve started shooting this sport a little while ago. Although it might look easy, It’s the deepest dive into the fundamentals of rifle shooting I’ve ever taken, and is quite challenging. Repeatedly firing the perfect shot is the name of the game.

Sporting Rifle in a nutshell is Canada’s own smallbore match rifle competition originally started in 1935. Shooters must use Open Sights, 4kg max weight for the rifle as fired, trigger must be able to pick up a 1kg weight 1cm off a flat surface, No slings, hand stops or any forms of artificial support. The Shooters forearms need to be up off the ground by a minimum of 30 degrees in prone. It’s Just you and the rifle. Issf approved clothing is allowed and puts competitors on an even playing field for clothing fit. (one under layer, and a shooters jacket, pants, glove and boots permitted). There’s prone and 3 position competition. A match consists of 60 scoring rounds fired in three 20 shot series (unlimited sighters). 3 position is the same three 20 shot series, just each series is a different position (prone, standing kneeling). Here’s a link to a nifty old Sporting Rifle manual which speaks to the sports history: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdnypeonuiu7t83/Small%20Bore%20Rifle%20Shooting%20-%20CIL.pdf?dl=0 .This guide certainly still has relevant information in it however please see below for the current rules below.

Hunting Rifle is shot in the same format as Sporting rifle and on the same type of target, except you can use any sight you want including scopes. The rifle couldn’t have been initially manufactured as a target rifle. There is no restriction as to trigger weight or rifle weight. The Rifle can’t have an easily adjustable stock (adjustable stocks need to be taped up or shimmed so they can’t be adjusted on the fly. Fixed stocks can be built up with padding, vet wrap or whatever you like. No slings, or rests of any kind, and the shooters firearms must up off the ground by a minimum of 30 degrees in prone. Clothing cannot be tight fitting (dowel test). So far I’ve seen a a fair amount of folks show up with some pretty fancy rigs for hunting rifle, but take bipods and bags away, they struggle…

Both sports are Governed by the Shooting Federation of Canada: http://sfc-ftc.ca lots of info, match results and links to the respective provincial organizations that run matches can be found here

In Ontario, ONTarget organizes most matches: http://ontariotarget.ca upcoming matches and results for Ontario can be found here.

Sporting Rifle and Hunting Rifle Rule Book:
https://sfc-ftc.ca/resources/Documents/EN/2006_SFC_Sporting_Rifle_Rules.pdf

50 Meter Outdoor Sporting Rifle target .pdf (needs to be printed with “actual size” option selected, such that the x-ring is 20mm in diameter, and the 10 ring 40mm in diameter):
http://www.dropbox.com/s/o5mi0butnjbjor5/SFC-RIF-153.pdf?dl=0

20 Yard Indoor Sporting Rifle Target .pdf (needs to be printed with “actual size” option selected, such that the x-ring is 3.7mm in diameter and the 10 ring 11mm in diameter):
http://www.dropbox.com/s/5k1909oq9kvn3wy/SFC-RIF-135.pdf?dl=0

Official Targets can be ordered here:
http://sfc.gilmoreglobal.com

If anyone here shoots this it would be great to hear from you. If anyone would like to try it, it would be great to hear how it goes for you.

Cheers!

*CGN Members Top Scores*
Members best score in each category will be updated here as members post them.

50 Meter Prone:
CanuckCooper - Sporting Rifle 594x21 Anschutz 1903JKK (post#20)

20 Yard Prone:
Machohugeaxe - Hunting Rifle 595x30 CZ457 (post #103)
CanuckCooper - Sporting Rifle 593x30 Anschutz 1903JKK (post #94)
Machohugeaxe - Sporting Rifle 588 Anschutz 1403(Post #100)

50 Meter 3 Position:
CanuckCooper - Sporting Rifle 567x11 Anschutz 1903JKK (Post #102)

20 Yard 3 Position:
CanuckCooper - Sporting Rifle 3P 560x18 Anschutz 1903JKK (post #94)

***UPCOMING MATCHES & EVENTS***

Sat July 1st:
Provincial Outdoor Rifle Championship
Pan Am Range - Cookstown, On
https://ontariotarget.ca/index.php/event/2023-ontario-rifle-provincials/?instance_id=690

August 2nd - August 10th
Canadian National Rifle Championships - Trois-Rivières, Qc
https://sfc-ftc.ca/event-5225491?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=7/2/2023

Nationals Itinerary:
https://sfc-ftc.ca/resources/SFC%20Rifle%20National%202023.pdf

2016 Nationals at the Pan Am Shooting Center, Cookstown, On:

Below you can see the MegaLink Electronic Targets on the right

50m Hunting Rifle

2011 Ontario Provincials 3P

History of Sporting Rifle in Canada

Sporting Rifle traces its roots back to 1935 when the program was first organized by the Dominion Ammunition Division of Canadian Industries Limited. The “Dominion Marksmen” awards Program was so successful that the “Sporting Rifle” became accepted as the standard rifle in clubs across Canada.

In 1949 the national governing body for civilian rifle shooting, the Canadian Association of Marksmen, recognized Sporting Rifle and introduced official rules, targets and competitions. Sporting Rifle competitions have since become a major part of the program of the National Sport Organization, the Shooting Federation of Canada.

 

[machohugeaxe]

Yup new to firearms here, been shooting hunting rifle on 50 yard then later 20 yard targets every weekend at the range smallbore discipline every weekend for last couple of months. Definitely a kind of zen activity. Feel like I'm close to "getting it" in terms of consistency for standing position. Feels like once a week is not enough though!

 

[CanuckCooper]

Yup new to firearms here, been shooting hunting rifle on 50 yard then later 20 yard targets every weekend at the range smallbore discipline every weekend for last couple of months. Definitely a kind of zen activity. Feel like I'm close to "getting it" in terms of consistency for standing position. Feels like once a week is not enough though!

That’s awesome, I shoot a tbolt for hunting rifle. I don’t practice as much as I should with it. I try to shoot a twenty shot series for sporting rifle each week and dry fire train as much as I can during the week. Absolutely a zen aspect for sure. Shot my first 200 practicing today at 50m.

 

[sillymike]

Used to shoot match & sporting rifle 3P... it was a whole lot of fun.
- but of one the inconvenient of moving to the edge-of-nowhere... there aren't any match nearby

 

[CanuckCooper]

Used to shoot match & sporting rifle 3P... it was a whole lot of fun.
- but of one the inconvenient of moving to the edge-of-nowhere... there aren't any match nearby

Hi Mike, If you still have your rifle and kit, would you be up for some remote matches? Shoot and post scores or targets here? There’s the Coast to Coast Championship as well that can be shot remotely so to speak.

Who knows, maybe it catches on…. It would be cool to see the sport grow. I knows it’s not as attractive as some of the newer precision rimfire sports, but it’s certainly a blast and a pretty tough challenge. I figure rimfire provision series shooters would probably benefit from doing both and shoot sporting rifle and 3p along side crps styled stuff. Just my two cents.

 

[sillymike]

As long as there's no snow on the ground, I'd be up for it (did I mentione there are no indoor range at the edge-of-nowhere )
- Now, just need to check what I've got that would fit in the "sporting" category...

 

[CanuckCooper]

Sounds great! I can shoot 50 meter or 20 yard, whatever you have available. I’m going to an indoor 20 yard prone practice this Sunday night. I can post my three series of scores for that Sunday late evening. If you can do 50 meter outdoor, I’m pretty much able to shoot that and post scores anytime.

 

[machohugeaxe]

Sounds great! I can shoot 50 meter or 20 yard, whatever you have available. I’m going to an indoor 20 yard prone practice this Sunday night. I can post my three series of scores for that Sunday late evening. If you can do 50 meter outdoor, I’m pretty much able to shoot that and post scores anytime.

Is each series 50 shots? 5 on each bull?

 

[CanuckCooper]

Is each series 50 shots? 5 on each bull?

Hi Machohugeaxe, each series is 20 scoring shots in 30 minutes (with unlimited sighters). A match would consist of three series totalling 60 scoring shots. It’s is the same for hunting rifle as it is for sporting rifle.

 

[CanuckCooper]

I forgot to mention, the size of the bullseye depends on the distance the match is being shot at. Currently matches can be shot at 20 yards (typically indoor), or at 50 meters (outdoor). The targets for each distance are in the first post. If you print them, be sure to select “actual size” in your printer settings. By doing so, you’ll get at least one bullseye that will be the appropriate size for the 50m targets, and a handful of bullseyes for the 20 yard targets when printed in normal 8.5x11” paper.

 

[machohugeaxe]

I forgot to mention, the size of the bullseye depends on the distance the match is being shot at. Currently matches can be shot at 20 yards (typically indoor), or at 50 meters (outdoor). The targets for wash distance are in the first post. If you print them, be sure to select “actual size” in your printer settings. By doing so, you’ll get at least one bullseye that will be the appropriate size for the 50m targets, and a handful of bullseyes for the 20 yard targets when printed in normal 8.5x11” paper.

My club provides the official targets, I just haven't asked about anything beyond that I would be in the hunting rifle category and that in a match its 5 shots per bull? Not even sure if thats correct, looks like there are 10 scoring bulls on a sheet. Does that mean you can only fit 2 series per target sheet?
Also the PDF of rules doesn't say anything about hunting rifle # of shots, I was told that hunting rifle would just be prone and standing, but not sitting position? Wouldn't mind some clarification haha

 

[Biologist]

I have a CZ 452 Lux (that could meet both Sporting and Hunting Rifle spec's), that I would like to fit with aperture sights. However the CZ 452 Lux's front sight ramp is soldered on, is not dovetailed to receive a front globe sight, and I do not want to destroy it. The only supplier of a front globe sight that can fit for these old CZ's and BRNO's, that I know of, was "Denny", but I heard he has passed away, sad to say.

If you know the front sight on these old CZ's/BRNO's (many photos on Rimfire Central with Denny's product), Denny supplied an angled globe base fitting with a modified flat head screw that slotted into the front post groove (the front post slides forward and backwards on angled groove to adjust post height). The modified flat head screw is easy to make. The trick is making the angled base at the precise angle so that it mates with the angle of the front of the ramp that the front post slides in, and which also has a dovetailed top that attaches to a dovetailed globe bottom, so that the globe sits perfectly horizontal and aligned with the bore axis.

Its a machinist's project that I am not capable of. And I do not want to destroy the original front ramp and sight. I am looking for a solution something like Denny had (I don't know if he made these, or if he had the last of the inventory made in the BRNO factory years ago).

Another idea: The front ramp has a horizontal groove on each side for the removable sight hood. I have always thought that a milled out slot on a base piece could fit over the flat middle portion of the ramp and tighten on the sides with nylon or brass tipped set screws, maybe into the hood grooves for a secure fit. The top of this base piece would have the dovetail milled into it for a globe sight. I sketched out a rough plan for this once, but do not know how to get it made. I am just a dumb Biologist and have no knowledge about machining and how to get a precision custom metal part made, and if such a project with the hours involved would even be affordable as a one-off.

If anyone knows how to source and fit a front globe sight to the old CZ/BRNO front sight ramps, please let me know.

 

[CanuckCooper]

My club provides the official targets, I just haven't asked about anything beyond that I would be in the hunting rifle category and that in a match its 5 shots per bull? Not even sure if thats correct, looks like there are 10 scoring bulls on a sheet. Does that mean you can only fit 2 series per target sheet?
Also the PDF of rules doesn't say anything about hunting rifle # of shots, I was told that hunting rifle would just be prone and standing, but not sitting position? Wouldn't mind some clarification haha

That’s excellent that your club has the official targets! That makes things a bit easier and it sounds like there’s a decent sporting/hunting rifle community there.

Regarding the bullseyes and shots per series;

Each target whether it’s the 20 yard or the 50 meter target, accommodates one series of 20 shots…

For the 50 Meter Target (6 Large Bullseyes) you would shoot five shots per scoring bullseye (the bottom 4 bullseyes are the scoring ones) you can also shoot any number of sighting shots in the top two bullseyes at any time during your thirty minutes for that series…

For the 20 yard target (10 scoring bullseyes and 2 sighting bullseyes) you would shoot two scoring shots in each of the 10 scoring bullseyes, and you can also shoot any number of sighting shots in the Center two sighting bullseyes at anytime during your thirty minutes for that series…

So, in a match, you would end up using 3 targets, with a total of 20 scoring rounds each. 60 shots in total out of 600 points.

This is the same regardless if it’s sporting rifle or hunting rifle. Hunting rifles rules only differ from sporting rifle by way of technical requirements of the firearm and the clothing you can wear…. The actually shooting process, targets and scoring are the same for both. Hunting rifles technical/equipment rules are meant to be simple and essentially allow for any rifle and any sight to be used so long that the rifle wasn’t initially manufactured as a “target” rifle.. and no issf styled shooting jacket/pants or shooting gloves are permitted in hunting rifle (which are permitted in sporting).

I hope you try it out! It is a lot of fun and it really is a measure of “your” performance as a marksman. It’s very rewarding. Let us know how it goes and if there’s ever any questions just ask.

 

[CanuckCooper]

I realize now, that the picture of the target I posted above (post #3) might lead to a little confusion…. That’s just one bullseye I was practicing on…. I happened to fire all 20 shots at the one bullseye…. To give some context, when I practice 50m, I cut the targets up into individual bullseyes. I do this so I can better replicate shooting at an electric target. Which just has one bullseye to aim at…. So, for my training I place single bullseye at the exact height of the aiming bullseye on the mega link electronic targets that are used at the Pan Am range where Ont Provincials and Nationals are held…. That’s why there’s 20 shots on that one bullseye. If you were shooting sporting rifle or hunting rifle in a match on paper targets, you would shoot as described in my post above…. I hope that helps.

 

[CanuckCooper]

I have a CZ 452 Lux (that could meet both Sporting and Hunting Rifle spec's), that I would like to fit with aperture sights. However the CZ 452 Lux's front sight ramp is soldered on, is not dovetailed to receive a front globe sight, and I do not want to destroy it. The only supplier of a front globe sight that can fit for these old CZ's and BRNO's, that I know of, was "Denny", but I heard he has passed away, sad to say.

If you know the front sight on these old CZ's/BRNO's (many photos on Rimfire Central with Denny's product), Denny supplied an angled globe base fitting with a modified flat head screw that slotted into the front post groove (the front post slides forward and backwards on angled groove to adjust post height). The modified flat head screw is easy to make. The trick is making the angled base at the precise angle so that it mates with the angle of the front of the ramp that the front post slides in, and which also has a dovetailed top that attaches to a dovetailed globe bottom, so that the globe sits perfectly horizontal and aligned with the bore axis.

Its a machinist's project that I am not capable of. And I do not want to destroy the original front ramp and sight. I am looking for a solution something like Denny had (I don't know if he made these, or if he had the last of the inventory made in the BRNO factory years ago).

Another idea: The front ramp has a horizontal groove on each side for the removable sight hood. I have always thought that a milled out slot on a base piece could fit over the flat middle portion of the ramp and tighten on the sides with nylon or brass tipped set screws, maybe into the hood grooves for a secure fit. The top of this base piece would have the dovetail milled into it for a globe sight. I sketched out a rough plan for this once, but do not know how to get it made. I am just a dumb Biologist and have no knowledge about machining and how to get a precision custom metal part made, and if such a project with the hours involved would even be affordable as a one-off.

If anyone knows how to source and fit a front globe sight to the old CZ/BRNO front sight ramps, please let me know.

Hi Biologist, sounds like you got a great rifle there! I’m afraid I’m not sure of a solution or which globe styled sight might work best for your rifle. At the bare minimum you’d have a phenomenal hunting rifle on your hands. If you have a scope on it at the moment, I’d say try it as a hunting rifle and see how you enjoy it. Print the targets above and try it out! Please post them up after if you do. I will ask around this Sunday though about your question and see what I find out…

 

[machohugeaxe]

For the 20 yard target (10 scoring bullseyes and 2 sighting bullseyes) you would shoot two scoring shots in each of the 10 scoring bullseyes, and you can also shoot any number of sighting shots in the Center two sighting bullseyes at anytime during your thirty minutes for that series…

This is the same regardless if it’s sporting rifle or hunting rifle.

Ah thanks! So hunting rifle shoots kneeling too? I must've been misinformed when I heard that hunting rifle is only prone or standing?
I haven't done kneeling this whole time!

 

[CanuckCooper]

Ah thanks! So hunting rifle shoots kneeling too? I must've been misinformed when I heard that hunting rifle is only prone or standing?
I haven't done kneeling this whole time!

That’s a good question! So it’s my my understanding that it’s the SFC’s intention for hunting rifle competition to mirror sporting rifle in both prone only matches (3 series of prone =600 points) and eventually 3 position (1 series prone, 1 series standing, and 1 series kneeling = 600 points). There’s no standing only or prone and standing only for either sport…

It’s also my understanding that there hasn’t been a 3p hunting rifle match as yet… That’s not because it’s not necessarily allowed or anything like that…. It’s likely because there haven’t been enough participants willing to sign up for one… Hunting rifle is The SFC’s entry sport into this style of shooting. Basically nearly any 22 rifle qualifies for it with some minor restrictions. That’s to encourage basically anyone to try it… 3 position is very challenging in any form (sporting rifle, issf ect…). In sporting rifle I’ve found prone only competitors typically outnumber 3p competitors 3 or 4 to 1…. I think you just don’t see many new people wanting to try 3p… and match organizers typically don’t bother having a hunting 3p class for that’s reason unfortunately…. I hope to encourage a change to that…. I encourage everyone interesting in either sporting rifle or hunting rifle to shoot both when available. And definitely try both in your own practice.

 

[machohugeaxe]

Standing is tough! That's what makes it appealing to me, its challenging!

 

[CanuckCooper]

Standing is tough! That's what makes it appealing to me, its challenging!

It absolutely is! Get after it!

 

[CanuckCooper]

Alright, I had a little outing to the 50 Meter Range today. I shot the the Anschutz 1903J KK, and the Savage MkI FVT. It was overcast and a bit gusty, the 30 meter flags deflected the most on and off at a quarter to full value between 45 and 90 degrees. The 10 meter flags weren’t as active. I just shot when they settled between gusts.

Here’s the Match worth of series out of the Anschutz… not my best but also not my worst:

Series #1 - 196x8my worst of the three series… I should have stretched and warmed up with more sighters…. My right delt had a funny twitch or shimmer going on that messed with things a bit.

Series #2 - 199x8 Better after warming up a bit.

Series #3 - a bit of a dirty 199x5 for a total of 594x21. The shot outside right on diagram #1 is just just touching the 10 ring when gauged. So not to bad I guess... lesson learned, i I skipped stretching which I think hurt series #1 and I also didn’t spend much time on sighters….

I’ll post the single series I shot with the savage shortly.