10m Air Rifle

10m air rifle is shot standing, unsupported, at a target ten metres away. The discipline has been on the Olympic programme since 1984 (women) and 1988 (men), making it one of the longest-running Olympic shooting events. No recoil, no firearms certificate, and club rifles available from day one — it is the natural starting point for any new shooter.

Match format

Competitions use a 60-shot qualification round, with the top shooters advancing to an elimination final. At Olympic and international level finals are shot on electronic targets with real-time decimal scoring displayed to spectators (some ranges and clubs use these for everyday shooting too), and the lowest-scoring shooter is eliminated after each round until the medal positions are decided.

Targets have ten concentric scoring rings; the innermost scores 10.9 (decimal). A perfect qualification score is therefore 654.0 — an almost impossible standard that separates the Olympic podium finishers.

Key specifications:

• Distance: 10 metres (precisely)
• Position: Standing, unsupported — no sling or artificial support
• Calibre: 4.5 mm (.177) pellets
• Sights: Aperture (diopter) sights — no magnification permitted
• Power: Under 6 ft/lbs (well within UK air rifle limits, no certificate needed)

Equipment

Beginners need nothing: Pinhoe TSC provides air rifles and all equipment during Give it a Go and club sessions. When you’re ready to buy your own kit, entry-level match rifles (Feinwerkbau, Anschütz, Walther) start around £300–£800. Specialist shooting clothing — canvas jacket, trousers, boots, and sling — adds to the investment, but many club shooters compete happily in standard clothing for years.

For reference, a complete competition-level setup (rifle, jacket, trousers, boots, sling) runs £1,500–£4,500; however, technique matters far more than equipment at club level.

No Firearms Certificate required. Air rifles under 12 ft/lbs (England and Wales) are unregulated. Must be 18 or over to purchase; under-18s may shoot under supervision at an approved range.

UK competition pathway

The progression from club nights to the Olympic Games is well-defined and genuinely open to any shooter prepared to put in the work:

1. Club level — internal competitions, postal leagues, club championships
2. County and regional — NSRA county leagues, inter-county matches, open competitions at other clubs
3. National — NSRA British Championships at Bisley, British Shooting selection events, national postal league finals
4. International — ISSF World Cups, European Championships, Commonwealth Games, Olympic qualification

Mixed team events were added at Tokyo 2020, opening additional qualification pathways. The NSRA governs the discipline domestically; British Shooting manages Olympic selection.

Skills and training

10m air rifle develops both physical and mental attributes that carry across all shooting disciplines — and beyond. The physical demands centre on core strength, controlled breathing, and precise trigger technique. The mental demands are arguably greater: maintaining concentration across 60 shots, managing pressure, and repeating an identical pre-shot routine every single time.

Six fundamentals for beginners:

1. Master the standing position — correct stance, foot placement, body alignment
2. Develop consistent sight picture with front and rear aperture sights
3. Control breathing — shoot during the natural respiratory pause
4. Execute a smooth, straight trigger pull without disturbing the rifle
5. Build a consistent pre-shot routine and follow it every shot
6. Keep a shooting diary to identify patterns and track improvement

Qualified NSRA coaches are available at Pinhoe TSC and can compress months of self-taught progress into a single coaching session.

10m air rifle at Pinhoe TSC

Pinhoe TSC has a dedicated 10m air range with seven firing points. Club air rifles are available for beginners and Give it a Go participants.

The club shoots air rifle during the week, and hosts regular internal competitions throughout the year. Members also participate in NSRA postal leagues and the annual Devon County championship.

Related disciplines also offered at Pinhoe: 10m Air Pistol, Prone Air Rifle, Air Rifle Benchrest.