Binghamton Rifle Club Inc. (Sporterifle)

NYS Sporterifle is a postal target competition using 22 cal. rimfire rifles sponsored by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA). The shooting position is off-hand standing with the target at 50 feet. The sport is designed so that expensive special equipment is not required. It is possible to be competitive with equipment you may already own. There is a maximum weight limit on scope/gun of 7.5 pounds. Slings or other devices that provide artificial support are not allowed.

Matches are held weekly thoughout the season. A match consists of 3 completed targets with 10 shots per target. Shooters are given 10 minutes to complete each target. The target used is the NRA Official 50 ft. Light Rifle Target A-32. The maximum score per target is 100. A perfect match score is 300 (it does happen!).

Teams consist of 5 or more members. The top 5 individual scores for each match constitute the team score for that match. Therefore members of lower abilities can participate and not be concerned that they will adversely affect the team scores. The inclusion of members of any ability can only improve the team score. This is sometimes important to point out to prospective new members.

Currently there are about 35 teams state-wide divided among 5 leagues based on team average.

NYS Sporterifle is a postal league. Teams shoot their weekly matches at their own local ranges. The team captain compiles the scores and mails them to the newsletter editor who compares them with the scores of the team with whom you are paired that week to determine winners.

There are shoulder to shoulder end-of-season matches where interested members from all the clubs congregate at one of several centralized hosting club's ranges. Some years we also have a shoulder to shoulder mid-season match. Starting in 1996 there is also a holiday postal shoot-off offering cash prizes and a very generous door prize.

There are individual and team awards for both shoot-offs and overall season. The team award is for high team average for each league. The individual awards include: high shooter, high lady, high junior, high senior, high shooter from each classification, most improved shooter and the Monte Smith most improved junior shooter.

NYS Sporterifle is very inexpensive. There is an annual $2.00 'equipment fund' fee which is payable at the competitor's first match. Weekly matches are only $1.25 per competitor per match. Second competitors in the same household pay only $1.00 per match. The fee for junior members (ages 12-19) is only 75 cents per match.

Juniors can start shooting at age 12 and retain their junior status until age 19.

The sporterifle season runs from about mid-September to about mid-February with weeks off for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. The end of the season shoot-off is held in early March. There are several regional banquets held in late March/early April where awards are presented and club business is discussed. Participation in the shoot-offs and banquet is desirable but not a requirement.

For more information go to

Binghamton Rifle Club Inc.
Page content by club members.
Comments and suggestions are welcome e-Mail the Webmaster
Page last modified: Wednesday September 13, 2006