An inside look at the Equipment used in the sport
Smallbore Rifle This rifle is the top in new-age technology. It is a .22 calibre smallbore rifle and it is the latest in the offerings from the German manufacturer Anschutz. Many of the rifles used by target shooters are the Anschutz brand. Although it has a space-age appearance, its development is the culmination of many years of research and listening to the needs of the Olympic shooter. Each facet can be adjusted to the precise requirements of the shooter.
The rifle shown here is
an Anschutz 2013 and probably one of the more common amongst shooters. It is
also specifically a .22 rimfire target rifle with a weight restriction of no
more than 8kg. Due to the rifle's ability to be adjusted to suits all body types,
this type of rifle is predominantly used for the Three Position and Prone 50
metre events for both male and female competitors. The palm rest assists
with standing shooting.
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There are however, lighter, although just as accurate rifles for everyday club use. All of these rifles use standard velocity .22 rimfire factory ammunition especially designed for accurate target shooting and are shot in a single shot fashion. There are no magazines and no high-powered vision scopes on these rifles. |
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| Air Rifle |  |
| These are competition Air Rifles that fire a standard .177 air pellet, either by means of compressed air (the blue alloy stocked Anschutz above) or compressing a piston by means of a hand lever. | |
| Again technology has taken over with both wooden and alloy stocks being available. |
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The bright colours of the stocks are a newer inovation. Until a few years ago, most rifles were routinely the ex-factory colour of the stained wood of the stock ..........now the sky is the limit, and often shooters will colour co-ordinate both shooting clothing and rifle stocks to match. |
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These shooters are shooting
a 3P match final at the 2007 Oceania Championships.
The jackets and trousers you see are made from a combination of canvas and leather, and are quite comfortable. The clothing enhances the ability to hold the rifle steady. The shooters also wear a glove on the hand that supports the rifle, and boots that support the ankle and foot. Although this looks rather intimidating, each item plays an important part in relieving the body of unecessary muscle tension, and allows the shooter to perform at their best. |
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| Below are three 10 metre air rifle targets - one 9 and two 10's have been shot. The little dot showing in the middle of the first target must be hit for a 10 to be scored. |
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updated 2008
