New Rules for NRA 's AR Tactical Mid-Range Prone-2026

[Cochran]

Has been NRA MR-1.

Some folks have previously expressed concern that the MR-1FC should be used.

Honestly, it does not matter to me as long as all the AT-Tactical shooters are on the same target (and the actual target matches the Shotmarker)…..

Good point Andy. If the paper target doesn't match the Shotmarker setting its very strange.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Good point Andy. If the paper target doesn't match the Shotmarker setting its very strange.

I had that experience at Memphis one day shooting sling MRP match. I thought I had too much coffee that morning because my hold was all over the X/10 ring. Score seemed OK ( other than my crossfire). After the second string I realized it was an F face and the E target was scoring it as sling target.

Edit to add… in informal club matches at 300 yards we have left the rapid prone face on the target and shot slow prone on that. Service rifle 4.5 x scope it isn’t ideal but worse with match rifle and higher magnification.

 

[Andy Legg]

I had that experience at Memphis one day shooting sling MRP match. I thought I had too much coffee that morning because my hold was all over the X/10 ring. Score seemed OK ( other than my crossfire). After the second string I realized it was an F face and the E target was scoring it as sling target.

Edit to add… in informal club matches at 300 yards we have left the rapid prone face on the target and shot slow prone on that. Service rifle 4.5 x scope it isn’t ideal but worse with match rifle and higher magnification.

If the club does not have the MR-1 target face…. I would prefer to shoot using the shop marker set to the F class face……. Then after the string of fire is complete, change it back to MR-1 on the shop marker….. It will automatically rescore the string. This would keep the holdovers consistent with the target face and what’s on your monitor.

 

[charlie b]

"(g) Reduced Capacity Magazines. Reduced capacity magazines (loading sleds) are permitted. "

This implies that the course of fire will allow single shot procedures. That opens up bullet and cartridge selection a lot if it is the case.

 

[Andy Legg]

"(g) Reduced Capacity Magazines. Reduced capacity magazines (loading sleds) are permitted. "

This implies that the course of fire will allow single shot procedures. That opens up bullet and cartridge selection a lot if it is the case.

Mid-Range Prone is typically Slow-Fire. Safety Rules dictate Single Feeding (not out of a Magazine). Rapid Fire (Across the Course) is Magazine Fed.

Me and my two sons have shot AR-Tactical Mid and Long Range Prone Matches at very many ranges across the United States….I have never seen Magazine Length Ammo checked or Ammunition that is Longer than Magazine Length being an issue.

All said, I agree the bullet and cartridge selection is pretty much wide open especially in the NRA’s AR-Tactical-Any Rifle Catagory.

Good Luck & See you at the Range!

Andy Legg

 

[charlie b]

Thanks Andy. I knew of the prone rules but wondered if that would carry over into these classes.

 

[Andy Legg]

Thanks Andy. I knew of the prone rules but wondered if that would carry over into these classes.For what it is worth, we do carry magazine length ammo with us when traveling to a match we have not been to before (especially if it is a long distance away).

When we first started shooting AR-Tactical there was quite a bit of internet discussion around whether the No-Sled rule’s intent was to require Magazine Length ammo.

Just to make sure we covered all our bases, we always carry magazine length 77 grain .223 when attending matches we have not shot in before (especially if traveling a great distance).

Never had or seen any issues with it though.

One of the rifles we shoot is a 6x45 loaded at 2.600” COAL 105 grain Nosler RDF…..does not even come close to fitting into a magazine (see attached photo compared to 62 grain M855).

 

[Jeff Porter]

When we first started shooting AR-Tactical there was quite a bit of internet discussion around whether the No-Sled rule’s intent was to require Magazine Length ammo.

I was not paying close attention at the time but I remember thinking it was an odd rule because it is not a big deal to single load from a standard magazine and in prone matches you are required to single load. If the intent was to get more guys to come shoot and use run what you brung mag length ammo it makes sense, but as a requirement to do so, it didn't quite get the job done.

 

[Stumpy1]

So, one thing I am getting from this is that you will no longer be able to use a backpack or 'field expedient' front support.

Is that how you guys are reading the changes?

Frank

 

[DE-F-Open]

So, one thing I am getting from this is that you will no longer be able to use a backpack or 'field expedient' front support.

Is that how you guys are reading the changes?

Frank

yes

 

[Herzo]

How do 2 stage triggers qualify under 3.3.2[d] .....Only military style triggers are permitted..... ?
Not trying to start a fight, just asking.

 

[Tpb10505]

Heads up - we have new rules for NRA's AR Tactical.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, the NRA Board of Directors approved newly revised rules for AR Tactical Mid-Range Prone competition.These revisions are designed to simplify and clarify the rules and to address the many concerns raised by competitors over the years.

An unofficial copy of these revised rules is attched as a pdf. Look for the official version to be posted to the NRA Competitions Division website in the near future.

Note that AR Tactical is no longer "provisional" which means that AR Tactical is now a "mature" NRA High Power discipline meaning that national records may now be established and that AR Tactical may now become an official portion of the High Power Mid-Range National Championship.

Also note that there are now two categories of AR Tactical Rifles -
(1) AR-Military & Police (AR-M&P) consisting of "Any semi-automatic centerfire rifle constructed on an AR_Style Platform chambered in either .223/5.56mm or 7.62 mm/.308 caliber;" and
(2) AR-Any Rifle (AR-Any) consisting of "Any semi-automatic centerfire rifle constructed on an AR-Style Platform in any bore diameter not less than .223 cal/5.56mm and not exceeding .308 cal./7.62 mm. Magnums are permitted."

Finally, please note that under these revised rules, suppressors are permitted in those jurisdictions where they are legal.

As said before, look for the official version of these revised rules to be posted on the NRA Competitions Division website -

Is there anything specific about having a mat that has some sort or a stop or roll that shooters can load their bipod up against? We were discussing that last night and had varying opinions on the legality.

 

[Monte F]

3.10 Ground Cloths or Ground Pads—A competitor may use one or more

ground cloths or ground pads so long as they are not constructed or used in a

manner to provide artificial rest or support.

They removed the requirement that the bipod must be in contact with the ground in this year's rulebook.
I suppose one could argue on the above rule on mats providing support for the legs.
They keep changing the rules on AR Tactical so often that the rifle you had in the beginning is now well behind the new ones. (20 inch barrel, 12X scope, must not have a sled or reduced capacity magazine.)

 

[Albany Mountain]

"(g) Reduced Capacity Magazines. Reduced capacity magazines (loading sleds) are permitted. "

This implies that the course of fire will allow single shot procedures. That opens up bullet and cartridge selection a lot if it is the case.

always been the case but some MD didn't think so. Glad they permit it specifically now to settle the arguments

 

[Albany Mountain]

How do 2 stage triggers qualify under 3.3.2[d] .....Only military style triggers are permitted..... ?
Not trying to start a fight, just asking.

another NRA rule without definition. Let the MD figure it out and deal with the discontent.

 

[sfinn1]

It seems to me had the NRA just set the rules following the NRA service rifle rules with the the few additions of scope power, bipod and god forgive 22" barrel length it would all be clear. For a sport originally to get rifles out of the closet with no match rifle additions, what's the 22" barrel thing about.

 

[Monte F]

The 22" barrel does not fit in my case well (hard case with pluck foam interior that was perfect for the 20"). I did not think of that when I ordered my new barrel, should have stayed with 20".

 

[Andy Legg]

another NRA rule without definition. Let the MD figure it out and deal with the discontent.

I have been shooting AR-Tactical for quite some time at very many ranges and different clubs……best I can tell as far as triggers go the trigger pull is what I have seen checked to verify it is at least 4.5#

That said, we typically use a Rock River 2-Stage, Geissele National Match, Geissele G2S or LaRue MBT triggers. As long as the springs pass…. All of these have worked well for us everywhere we went.

I would likely avoid the “Drop-In” or cassette type triggers, but that’s just me….. they would likely be fine as long as they passed the trigger pull weight test.

 

[Andy Legg]

It seems to me had the NRA just set the rules following the NRA service rifle rules with the the few additions of scope power, bipod and god forgive 22" barrel length it would all be clear. For a sport originally to get rifles out of the closet with no match rifle additions, what's the 22" barrel thing about.

For the NRA the 22 inch barrel rule very likely came from the NRA high power rules committee attempting to align the NRA’s AR-Tactical Rules with the CMP’s AR-Tactical Rules.

I would not worry too much about your barrel length especially at Mid-Range ( CMP does shoot AR-Tactical at Long Ranges Matches).

For what it is worth…One of my most accurate Rifles we use at the 300 yard line has a Wilson Arms 16” Barrel. Also, in 2023 I won the NRA Mid-Range National with an 18” Wilson Arms Barrel (shoot 99.5% over 240 shots using 77 grain SMK’s).

Whatever you have in your closet is likely fine to get started with…..later on, most likely a trigger, replacement barrel would be in you future if you were to stick with it.

Good Luck and hope to see you at the Range!

Andy Legg

 

[TRH]

Regret my 24" BSF barreled 6mm ARC is outside the Open 22" spec. Originally built for an OTC less recoil LH rifle. Everything else would work including an OSS TI suppressor. Not withstanding the AR-10 cartridges advantages, I'm at an age where recoil mitigation is a consideration in the rifles I compete with prone.