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

[DE-F-Open]

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 -

 

[Andy Legg]

Cool….NRA National Records

 

[Rset]

Looks like a new race to the AR10.
Wish the two classes would have been limited to AR15 or AR10 instead of the way it was modified.

 

[Andy Legg]

Looks like a new race to the AR10.
Wish the two classes would have been limited to AR15 or AR10 instead of the way it was modified.

I hear ya…..but i think it will be ok.

Most Mid-Range matches at .223 that is dialed in with 77 SMK, 80 SMK or 80.5 Bergers with a good barrel and experience behind the trigger can get it done. My son’s and I have a couple AR10’s for CMP Long Range Matches and do sometimes shoot them at Mid-Range Matches in preparation for the CMP matches. From what I have seen there is more recoil to manage and have seen some vertical stringing that is not present with our AR15 Rifles…..I am certain it is a shooter issue and we are working on it

If you were wanting to compete in NRA Mid-Range and also CMP Mid-Range & Long Range Matches and could only have one rifle….I’d recommend building an AR10 in something like 6mm Creedmoore, .277 Fury or maybe even a 7mm-08.

As far as the .223’s go….a nice quality 20-22” barrel with a Wylde Chamber should do the job and be much cheaper to feed.

Either way…I would not let the rule changes discourage you from participating.

-Andy Legg

 

[Cochran]

John, thanks for posting this. I’m going to try this out this year.
Just to clarify, since it’s no longer provisional and there will be a national championship, are both sub classes lumped into one for the purposes of a national champion or two separate national champions ?

Basically, do I still need to build a 6mm or 6.5 to keep up with the Jones’s ??

 

[Cochran]

Bueller….Bueller ?

 

[DE-F-Open]

John, thanks for posting this. I’m going to try this out this year.
Just to clarify, since it’s no longer provisional and there will be a national championship, are both sub classes lumped into one for the purposes of a national champion or two separate national champions ?

Basically, do I still need to build a 6mm or 6.5 to keep up with the Jones’s ??

Two separate national champions

 

[Cochran]

Thanks

 

[sfinn1]

I think it a good thing. Much like service rifle compared to match rifle.
Seems like it has been provisional for a long time.

 

[Bob3700]

When Tubb was competing with the SR25, I assembled an AR-10 in 6 MMX. It was like a Tubb gun that loaded itself. Same ballistics as the 6 mmXC. That is the way I would go for Mid-Range. Would do a 6 mm BR if u could get it to feed. If u can have a sled n single feed, any BR cartridge would rule.

 

[sfinn1]

When Tubb was competing with the SR25, I assembled an AR-10 in 6 MMX. It was like a Tubb gun that loaded itself. Same ballistics as the 6 mmXC. That is the way I would go for Mid-Range. Would do a 6 mm BR if u could get it to feed. If u can have a sled n single feed, any BR cartridge would rule.

Bob, the 6mm or 22 ARC may fit that criteria. Seems very popular.

Steve F.

 

[sfinn1]

Another item I think needs addressed are adjustable gas blocks.

 

[Andy Legg]

Another item I think needs addressed are adjustable gas blocks.

Is this a competitive advantage?

 

[sfinn1]

Is this a competitive advantage?

Andy, this goes back to the original intent of AR Tactical to not make it an equipment race. Although I think we left it far behind us.

 

[Andy Legg]

Andy, this goes back to the original intent of AR Tactical to not make it an equipment race. Although I think we left it far behind us.

Ahh, I see. Folks will spend trying to win…that is certainly true.

That said, back in 2023 at the NRA Mid-Range Prone National Matches (Camp Atterbury) I used a PSA AR15 with a Rock River National Match Trigger, Harris Bipod and .223 Wylde Wilson Arms 18” barrel (bought on Black Friday 2022 for $89.99) that was wearing a Primary Arms 4-14x Scope and Mount.

All-In for well under $1200 for the whole rig.

This combo with 77 grain SMK hand loads ended up shooting 99.5% over the four days of the national matches. Man I wish I had bought every one of the barrels JSE Surplus had on Black Friday….this was the BEST AR15 Barrel i have ever owned….it was great while it lasted

Please don’t let the folks spending $$$ discourage you from participating….most of them would most likely be better if they would shoot more rather than spend more.

Good Luck and Hope to See you at the Range!
Andy Legg

 

[Shutstr8r]

Two separate national champions

So you’re saying there’s a chance.

 

[Jeff Porter]

When Tubb was competing with the SR25, I assembled an AR-10 in 6 MMX. It was like a Tubb gun that loaded itself. Same ballistics as the 6 mmXC. That is the way I would go for Mid-Range. Would do a 6 mm BR if u could get it to feed. If u can have a sled n single feed, any BR cartridge would rule.

I have a .243 DPMS pattern gas gun if you want to play.

 

[Rset]

Bob, the 6mm or 22 ARC may fit that criteria. Seems very popular.

Steve F.

The ARC would put you in a class competing with 6GT, 6 Creedmoor, and many many others including the magnums. Essentially, no restrictions. I have a 6 ARC. While good, it is no match in challenging conditions even at mid range for faster, heavier cartridges. It can certainly win with the right shooter and the right conditions, but the race will be to the AR10 platform just for its diversity.

 

[Rset]

I hear ya…..but i think it will be ok.

Most Mid-Range matches at .223 that is dialed in with 77 SMK, 80 SMK or 80.5 Bergers with a good barrel and experience behind the trigger can get it done. My son’s and I have a couple AR10’s for CMP Long Range Matches and do sometimes shoot them at Mid-Range Matches in preparation for the CMP matches. From what I have seen there is more recoil to manage and have seen some vertical stringing that is not present with our AR15 Rifles…..I am certain it is a shooter issue and we are working on it

If you were wanting to compete in NRA Mid-Range and also CMP Mid-Range & Long Range Matches and could only have one rifle….I’d recommend building an AR10 in something like 6mm Creedmoore, .277 Fury or maybe even a 7mm-08.

As far as the .223’s go….a nice quality 20-22” barrel with a Wylde Chamber should do the job and be much cheaper to feed.

Either way…I would not let the rule changes discourage you from participating.

-Andy Legg

Not discouraged from competing in AR Tactical. I shoot F-Open with some success with a 6 Dasher, so I have no fear, and am a glutton for punishment.
I will probably pull the 6 ARC barrel I have off in favor of a .223 and compete against the .308's in mid range. Not giving up a whole lot if rounds can be loaded from a sled and don't need to fit in a mag.

 

[Andy Legg]

Not discouraged from competing in AR Tactical. I shoot F-Open with some success with a 6 Dasher, so I have no fear, and am a glutton for punishment.
I will probably pull the 6 ARC barrel I have off in favor of a .223 and compete against the .308's in mid range. Not giving up a whole lot if rounds can be loaded from a sled and don't need to fit in a mag.

Going from F-O to AR-Tactical…..the change in Trigger Pull may be the biggest challenge to get used to. Even at near max AR-Tactical weight, the whole rifle will move when you begin to press the trigger…..you may even find yourself occasionally checking to make sure the Safety is not still on.

Look forward to seeing you at the range sometime

Andy Legg