MID- RANGE COMPETITION FOR TACTICAL RIFLES ON THE “AR-PLATFORM” Conceptually, this new NRA Mid-Range (Prone) Tactical Rifle (AR) program will be designed to provide civilian, military, and police shooters with an opportunity to shoot NRA Mid-Range Prone competition along-side of other Mid-Range Prone shooters in matches using semi-automatic rifles built on an “AR-Platform” and equipment generally thought of as being 68 ■ 2025 NRA HIGH POWER RIFLE RULEBOOK“tactical” in design and use. These rifles will be configured so as to replicate as closely as possible the tactical rifles (semi-automatic) and equipment used by the United States Military and America’s Law Enforcement Community in “mid-range” tactical applications. These semi-automatic rifles will be more “off the rack” or “stock” than “competition” in nature. They will be more of a “tactical design” than “match design” and therefore less expensive than the vast majority of mid-range prone rifles currently in use. These rifles will be of the “AR-Platform” variety, semi-automatic, chambered in two classes, (1) those in caliber from 223/5.56mm and (2) those chambered larger than .223/5.56mm up to and including .308 cal./7.62mm. The courses of f ire will be the same courses of fire currently used for other NRA Mid-Range (Prone) High Power Competition (300,500 & 600 yards) and are designed to be fired concurrently with other forms of Mid-Range competition. The targets will be the same targets that are used for Service Rifle, Match Rifle and Palma Rifle Mid-Range Prone competition. Mid-range telescopic sights will be allowed, but not required. Because this is prone competition, shooters may use tactical front rests such as Harris-type bipods and limited rear rests of the type one might find used in military or police tactical situations. This new style of competition is designed to be more “tactical” in spirit and for that reason equipment normally found in other types of High Power Rifle Competition such as Match Rifle, Palma Rifle and F-Class Rifle will not be permitted. In order to understand the spirit of this new sport one might think of this sport as “prone Service Rifle with a bipod and a scope”. This IS NOT designed as another version of F-Class competition. As a practical matter, Match Directors wishing to provide this competitive shooting opportunity within their programs will simply integrate this rifle with others already provided for within their standard Mid-Range program. In other words, this will simply be another category of rifle to be added to those already in existence.
3.3.3 NRA Mid-Range (Prone) Tactical Rifle (AR) Any semi-automatic rifle constructed on an “AR-Style Platform” chambered in either (1) 5.56mm/.223 or chambered larger than .223/5.56 up to and including .308 cal/7.62mm similar in outward appearance to the “Service Rifle” described in 3.1(c), above, equipped with the standard 10-,20-,or 30- round box magazine, having not less than 4 ½ pound trigger pull, with standard type “tactical” stock (Military or Police); barrel length not to exceed 22”; total weight of the rifle including one empty magazine, bipod and/or sling, if any, and sighting system (scope) may not exceed 15 pounds. No current national records are allowed.
Stock- Must be of the type and design commonly issued to and/or used by U.S. Military or U.S. Police; may be straight (solid), folding, or collapsible, competitive style stocks such as those commonly found on Match Rifles, Palma Rifles, and F-Class Rifles are prohibited. Tactical stocks with an adjustable cheek piece and/or an adjustable butt plate are permitted. Tactical rail and/or equipment attachment system are permitted. Tactical adjustable stocks fitted with rear monopods are permitted but the rear monopod may not be used for support. See below and see Rule 5.2
Sights- Telescopic sights, either fixed or variable, not to exceed 16x magnification. Standard metallic, holographic and other tactical sighting systems are also permitted. Laser sighting systems are prohibited.
Tactical Front Rest – detachable and collapsible (folding) tactical style front bipod of the “Harris-type”; or, separate soft roll ex: rolled shooting matt, or soft front bag of the type and design commonly used in military/police. Commercial front rest should have a flat surface that does not conform to the shape of the rifle. Some examples: Python bag, Tac Driver bag, or fat bags. “Field-expedient applications” are permitted such as a back pack or range bag with a flat surface that does not conform to the rifle. Bags that are designed, or inadvertently, have protrusions to hold the rifle on a consistent line are prohibited. Such as: Game Changer, Hunters Blind Bag, or Shooting H Bag. Mechanical/machine front rests and non-collapsible and/or mechanically adjustable bipods of the types(s) otherwise legal in F-Class competition are prohibited. A field-expedient front rest consisting of a back pack or range bag may be substituted, but only one such item may be used. The front rest, bipod or otherwise, must be in direct contact with the ground. No boards, mats, rugs, clothing, towels, or other devices may be used to level the firing point under the front rest or to support the front rest.” The example bags listed are not the comprehensive list. .
Tactical Rear Rest – Use of a soft roll or soft rear bag is permitted but not required. Bag should be no more than 7”x7” with no limit to height. Examples are: Squishy Rear Bag, S2Delta Rear Squeeze Bag, DeadShot Rear Bag, or any universal rear bag. Field-expedient rear rests consisting of one or more items of clothing may be used. Solid, adjustable and/or rigid rests of all kinds are prohibited. Neither the butt of the rifle nor any attachments thereto (such as monopod) may touch the ground while firing or during recoil. Rear rest may be placed on the shooter’s mat/ground cloth, but no board or other device may be placed under the rear bag/rest or used to solidify support for the rear bag/rest, if any. See Rule 5.2. The example bags listed are not the comprehensive list.
Sling – Shooter may choose to use a sling permitted by Rule 3.13(b). Competition-style slings and sling systems of the types commonly used in Match Rifle and Palma Rifle competition are prohibited. Tactical slings and sling systems specifically designed for tactical f ield applications with “AR Platform” tactical rifles may be used. Slings are not required. Shooting Mats – See Rule 3.10
Magazine – Standard 10-, 20-, or 30- round magazines must be used. Reduced capacity magazines and “sleds” are prohibited. Magazine may not be used for support and may not touch the ground during f iring or recoil. See Rule 5.2. Barrel Accoutrements/Devices – Standard, factory installed “flash hiders” are permitted.
Competition-style muzzle brakes, compensators, and barrel tuners are prohibited. Sound Suppressors are authorized. See section 3.16.1(a)
Ammunition – See Rule 3.17
Spotting Scope – See Rule 3.8
Interpretive Intent – It is the intent of this rule that this semi-automatic rifle and the equipment used therewith most closely resemble the semi-automatic tactical rifles and equipment issued to and sometimes used by U.S. Military and U.S. Law Enforcement in tactical situations at the distances utilized in standard NRA Mid-Range Prone competition. This is not meant to be another form of F-Class competition. Rifles and equipment designed specifically for competitive shooting applications are generally outside the spirit and intent of this rule. See Rule 3.18. 3.16.1 Compensators, Muzzle Brakes, and Sound Suppressors. Sound suppressors are authorized for use in AR Tactical Rifle competition provisionally for three (3) years commencing February 1, 2023 and ending February 1, 2026. Note: Competitors are reminded that they are responsible for obeying all laws pertaining to owning and use of suppressors.”
