NRA High Power Rifle

Upcoming matches

40 events matching this sport’s disciplines. Discipline does not establish league affiliation. Coverage is partial; confirm dates and registration with the organizer.

1. Oct 23, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   FRE-1 Find Range Engage ClinicColemans Creek Hunter, Ellerbe, NC
   NC calendar →
2. Oct 23, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Palmetto Gun Club SC State Midrange ChampenshipPalmetto Gun Club, Ridgeville, SC
   SC calendar →
3. Oct 24, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   2026 White Horse WV High Power Long Range 1k at White Horse Range Buckhannon, WVWhite Horse Firearms & Outdoor Education Center, Philippi, WV
   WV calendar →
4. Oct 24, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Norfolk County Rifle Range EIC Service Rifle MatchNorfolk County Rifle Range, Moyock, NC
   NC calendar →
5. Oct 24, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Open Rifle@600Yrds / Rifle Fieldhouse21 Fish and Game Ln Scarborough , ME 04072 United States
   ME calendar →
6. Oct 24, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Reade Mid Range matchesWestern PA Cal 30 League Inc, Fallen Timber, PA
   PA calendar →

How a match works

1. Read the tournament program before entering. It gives the dates, location, course of fire, equipment rules, eligibility, awards and entry instructions. A match may be one stage or several; a tournament is a series of matches under one program. [15] [14]
2. Report to your assigned relay and target. The squadding ticket or posted bulletin tells you when and where to shoot. [13] [17]
3. Each preparation period is 3 minutes under Rule 10.3.1. It is separate from sighting shots. For example, the 2026 Mid-Range Prone championship’s 300-yard stage specifies 2 sighting shots and 20 record shots in 22 minutes. [9] [18]
4. Listen for “IS THE LINE READY?” and tell the range officer if you are not ready. Rapid-fire readiness commands include “READY ON THE RIGHT,” “READY ON THE LEFT” and “READY ON THE FIRING LINE.” Paper-target and electronic-target start signals differ. “CEASE FIRING” means stop immediately; the emergency command is “CEASE FIRE, UNLOAD!” Follow the range officer’s instructions before moving or handling equipment. [28]
5. Across-the-course shooting starts with slow-fire standing, followed by rapid-fire sitting or kneeling, rapid-fire prone and slow-fire prone. The basic 10-shot strings allow 10 minutes for standing, 60 seconds for sitting or kneeling, 70 seconds for rapid-fire prone and 10 minutes for slow-fire prone. The National Match Course doubles the final prone string to 20 shots. [2]
6. NRA rapid-fire stages start in the shooting position under Rule 10.1.7, not from standing. Each 10-shot string includes a reload: 2 and 8 rounds, or 5 and 5 rounds, as appropriate. [9]
7. Mid-range prone uses slow fire at 300, 500 or 600 yards, with combinations set by the program. Long-range prone includes Palma at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. These are different courses from the four-stage National Match Course. [9] [2]
8. Participation includes scoring, not only firing. The 2026 XTC program requires all competitors to keep score. The 2026 Mid-Range Prone program also assigns target-operation duties if its electronic system becomes inoperable. Check the host’s program for your assignment. [17] [18] [13]
9. Check the shot values and totals, and sign the scorecard before leaving the firing line. Rule 18.14 removes the challenge and protest privilege for that match if the competitor leaves without signing. Check preliminary posted scores within the tournament’s stated time limit. [13]

Where to compete

Search Coming Events by location for competitions, and the NRA-affiliated club finder by ZIP code or city/state. NRA’s beginner guide directs shooters to clubs that sponsor High Power matches; use the club’s program to confirm its course, rifle categories and entry conditions. [23] [22] [20] [15]

• NRA match finder ↗
• NRA club finder ↗
• Long-range shooting ranges
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Your first match

1. Find a club’s reduced-course match. Use Shooting Sports USA’s Coming Events finder and contact a club that sponsors High Power. NRA’s beginner article points newcomers toward reduced-course matches at 100 or 200 yards. The NRA-affiliated club finder also searches by ZIP code or city/state. [20] [23] [22]
2. Read the program before choosing equipment. Check the organizer’s course of fire, eligibility, entry instructions and rifle rules. Confirm whether it is NRA or CMP competition: NRA has its own rulebook, and CMP EIC matches must conform to CMP competition rules. [15] [1] [24]
3. Check your rifle and required gear. Check the rifle category and submit uncertain equipment for inspection before the match. Bring an ECI and eye and hearing protection. If the host uses electronic targets, check its device requirements: the 2026 Mid-Range Prone championship required a Wi-Fi-capable device for scoring. [12] [18]
4. Enter early and establish your class. Follow the program’s entry instructions. Advance entries help the sponsor assign firing points and relays. If you have no regular classification, obtain a Score Record Book from tournament officials; Rule 19.2 puts genuinely unclassified competitors in Master, not Marksman. [15] [13] [11]
5. Report to your relay and take your scoring turn. Check the squadding bulletin or ticket and report at the assigned place and time. Read the program’s scoring and target-operation responsibilities; national programs explicitly assign these duties to competitors. [13] [17] [18]
6. Check and retain your score record. Verify the shot values and total and sign the scorecard before leaving. Keep the Score Record Book until a regular classification supersedes the temporary class; NRA-sanctioned results feed the classification system. [13] [11] [15]

Never fired a gun at a range? Start with your first range visit.

What to bring

Bring eye and hearing protection to your first match, even where a league only recommends it. Check the host’s requirements before you arrive.

Eligible rifle and sightsRequired

Use the rifle definition and match program. Service Rifle requires a standard-type leather or web sling. NRA’s guide recommends a magazine holding at least 5 rounds and adapted to rapid reloading for across-the-course matches. AR Tactical permits a sling or the specified bipod, but not both together. Submit uncertain equipment for inspection before the match. [5] [6] [7] [8] [12] [4]

Empty chamber indicatorRequired

Rule 3.21 requires an ECI in all NRA High Power Rifle competitions. [12]

Eye and hearing protectionRequired

Bring both to your first match. NRA rules urge eye and hearing protection, and match sponsors or ranges may require it. Check the host’s requirements before arriving. [12]

AmmunitionRequired

Use the program’s course of fire to determine record-shot and sighting-shot requirements. The National Match Course has 50 record shots; the example Mid-Range Prone stage adds 2 sighting shots to 20 record shots. Tracer and incendiary ammunition are prohibited. [2] [18] [12]

Spotting scopeOptional

NRA describes a spotting scope or substitute optical device as important for scoring and observing shot spotters. Its equipment guide says a beginning shooter can benefit from a telescope giving an erect image. [4]

Shooting coat and gloveOptional

NRA describes the coat’s pads as comfort aids and the glove as protection from sling pressure. Its guide advises trying several coat types before investing; a heavy glove can serve until a final choice. [4]

Shooting matOptional

Rule 3.10 permits ground cloths or pads provided they do not create an artificial rest or support. [12]

Personal shooting notebookOptional

Record conditions, sight settings, sling adjustments, wind, light and ammunition. This personal notebook is separate from the NRA Score Record Book used for temporary classification. [4] [11]

What it costs

NRA membership

The membership FAQ lists one year at $45. Membership is not an NRA entry requirement for Approved tournaments, sanctioned leagues or Registered tournaments; the host may set eligibility restrictions. National-record eligibility is separate: Section 17 also includes a provision for Junior members of NRA-affiliated clubs. [19] [15] [30]

Local entry

Read the host’s tournament program for its entry fee and eligibility. NRA’s registration fees are remitted by the sponsor; they are not the complete price of entering a match. [15] [16]

NRA sanctioning fees

For traditional non-Silhouette sports, NRA lists Approved tournaments at $4.50 per competitor and Registered/State Championships at $5.50 per competitor. High Power regional fees are $9.00; regional team fees are $5.00. These are the sponsor’s NRA fees, not a national entry-price schedule for competitors. [16]

2026 XTC championship example

The Coalinga program lists Individual: $280.00; Grand Senior/Senior: $200.00; Juniors: $150.00; 4-Man Team: $80.00/team ($20.00/person). These are that championship’s published fees, not a typical local-match estimate. [17]

2026 mid-range championship example

The program lists full individual championship entry at $250, or $75 for individual days. Junior Entry (non-military) is $125 for the full championship or $35 for individual days. The practice session is listed separately at $20.00. [18]

How scoring works

The score is the total value of the shots credited to you. The highest numerical shot value is 10. The smaller X ring lies inside the bullseye and records the most central hits without adding to the numerical score. [14] [10]

• For paper scoring, a shot hole’s leading edge touching the outside of a scoring ring receives the higher value. Rule 14.3 requires X hits to be recorded. [10]
• Shots outside the scoring rings are misses. A shot on the wrong target is a miss for the competitor who fired it, as is an unfired required shot through the competitor’s own fault. [10]
• The general tie sequence begins with the greatest number of Xs over the course, then numerical score and X count at the longest range or simulated longest range. The rulebook gives a separate rapid-fire electronic-target tie instruction: Rule 15.4(c)(4). [10]
• A target’s 10 ring and X ring are different sizes, and the dimensions change by target and distance. Reduced-distance targets are specific NRA target designs, not the full-distance target hung closer. [26] [3]

Divisions and classes

Service Rifle

Rule 3.1 covers eligible U.S. service rifles and commercial equivalents, with a minimum 4.5-pound trigger pull. For the M16 series, the cartridge is 5.56 x 45 mm NATO (.223) and the barrel limit is 20 inches. Commercial scopes must have been produced with maximum magnification of 4.5X and a maximum objective lens of 34mm; the same optical sight must be used throughout the course. An AR-style rifle is not automatically eligible. [5] [12]

NRA Match Rifle

Rule 3.3 defines a centerfire rifle with any sights and a magazine capable of holding at least 5 rounds. This is an equipment division, not a skill class. Rule 3.3(f) states a .35-caliber ceiling, but Rule 3.17 limits bullet diameter to .308 except for Any Rifle. Ask the match officials about that conflict before choosing a larger caliber. [6] [11] [33]

Any Rifle

Rule 3.2 allows a rifle without restrictions on sights or accessories except safety, with ammunition no larger than .35 caliber and the other referenced rules still applying. Individual ranges may restrict ammunition further. “Any” does not remove the rulebook’s muzzle-brake and compensator prohibition. [6] [12]

U.S. Palma Rifle

Rule 3.3.1(a) specifies metallic sights and the unmodified .308/7.62 or .223/5.56 NATO cartridge case, with bullets not exceeding 156 grains for .308/7.62 and 91 grains for .223/5.56mm. Rule 3.3.1(b) separately permits compliant Service Rifles with metallic or optical sights in those cartridge cases, without bullet-weight restrictions. [7]

AR Tactical Mid-Range Prone

Rule 3.3.2 has two AR-platform semiautomatic categories: AR-Military & Police uses 5.56mm/.223 or 7.62mm/.308; AR-Any allows bore diameters from .223 through .308, including magnums. The barrel limit is 22.0 inches excluding a suppressor, trigger pull is at least 4.5 pounds and scope magnification is at most 16x. The 14-pound limit includes the rifle, scope, bipod, any suppressor or sling, and empty magazine. [8]

Classification

Skill classes are separate from rifle types and age categories. Rule 19.15 reduces scores to averages per 10 shots. Table II: High Master 97.00 and above; Master 94.00–96.99; Expert 89.00–93.99; Sharpshooter 84.00–88.99; Marksman below 84.00. Mid-range prone uses Table III: High Master 98.50 and above; Master 97.00–98.49; Expert 94.50–96.99; Sharpshooter 92.00–94.49; Marksman below 92.00. Without a regular, temporary or assigned classification, you compete in Master. An existing Smallbore or International Rifle classification can supply an assigned class. A temporary class needs scores from at least one complete tournament or league match; regular classification needs at least 120 shots reported. [11] [27]

Safety rules

• Bring eye and hearing protection. NRA urges both, and the range or match sponsor may require them. Questionable equipment must be submitted to officials for inspection before the match. [12]
• Rule 10.1.1 restricts firearm handling behind the firing line. On the firing line, the ECI stays inserted until the preparation period begins; do not close the action or dry fire before then. When leaving the firing point, rifles must be unloaded, with actions open and an ECI in place. [28] [13]
• Muzzle brakes and compensators are prohibited under Rule 3.16.1(b). Tracer and incendiary ammunition are prohibited, and the range or match may impose further ammunition restrictions. [12] [6]
• A shot fired before both the preparation period and the “LOAD” command causes disqualification from that match under Rule 14.6(b); the match director may also disqualify the shooter from the tournament. A shot downrange during preparation is instead scored as a record shot and a miss. [29]
• Rule 9.30 allows disqualification or expulsion for rule violations or unsafe conduct. Intoxication or disorderly conduct, and deliberately damaging range equipment, lead to expulsion and disqualification without an entry-fee refund. Refusing officials’ proper instructions is prohibited. [29]
• Not every error means disqualification. An accidental crossfire is a miss for the shooter who fired it. Reloading before firing the required initial 2 or 5 rounds in rapid fire gives a zero for that entire 10-shot string under Rule 10.1.7. [10] [29]

Match levels and major events

• Sanctioned leagues provide classification scores. Approved tournaments also report results so classifications can be updated. [1] [15]
• Registered tournaments are more formal and allow National Records. State championships, and regional and sectional championships, are Registered tournaments under Rule 1.6. [1] [15]
• NRA lists separate national championships for High Power XTC, Mid-Range Prone and Long Range. Their programs specify the courses, rifle categories and entry conditions; do not treat them as one interchangeable national match. [25] [15]

Major events

National High-Power XTC Championships ↗

Coalinga Rifle Club, Coalinga, California: September 30 – October 4, 2026. The program offered Service Rifle and Match Rifle; entries received after September 15 incurred a late fee. These are dated program examples, not an open-entry recommendation. [25] [17]

National High Power Mid-Range Prone Championships ↗

Oklahoma City Gun Club, Arcadia, Oklahoma: June 2–6, 2026; NRA marks the match completed. Its program used 300-, 500- and 600-yard prone stages, including days entirely at 600 yards. [25] [18]

National High Power Long Range Championships ↗

Alliance Rifle Club, Malvern, Ohio: May 19–23, 2026; NRA marks the match completed. Check the National Matches page and a current host program for future dates, not these historical examples. [25]

Common questions

Glossary

Across the course / XTC

Traditional High Power competition using multiple positions and distances, with the shooter’s arms and body supporting the rifle. [21]

Offhand

Standing slow fire, the first position in the across-the-course sequence. [20] [2]

Sighter

A sighting shot used to obtain information about sight adjustment for the match that follows. [14]

Record shots

The shots counted for the match, distinguished from the sighting shots in a course of fire. The 2026 Mid-Range program specifies both separately. [18]

String

A group of 10 shots fired and scored as a unit in the NRA glossary; for example, a rapid-fire string. [14]

Stage

A portion of a match defined by position, distance, time allowance or target. [14]

Relay and squadding

Your assigned turn and target in a squadded match. Check the squadding ticket or posted bulletin rather than choosing a firing point. [13] [17]

Pits

The area containing movable target carriers, where target operators work. [14]

X ring

The smaller circle inside the bullseye. An X has the numerical value 10 and is recorded separately to help decide ties. [10]

Crossfire

A shot fired on another competitor’s assigned target. It is a miss for the shooter who fired it. [14] [10]

Classification

A score-based skill grouping: Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, Master or High Master. It is not an equipment division. [11]

Category

A competitor grouping such as Junior, Senior or Civilian, separate from skill classification and rifle type. [27] [15]

Palma

A prone long-range course fired at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards; U.S. Palma Rifle is also a specific equipment definition. [2] [7]

ECI

Empty chamber indicator, required by Rule 3.21 in all NRA High Power Rifle competitions. [12]

Metallic sights

Sights that aim by aligning two visible reference points, rather than a scope’s lens and aiming mark. Rule 3.7 defines the permitted metallic sight systems. [34]

Shot spotter

A marker placed in the bullet hole to show its location when a target is operated from the pits. White is used for hits in the aiming black; black for hits elsewhere. [35]

Watch and read

• ARTV: NRA Long Range Matches ↗Video · NRA
• High Power Rifle Across the Course Competition ↗Page · NRA Shooting Sports USA

Related sports

• CMP matches
• Precision Rifle Series (PRS)
• NRL shooting: NRL22 and NRL Hunter
• NRA Precision Pistol
• Olympic shooting
• Compare every league

Sources

Facts checked October 4, 2026 against the sources below. Each bracketed number on the page links to its source.

1. [1]
   2026 NRA High Power Rifle Rulebook, revised January 2026competitions.nra.org
2. [2]
   High Power Rifle Competition: courses of firecompetitions.nra.org
3. [3]
   High Power Rifle Competition: reduced distancecompetitions.nra.org
4. [4]
   High Power Rifle Competition: equipmentcompetitions.nra.org
5. [5]
   2026 rulebook: Service Rifle, Rules 3.1 and 3.1(c)competitions.nra.org
6. [6]
   2026 rulebook: Any Rifle and NRA Match Rifle, Rules 3.2–3.3competitions.nra.org
7. [7]
   2026 rulebook: U.S. Palma Rifle, Rule 3.3.1competitions.nra.org
8. [8]
   2026 rulebook: AR Tactical Mid-Range Prone, Rule 3.3.2competitions.nra.org
9. [9]
   2026 rulebook: preparation, rapid fire and mid-range coursescompetitions.nra.org
10. [10]
    2026 rulebook: scoring and ties, Rules 14.3–14.4, 15.4 and glossarycompetitions.nra.org
11. [11]
    2026 rulebook: classification, Rules 19.2, 19.6 and 19.14–19.16competitions.nra.org
12. [12]
    2026 rulebook: equipment inspection, protection and ECI, Rules 3.18–3.21competitions.nra.org
13. [13]
    2026 rulebook: competitor duties, Rules 18.2–18.14competitions.nra.org
14. [14]
    2026 rulebook: glossarycompetitions.nra.org
15. [15]
    NRA Sanctioned Tournament Informationcompetitions.nra.org
16. [16]
    NRA Sanctioned Tournament Information: sponsor feescompetitions.nra.org
17. [17]
    2026 NRA National XTC Championship programcompetitions.nra.org
18. [18]
    2026 National Mid-Range Prone Championships program, version 5competitions.nra.org
19. [19]
    NRA membership FAQmembership.nra.org
20. [20]
    What You Need To Know About High Power Rifle Competitionssusa.org
21. [21]
    High Power Rifle Across the Course Competitionssusa.org
22. [22]
    Find Your Clubexplore.nra.org
23. [23]
    Coming Eventsssusa.org
24. [24]
    CMP Rifle Programthecmp.org
25. [25]
    NRA National Matches: 2026 High Power championshipscompetitions.nra.org
26. [26]
    2026 rulebook: SR, SR-3 and MR-1 targets, Rules 4.3–4.6competitions.nra.org
27. [27]
    2026 rulebook: junior categories, Rules 2.3–2.3.2competitions.nra.org
28. [28]
    2026 rulebook: handling, readiness and range commands, Rules 10.1 and 10.8competitions.nra.org
29. [29]
    2026 rulebook: disqualification and scoring penalties, Rules 9.27–9.30, 10.1.7 and 14.6competitions.nra.org
30. [30]
    2026 rulebook: national-record eligibility, Section 17competitions.nra.org
31. [31]
    2026 rulebook: category awards and Senior definitions, Rules 2.1.2, 2.2.1–2.2.2competitions.nra.org
32. [32]
    2026 rulebook: individual coaching and Junior exceptions, Rules 9.10 and 19.4.1competitions.nra.org
33. [33]
    2026 rulebook: bullet-diameter restriction, Rule 3.17competitions.nra.org
34. [34]
    2026 rulebook: metallic and telescopic sights, Rule 3.7competitions.nra.org
35. [35]
    2026 rulebook: shot-hole spotters, Rule 14.17competitions.nra.org

Inclusion is not an endorsement. Send a source or correction.