Lightweight Sporting Rifle

Lightweight sports rifle became popular after the UK ban on centre fire and rim fire pistols in 1997. Using a sporting rifle the shooter fires at the target from a standing position at 20yds or a prone position at 25 yd. These rifles are also used at 50 yd and 100 yards. The main difference between lightweight sports rifle and the target rifle is that the rifles are usually magazine fed and are usually fitted with Optical (telescopic) sights. However, any specialist clothing or equipment such as jackets, shoes, trousers or slings are not permitted (a glove may be used). This discipline can be extremely challenging, as it is difficult to hold the rifle steady and centred on the target. The Lightweight Sporting Rifle (LSR) discipline is shot with a .22 rim-fire rifle, although air rifles may also be used in this category.

The rifle, glove and sights must weigh no more than 4.5kg and have a trigger weight in excess of 500 g. It is usual to use either a Semi-Auto or magazine fed Bolt Action, with the Ruger 1022 being a popular rifle in this discipline.

Any Sights are allowable, typically a telescopic sight, from the basic 3-9 x 40 to larger, more powerful scopes.

Below is a picture of the popular Ruger 10-22 .22 rifle.

Below is a picture of the increasingly more popular service type rifles.
This one is a Lantac Raven in .22 calibre and can be used in the Sporting Rifle events too. These sort of rifles also have the added advantage of being able to swap the ‘upper’ for a different calibre, giving the ability to own multiple calibre rifles for different purposes (at a cheaper price too), but being able to train with a lower cost .22 version if required.