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What are the other rifle events?

A · Advanced · Events and scoring · 1 of 6
Checked 14 October 2026

50 m rifle prone is 60 shots lying down in 50 minutes, scored in decimals. It has no final, so the medals go by the qualification ranking. The 300 m events repeat the prone and three positions programmes at 300 metres with larger rifles. None of these has the status "Olympic" in the rule book's list of events.

How it works

  • 50 m rifle prone: 60 match shots in 50 minutes, after 15 minutes of preparation and sighting. Decimal scoring.
  • No final: "There will be no Final. The medals will be decided according to the ranking after the Qualification stage."
  • 300 m rifle prone: 60 shots in 1 hour on electronic targets, scored in full rings.
  • 300 m rifle three positions: 20 shots in each position in 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • 300 m standard rifle: the same three positions programme with a lighter rifle of no more than 5.5 kg and a trigger pull of at least 1500 g.
  • The 300 m target: the ten ring is 100 mm across and the whole scoring area 1000 mm.
  • 300 m ammunition: any calibre up to 8 mm that is safe for athletes and range staff. Tracer, armour-piercing and incendiary ammunition is prohibited.
  • Shoes in prone events: "Special shooting shoes must not be worn in Rifle Prone events". Shooting trousers may be worn.
  • Telescopes: a spotting telescope not attached to the rifle may be used to find shots and judge the wind in 50 m and 300 m events.
  • Ties in the prone event: broken on decimal scores, starting with the last ten-shot series.

Tricky cases

Is there a final in 50 m rifle prone?

No. The qualification ranking decides the medals.

Can special shooting shoes be worn in a prone event?

No. They are allowed only in the three positions events and in 10 m air rifle.

Is 300 m rifle prone scored in decimals like 50 m prone?

No. It is scored in full rings.

Why the rule exists

Prone is the steadiest position, so scores are very high and decimals are needed to separate athletes. At 300 metres the wind moves the bullet much further, which is why these events allow a telescope for reading it.

Where it differs

WhereWhat changesSource
ISSF rulesAs aboveISSF 6.11.9.3; ISSF 6.11.9.4; ISSF 6.11.9.5
Paper targets at 300 mLonger time limits: 1 hour 15 minutes for prone and 2 hours 15 minutes for three positionsISSF 7.7.4
Standard rifleTrigger pull is weighed straight after the last series, and a rifle that fails means disqualificationISSF 7.4.3 (a)

From the rule book

ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), General Technical Rules 6.3.4.1, 6.11.9.3 to 6.11.9.5 and 6.15.1 (f), Rifle Rules 7.4.3, 7.4.6, 7.5.3, 7.5.5.4, 7.5.8.1 and 7.7.4 and the table of recognised events. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).

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