National Rifle League .22 LR (NRL22) competition has quickly become one of the most popular shooting sports in the country. As long-range centerfire competitions have grown, many shooters are learning that competing with rimfire rifles can be just as much fun as the big-bore guns. Rimfire ammo is also typically less expensive and more accessible to the average shooter. In addition, the latest 22LR rifles and ammo are stretching the limits of accuracy to previously unimaginable distances of 300, 400, and even 500 yards. Put it all together, and it’s no surprise that rimfire competition shooting is growing exponentially right now. Case in point, NRL22 matches hosted at Strategic Edge Gun Range near me in Chapel Hill, TN typically have double the number of competitors as the centerfire matches.
NRL22 matches have traditionally had two main divisions (commonly referred to as “classes”) regarding equipment: “Base”, which sets a limit of $1,300 (MSRP) for rifle and optic; and “Open”, which allows any .22 LR rifle and optic regardless of cost. The 2024 season also introduced new classifications based on experience: “Novice”, “Marksman”, “Sharpshooter” and “Expert”.
NRL22 “BASE CLASS” RIFLES
NRL target sizes are relatively generous. The more difficult ones are typically around two MOA, or two inches at 100 yards. Rarely do they go sub-MOA, so you don’t need a ridiculous level of accuracy or a huge budget to succeed. A magazine-fed bolt action rifle is also hard to beat for the balance of speed and accuracy. Below are a few “Base Class” rifles that are popular in NRL22 competition.
CZ457 Varmint AT-ONE
CZ rimfires have long been known for having excellent accuracy. The 457 Varmint AT-ONE has a heavy 16.5” barrel threaded 1/2×28 for use with a suppressor or other muzzle device. Riding in Boyd’s adjustable laminate stock, it incorporates features found on much more expensive stocks without pushing the price of the rifle through the roof. The short barrel gives plenty of time for the cartridge to get a full burn while increasing the rigidity of the barrel. Other 457 variants to consider for “base class” are the ProVarmint and Varmint MTR. (cz-usa.com; 800-955-4486)
Tikka T1x
Tikka recently entered the rimfire market with the T1x, a rimfire clone of the T3x, and is quickly becoming a popular choice among NRL shooters. The threaded barrel is cold hammer forged, and its crossover profile offers the benefits of a heavier barrel without the extra weight. The T1x aims to be something few rifles truly succeed at, a target and hunting rifle all in one. The rifle is also compatible with most Tikka T3x accessories making it easy to adapt the rifle to your preferences. (tikka.fi/en-us.com; 301-283 2191)
Bergara BMR Steel
The Bergara BMR (Bergara Micro Rimfire) Steel is a new kid on the block, and NRL shooters are taking notice. The BMR fits the bill of the “base class” series and offers a match chamber with an 18-inch threaded steel barrel. It provides a lighter and more compact feel when compared to the full-size B-14R rimfire trainer. With possible upgrades like a Remington-style trigger and stock, there are many options out there for upgrades. (bergara.online.com; 877-892-7544)
Savage B22 Precision
At the heart of the Savage B22 Precision lies a combination of features that cater specifically to the demands of NRL22 Base Class competition. The most noticeable upgrade is the MDT chassis which offers adjustable comb height & length and multiple attachment points for accessories such as bipods, ARCA rails, weights, and other shooting aids. Including an MDT chassis of this quality is impressive for such an affordable price point. Equipped with a heavy-contour, threaded carbon steel barrel, the rifle delivers consistent and tight groupings at extended ranges. The rifle’s adjustable AccuTrigger™ adds another layer of precision to the equation. Savage includes an upgraded target trigger with a red blade that is adjustable from 1.5-4lbs, which is lighter than the AccuTrigger™ on their standard rifles. (Savagearms.com)
NRL22 “OPEN CLASS” RIFLES
Precision-shooting competitors are notorious accuracy junkies. So, while you don’t actually need a ridiculous level of accuracy to compete in NRL22, that’s exactly what many competitors become obsessed with. You’ll see some of them at centerfire matches, and they often don’t have as much money invested in their centerfire rifles as they’ve put into their rimfire guns. Below are a few of the most popular “Open Class” rifles often seen in NRL22 competition.
CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis MTR
The CZ 457 comes in many variants, but the precision chassis is on a whole new level. Giving the Varmint Precision Chassis an upgrade in the accuracy department, this special model adds the Match chamber found in the Match Target Rifle. With some extra good looks by way of an OD Green chassis and an orange trigger guard (a nod to the premium ‘Orange’ models found in the CZ pistol line), this rimfire rifle is not only a looker – it’s also a tack-driver. (cz-usa.com)
Bergara B-14R Steel
Bergara’s team of experts designed and built an incredibly accurate full size precision trainer. Their goal was to make the best production precision .22 possible for both beginners and seasoned competitors. It includes the adjustable HMR stock and a threaded heavy profile steel barrel. Full-sized “AICS” magazines also make mag changes smooth and quick. Most importantly, you can upgrade the rifle with any Remington 700 platform chassis, trigger or even barreled actions in the future, making it a relatively affordable “Open Class” platform to grow with over time. (bergara.online.com)
Vudoo V-22
The Vudoo V-22 action is widely regarded to be one of the best that money can buy. Besides raw accuracy, the secret to the V-22’s success is its scale. Built on a Remington 700 footprint, it handles like a full-size centerfire and is compatible with the entire world of Model 700 stocks, chassis and accessories. The V-22 was conceived as a purpose-built competition/target rifle with sub-MOA accuracy at distance. Vudoo also offers complete rifle builds such as the Ravage and Apparition. (vudoogunworks.com)
RimX
The RimX rimfire action by Zermatt Arms is designed for both competition and rimfire training. It boasts a full-scale Remington 700 footprint, allowing for compatibility with a wide range of Remington 700 stocks, triggers, and chassis. The interchangeable bolt head system caters to various rimfire cartridges, including .22 LR, 17 HMR, and 17 WSM with more planned. The RimX also features a non-protruding extraction system that simplifies barrel installation by enabling the use of flat breach-face barrels. Each RimX action comes with a proprietary 10-round magazine and offers multiple rail options for scope mounting. (zermattarms.com)
GEAR & ACCESSORIES
You’ll also need some basic gear to compete in NRL22. For example, a bipod is needed for the prone stages, and you’re allowed up to two bags and a sling for barricades and positional shooting.
Scopes
Most NRL competitors strongly prefer scopes that have the following features: hold-over type reticles in the first focal plane, target turrets that are intended for doing lots of dialing, a “Christmas tree” style target reticle, and adjustable parallax that goes down to 25 yds or less. A few popular “Base Class” options include the Bushnell Match Pro 6-24×50, Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 6-24X50mm and the Arken SH4 Gen2 6×24-50mm. Popular high-end scope options for “Open Class” include the Athlon Cronos BTR GEN2 UHD 4.5-29×56mm, Tract Toric 4-25x50mm, Trijicon Tenmile 4.5-30×56mm, and the Vortex Razor HD Gen III 6-36x56mm.
Magazines
You’ll need at least two ten-round magazines or a magazine with a 3 to 5 round extension added. It’s not uncommon for NRL stages to require a mag change. So, buy an extra mag or two and bring them with you.
Bipods
Your bipod should have a cant or swivel feature and be adjustable for height in NRL competition. Several solid options are available from Caldwell and Harris for “Base Class” budgets. Atlas, Accu-Tac and MDT offer premium competition bipods for larger budgets.
Support Bags
The purpose of a support bag is to be used for rear support when shooting from the prone position and for front support when shooting from a prop, such as the rung of a ladder. The most popular choices include Armageddon’s Game-Changer and the WieBad Fortune Cookie. WieBad’s Pump Pillow is also a popular choice for extra support when creating a stable shooting platform in stages with more awkward positions.
Rimfire Match Ammo
Most competitors use match-grade target ammo. Many have success with similar brands of ammo such as Lapua CenterX, SK Standard Plus and Eley Match; but you’ll want to test what your rifle likes best. Shoot groups at 50 and 100 yards, because 100 yards is often where you can see more variation in velocity and accuracy. After selecting your ammo, it’s often wise to order a case at a time to have the consistency of the same lot.
Ballistic Solver or D.O.P.E. Chart
At the match, each target distance is going to be provided to you. You’ll need a way to solve for the bullet drop and adjust for wind at each distance. The most common type of solver is a ballistics app on your phone. There are several common apps being used. Just ask a match director or fellow shooter what they recommend.
Other Gear
The equipment listed above will get you out and shooting matches. But if you want to take it to the next level, there is a ton of other specialized gear that can help improve your game. Some of the more specialized pieces of gear include a riflescope bubble level, canted scope base, DOPE card holder, ARCA rail and plate, shooting mat, rangefinder or rangefinding binoculars, tripod-mounted spotting scope or binoculars, and a Kestrel hand-held weather meter. Area419 is a great resource for specialized gear.
Wrap Up
Whether you’re shooting centerfire PRS at 600 yards or a NRL22 match at 100 yards, it’s all the same basic math for elevation and wind adjustments. That’s the fun part, and you really need to know your equipment and be solid on the fundamentals. To succeed, you must be able to drill the basics: shooting offhand, kneeling, sitting, prone, and from an unsteady rest. These are all things that help hunters immensely and make competition fun. Most NRL match directors actually encourage new shooters not to buy a high-dollar gun, scope or accessories at first. Many directors and competitors have a few “Base Class” setups and bags available to try out a few and find what will work best for you from experience in a competition setting. Contact your local director before a match to make sure. Regardless of your skill level, competing in NRL22 will make you a better shot. You’ll also meet a community of great people and have a ton of fun in the process. Learn more at nrl22.org.
