TargetTalk

I have quick question for those in the know.

Why would the 10m Air Rifle rules section specifically address (and prohibit) the use of aThumbhole Stock, but there is no mention of it for 50m Rifle? Why would it be OK for one discipline of the sport and not another?

My daughter has her eye on a 1907 in a 1914 stock (which has a thumbhole), and I would hate to see her equipment become prohibited by a future rule change.

Thanks

Thumbhole is legal for .22. Originally the air rifles were patterned after the "standard rifle" rules, which do not allow for thumbhole stocks. Up until the 2000's, women shot standard rifle for .22, and could not have a thumbhole stock (or palm rest, hook buttplate, etc.). The ISSF changed the women over to "sport rifle" which is more closely patterned after the free-rifle rules which allow a thumbhole. The short of it is the thumbhole is ok.

Eric U

Thanks for the explanation. I am new to all this (she is a J3), so a 466 page rule book with no background info on my end gets confusing!

Further to Eric reply, the Standard rifle derives from the old ISU (International Shooting Union - forerunner of the ISSF) Army rifle. Like Service Rifle shooting in the US, ISU army rifle mandated the basic military pattern stock. Thumbhole grips along with spirit levels, and other accessories were not permitted.

Current 50m smallbore rules derive from the Free Rifle, which has always been much less restrictive. Until recently the only limits for the Free Rifle were the weight, and the butthook. Thumbhole stock? Palmrest? Set Trigger? All allowed.

johral

You mention things like "new to this" your daughter is a J3 and a light barrel 1914. Unless you daughter is a shooting prodigy something a little less complex might be a better selection. A walnut stock 1907 is a nice choice, adjustable and the butt easily upgradable when the time comes or if your daughter is more slight a 1903, basic adjustments but still a legitimate target rifle.

Just my 2 cents

'Dude

justadude wrote:johral

You mention things like "new to this" your daughter is a J3 and a light barrel 1914. Unless you daughter is a shooting prodigy something a little less complex might be a better selection. A walnut stock 1907 is a nice choice, adjustable and the butt easily upgradable when the time comes or if your daughter is more slight a 1903, basic adjustments but still a legitimate target rifle.

Just my 2 cents

'Dude

Understood. A prodigy she is not - although she did take 2nd in her first match (shooting prone only @ 50m), shooting a 544, outdoors with a good cross wind.

This will be a future purchase, as the club has some Anschutz 54's that she can use. I am trying to avoid the path to continual upgrading...losing a little $$ with each step. The 1907 with a 1914 stock is not too heavy (she is 5'-1" and 110 lbs)...and she doesn't like the looks of the 1813 AL stocks anyway.

Probably at least a year out on buying anything.

johral

So you want to avoid continual upgrading? This might be the wrong sport, there is almost always something out there that you "just have to have". : )

As they progress young (well even new adult) shooters can progress more quickly if complexity of the rifle is tuned to the level of the shooter.

At 110 lb your daughter is just big enough so a baseline 1907 would not bee too heavy. If the club already has some Match 54 based rifles a 1903 would be a step down. While a year is while out and anything can happen consider the possible path of starting with a wooden stock 1907 then when the time comes purchase just the 1914 stock, drop your existing barreled action in the new stock and if you want your cash out, sell the 1907 stock. You get the upgrade, and there are some $$ in depreciation but it is not terrible.

Just a thought,

Good Luck
'Dude