Conventional Prone

[Mike Carter]

Welcome to Smallbore Prone: America’s Hidden Gem of Precision Shooting

Before there were electronic targets and Olympic air rifles, there were dimly lit basements, 50-foot gallery ranges, and single-shot .22s echoing through American town halls and local armories. This is the proud heritage of conventional smallbore prone shooting—a sport steeped in tradition, loaded with character, and alive with opportunity.

If you’re looking for a discipline that’s challenging, relaxing, affordable, and steeped in Americana, look no further. Smallbore prone is calling your name.

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What Is Conventional Smallbore Prone?

Conventional smallbore prone is the art and science of hitting a target the size of a dime from 50 to 100 yards while lying on your stomach. Shooters fire .22 LR rifles using a sling for support, competing in slow-fire matches that reward focus, consistency, and precision over brute strength or speed.

While Olympic (ISSF) smallbore involves three positions and international-style gear, conventional smallbore is American through and through. It favors traditional rifles, classic scoring, and a competitive spirit rooted in history.

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A Rich American Tradition

This sport traces its roots back to the early 20th century, when gallery shooting was one of the most popular pastimes in the country. Communities gathered in basements, armories, and churches to shoot at small targets with iron-sighted .22s, often on winter nights when baseball and hunting seasons had gone quiet.

By the 1920s and ’30s, the sport had exploded. The National Rifle Association promoted indoor and outdoor .22 shooting through its junior programs, college matches, and the famed National Matches at Camp Perry.

This is the same tradition that launched generations of American shooters into Olympic glory—and it’s still alive today in backwoods ranges, county fairs, and national championships.

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You Don’t Need a $9,000 Rifle

One of the most beautiful aspects of conventional smallbore prone is this: you don’t need cutting-edge international gear to be competitive.

Legendary rifles like the Winchester Model 52, the Remington 40X, and the Anschutz 1413 “Super Match” still dominate club ranges. These rifles were engineered in an era when craftsmen chased mechanical perfection—and they’re still more accurate than most shooters.

And best of all? You can find many of these rifles for $500–$1,500, often already set up with target sights and slings. They’re built like tanks, shoot like lasers, and carry the stories of generations past.

So no, you don’t need to remortgage your house to compete. You need a good used rifle, decent ammo, a sling, a mat, a jacket, spotting scope and a desire to improve.

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Why Shooters Love It

Conventional smallbore prone is loved for:
• Its calming, focused nature—it’s mentally demanding, not physically punishing.
• Its fairness—young and old, men and women, beginner and veteran shoot side by side.
• Its gear accessibility—affordable rifles, simple setups, and widely available .22 ammo.
• Its community—welcoming, generous, and always happy to help a new shooter.

It’s not about going fast or going loud. It’s about doing one thing with excellence, over and over again.

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Where You Can Compete

From rural gun clubs to national venues like Camp Perry, smallbore prone is active across the country. Competitions range from:
• Local weekend matches
• State and regional championships
• The NRA and CMP National Championships
• Postal matches and collegiate leagues

If you have a 100-yard range—and many do—you can train at the maximum conventional prone distance. And since most matches include 50-yard and 50-meter stages, even a smaller range is enough to get started.

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Championships, Legacy, and the Path Ahead

At the highest level, top American smallbore shooters go on to compete internationally, especially in Dewar and Pershing Trophy matches—prestigious events connecting the U.S. with the U.K. and Commonwealth nations. These international postal matches preserve the spirit of friendly precision competition across oceans and generations.

But for most of us, the joy is in the journey: refining skills, chasing that elusive 400 clean, and enjoying the quiet company of others who appreciate marksmanship at its purest.

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How to Start

Getting into the sport is easier than you think:
• Find a local range or club that hosts smallbore prone matches.
• Pick up a used rifle like a Winchester 52, Remington 37, or Anschutz 54.
• Bring standard .22 LR ammo—match-grade if possible, but any will do to learn.
• Grab a shooting mat and sling, and come willing to learn.

You’ll find others eager to coach, lend gear, and help you feel welcome on the firing line.

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A Sport for the Ages

Conventional smallbore prone isn’t flashy. It doesn’t make the evening news. But it’s one of the most enduring, egalitarian, and accessible shooting sports in America. It demands patience, rewards discipline, and fosters friendships that last a lifetime.

So if you’re ready for a new challenge—or maybe just a quiet place to slow down, breathe, and aim true—grab your .22 and lie down. The bullseye is waiting.