I could use a History Lesson?

[Jon Math]

When I was last involved in AR and SB rifle shooting it was 1989-93 or so. At the time men and women shot the same AR, standing at 10 meters. The rifle had a slightly adjustable cheek riser, and butt. No weights, hand stops etc. and it was fairly light in weight. The SB rifle for a woman was very similar in design and called a “standard rifle”. Men’s rifles were significantly more adjustable, with palm rests, butt hooks, weights, sprit levels etc.
Clothing, boots and gloves seemed to change every few seasons then. One year you could have an adjustable closure on your glove, the next it could only be elastic etc. But the guns themselves seemed pretty much the same.
Flash forward to today and air rifles look like the SB free rifles of the 90’s and SB rifles seem to be the same for men and women. Could I ask when did the rules change?

Thanks
Jon

[Tim S]

Smallbore standard rifle was replaced in the rulebook by Sport Rifle (same rules as for Free Rifle, but a slightly lower 6.5kg max weight) on 1st Jan 1997.

[Jon Math]

Thank you!

So men and women shoot the same SB rifle now, or is the women’s model lighter? I assume the rules were relaxed concerning AR as they are very free rifle like now too.

[Tim S]

No, there separate weight limits, 6.5kg for women, and 8kg for men. Air rifles rules have been relaxed, but not to the same degree as Smallbore; the degree of butt adjstment permitted is still limited, as are some stock dimensions.