Yorba Linda, CA — NRL22, a division of the National Rifle League (NRL), a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and education of precision rifle shooting through a range of outdoor-related activities, is pleased to announce a new Air Rifle class for the 2019 / 2020 Competition Season.
The goal of NRL 22 is to make Precision Rifle competitions more available to every community. The organization understands the competitive shooting community is fascinated with Precision Rifle, but most localities are not fortunate enough to have a 1000-yard range. However, nearly all localities have access to 100-yard ranges and most shooters own a .22 Long Rifle. The NRL22 program is designed so any facility with a 100-yard range can participate in local competitions to qualify and then move on to a National Championship.
With much success in its first 2 Competition Seasons, NRL22 is experimenting in its 3rd Season to expand on its 4 classifications, Open, Base, Ladies, and Young Guns (8 – 16-year old’s), to include a 5th class, Air Rifle. This new Air Rifle class extends the opportunity for even more individuals to participate at the local level, in a monthly format.
“Throughout the world, Air Rifle competitions have been taking place, but mostly on an individual-event basis. After conversations with Justin Jacobson of Utah Airguns, we learned more on this market and of individuals owning Air Rifles wishing to compete in a similar format as NRL22. It is our goal to provide these competitions the organization and support they want to grow this niche of the sport,” stated Travis Ishida, President, NRL. “To initiate this, we are proud to now offer an Air Rifle classification to the monthly NRL22 matches that take place nationwide, and in several other countries globally. The accuracy and performance of these rifles are as capable as most rimfire 22 long rifles on the market, so to include them in the same COF makes sense.”
“NRL22 was founded by the goal to increase participation in precision rifle shooting. To accomplish this goal, we knew it had to be as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. Due to the strong bond between the shooters, match directors, and the sponsors, this community is exploding and meeting that goal,” stated Tyler Frehner, Director of Match Operations, NRL. “Now we have found yet another solid group of people in air gunners who have shown a desire to be involved! We are excited and fortunate to have an added opportunity to reach that goal. If this class of shooters grows, like we hope, the Air Rifle class will become a stand-alone entity; a future division of NRL.”
“This is going to open the door for Airguns like never before,” stated Justin Jacobson, Founder, Utah Airguns. “Finally, Airgun hobbyists everywhere can compete near their hometown in a similar format to rimfires with the NRL.”
For footage of the exciting news being shared with the Top Competitors of both Rimfire and Airgun communities at the 2018 / 2019 NRL22 Championship Match and at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge, please visit: https://youtu.be/01MxhQrrN4E.
For the 2018 / 2019 Competition Season, NRL22 had over 700 members throughout the US and hosted approximately 35 matches per month. In the 2019 / 2020 Competition Season, the NRL22 is anticipating more growth and is excited to welcome new members and clubs to continue to progress the sport of precision rifle competitions.
ABOUT NRL22
NRL22 is the rimfire and air rifle division of the NRL which is the premier precision rifle advocacy & support organization. We are a non-profit engine of impacts that empowers organizations and athletes in precision rifle by providing education and opportunities for growth. These activities are designed to develop marksmanship skills for those participating in this discipline, and to educate the public about firearm safety.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nrl22.org