Fly Shoot

Fly Shoot is a precision rifle shooting discipline that challenges competitors to combine tight group shooting with accurate scoring. It is contested exclusively with rifles and includes both rimfire and centrefire matches.

Each match is shot across five targets, with a small central “fly” measuring just 30mm acting as the X-ring. Shooters aim to place a tight five-shot group as close to the fly as possible, because in Fly Shoot, both group size and score matter. The best results come from precision, consistency and careful shot placement.

Rimfire matches are generally shot at 200 yards, while centrefire matches are shot at 500 metres, making Fly Shoot a demanding and rewarding discipline for experienced rifle shooters.

How fly shoot began

Fly Shoot grew out of the Benchrest discipline, when competitors recognised the need for a structured way to test centrefire rifles at longer distances under organised range conditions.

After months of development, a unique format was created. Rifles would still be shot from benches, but unlike traditional short-range Benchrest, shooters would be judged on both score and group size. This placed greater emphasis on accuracy and careful placement, not just tight grouping.

The first Fly Shoot match was held in 1990 at the SSAA Canberra range. Advertised as an open challenge to SSAA members, police, military personnel and other groups, the event attracted 40 competitors and was an immediate success.

The discipline continued to grow, with the 20th annual Fly Shoot held in 2010, and the first official SSAA National Fly Shoot Championships conducted in Canberra in 2012. In June 2017, Fly Shoot was formally recognised as its own separate SSAA discipline.

Firearms and classes

Rimfire

Any .22LR rimfire rifle may be used
Maximum total rifle weight: 7.711kg (17lb)

Centrefire

Centrefire competition is divided into Light and Heavy classes:

Light class
- Any legal, registered centrefire rifle up to .49 calibre
- Maximum total weight (including bipod): 7.711kg (17lb)
Heavy class
- Any legal, registered centrefire rifle up to .49 calibre
- No weight limit
- Rifle must be manually lifted onto the bench

Targets, scoring and match format

Both the 200-yard Rimfire and 500m Centrefire matches use an approved 10-value target measuring 8.54 inches (21.7cm) in diameter.

The central scoring ring, including the fly, measures 1.77 inches (4.5cm) and scores 10 points
Scoring rings from 1 to 9 are 0.35 inches (0.9cm) wide

Each competitor is allowed eight rounds per target:

Five rounds are fired for score
Three rounds may be used for sighting on a separate sighting target

Scoring is determined using best-edge scoring. If a bullet touches the edge of the next highest scoring ring with no visible gap, the higher score is awarded.

Downloads

Find out more

Fly Shoot offers a unique challenge for rifle shooters who enjoy long-range precision and measured accuracy.

To learn more about getting involved in NSW, contact Graeme Johnson, SSAA NSW Disciplines Chair.

Email: nswdisciplineschair@nsw.ssaa.org.au

Interested in becoming the Fly Shoot Discipline Chair? Please send a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience, skills, and motivation for taking on the role to recruitment@nsw.ssaa.org.au.

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