Gallery Rifle

Gallery Rifle developed as a discipline focused on short- and medium-distance shooting using pistol-calibre firearms. Matches are generally graded, allowing competitors to shoot alongside others of similar experience and ability, which helps create a friendly and inclusive competition environment.

The SSAA Gallery Rifle community is known for being open and supportive of new shooters. Competitors can participate at branch, state, national and international levels, with major international events including the World Championships, held every two years, and the Phoenix Meeting at Bisley in the United Kingdom, widely regarded as the spiritual home of Gallery Rifle shooting.

SSAA holds the Australian affiliation for the International Gallery Rifle Federation (IGRF), supporting Australian competitors’ participation on the international stage.

View the International Gallery Rifle Federation: Gallery Rifle and Pistol handbook for international rules.

The international rulebook outlines four main Gallery Rifle events. At present, the SSAA supports Gallery Rifle Centrefire at a national level, with the remaining events recognised and supported by individual states and with potential for future national expansion.

Gallery Rifle Centrefire (GRCF)

Gallery Rifle Centrefire is based around tubular magazine lever-action rifles, using either scoped or iron sights. Common calibres include:

• .32-20
• .38/.357
• .44
• .45

Other pistol-calibre rifles may be permitted in side events.

Most GRCF matches are shot at distances between 10 and 50 metres and are adapted from popular pistol competitions. Matches include both precision-focused and action-style events that require competitors to load and shoot quickly. Common match formats include Falling Plate, Barricade, 50m Precision, Practical, Los Alamitos and The Mover.

Gallery Rifle Smallbore (GRSB)

Gallery Rifle Smallbore primarily uses .22-calibre semi-automatic rifles, though other .22 rifles may be permitted in certain events.

Long Barrelled Revolver (LBR)

Originally developed to comply with United Kingdom firearm laws, this event permits revolvers fitted with 30cm-long barrels.

Long Barrelled Pistol (LBP)

This event allows the use of long-barrelled semi-automatic .22 pistols, with some events permitting other handgun types depending on match rules.

Most Gallery Rifle events are shot from a standing unsupported position, though some matches test a shooter’s adaptability by requiring shooting from sitting, kneeling or from the weaker shoulder.

Targets vary depending on the match and may include:

• Stationary paper targets
• Turning targets
• Reactive steel plates

Ammunition choice is governed by range templates and energy or velocity limits, which are designed to ensure safety and consistency across competitions.

Gallery Rifle competitors may be eligible for SSAA International Team selection, subject to discipline selection policies and national approval processes.

There are two selection methods:

• Invitational Team, appointed by the National Board or President
• Selection Criteria–based Team, submitted by the National Discipline Chairman and approved by the National Board

Selection is typically based on results from Annual National Championships, with additional eligibility requirements outlined in the document “SSAA Inc Information and General Requirement for SSAA Team Members”.

There is no guarantee that an international team will be sent to any event, and all selections are subject to approval and funding.

Approved by the SSAA National Board on 18 November 2018, for implementation from 1 January 2019.

• SSAA official practice targets
• SSAA Inc National Gallery Rifle Rules Guide 2023
• Discipline posters 2019 Gallery Rifle
• SSAA Standard Rules No 9.2 Rev Nov 2022