Benchrest Rules.
Please read carefully
Competing at sanctioned National 50 Benchrest League Matches
N50 General Rules
-Target Distance: 50 yards
-Match Times: 20 minutes per target
-Target: Only targets produced and distributed by N50
-Scoring Plugs: Only those supplied by N50
-Aggregate Score: Cumulative score of 3 targets shot in sequence on same day
-Attendance: Minimum of 2 competitors
-Scoring: No competitor shall score their own target
-Scopes: Any
-Trigger: Any, but must always function safely.
-Single shot trays are allowed.
-Winter and Summer seasons. Winter starts November 1 and ends March 31. Summer starts April 1 and ends October 31.
-Shooters may travel to other clubs to increase their monthly match participation per classification. These clubs must be at distinct locations and operated by different match directors. For instance, a shooter could compete in three matches at one club and additional matches at other clubs within the same month.
-Bench draws are now mandatory with shooter selecting his own bench from a blind container or similar. No person can draw a bench for another shooter or sign up another shooter. Bench draws shall not be private, but in front of all the shooters There shall be a bench draw time posted along with match time. Everyone must know when they need to be there for the draw. We recommend having the draw time 30-40 minutes before match start to allow adequate setup time for shooters. If you have more shooters present at the time of the draw than benches....you will need to draw for relays before you begin drawing for benches. Shooters arriving after the relay draw will default to the later relay. There should be no advantage for getting to the match early or being a part of the staff.
-Class must be stated at match sign up and marked on the provided designated box on all cards. Cards without designations marked will not be counted.
-No changing classes after the match has begun.
-All targets from all competitors hung on a wall for everyone to see with a protest period available for anyone's card.
-Once you have begun a match you cannot withdraw from it. All cards from the match will be submitted to the agg line as is with appropriate agg.
-There will be no shooters practicing on free benches while a match is being conducted.
-No one shall score their own targets. This goes along closely with the wailing wall to promote transparency and equality for all shooters.
N50 Rifle Rules
Note, the following six rifle rules are requirements for each unique rifle type used in the four N50 classes, Pellet, Factory 22, Sportsman/Slug, and Pro/Slug.
Any .22 caliber Pellet rifles can participate in the Sportsman/Slug Class and will be scored with Sportsman rules.
Any .22 caliber Pellet rifles can participate in the Pro/Slug Class and will be scored with Pro/Slug rules.
Any ..22 Sportsman Slug, as well as Sportsman 22 Rimfire rifles can participate in the Pro Class and will be scored with Pro/Slug rules.
Pro rifles cannot participate in any other Class.
Pellet Class Requirements
Pellet: Any commercial Diabolo pellet design in .177, .20, .22, .25 and .30 caliber. Starting Oct 31 2026 .22 caliber only
Barrel: Custom barrels and barrel attachments are allowed.
FPE: Maximum 100 foot-pounds of energy.
Air Tanks: Tethered air tanks are allowed but tank must be secured. Tethered tanks are not allowed on top of benches.
Stock: Any. Bedding allowed.
Weight: Unlimited.
Rests: Any.
Note: Pellet Rifle is scored with the .350 plug head.
2. Factory 22 Rimfire Class Requirements
Current, readily available, factory production, magazine fed, rifle with MSRP of less than $1450.00or those included on the approved “out of production” factory rifle list (see below).
Cartridges: Commercial 22LR. No reloads allowed.
Barrel: Factory rolled stamped identified only. No aftermarket custom barrels and no barrel attachments. A factory thread protector may remain and must be flush with the end of the barrel. A factory supplied muzzle brake that extends past the barrel end may not be used.
Stock: Factory. No rifle stock modifications are permitted other than to attach bi-pod using picatinny rail.
Weight: Factory.
Rests: Two-piece rest, sandbags, or any bipod (only two touch points on the bench top) is allowed and may be attached to the rifle stock using an attached picatinny rail for the sole purpose of mounting the bipod. If the attached rail is wider than a standard picatinny rail (~1”) it cannot be used.
Note: Factory 22 RF Class is scored with the .350 plug head.
Note: Factory 22 RF Class will not be a sanctioned competition at the2026 N50 Nationals at Raton for the present time.
3. Sportsman Slug Air Class Requirements
Sportsman Slug Air Class allows unlimited use of highly modified air rifles that exceeds precision of typical factory rifles.
Rifle: Any, including custom-made slug air rifles
Slugs: Any cylindrical slug design, including custom or handmade, in .22 caliber only.
FPE: Maximum 100 foot-pounds of energy.
Barrel: Custom barrels and barrel attachments are allowed.
Air Tanks: Tethered air tanks are allowed but tank must be secured. Tethered tanks are not allowed on top of benches.
Stock: Any. Bedding allowed.
Weight: Unlimited.
Rests: Any.
Note: Sportsman Slug Air Rifle is scored with the .350 plug head.
4. Sportsman 22 Rimfire Class Requirements
All past and present factory target rifles.
Cartridges: Commercial 22LR. No reloads allowed.
Barrel: Factory rolled stamped identified only. No custom aftermarket barrels. Barrel attachments are allowed.
Stock: Any. Bedding allowed.
Weight: Unlimited.
Rests: Any.
Note: Sportsman 22 RF is scored with the .350 plug head.
5. Pro .177, .20, & .22 Slug Air Class Requirements
Pro Slug Class allows unlimited use of highly modified air rifles that exceeds precision of typical factory rifles.
Rifle: Any, including custom-made slug rifles
Slugs: Any cylindrical slug design, including custom or handmade.
FPE: Maximum 100 foot-pounds of energy.
Barrel: Custom barrels and barrel attachments are allowed.
Air Tanks: Tethered air tanks are allowed but tank must be secured. Tethered tanks are not allowed on top of benches.
Stock: Any. Bedding allowed.
Weight: Unlimited.
Rests: Any.
Note: Pro .177, .20, & .22 Slug is scored with the .224 plug head.
6. Pro 22 Rimfire Class Requirements
Pro 22 RF Class allows unlimited use of highly modified rifles that exceeds precision of typical factory rifles.
Rifle: Any, including traditional custom-made Unlimited Class Rimfire.
Cartridges: Commercial 22LR. No reloads allowed.
Barrel: Custom barrels and barrel attachments are allowed.
Stock: Any. Bedding allowed.
Weight: Unlimited.
Rests: Any.
Note: Pro 22 Rimfire is scored with the .224 plug head.
Factory 22 RF Out of Production Approved List
The Approved Factory Rifle list is ONLY for rifles not in current production.
Browning: All Models except the Model 52
CZ: All factory variants of 452, 453, 455, 512, Discontinued 457 Models: LRP-Gray, Training
Henry: All Models
Husqvarna: 1622
Marlin: All Models EXCEPT all variations of Model 2000
Mossberg; All Model 46 Variations, Model 340B, All Models US 44C w/magazine, 240c w/magazine
Norinco: NS522
Remington: All Models EXCEPT All variations of Model 37, 40X, 504, 513, 540, 541
Ruger: All Models
Savage: All Models EXCEPT any that are Savage/Anschutz
Sears: Ted Williams Model 34, 42-103-2840
Smith & Wesson: All Models
Thompson Center: R55 Benchmark
Weatherby: Mark XXII (auto)
Winchester: All Models EXCEPT Model 52 and Model 75
2025 Factory 22 RF Excluded Factory Rifle List
The following Excluded Rifle list are NOT APPROVED for N50 Factory Class
Any Anschutz
Browning Model 52
Cooper 57
CZ Brno, 457 VPT, VPT-MTR
Kimber - All Models
Lithgow - LA101
Marlin Model 2000 Variations
Remington Models 37, 40X, 504, 513, 540, 541, 547
Sako
Savage Anschutz
Springfield - M2/1922
Stevens Ranger
Vudoo
Winchester Model 52 & 75
Kleingunther , Voere or Mauser K22/201