With Fall 2025 quickly approaching (goodbye heat!) it’s the perfect time to start planning some outdoor shooting games and contests. Whether you are looking to become a better sharpshooter, or just add a twist to your routine, there are many various ways to accomplish your goal and have a “blast” while doing it. Here are some real-life ideas for rifle shooting games that fit different skill levels and interests. So, everyone, from beginners to experts, can either learn, or be reminded of, why shooting is a “blast” (*winks and smiles*… get it? Blast?).
Long Range Precision Contest
For those who take great pride in their marksmanship, participating in a long-range shooting contest can be an exhilarating experience. Long-distance shooting requires a certain level of precision and skill. It also forces shooters to learn and utilize their environment (wind strength and direction, the curve of the shot, etc.).
Set it Up
Arrange targets at various distances (Certain ranges offer this service, but if you are lucky enough to live in a rural area that allows shooting on the property…well… lucky you). This variability in range tests consistency and control.
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Make it Hard
We doubt you will be bored, but if you want to take this little competition to the next level (and if you want to make your friends sweat a little more) make your shooters use a low-power scope. Low-power scopes require greater skill and precision, since they provide less magnification compared to high-power scopes. This limitation challenges shooters to rely more heavily on their innate shooting abilities and fine-tune their focus and steadiness.
A long-range shooting contest is a great way to show off your shooting skills, talk to the shooting community, and push the limits of what shooters can do with their rifles and skills. We dare you…
Biathlon Style Race
This high power biathlon-style race is inspired by the Olympic Games. It is a thrilling and challenging sport that merges the physical demands of running with the precision and control of shooting. This unique combination creates a dynamic competition that tests both the body and mind of the participants.
Race Format and Scoring
In a typical biathlon-style race, participants run through a set course, which can vary in length and terrain, adding to the challenge. Along the course, there are designated shooting stations where competitors must stop and shoot at targets. The distance from which participants shoot can vary, and the targets can be stationary or moving, increasing the difficulty of the task.
Scoring in these races is usually a blend of two main components: the time taken to complete the course and the accuracy of the shots. Each missed shot can result in a time penalty, which is added to the overall time of the participant. This system ensures that both speed and precision are crucial to securing a win, as excellent shooting can counterbalance a slower run, and vice versa.
Physical and Mental Demands
The biathlon-style race is demanding both physically and mentally. Physically, participants must be in excellent condition to navigate the running course, which often includes varying elevations and challenging terrains. The running segments test the athlete’s endurance, speed, and agility.
Mentally, the sport requires immense focus and control. Shooting after running segments tests the athlete’s ability to calm their breathing and steady their hands, all while maintaining concentration on hitting the targets. This switch from high-intensity physical activity to a task that requires calm and precision makes biathlon-style races particularly challenging.
Training for a Biathlon-Style Race
Training for a Biathlon is no joke. It involves a balanced focus on both cardiovascular fitness and practical shooting skills at different distances. Shooting athletes are often not seen in the same light as say… a professional basketball player or a track and field sprinter. But y’all… these shooters can keep up with the best of them. They train in similar conditions to those they will face on race day, including running on uneven terrains and practicing transitions from running to shooting.
Shooting practice would include shooting from shooting from short to long distances in conditions where the athlete’s heart rate is high. Techniques such as dry firing, where a shooter practices the shooting process without ammunition, can be particularly useful. Mental exercises to enhance focus and techniques to control breathing can significantly improve shooting accuracy under stress.
Equipment and Safety
Participants typically use lightweight rifles that are easy to carry during the running segments. Safety is paramount in biathlon-style races, with strict regulations in place regarding the handling of firearms during the event. Competitors must always ensure that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction and only loaded at the shooting stations.
Community and Competitiveness
Biathlon-style races can foster a strong sense of community among participants, as they share the unique challenges of this demanding sport. For many, it is not only a test of physical and mental skills but also an opportunity to connect with others who share their passions. Competitive spirits run high in these events, but the camaraderie among athletes also plays a vital role in the enduring popularity of the sport.
‘Save the Water Bottle’ Challenge
The ‘Save the Water Bottle’ Challenge is an engaging and dynamic shooting game designed to add an element of fun and strategy to regular target practice sessions. This competition format not only tests the participants’ shooting accuracy but also their ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Here’s how you can set up and expand on this playful scenario:
Setup:
- Materials Needed:
- Several water bottles (at least 5-10)
- Food coloring or different colored waters
- Labels or markers to differentiate the bottles
- A safe shooting range or designated area
- Preparation of Targets:
- Fill each bottle with water, adding different colors to each, except for one. The uncolored bottle represents the ‘main water bottle’ that needs to be saved.
- Arrange the bottles in a line or scattered pattern, depending on the difficulty level desired. Ensure the main water bottle is randomly placed among the others.
- Rules and Objectives:
- The objective is to hit the colored bottles while avoiding the clear water bottle. Each colored bottle represents a different ‘threat’ or challenge that could ‘harm’ the main water bottle.
- Assign points for each colored bottle hit and penalties for hitting the clear bottle or missing a shot.
Game Variations:
- Timed Challenge: Introduce a time limit within which shooters must make their decisions and take their shots. This adds pressure and tests their quick decision-making skills.
- Sequential Hits: Require participants to hit their targets in a specific order, which can be randomized for each round. This tests memory as well as precision.
- Distance Variation: Change the distance from which participants shoot in different rounds. Closer distances might seem easier, but can actually require more precision to avoid hitting the wrong bottle.
- Team Play: Organize participants into teams where each member must take a turn to shoot a bottle. This variation fosters teamwork and strategy.
- Night Mode: For an added challenge, conduct the game during dusk or with limited lighting, where participants must use night vision equipment or flashlights.
Educational and Fun Twist:
- Environmental Awareness (We know this isn’t everyone’s favorite topic, but we love to hunt, and that means, taking care of the pplanet.)
- Use this game to discuss the importance of recycling and proper waste disposal. Each colored bottle can represent different types of waste or pollution that threaten our water sources.
- Skill Development:
- This game helps in honing various skills such as focus, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to judge distances and angles.
Bonus Suggestion:
Outdoor Shooting Gallery
Remember when you used to shoot cans off the fence with your Red Ryder? Consider this the the adult version. Create a shooting gallery with different targets. Some of our favorite targets are steel targets, paper targets that look like characters (like a grizzly bear or an intruder). If you really want to level up your target shooting practice, use self-healing targets, like Infinity Targets, that can be used over and over. Participants take turns in a relay format, making this ideal for team competitions. You can use cans or water balloons… OR, you can do what this writer did. Fill old mannequins with tannerite. And yes. It was awesome.
Tip: Choose a historical theme, such as the Wild West or a Revolutionary War battle. Participants can use period-appropriate rifles and attire, engaging in shooting contests that reflect the technical skills and challenges of that era. This not only makes for a fun shooting session, but also a great educational experience.
Be Safe, Not Stupid: Before ANY shooting situation, be sure that all participants are briefed on safety protocols. This includes handling and operating their equipment safely, and how to shoot safely in their surroundings. Make sure that the shooting area is secure and that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent accidents.
As always, for the ultimate shooting experience, check out Mitchell Defense five star rifles.
