Liam Burrows, with help from the Canadian Rimfire Precision Series, is bringing the fast-growing sport of rimfire shooting to Iqaluit on July 20. (Photo courtesy of Liam Burrows)
Rimfire shooting called one of ‘fastest-growing sports in Canada’; involves hitting targets at various ranges, positions in short time period
The international sport of rimfire precision shooting is coming North.
The sport is growing in popularity worldwide and “it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada,” said Liam Burrows, a rimfire enthusiast and organizer of Iqaluit’s upcoming competitions that start this month.
“There’s a world [championship] series now — it’s just absolutely exploded,” said Burrows, who lives in Iqaluit.
Rimfire competition in Canada has two variants: Canadian Rimfire Precision Series, or CRPS, and Outlaw Rimfire Precision Series or ORPS. The Iqaluit meets will be ORPS.
The main difference is distance. CRPS targets can be set at a maximum of 300 yards, while ORPS targets top out at 100 yards, Burrows said.
Both involve small .22-calibre bullets. The rimfire name is derived from the way the gun’s firing pin hits the back of the bullet on the rim, rather than on the centre.
“I know we are a very firearms-, very sport-enthusiastic community and I think a lot of people will enjoy this,” Burrows said.
The first world championship was held in Italy last year.
This will be the first time a rimfire competition is held in Canada’s Arctic, said Rick Katigbak, founder and director of the Canadian Rimfire Precision Series, on Wednesday.
“I think it’s awesome, our goal has been to include Canadians no matter where they are,” he said.
The organization tries to make it as easy as possible for people to participate. It provides tools and marketing materials people can use to start up their own events.
Safety is at the forefront of competition, Burrows said.
“Responsible gun ownership is a huge part [of competition] and we take a lot of pride and care in ensuring that what we do is safe,” he said.
The sport involves shooting at steel targets “under the pressure of time” while moving to different locations to shoot, and shooting targets from varying distances — all at once, Burrows said.
There are props to shoot from, which can be barrels, boats, stepladders or anything contest organizers choose to use.
The winner is determined by overall accuracy, though there are time limits to complete each stage.
There are five stages in an ORPS competition, Burrows said, and each stage varies.
As an example, during the first stage competitors shoot from of “a triangle ladder and move 11 times [while shooting from a stationary position] at a three-inch target at a hundred yards” distance, he said.
“So it’s just a big challenge, and turns out to be a lot of fun to see how you manage it.”
Burrows attributes the sport’s growing popularity in part to the low cost to join.
“Anybody can get .22 ammo at relatively cheap prices,” he said.
In particular, ORPS style is more accessible because it’s held on a shorter shooting range.
While many competitors are self-funded, the sport is popular enough that sponsors are getting involved for top-end participants.
Burrows said he travels all over North America to compete, partly paid for through sponsorship deals.
“In the future I would like to make this an annual thing,” he said of the meets in Iqaluit, adding he is working with partners in hopes of holding a competition during the Toonik Tyme festival.
Burrows said he loves the sport for two reasons: The challenge and the community.
“I travel all over North America for the bigger competitions, and the community, the people that fall in love with the sport, are there to help you,” he said.
“Someone will have a $12,000 rifle and say, ‘Hey, you want to shoot this?’”
People will say, ‘This is what I love … I’m going to help you.’ Nowhere else in life have I found people that are like that.”
The first competition in Iqaluit is set for July 20. Three more are scheduled for Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 12. Pre-registration and the $45 entry fee payment on the Canadian Rimfire Precision Series website is required (listed under ORPS events, Iqaluit).
On-site registration at the Road to Nowhere gun range starts at 9 a.m. each day, with competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nine people have registered so far for the July 20 competition, but Burrows has capacity for 30 more.
Source: Precision shooting competition to make debut in Iqaluit
