International Smallbore Competition Flourishes: Australia and U.s. Forge New Pathway

What began as a novel Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA) postal competition in 2026 has rapidly expanded into a significant international relationship, connecting Australian and U.S. smallbore shooters. This initiative has established a valuable pathway for cross-continental competition without the prohibitive costs typically associated with overseas travel.

The inaugural SSAA NRA Smallbore International Postal Match saw 19 Australian competitors take to the line at Southern Districts Rifle Club in Western Australia, concurrently with six American competitors completing the identical course of fire at St. Joseph Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Bristol, Indiana. A crucial factor in this seamless integration was SSAA’s adoption of NRA Smallbore as one of its disciplines, ensuring both clubs operated under the same NRA Smallbore Rifle Rules.

U.S. shooter Cameron Zwart emerged as the winner of the 2026 postal with a score of 1161. The solid scores recorded by competitors from both nations provided an encouraging debut for the international postal format. More importantly, this event marked the successful creation of a direct pathway between NRA Smallbore and its SSAA counterparts in Australia, setting the stage for deeper engagement.

Building on this initial success, discussions between representatives from both countries quickly led to a reciprocal U.S.-hosted postal event: the Hands Across the Sea International Team Match. This expanded competition was held in conjunction with the 2026 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. The format broadened to a four-team international contest, with both Australia and the United States fielding A and B teams.

USA A secured victory in this inaugural team match with a score of 4621-196X, followed by USA B at 4555-168X. Australia A posted a strong 4550-146X, while Australia B finished with 4402-86X. While the match delivered excellent competition, its greater achievement lies in the rapid development of the international relationship it fostered, offering another avenue for competitors to engage globally without incurring substantial travel expenses.

This burgeoning relationship is now extending beyond postal competitions. The NRA Smallbore Committee has accepted an invitation to send a U.S. team to Australia for the 2027 SSAA NRA Smallbore National Championships. This marks a significant progression, where competitors who first encountered each other's names on postal scorecards will soon compete side-by-side on an Australian range, solidifying a genuine two-way international pathway.

The new smallbore postal competition season is already underway. The 2026/27 NRA Any-Sight Postal Shoot, again hosted by SSAA and conducted under the NRA Smallbore Rifle Rulebook, is running from October 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. This competition is open to current members of SSAA, an approved member organization, or the NRA. Entry is free, and shooters are permitted to enter multiple times, with only their highest score counting towards the results.

Awards for this season include medals and certificates for the top three overall finishers, as well as in each classification and for the under-18 and under-15 junior categories. SSAA grades align with NRA classifications, and any shooter without a current classification will compete as a Master. For submission, targets may originate from any registered match or any match signed by an authorized range officer. Entrants are required to email full scores, a photograph of their targets signed by the range officer in charge, and the match results bulletin where applicable. Required entry details also include the shooter’s name, NRA or SSAA number with expiration date, address, state, club, classification/grade, contact details, and junior age if pertinent. Results will be ratified and awards distributed in August 2027.

From a single postal match, a comprehensive and truly international competitive pathway has emerged, indicating that this is indeed just the beginning for U.S. and Australian smallbore precision rifle shooting.