The Complete Guide to .22LR Rimfire Precision Matches in the Carolinas

 

The precision rifle world is exploding in North Carolina and South Carolina, and a big part of that growth is the rise of the .22LR Rimfire Precision Match. These matches are designed to let everyday shooters – new or experienced – test real marksmanship skills at distances from 25 yards all the way to 300 yards, using common .22LR rifles. One of the best examples of this format is the Eastwood Outfitters Rimfire Precision Match hosted at Eastwood Outfitters Range in Derby, North Carolina.

This guide is your starting point. We’ll walk you through how these matches work, what gear you actually need, what to expect on match day, and how to get involved in the Carolina rimfire community. Throughout this article, you’ll see “Quick Links” to deep dives on gear, ammo, training, and stage structure so you can keep leveling up.

Quick Links:

I. What Is a .22LR Rimfire Precision Match?

A .22LR Rimfire Precision Match is a structured shooting event made up of multiple stages – often five stages in a match. On each stage, shooters engage steel or paper targets from different shooting positions under time pressure. You might shoot prone off a bipod on one stage, then shoot from a barricade or improvised support on the next stage.

The distances are a big part of why people love it. Instead of needing a 1,000-yard range, rimfire precision usually runs from about 25 yards out to 200+ yards, and sometimes farther. At Eastwood, you can see impacts at 100, 150, even 300 yards with .22LR, which makes these matches a fantastic way to learn real wind calls and elevation holds without the recoil and cost of large-caliber rifles.

If you want a full breakdown of how a match is structured – stage flow, time limits, target sizes – read: How Our Rimfire Precision Matches Work – Stage Breakdown .

II. Why Shooters Across the Carolinas Love This Format

1. It’s Affordable

Centerfire precision shooting is awesome, but it’s not cheap. Match-grade .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, or similar calibers add up fast. With rimfire, you’re shooting .22LR. You can train, compete, and improve without burning through $2–$3 a round. That makes this sport realistic for more shooters in places like Moore County, Southern Pines, Rockingham, Aberdeen, and across the Sandhills.

2. It’s Welcoming

Good matches feel like good ranges: experienced shooters help new shooters. At the Eastwood Outfitters Rimfire Precision Match, the tone is not “you’d better be perfect,” it’s “glad you’re here.” You’ll see people spot for each other, loan rear bags, and share tips between stages. That’s one reason a lot of people in North Carolina and South Carolina are choosing this as their first “real” competition.

If you’ve never shot a match in your life, this is the one. You do not have to “be good enough first.” You get good by showing up.

3. It Builds Real Skill

Rimfire precision teaches mechanical fundamentals that apply to any rifle platform: stability, trigger control, sight picture, breathing, follow-through, calling your shot, wind judgment, and watching impacts. The work you put in here carries directly into duty rifles, hunting rifles, carbine work, and long-range platforms.

Want focused training ideas to build those skills? Go here: How to Train for .22LR Rimfire Precision Shooting .

III. Core Gear: What You Actually Need

Let’s kill the myth right now: you do not need a $3,000 chassis gun and a $2,000 optic to shoot a .22LR precision match. Can high-end gear help at the top levels? Sure. But most shooters in the Carolinas are running rifles and glass that are reachable for normal budgets.

We built a full checklist for you here: Beginner Gear Checklist for .22LR Rimfire Matches . Below is the high-level version.

1. Rifle (.22LR)

Bolt-action .22LR rifles are common because of their consistency and repeatability, but you’ll see semi-autos too. Popular factory-friendly rifles in this space include platforms like CZ rimfires, Bergara, and Tikka. The main things that matter: reliability, repeatable accuracy, and a trigger you can control cleanly under time.

For setup advice – including optic mounting, zeroing, and what matters more than brand names – go here: Choosing the Right Rifle and Scope for Rimfire Precision .

2. Optic (Riflescope)

You’ll want an optic with repeatable turrets and a clear reticle you can either dial or hold over. Adjustable parallax is important because you’ll be engaging targets at 25 yards and 100+ yards in the same match.

One of the most common beginner mistakes is cranking magnification to the max. That narrows your field of view and slows your target-to-target transitions. A sweet spot for most stages is often in that 7x–12x range. We talk about that in detail in Choosing the Right Rifle and Scope for Rimfire Precision .

3. Front and Rear Support

Stability is everything. Almost every shooter is running:

  • A bipod or front support off the rifle
  • A rear bag (sand bag or purpose-built support bag)

Those two items will help you build a stable position fast, especially on barricades and awkward props. Want to see what experienced shooters in our region are using? Read: Top Shooting Bags and Bipods for Rimfire Precision .

4. Ammo That Your Rifle Actually Shoots Well

Two shooters can run two different brands of .22LR and get totally different results. The truth is, .22LR is picky. Some rifles group better with certain lots. Part of preparing for a match is figuring out what YOUR gun likes and then buying enough of that lot to stay consistent.

You do not have to break the bank on high-end match ammo for your first event, but you do need repeatability. We cover testing and recommendations here: Best .22LR Ammo for Rimfire Precision Matches .

IV. How a Match Day Actually Works

Here’s the flow you should expect at a Carolina rimfire match like the Eastwood Outfitters Rimfire Precision Match:

1. Check-In / Safety Brief

You’ll confirm registration, pay match fee (many local matches are cash the day-of), and attend a range and safety brief. The safety portion matters. We’re still dealing with firearms, muzzle discipline, and accountability at all times.

2. Stage Walkthrough

Before you shoot a stage, the Range Officer (RO) will explain: positions allowed, targets to engage, round count, par time (time limit), and scoring. Listen closely. This is where small details like “must touch the barrel to the barricade” vs “barricade is only support for the bag” are explained.

If you want to preview what a 5-stage flow can look like and how each stage is built to test different skills, we broke that down for you here: How Our Rimfire Precision Matches Work – Stage Breakdown .

3. Shooting Your Stage

You’ll shoot under time. You’ll move between positions. You’ll try to stay stable while still working efficiently. Hits on target score. Misses don’t. Simple.

Most new shooters discover that the “hard part” is not recoil control. It’s building a fast, stable position, reading the reticle, and making calm trigger presses when the clock is running.

4. Spotting and Helping Others

Between your turns, you’ll often spot for other shooters. This helps them learn (“low left,” “wind pushed it”) and helps you learn to read trace and impacts. That culture is part of why this format works so well in North Carolina and South Carolina – the match becomes a group training session with scorecards.

V. How to Prepare for Your First Match

Good news: you don’t have to guess. We laid out drills, dry fire routines, and range day planning here: How to Train for .22LR Rimfire Precision Shooting .

Before match day:

  • Zero your rifle at the agreed distance (commonly 50 yards for .22LR)
  • Write down or memorize your holds / dope for common distances
  • Pack the basics: rifle, mags, ammo, bipod, rear bag, eye/ear protection, water, and snacks
  • Show up early so you’re not rushing your first stage cold

If you’re not sure what to pack, use the checklist here: Beginner Gear Checklist for .22LR Rimfire Matches .

VI. Where to Shoot in the Carolinas

The Eastwood Outfitters Rimfire Precision Match is run in Derby, NC, and is quickly becoming a gathering point for shooters from across Moore County, Richmond County, Hoke County, even northern South Carolina. If you’re in the Carolinas and you’re looking for a place to test yourself in a legit but welcoming environment, this is it.

You can read more about that match, including what gear is required (rifle chambered in .22LR, scope, bipod/front support, rear bag), in: About the Eastwood Outfitters Rimfire Precision Match .

Other regional ranges in North Carolina and South Carolina are starting to run similar formats because they’re approachable, they scale well, and they give shooters real data on their performance. Translation: this is only growing.

VII. Why This Matters (More Than Just Scores)

People show up for different reasons. Some come from a competitive shooting background and want more reps without burning out barrels on their centerfire rigs. Some are hunters who want to get steadier off improvised rests. Some are new shooters who just want to learn the right way, in a safe environment, around respectful, serious people.

The common thread is this: precision shooting builds discipline. It forces you to slow down, solve problems, and be accountable for every shot. That mindset is valuable whether you’re a match shooter, a landowner, a church security volunteer, or just someone who wants to be more capable with a rifle.

VIII. Your Next Step

If you’re in North Carolina or South Carolina and you’ve been thinking, “I’d love to try that, but I don’t know where to start,” here is your starting point:

After that, the only thing left to do is show up. That’s it. You don’t have to be fast. You don’t have to clean every stage. You just have to be safe, respectful, and willing to learn.

That’s how you become part of the Carolina precision shooting community.

Trace Armory Group supports responsible firearms ownership, training, and community development across North Carolina and South Carolina. We work alongside Eastwood Outfitters and other local ranges to help shooters build skill, confidence, and accountability.

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