Metal Madness To Become Rimfire-Only Shooting Sport

by
posted on December 31, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Metal Madness recently announced that starting next year it will be a rimfire-only shooting sport. The new rule goes into effect on January 1, 2019.

This new proclamation makes sense, since 99 percent of Metal Madness participants are shooting rimfire guns, mostly due to the lower costs involved. The move to rimfire only will surely streamline match administration processes, making it easier to conduct matches so the focus can be on shooters having a good time.

There's also the speed factor. Metal Madness is largely a speed game, and as such, the speed of a rimfire gun is ideal for it.

The founder of Metal Madness, Ed White, provides additional details on this change to .22 LR.

Says White: "When Metal Madness started in 2014, we allowed .45 ACP and smaller for classification The larger calibers forced us to make the targets heavier, to prevent damage to the steel. The heavier targets made it nearly impossible to hear the rimfire rounds strike the targets. As Metal Madness progressed, more of our participants were switching to rimfire to offset the ammo cost, also finding that the rimfire firearms were faster than the centerfire ones." 

Keeping the cost of entry to any shooting sport is always going to be a good thing. Since target frames and steel are damaged more by centerfire guns, the elimination of them from the sport should help increase the lifespan of the equipment necessary to conduct Metal Madness matches.

There will still be lanes for centerfire use at Metal Madness events, but no classification or bracket information will be recorded.

For more information on Metal Madness, click here.

Latest

2026 Topshotgun Shotshow Lede
2026 Topshotgun Shotshow Lede

Best Of SHOT Show 2026: Top Shotguns

SHOT Show 2026 highlighted the latest shotguns, from over/unders for competition to field-ready semi-automatics with adjustable stocks and enhanced handling features.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge Stages Put Practical AR Skills on Display at NRA World Shooting Championship

ARC Level One and Two-Gun stages at the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship highlighted practical AR skills, competitive efficiency and the program’s nationwide training mission.

New: Stoeger STR-9 Thinline+

Stoeger’s STR-9 Thinline+ keeps a one-inch profile while adding a ported barrel, optic support and 19+1-round capacity.

Kayle Browning Opens 2026 With Trap Gold in Abu Dhabi

Federal’s sponsored shooter Kayle Browning delivered a flawless final to win women’s trap gold as U.S. shooters posted multiple podium finishes in Abu Dhabi.

Collegiate Rifle: History Made in Lexington

No.1-ranked Kentucky breaks national aggregate record in collegiate rifle as Akron’s Kimball and Siek deliver standout performances in tough battle.

Lyman Launches Sonicore Suppressor Lineup Priced Under $300

Lyman’s new Sonicore suppressor family adapts a long-running European design for U.S. production, offering modular, lightweight cans at low prices.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.