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

SBR 2026 July21 1
SBR 2026 July21 1

Juniors Shine as Hands Across The Sea Debuts: 2026 NRA National Smallbore Championship, Day 1

Junior shooters dominated the 2026 NRA National Smallbore Championship opener as Ruby Harris won metallic sights and the inaugural Hands Across The Sea team was selected.

Proof Research Adds Competition Blanks to PXT Barrel Line

Proof Research expands its PXT barrel line with steel competition blanks, more pre-fit options and new .243 and .257 caliber offerings.

USPSA Membership Hits Record 45,000 in 2026

USPSA and Steel Challenge hit a record 45,000 members in April 2026, driven by daily sign-ups and rising match activity.

New: Leupold LCO Pro F2

Leupold’s new LCO Pro F2 red-dot sight combines a redesigned aluminum housing, aspheric lens and 30,000 hours of battery life for hard use.

Krieghoff Revives Historic Trophy for 140th Anniversary

Krieghoff revived its namesake trophy after 21 years, drawing 232 shooters from 13 countries to Germany’s Dornsberg course for its 140th anniversary.

Remington Don’t Tread on Me, Come and Take It Bulk Buckets Now Shipping

Remington’s Don't Tread on Me and Come and Take It bulk ammo buckets are shipping nationwide, expanding the company’s patriotic America 250 lineup.

Interests



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