At Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on April 19, 2025, the sound of rifle fire and the unmistakable ring of steel targets signaled the arrival of something new. With sights set and adrenaline high, the National Rifle Association of America unveiled its reimagined America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC) competition, launching a bold new chapter in competitive shooting with a one-day, action-packed event. This week, Shooting USA brings the action to your screen, offering a full breakdown of the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge program and its innovative structure.
ARC is more than just another rifle match. It’s a gateway for new shooters and a proving ground for seasoned competitors, all centered around America’s most popular rifle platform—the AR-15. Designed with accessibility and progression in mind, the ARC program features three distinct levels of competition: Level One, which is designed for beginners, Level Two for intermediate to advanced shooters, along with a Two-Gun format for those ready to push their limits by adding pistols into the mix.
John Scoutten and the Shooting USA television crew were on-site to capture the event, interviewing competitors and match officials to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how the NRA is reshaping the landscape of practical rifle shooting.
The format of NRA America’s Rifle Challenge isn’t just about speed and accuracy—it’s about adaptability. The ARC program’s provisional rulebook outlines three rifle classes: Stock, Limited and Open. Each class has its own gear restrictions, from unmagnified optics in Stock to full tactical setups in Open, including high-capacity magazines, bipods and shooting bags. Common to all divisions is a sling requirement. In addition, all rifles must be chambered in .223 Rem/5.56 mm NATO, .308 Win./7.62 mm NATO or .300 Blackout. (In the future, pistol-caliber carbines will be allowed as well.)
The NRA ARC program also welcomes suppressor use in states where they are legally permitted.
The episode airs Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific (8:00 p.m. Central) on the Outdoor Channel. (Also, in Canada on the Sportsman Canada Channel.) Missed the broadcast? You can stream it anytime on Vimeo for just $0.99.
Clubs and ranges everywhere can begin holding NRA America’s Rifle Challenge matches beginning on August 4, 2025.
With the full NRA America’s Rifle Challenge rulebook set to debut in August, this episode offers a timely preview of what could become a staple in the competitive shooting world. Whether you’re a first-time shooter or a seasoned pro, NRA America’s Rifle Challenge is aiming to redefine what it means to compete with America’s rifle.
