[1] TR uses single-shot rifles, usually chambered in .308 calibre, with circular "bullseye" targets at distances of 300–1000 yards.

[2] In contrast, smallbore rifle shooting uses firearms chambered for relatively low-powered rimfire cartridges (typically .22LR).

[10] Modifications such as aftermarket stocks and barrels became increasingly common but rifles were nonetheless built around actions of military design.

NRA rules required rifles to be "available in quantity", intended to level the playing field and prevent the use of fully customised one-off designs.

In 1970, George Swenson and Laurie Ingram developed the Swing rifle as an alternative to the dominant designs of the day, which were built around the Lee-Enfield No.

[11] Alongside the Australian Omark Model 44, the Swing was one of the first actions designed explicitly for target shooting, with attention paid to a short lock time and clean trigger break.

[11][12] The 1970s also saw the development of the Mauser-influenced Musgrave target rifle in South Africa, with the Australian Barnard Model P action entering production in 1982.

Developed in Canada by George "Farky" Farquharson (from whom "F"-class is derived), it began by resting a TR-compliant rifle on a bipod and adding a telescopic sight.

This permitted continued participation amongst older shooters with deteriorating sight, or who could not adopt a typical prone position.

To level the playing field and to make it possible for riflemen of all budgets to compete seriously, the rifle or all its component parts must be 'readily available in quantity'.

[7]: T3 [6]: 68–70, Rule 150  However, many matches such as the NRA Imperial Meeting require competitors to use issued ammunition - which is typically only offered in .308.

Modern target rifle shooters commonly use specialised stiff leather or canvas shooting jackets to maintain a stable prone position.

The Imperial Meeting, organised by the British NRA at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley is regarded as one of the leading target rifle events globally, and has been hugely influential in the development of the sport.