Olympic 10m shooting is a precision sport where athletes stand at a range and fire 60 shots with specialized air-powered guns. Each pellet must be loaded individually, using either compressed air or CO2 as the propellant.

Athletes competing in international rifle and pistol events

It's a calm, meditative sport that's all about developing skills and honing them to perfection. Despite its technical nature, it's incredibly engaging and fun!

The sport gained significant attention during recent Olympics, showcasing not just the technical excellence required but also the diverse and engaging personalities of its athletes.

There are many other shooting sports, however this site focuses specifically on 10m rifle and pistol ISSF shooting.

While Olympic 10m shooting is very challenging, it's also incredibly rewarding. Many newcomers are surprised by the level of precision required, even when they have experience with shooting in other sports:

• The rifle target's 4-ring is the size of a toonie (30mm), and the 10-ring (bullseye) is about the size of a period
• A pistol's entire target is approximately the width of the short side of a credit card
• The target is 10 meters away, and no magnification is used, meaning the target appears very small! So small, in fact, that you cannot see the individual rings from the firing line.

Olympic shooting is as much or even more about mental strength as it is about technical skills. The sport offers numerous benefits:

• Enhanced focus and concentration
• Improved emotional control
• Better stress management
• Increased self-discipline
• Development of goal-setting skills
• No intense physical activity or contact with other athletes reduces the risk of injury

These mental skills often translate to improved performance in other areas of life, from academics to professional work.

Starting Equipment

• Safety glasses and hearing protection (recommended)
• Rental equipment available at most clubs
• Basic shooting jacket or vest for rifles (optional)

Cost Overview

Safety is paramount in Olympic shooting, and the sport has an excellent safety record thanks to:

• Strict safety procedures and protocols
• Controlled environment with no movement during shooting
• Proper training and supervision for newcomers
• Respect for equipment and safety guidelines

Good news! This sport is very easy to get into in Canada:

• No firearms license required for either the pistols or rifles used in this sport. Equipment must meet certain restrictions, which put it under the legal threshold of licensed firearms
• Therefore, you can just show up to a club and start shooting (Minors must have parental consent). This means it's also very easy to buy equipment, guns and ammunition as well
• Guns must be used responsibly and legally at all times - basically treat them like a firearm. They are not toys!