Number of shots 3x40 World Championships Since 1897 Number of shots 3x20 | Olympic Games 1900-1972 Abbreviation 300FR3X40 World Championships Since 2002 | |
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300 metre rifle three positions is an ISSF shooting event, involving shooting 40 shots each from the prone, the standing and the kneeling positions. Lately a similar event has been designed for women, where only half the course is shot. Originally there had been champions declared in each position based on the results of the 40 shots in the three position match. A special 300 metre rifle prone match was added in 1982 however, after a pattern from the so-called English Match. After 1990, no World Championship medals have been awarded in the standing or kneeling position.
300 metre rifle has been a declining event for many decades because of the considerable cost for competing in the event and the difficulty of creating ranges for it. The Olympic status was dropped in the 1970s, making 50 metre rifle the only rifle event on the program (10 metre air rifle was later added). 300 metre Rifle is still on the World and regional championships program, though.
The rifle used by women in this program is actually the same as the men, except having a lower weight limit (6.5 kg only). This rifle is not the same as the one used in the standard rifle 300m event.