What if you could turn your love for shooting into a competitive outlet that’s as welcoming as it is challenging? What if it didn’t require a small fortune, hours of travel, or a 1000-yard range? Enter NRL22: a force in the world of precision shooting. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of competition, refining your skills, or just looking for a new way to connect with the shooting community, NRL22 offers an accessible and rewarding experience for shooters of all levels.
Before diving into what makes this discipline so exciting, let’s set the stage with a quick comparison of centerfire and rimfire shooting—and why rimfire just makes sense.
Centerfire vs. Rimfire: The Basics
At the heart of shooting sports lies a fundamental choice: centerfire or rimfire. Each offers its own unique set of challenges and rewards, but understanding their differences is key to appreciating why rimfire has become the cornerstone of NRL22.
Centerfire ammunition is the heavyweight champion of long-range precision shooting. With calibers like .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor, these rounds feature a primer located at the center of the cartridge base, which ignites the propellant. The result? High velocity, flat trajectories, and the ability to reach out to extreme distances. Centerfire is the go-to for traditional long-range competitions, but it comes with a cost—literally. Between the price of ammunition, the specialized rifles, and the need for sprawling 1000-yard ranges, centerfire shooting requires a significant investment in time, money, and logistics.
Rimfire, on the other hand, is the scrappy underdog that punches above its weight class. Best known for calibers like .22 LR, rimfire cartridges are ignited by striking the rim of the casing. They’re quieter, cheaper, and designed for shorter distances, but don’t mistake that for a lack of challenge. Rimfire shooting demands precision and mastery of the fundamentals, as factors like wind drift and bullet drop are more pronounced at these velocities.
For many shooters, rimfire is where the fun begins. It’s accessible, affordable, and offers plenty of opportunities to sharpen your skills without requiring a major financial commitment or access to specialized facilities. Whether you’re plinking cans in your backyard or competing in an NRL22 match, rimfire proves that great shooting isn’t about the size of the cartridge—it’s about the skill behind the trigger.
What is the NRL22?
If you’ve been researching NRL22 and stumbled upon some mixed or outdated information, let’s clear things up. NRL22, now officially the National Rimfire League, has fully separated from the National Rifle League to become its own independent entity. This separation reflects the league’s exclusive focus on rimfire competition, and with it comes a new online home at NRL22.com, where you’ll find updated resources, membership options, and the NRL22X season schedule. Despite the change, the NRL22 remains the same as it has always been, with most of the same leaders at the helm, ensuring continuity in the competition and community you know and love. The shorthand “NRL22” is sticking around, highlighting its ongoing dedication to rimfire shooting.
This transition is spearheaded by Tyler Frehner, the first Open Division National Champion in 2017 and a foundational leader since NRL22’s inception in 2016. Now the President of the National Rimfire League 22 LLC, Tyler and his partners—Dominic Thompson, Levi Sanderson, and Janae Frehner—are doubling down on their mission to expand the league and its community of rimfire enthusiasts.
A Conversation with Levi Sanderson
My buddy Chris, known as TwoTenthsLeft on social media, suggested I connect with Levi Sanderson, the NRL22 Co-Director of Match Operations and one of the organization's key leaders. Levi was kind enough to fit me in during his family and friend's hunting trip. Talking to him was a great experience. His enthusiasm for the sport and belief in the bright future of NRL22 under the new changes were infectious. Levi emphasized the welcoming community, the accessibility of the league, and—most of all—how rimfire shooting just makes sense. Precision long-range shooting often requires 1000-yard ranges, which take significant time, money, laws, and space to develop. Meanwhile, short-course ranges are scattered all over the country, making it far easier to find or even start an NRL22 club focused on precision rimfire shooting.
He also pointed out the wealth of resources now available for NRL22 shooters, including Facebook and Instagram groups, the new website, and the live shows on YouTube and Facebook featuring the monthly Course of Fire (COF). I tuned into one of the live shows for the first time and was hooked—it’s entertaining and loaded with information. And let’s not forget the prizes! I mean, there were a lot of prizes handed out to members during that show. I would highly recommend checking it out even if you don't shoot NRL22. I think other disciplines should take note... this is how it should be done.
NRL22 vs. NRL22X: What’s the Difference?
If you’re new to the world of precision rimfire shooting, you might be wondering about the distinction between NRL22 and NRL22X. Both are part of the National Rimfire League, but they cater to different levels of competition and offer unique challenges to shooters.
NRL22 is the league’s bread and butter—designed to be accessible, family-friendly, and affordable. Matches are hosted at local ranges, typically covering distances of 25 to 100 yards. For ranges capable of longer distances, "Option 2" extends the course out to 200 yards. Each match features a standardized Course of Fire (COF) released monthly and streamed live on Facebook and Youtube. The goal of NRL22 is to create a welcoming environment where shooters of all skill levels can compete and improve without needing a massive financial or logistical commitment. If you’re just getting started in rimfire precision shooting, NRL22 is the perfect entry point. That is not to say there are not top level competitors in this series, there are but it is definitely the more welcoming and casual of the two.
NRL22X, on the other hand, is for those looking to take their skills to the next level. These matches are larger in scale, often incorporating longer distances and more challenging stages than standard NRL22 matches. This is certainly the series for the rimfire competitor looking to get the top competitions in front of them. While NRL22X events still emphasize the core values of the league—community, accessibility, and fun—they are geared toward more advanced shooters seeking a greater test of their precision shooting abilities.
One key difference is that NRL22X matches are independently designed by match directors, offering a variety of unique experiences from event to event. Unlike the standardized COF of NRL22, NRL22X allows match directors the freedom to create customized stages, often pushing shooters to engage targets at extended distances beyond the 100-yard mark. These events also tend to draw larger crowds and offer more significant prizes, making them a great opportunity for serious competitors.
Qualifying for the Season Finale - Both NRL22 and NRL22X provide pathways to qualify for the prestigious NRL22 Championship. A whopping 90% of the participants at the NRL22 Championship come from these two series, reflecting the hard work and dedication of competitors throughout the season. The remaining 10% of the spots are reserved for international tickets, giving shooters from around the globe the chance to showcase their skills on the big stage. The NRL22 Championship serves as the series finale for both the NRL22 Series and the NRL22X series.
Which One is Right for You?
Choose NRL22 - if you’re looking for a fun, local competition that’s easy to jump into with minimal investment. The focus here is on improving your skills in a supportive community setting.
Choose NRL22X - if you’ve mastered the basics and are ready for more demanding stages and greater competition. It’s ideal for those who want to challenge themselves at a higher level.
Whether you’re starting with NRL22 or diving into the deeper waters of NRL22X, both formats share the same spirit: a passion for precision shooting and a dedication to growing the rimfire community.
Final Thoughts
What sets both NRL22 and NRL22X apart isn’t just the competition—it’s the community. Whether you’re at a local club match or an NRL22X event, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere, shooters eager to share advice, and a shared love for the sport.
With its affordability, accessibility, and camaraderie, NRL22 has built a platform that’s perfect for sharpening your skills and having fun along the way. Visit NRL22.com to join the action, find matches, and experience what makes the league such a game-changer for precision shooting. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned competitor, there’s a place for you in the world of NRL22.
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Beautiful article Mac, definitely community is at the core of NRL22. Been competing in the league for over 2 yrs now. It’s always fun and challenging but the community and the bonds created is what makes me keep coming back!
Great content. Levi is an awesome dude!