CAMP PERRY, OHIO - In the most ideal firing conditions ever experienced by competitive shooters in the dead of winter at Camp Perry, about three dozen shooters broke ground on what is designed to become a valuable new type of off-season training and competition for highpower, smallbore and recreational competitors.

On 10 January 2009, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) conducted its first test firing of two National Match Air Rifle events at the Camp Perry Marksmanship Center with its 80-firing point, all equipped with electronic targets. Competitors fired two standing position events and one three-position prone, sitting or kneeling and standing event.

Outside, howling winds and driving snow ravaged the dormant outdoor ranges at Camp Perry. Inside, competitors in shirtsleeves helped the CMP walk through its first-ever National Match Air Rifle Match. The new shooting game offers a simulation of the Highpower National Match Course 600-yard prone and 200-yard standing and sitting stages. Competitors can choose to shoot these events with one of three air rifles, a 7.5 pound sporter-class air rifle, a precision air rifle or an AR-type air rifle that simulates M16/AR type rifles used in service rifle competition.

The three rifle classes are designed to appeal to two broad groups of shooters, highpower service or match rifle shooters who want to continue shooting in the off-season and recreation shooters who seek a fun-oriented shooting game that can be fired with low cost rifles and no expensive special equipment.

"Especially considering that a blizzard prevented many competitors from getting to Camp Perry, we are very pleased with the results of the test," said Gary Anderson, CMP's Director of Civilian Marksmanship.

"We think this type of match fits the needs of serious highpower or smallbore shooters who want to keep practicing and shooting in the winter. Judging by the enthusiastic reaction of the new shooters who came, this game will also bring a lot of new shooters into rifle marksmanship. There’s a real desire for an accessible, affordable indoor rifle game in this country," Anderson added.

Shooters from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio made the trip through snowy and windy conditions to experience the first time event.

In addition to privately-owned precision air rifles and CMP-supplied Daisy M853 sporter airguns, a few shooters test-fired prototype M16/AR-type airguns. The prototypes, still under development by two manufacturers, Pilkington Competition Equipment and Creedmoor Sports, are built on M16/AR platforms using a compressed air cylinder encased in the fore-end, a .177 cal. action and barrel with airgun match sights.

Ideally, newly-designed M16/AR-type rifle uppers could be mated to shooters' own service rifle lowers so that competitors can retain the trigger pull and feel of their personal .223 cal. highpower rifles. Special weighted magazines nested in the magazine well help simulate the rifle's natural feel. Manufacturer representatives were on hand to view the test and to take back important feedback from users to their development sites.

The day’s schedule included a practice session and two preliminary 20-shot standing events. That was followed by a three-position event where competitors fired 20 shots prone on an AR-MR target; 4x5 shots sitting on an AR-SR target and 20 shots standing on an AR-SR target. Rob Scherer of Middle Point, Ohio used an Anschütz 9003 to fire the best 3x20 score, a 588.

A second test of this new shooting sports event is being planned to take place at the CMP Competition Center at Anniston, Alabama on 14 March. This test will be fired on paper targets to evaluate the 10-bull paper targets that have been developed to support this event. CMP monthly matches at the Camp Perry Marksmanship Center on 14 March, 18 April and 16 May will offer both the standing and 3x20 National Match Air Rifle events. National Match Air Rifle events will also be featured in the program for the National Matches Air Gun Events that will take place at the Camp Perry Marksmanship Center throughout the 2009 National Matches.

Blaine Vorgang, from Plainfield, Illinois, had the second best 3x20 score with a 567. Vorgang, 54, who is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a certified junior shooting instructor at Romeoville High School in Illinois, said he's excited about National Match Air Rifle.

"It's superb in all aspects," Vorgang said. "It has high promise for highpower shooters and I hope to see it extend to the postal match level," he added.

Vorgang said this particular format also helps junior shooters make the transition from traditional airgun competition to highpower shooting.

Steve Newcomb, 47, of Elyria, Ohio, a sporter shooter who recently rekindled his interest in target shooting, said he's always wanted to try competitive shooting and found the test match fun.

"I like it. I've been practicing in my basement in preparation for the match - this is a beautiful indoor range and the computer scoring is awesome," he said.

Mike Zampini, 39, and Lowell Knauf, 46, both of Painesville, Ohio are sporter shooters who have participated in the Small Arms Firing Schools and other National Match events. Both said they were pleased with the speed and efficiency of the test match and agreed that it has added value to their Camp Perry experience.

"Meeting other shooters and joining in the camaraderie at the matches has been a lot of fun," Zampini said.

The husband and wife tandem of John and Jennifer Butcher of Grafton, Ohio both earned sporter achievement medals at the test match. Jennifer won bragging rights, earning a gold with an overall score of 542 as the high sporter shooter while John captured a silver.

Jennifer is the veteran shooter having picked up her first gun at age five under her father's supervision while John learned later, shooting groundhogs on Jennifer's family farm. Both are veterans of the CMP's National Rimfire Sporter Championship and have actually tied each other there, not only once but twice.

"This was very challenging," Jennifer said. "I'm still learning a lot about positions and competition," she added.

The Butchers agree that the National Match Air Rifle test match will be beneficial to highpower shooters, both serious and recreational. Married for 18 years, the Butchers are also veterans of the John C. Garand Match. They said they can already see how more off-season shooting will benefit them.

"We're also very happy that the CMP has done us all a huge favor by bringing out all these military guns (referring to the Garand, Springfield and Vintage CMP Games matches).” "They are pieces of American history that could have faded.”

"We can now better appreciate the war anecdotes of soldiers who carried those rifles and we can pass that onto our kids.” The Butchers have two sons, age seven and 11.

New sporter shooter Laura Bell, 50, of Amherst, Ohio said she didn't know what to expect but came away with positive feelings about the event.

"Things I liked included no pressure to perform well, lots of individual instruction was provided and rifles were available to use, which I think is a huge plus as far as bringing in new people," she said.

Like most new shooters entering the sport, the terminology was new to her but she said she figured it out pretty quickly by watching and asking others.

"While I doubt I would shoot every month, I would like to participate at least three or four times a year. It was great not having to own any equipment or special clothing," she added.

Upon the conclusion of the test match, the CMP's Anderson conducted a participant debriefing where he gave shooters an opportunity to comment and critique the event.

"We appreciate the fact that you braved the weather to participate in today's event and we'll take your comments and give them serious consideration as we finalize the format for this exciting new event," Anderson said.

The CMP will hold another test match at their Anniston (Alabama) Range on 14 March. To register for this event, visit http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/matchInfo.cgi?matchID=4281.

Information about the new National Match Air Rifle games event will be posted to the CMP's Web site at www.odcmp.com. Complete results of the 10 January test match can be found on the CMP's Competition Tracker at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=4045.

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