No matter how well you plan an event the only factor you can never control is Mother Nature, especially if you happen to plan it in late January in Massachusetts. Despite the snow, hardy New Englanders from Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts all came together for our first NMAR NE Championship Match.
Over thirty competitors competed in a two day shooting event
with NMAR rifles from the CMP and others with .22 uppers. The
match started out with each relay receiving a half hour of
instruction on the use and handling of the NMAR rifles. This was
more than enough time as the rifles are so easy to use and train
with. Each relay was amazed at how similar they were to an
actual AR-15, except the trigger. I warned each competitor to go
slowly on the trigger because it was so much lighter than the
trigger they were used to. They all said sure, sure so I stood
there told them they could load and fire. I stood back just
waiting for the response and laughed as all I heard was oh #@%&
that is light with Hugh smiles on their faces. I just stood
there and shook my head, but they all soon became very used to
the lightness.
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One advantage to having NMAR Matches is that competitors save money on ammunition and clubs can hold matches indoors during cold, snowy weather. To find out more on the NMAR program, visit http://www.thecmp.org/Competitions/NMAR.htm.
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The targets they shot on are specially designed NMAR air targets that are reduced to simulate shooting at 200 and 600 yards. The rapid fire stages are given more time to accommodate the single loading that is required. It seems so funny to be inside and giving the commands on the line with no sky, no wind and no pits. Despite the scenery difference the match was on. Each competitor was focusing and concentrating to make that perfect center shot. Each shot reminding the shooter about natural point and follow thru on these 10 bull targets and thus taking a lot of the shooters back to their basic rifle training. Balance, NPA, focus and follow thru, some of what they have become rusty on thru the years.
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The NMAR matches replicate the unique challenges of traditional service and highpower rifle match where competitors do precision and timed fire shooting in three different firing positions, prone, sitting or kneeling and standing.
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The timed rapids are especially hard where most have to come out of the gun to reload for each shot and then refocus on your NPA and fire 10 shots on a 10 bull target in 4 minutes going from standing to sitting. I am amazed at the level of focus each shooter has for each and every shot. They have no time to think, all they have time for is to load and prepare to make the next best executed shot they can, ten times. By the end of the first target they all seem to be exhausted mentally but charged up physically and more than ready to get back up and do it again.
Moving back to 600 is so simple and quick it is completed within 5 minutes. A simple change of targets (600 reduced) add a mat; move your scope and you are ready for 600 slow fire. 22 minutes for 20 record shots and two sighters. I have never heard a high-power match shot so quietly, all I could hear was a lot of breathing going on.
As each relay finished up they did not want to leave the line. Many wanted to see if they could shoot a few more or try shooting the match again. Others tried to have me sell them the rifles so I would not have to send them back to CMP (save on shipping they said).
The match was a great success for its first time for those who competed in the match and the many others who came by to look and ogle the NMAR Air Rifles and watch the match. Several who could not compete this time but wanted to be on the contact list for my next match.
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In attendance for the NMAR match were the Vermont Air Guard members.
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Members of the Vermont Air Guard also competed in this match with Staff Sgt Leigh Jenks who along with team mate TSgt Andrew Hale both felt that this was a great asset for training new and experienced shooters especially in areas like ours where weather conditions cannot always accommodate training outside for long period of time.
Several high master high power shooters that shot the NMAR felt that this was one of the best training devices they have ever used and would participate in this match again and encourage others to do so to.
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Verne Conant, right, won the NMAR match and Olivia Nardone, second from right, finished second.
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The match results were predictable and surprising. Verne Conant age 15 won the overall with a score of 591.20 followed by fellow team mate Olivia Nardone with a 584.10 and close in third Mike Petrowitz with a 584.09. Verne is a seasoned high-power shooter and member of my junior small-bore air rifle team, so we were not totally surprised with his results. But Olivia who is an accomplished small-bore, air rifle shooter also has never shot an AR-15 in competition before and to beat long time high-power shooters by one x for second was exciting to see. We were also able to hand out because of qualifying scores 6 gold pins, 6 silver pins and 2 bronze.
Adding to the excitement of the match each day all the competitors names were entered into a drawing day one for a Hornady Lock n Load AP Loader and day two also donated by Hornady a Powder Case Prep center. Competitors Jason Sawyer and Steve Conant both newer shooters to the high power game won. The other competitors tried to bribe them, but they held on tight to their prizes.
If you have not shot or seen one of the NMAR rifles the CMP runs matches in the air range in Camp Perry during the National Matches. Just for fun go down and enter the matches they run, you will be hooked after the first shot. This air rifle is adding another branch to our shooting sports.
To find our more information on the NMAR program, visit
http://www.thecmp.org/Competitions/NMAR.htm or contact Lue Contreras at
lcontreras@odcmp.com or 419-635-2141 ext 1107.
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