2007 Western CMP Games—From Too-Windy-to-Shoot to Perfect Weather - Wind was a dominating factor in the 2007 Western CMP Games that took place at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility north of Phoenix, Arizona on 20-23 October. The matches began with a clinic attended by over 70 new shooters on 20 October. When the 126 competitors who checked in for the first Garand, Springfield and Vintage Military Rifle Matches returned on Sunday morning, the overnight arrival of a strong high pressure system with sustained winds of 30 mph and gusts up to 60 mph forced the cancellation of the day’s matches. Two 30-shot events were fired on Monday when strong winds of 15-30 mph prevailed. Then on Tuesday, the final day of the Western Games Matches, the weather was absolutely gorgeous and the winds were dead calm.

Bare Necessities for Highpower Rifle Competition - By SPC Nathan J. Verbickas, USAMU Service Rifle Team Member - Whether you watched someone compete in a Highpower Match, or have just heard conversation about it, it's clear that something has peaked your interest in the sport. Being interested in something is great, but without information, it won't get you very far. We have heard new shooters ask people on the range what they need to do to get into Highpower and the responses that a lot of people give are scary! The next thing you know, you are in the store spending a few thousand dollars without even knowing why. In an attempt to avoid this situation, lets sit down and talk about some of the essentials, and more important information associated with the sport of Highpower Rifle Competition.

Standing and Trigger Control - By SGT Brandon Green, USAMU Service Rifle Team Member - We’ve all been there—on the two hundred yard line and in our three-minute prep period. As you stand there looking through your sights, you just can’t seem to make them stay in the center of your target or even close for that matter. You know that your three minutes are running out quickly, so what are you going to do? This is the time when a lot of shooters start to come unraveled. We all know that nothing I tell you here will make you stand up there and shoot center shots all day, but maybe I can bring a few things to light that will help you control the movement and work through times like this. On days when your standing just doesn’t seem to settle, we need to be able to quickly evaluate and, if necessary, rebuild our position to help control the movement. We all know how to stand up, but it’s the standing still part that gives us trouble most of the time.

100th Anniversary Bushmaster Limited Edition Rifles - This summer, Bushmaster Firearms was pleased to be a part of the 100th Anniversary celebrations at the 2007 Camp Perry National Matches in Port Clinton, Ohio.  In appreciation for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s hard work, support of Junior Shooters, and great partnership with Bushmaster throughout the years, Bushmaster Firearms Intl. LLC is selling Limited Edition 100th Anniversary Camp Perry National Match DCM-XR Series Rifles. From the proceeds of each Anniversary Rifle sold, Bushmaster is donating $100.00 to the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Junior Highpower Support Program. With expenses for travel, equipment, etc., Bushmaster recognizes the financial burden on the families of the junior highpower shooters, and believes this program will benefit and support those younger competitors who are the future of the sport.

CMP Welcomes Former Summer Camp Counselor to Staff - Brad Donoho, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, recently became CMP’s newest Program Manager, and will be working with several of CMP’s air rifle and youth programs. The 2007 graduate of the University of Kentucky has extensive competition and coaching experience both in air rifle and smallbore.

2nd Annual Venturing/NRA Shootaround – A Blast! - Congratulations to Dr. Michael A. Barrett, Executive Board member of the Stonewall Jackson Area Council and Council Venturing Chairman for an outstanding job of chairing the Second Annual Venturing/NRA Shootaround.  The Venturing/NRA Shootaround was held at the Council Camp located in Swoope, VA, Camp Shenandoah.

Several CMP Affiliated Clubs recently submitted articles on their clubs' sanctioned matches.  Click on the links below to read the articles.  If you are interested in finding a CMP Sanctioned Match in your area, search the CMP match listings at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/matchUpcomingSearch.cgi?designation=GARAND.

Linden Sportsmen's Club http://www.odcmp.org/1007/Linden.pdf

 Oak Ridge Sportsman's Association
http://www.odcmp.org/1007/ORSA.pdf

 Howel Gun Club - http://www.odcmp.org/1007/Howell_Match.pdf

Entries Open for 2007 Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches - The 2007 Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches will be held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility near Phoenix, Arizona on 20-28 October. This announcement reflects the fact that Creedmoor Sports Inc. and the CMP recently made a decision to move these fast-growing competitions from Camp Pendleton, California to the Arizona facility.

U.S. Army Junior Air Rifle Championships - On 8-11 August 2007, many of the country’s best junior air rifle shooters gathered at Fort Benning, Georgia for the first annual U.S. Army Junior Air Rifle Championship. The Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) hosted the event at its Pool Range Complex.

What Sight Picture Is Best For You? - By SSG Tobie Tomlinson, USAMU Service Rifle Team Member - Which is correct? There are a myriad of sight picture options that shooters have used to great effect over the years. The sight picture that allows you to consistently shoot the smallest group, with a minimal shift in zeros, is the correct one. In the next few paragraphs we will explore a few of the more commonly used sight picture options. Remember, for any shooter to be successful, consistent sight picture must be complemented by front sight focus and sight alignment.