New Shooting Game for Rimfires The Garand Match has proven so successful in getting M1 Garand owners involved in fun-oriented target shooting competitions that the CMP decided its was time to create a "Garand Match for Rimfires." The result was the birth, this year, of a new shooting game for smallbore sporter rifles called the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match. The new match was first tested in Georgia in April. A second Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match was held at Camp Perry this summer during the 2002 National Matches. The National Matches Rimfire Sporter Match began with a clinic that covered safety and range procedures, the course of fire and shooting techniques to successfully complete the event. Chief Range Officer Duane Tallman, Jonesboro, Georgia was the clinic instructor. In the Garand Match, shooters of all skill levels, with or without competition experience, can use any M1 Garand rifle that has not been accurized or "tricked up." One of the great things about Garand Matches is that there are lots of M1s around. The course of fire is short and can be completed in no more than one-half day. A new shooter can complete the match, but it is still challenging to experienced shooters. The new CMP Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match applies those same principles. This time the commonly available rifle is a rimfire sporter that cannot weigh over 7.5 pounds. Almost every gun enthusiast has one or more rimfire plinkers in the gun case. Firing is done in prone, sitting and standing positions at 50 and 25 yards. The match uses a new target that the CMP developed just for this competition. There are two sight classes, a "T-class" where 6X maximum scopes are used (variables can be set at 6X) and an "O-Class" where classical open sights are used. 41 enthusiastic shooters participated in the 1st National Matches Rimfire Sporter Match at Camp Perry on July 20. The match began with a clinic that reviewed range safety procedures, explained the rules and gave a series of tips on how to shoot the new course of fire. The match begins with five sighting shots that can be fired in any position. Most shooters fired in the prone position, with and without support. After the sighting in period, shooters fired 10 shots slow-fire prone in ten minutes. Next came a rapid-fire   The Rimfire Sporter Match is fired on a new target the CMP developed for this match. The 1.78 in. ten-ring is printed white to facilitate aiming with telescopic sights. The larger black aiming area is designed for aiming with open sights that are sill common on many rimfire sporters. See the end of this article for order information.

The Rimfire Sporter Match begins in the prone position with five sighters (practice shots), followed by ten slow fire shots and then two series of five rapid rifle shots. Shooters may use rifles with telescopes or open sights. Slings are permitted although many shooters did not use slings.

prone series, with two five-shot series. Shooters with semi-automatic rifles had to fire their five shots in 25 seconds, starting from the standing position. Shooters with manually operated rifles had 35 seconds to fire five shots. The second position was "sitting or kneeling." Almost all shooters choose the sitting position because it normally is steadier. That was followed by the third position, standing. Prone and sitting are fired at 50 yards, while standing is fired on the same target at 25 yards. Slings are allowed in both prone and sitting, but not in standing. Some shooters used slings, many did not. In each position, shooters fired 10 slow fire shots and two 5-shot rapid fire series. With a total possible score of 600, the top scores in the Camp Perry Rimfire Sporter Match were a 582 fired by Russell Kapping of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota in the T-Class and a 529 fired by Phil Croyle of Cleveland, Ohio in the O-Class. Kapping used a scope-sighted Ruger M10-22 semi-auto. Kapping fired a CZ452 bolt action rifle. Overall, 10 shooters won gold achievement medals, two won silver medals and six won bronze. The Rimfire Sporter Match is designed to be a "fun match" where elaborate or expensive equipment is not allowed. The rifles that were used in this first competition certainly filled that criterion. There were semi-autos, bolt actions and lever actions, with telescopes and open sights. Shooting jackets and special shooting clothing are not permitted. Shooters in this match went to the line with only a rifle, ammo and maybe a spotting scope. The contrast between the Rimfire Sporter shooters' equipment and the equipment used by competitors in the NRA National Smallbore Position Championship on the other end of the Camp Perry range was dramatic. Most of the traditional smallbore shooters had to make several trips from their cars to the firing line just to get all their gear in place. Rimfire Sporter shooters had no more than $500 worth of equipment counting the rifle and telescope, while the smallbore competition shooters typically had a $2500 rifle, $400-600 worth of sights, $500-$1000 worth of spotting scopes and stands, $600-1000 worth of special clothing and hundreds of dollars in other accessories. Rimfire Sporter already has a foothold in some areas of the U. S. and Canada. One Camp Perry competitor is a participant in the New York State Sporter Rifle program where similar rifles are fired in an all-offhand event. Rimfire sporter competitions also are popular in North Dakota and Canada. The Eastern Nebraska Gun Club near Omaha, Nebraska already is running "Smallbore Garand Matches" using a modified CMP Rimfire Sporter Course of Fire.

Shooters who fired over 550 (T-class) or 537 (O class) received gold achievement medals. Shooters who fired 540-549 (T-class) or 523-536 (O Class) received silver medals. Shooters who fired 525-539 (T-class) or 496-522 (O-Class) received bronze medals. For those who don't win medals, they are an incentive to practice and shoot future matches. The 2002 medals were designed especially for the inaugural year. Rifles used in the Rimfire Sporter Match truly represented the wide variety of rimfire sporter rifles available today. This shooter was firing with a lever action rifle with a tube magazine and tang receiver sight. In the second Rimfire Sporter firing position, shooters may fire in either sitting or kneeling. Most used the sitting position. Firing in this stage includes 10 shots slow fire and two 5-shot rapid-fire series. Here a shooter is working the action of his bolt-action rifle between rapid-fire shots.

The third Rimfire Sporter firing position is standing or offhand. A full relay of shooters in the National Rimfire Sporter Match is on the 25-yard line firing in the standing position. Firing in this stage also includes 10 shots slow fire and two 5-shot rapid-fire series. The small amount of equipment that these shooters need to fire the match can clearly be seen in this photo.

The CMP Board of Directors has now approved a program for the CMP to sanction club-level Rimfire Sporter Matches. Clubs that are interested in offering Rimfire Sporter Matches in their area should first review the CMP Rimfire Sporter Match summary (see the box below) and then contact CMP Competitions at competitions@odcmp.com to request sanctioning forms.

THE CMP RIMFIRE SPORTER MATCH Target: Designated as "CMP B-19." Printed by Speedwell Targets, www.speedwelltargets.com. Order targets from CMP, $6.50 for 25 full-faced targets (request NLU #049) or $6.00 for 100 repair centers (request NLU #050). Course of Fire: Stage 1, 5 sighting shots (do not count in score) in 10 minutes, any position (prone, prone with rest, etc.). 50 yards. Stage 2, 10 shots in 10 minutes, prone position. 50 yards. Stage 3, 2 5-shot rapid fire series, 5 shots in 25 seconds for semi-autos, 5 shots in 35 seconds for manually-operated rifles, shooters stand and load-when time begins, they get into prone and fire their 5 shots. 50 yards. Stage 4, 10 shots in 10 minutes, sitting or kneeling position. 50 yards. Stage 5, 2 5-shot rapid fire series, 5 shots in 25 seconds for semi-autos, 5 shots in 35 seconds for manually-operated rifles, shooters stand and load-when time begins, they get into sitting or kneeling and fire 5 shots. 50 yards. Stage 6, 10 shots in 10 minutes, standing position. 25 yards. Stage 7, 2 5-shot rapid fire series, 5 shots in 25 seconds for semi-autos, 5 shots in 35 seconds for manually-operated rifles, shooters stand, load and hold rifle with butt at hip-when time begins, they raise the rifle to the standing position and fire 5 shots. 25 yards. Rules. Rules for the Rimfire Sporter Match are published in the CMP Competition Rules (see Sec. 10.0). The CMP Competition Rules can be downloaded from the CMP web site at http://www.odcmp.com/Forms/2002%20Rule%20Books.pdf or copies can be ordered from the CMP for $3.00 each. Sanctioned Club Matches. If your club wants to conduct a Rimfire Sporter Match that is sanctioned by the CMP, contact the CMP Competitions Department (competitions@odcmp.com, or call 419-635-2141, ext. 1132) to request an application form.