W.E.G.
Newbie
National Match Service Rifle Class
INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITION with the SERVICE RIFLE
SPONSORED BY VIRGINIA FIREARMS EDUCATION AND MARKSMANSHIP, INC. (VFEMI)
INSTRUCTORS
Head Coach Jim Morgan and members of the VFEMI HIGHPOWER RIFLE TEAM
OBJECTIVE
Familiarize shooters with the National Match competitive shooting discipline for highpower service rifle.
Upon completion of this course, a shooter will be well-educated on the format and methods of service rifle competition.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
The primary audience for this event is shooters with little or no prior experience shooting service rifle in the National Match format.
Experienced National Match shooters are also welcome.
Attendees must be of sufficient size and strength to fire a service rifle from the offhand position without external support.
This course is not recommended for persons who have no previous experience operating firearms. This is not a basic safety and familiarization course.
DATES AND DURATION
Two-day event, Saturday March 7 and Sunday March 8
8:00 A.M. Mid- or late afternoon both days.
LOCATION
Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club
Written driving directions appear at the bottom of this post.
Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/3...,-77.767689,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en
REGISTRATION
Pre-Registration is recommended and is limited to range capacity.
Unregistered participants will be registered only on a space-available basis on the day of the event.
You may pre-register by contacting Jim Morgan at XMORGAN@HOTMAIL.COM or 540-775-5204
General information about Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club is available from Mike Davis jmdavis45@gmail.com
COST:
$65.00 (includes course materials and one-year VFEMI Membership)
LOANER EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
Equipment available for students of the course:
Rifle and Ammo: $45.00
Ammo Only: 100 rounds ($40.00)
Please communicate your equipment needs to Jim Morgan at the time of your pre-registration.
The quantity of loaner equipment is limited, and is subject to first-come requests.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT PERMITTED
Students may shoot their own rifles and their own ammo.
If shooting your own rifle, please bring 100 rounds of functional ammunition.
Unless you are absolutely sure your rifle will tolerate steel-case ammunition, steel-case ammunition is NOT recommended for this event.
Students should have a "basic zero" (be able to hit a 24" x 24" target at 100 yards) for their rifle PRIOR TO this course.
If you do not already have a basic zero for your rifle, coaches will attempt to help you obtain that zero, but such activities will diminish time available for training in the intended courses of fire.
If the student has a rifle that requires a specialized sight-adjustment tool, it is the responsibility of the student to furnish that tool.
GOOD EXAMPLES OF A "SERVICE RIFLE"
Personal rifles should be suitable for service rifle competition.
AR15 with iron sights
M1A or M14
M1 Garand
1903 Springfield
ALTERNATE SUITABLE RIFLES
At a miniumum, shooters will need a repeating rifle that is capable of either holding a magazine of at least 5 rounds, or which has an internal magazine that can be loaded from an open bolt.
Please bring at least 2 magazines capable of holding 5 rounds of ammo for the rifle you will bring to the clinic.
Please bring at least two stripper-clips if you are firing a rifle that uses stripper-clips for loading.
USE OF OPTICAL SIGHTS
Rifles with optical sights are permitted for this event.
However, shooters will learn more from this program if iron sights are used.
National Match type highpower rifle competition, with one minor exception, requires the use of iron sights.
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL ACCESSORIES
Adjustable sling that attaches to the front and rear of the rifle in order to use as an aid in supporting the rifle while in the sitting and prone position.
An adjustable military-type sling is recommended.
The proper use of a military-type sling will be a featured part of the clinic as a sling is the only form of support permitted during any portion of a regular match.
Spotting scope or optic: Some sort of telescopic deivice will allow you to see your bullet holes at 100 yards. Typically, a 15x+ power scope is sufficient to see holes at 100 yds. Optimally, a spotting scope on a stand would work best, but a rifle mounted optic or hand held optic will also work for the purposes of this particular event.
Shooting mat to use for the sitting and prone position. The surface of the firing line is gravel. The "shooting mat" may support and protect your body. The mat may not support the rifle.
Heavy glove to be worn on the non-trigger hand. This will provide padding between the sling and the hand. Use of a tight sling without a glove is usually uncomfortable.
Rain gear - if you have it, bring it. The firing point is covered, but the ground may be wet, and the event will require shooters to walk downrange to score and repair targets even if is raining.
Handwarmers - the air-activated type that are sold at sporting goods stores are extremely helpful on winter days. This is the best piece of equipment that everybody forgets.
Waterproof footwear is recommended.
Pen, paper or device for note-taking.
DISALLOWED EQUIPMENT
Sandbags, bipods, and other forms of "external support" are not permitted for service rifle competition.
.22 rimfire is not suitable for this event.
Any caliber larger than .33 is disallowed for competition under NRA rules.
"Single-point" tactical slings are not suitable.
EAR PROTECTION
Ear protection is mandatory.
Please bring effective ear protection.
EXCESSIVELY-LOUD MUZZLE-BRAKES
Especially loud, obnoxious, blasty-type muzzle blast amplifiers are specifically forbidden for NRA and CMP competition per NRA rule: 3.16.1.
If your rifle is equipped with such a device, it may not be grounds for disqualification from this event per se, depending on the severity of the back-blast generated.
If you have a choice between two rifles, and one of them has a muzzle brake that loosens teeth-fillings and pummels the sinuses on shooters on both sides of you, and which aggravates everybody on the firing line, you already know you are THAT GUY.
Don't be THAT GUY.
Please bring your OTHER rifle that does not punish the shooters and coaches alongside you.
Common "birdcage" type muzzle devices such as the "A2" version on an AR15, and the slotted M14 flash suppressor, do not generate excessive side-blast toward other shooters, and are legal muzzle devices for NRA and CMP competitions.
EYE PROTECTION
Eye protection is not mandatory under rules of NRA, CMP, or Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club.
However VFEMI strongly encourages shooters to wear eye protection at all times while on the range.
Shooters should be aware that many ranges have "club rules" that do require the use of eye protection for highpower rifle competitors. Get used to wearing it.
ATTIRE
The first day of the course may be spent entirely in the classroom.
Do not over-dress for day 1, but please bring sufficient warm clothing in the event that a portion of the Day 1 program is held outdoors.
The second day of the course will be spent entirely outdoors. Take note of the season. Bring enough clothes keep you warm outdoors in severely cold weather for several hours.
FOOD
Bring your own lunch and beverages.
Meals and beverages are not included in the entry fee.
Commercial food service is not available at the site.
There is not time allotted in the program for participants to leave the facility to obtain lunch off-site.
RULEBOOKS FOR THE SPORT
Relevant rulebook materials describing this form of competition are at:
http://compete.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-book.pdf
and
http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Rulebook1.pdf
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
Event will occur rain-or-shine.
Severe ice conditions may cause abbreviated training, postponement, or cancellation.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
DAY 1
0800 WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS, OVERVIEW
SAFETY RULES; GENERAL
SAFETY RULES; RANGE
0900 DUTIES OF THE SHOOTER; SCORER; TARGET PULLER
1000 BASIC SHOOTING TECHNIQUES
1100 PERSONAL CONDITIONING
1200 LUNCH
1300 DATA BOOK; CALLING THE SHOT/PLOTTING THE
SHOT, ZEROING THE RIFLE.
1400 ON THE RANGE -
POSITION DEVELOPMENT and ZEROS
10 rds - Standing; 3 sets of 3 - Sitting/Prone Rapid;
10 - Prone Slow ( 40 Rds.)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
DAY 2
0800 ASSEMBLE ON THE RANGE; HANG TARGETS, How to put the sling on the rifle and use; Will shoot a 60-shot course of fire
2 relay format (if required)
0900 First shot down range
1500 Clean up range,
1530 CLASS ROOM (after we complete shooting and range clean up)
EFFECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
1600 GOALS AND GOAL SETTING
1630 INTEGRATED ACT OF SHOOTING
Directions
from I64:
Take exit 167, take route 617 north, take 3rd left onto 617, 617 will merge with 611, bear right and continue on 617. At stop sign you will see a store (3 way stop), turn left onto 617. 617 dead ends at 610, turn left and follow 610 until you pass Hopeful Church. Turn left on Boondock lane.
just before you get to the Louisa Co. line.
from Ashland:
Take Route 54 to Montpelior (Route 33). Turn right. Go west on Route 33 for a short distance, turn left on Route 610. Stay on 610 until you pass Hopeful Church. Turn left onto Boondock Lane.
from Harrisonburg:
Take Route 33 to Route 664. Turn right onto 664. It is called Hopeful Church Road. Follow 664 until you hit Route 610 at Hopeful Church. Turn right onto 610 west, then left onto Boondock Lane.
** Please observe the 10 mph speed limit on Boondock Lane and the range road. **
Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/3...,-77.767689,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en
INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITION with the SERVICE RIFLE
SPONSORED BY VIRGINIA FIREARMS EDUCATION AND MARKSMANSHIP, INC. (VFEMI)
INSTRUCTORS
Head Coach Jim Morgan and members of the VFEMI HIGHPOWER RIFLE TEAM
OBJECTIVE
Familiarize shooters with the National Match competitive shooting discipline for highpower service rifle.
Upon completion of this course, a shooter will be well-educated on the format and methods of service rifle competition.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
The primary audience for this event is shooters with little or no prior experience shooting service rifle in the National Match format.
Experienced National Match shooters are also welcome.
Attendees must be of sufficient size and strength to fire a service rifle from the offhand position without external support.
This course is not recommended for persons who have no previous experience operating firearms. This is not a basic safety and familiarization course.
DATES AND DURATION
Two-day event, Saturday March 7 and Sunday March 8
8:00 A.M. Mid- or late afternoon both days.
LOCATION
Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club
Written driving directions appear at the bottom of this post.
Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/3...,-77.767689,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en
REGISTRATION
Pre-Registration is recommended and is limited to range capacity.
Unregistered participants will be registered only on a space-available basis on the day of the event.
You may pre-register by contacting Jim Morgan at XMORGAN@HOTMAIL.COM or 540-775-5204
General information about Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club is available from Mike Davis jmdavis45@gmail.com
COST:
$65.00 (includes course materials and one-year VFEMI Membership)
LOANER EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
Equipment available for students of the course:
Rifle and Ammo: $45.00
Ammo Only: 100 rounds ($40.00)
Please communicate your equipment needs to Jim Morgan at the time of your pre-registration.
The quantity of loaner equipment is limited, and is subject to first-come requests.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT PERMITTED
Students may shoot their own rifles and their own ammo.
If shooting your own rifle, please bring 100 rounds of functional ammunition.
Unless you are absolutely sure your rifle will tolerate steel-case ammunition, steel-case ammunition is NOT recommended for this event.
Students should have a "basic zero" (be able to hit a 24" x 24" target at 100 yards) for their rifle PRIOR TO this course.
If you do not already have a basic zero for your rifle, coaches will attempt to help you obtain that zero, but such activities will diminish time available for training in the intended courses of fire.
If the student has a rifle that requires a specialized sight-adjustment tool, it is the responsibility of the student to furnish that tool.
GOOD EXAMPLES OF A "SERVICE RIFLE"
Personal rifles should be suitable for service rifle competition.
AR15 with iron sights
M1A or M14
M1 Garand
1903 Springfield
ALTERNATE SUITABLE RIFLES
At a miniumum, shooters will need a repeating rifle that is capable of either holding a magazine of at least 5 rounds, or which has an internal magazine that can be loaded from an open bolt.
Please bring at least 2 magazines capable of holding 5 rounds of ammo for the rifle you will bring to the clinic.
Please bring at least two stripper-clips if you are firing a rifle that uses stripper-clips for loading.
USE OF OPTICAL SIGHTS
Rifles with optical sights are permitted for this event.
However, shooters will learn more from this program if iron sights are used.
National Match type highpower rifle competition, with one minor exception, requires the use of iron sights.
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL ACCESSORIES
Adjustable sling that attaches to the front and rear of the rifle in order to use as an aid in supporting the rifle while in the sitting and prone position.
An adjustable military-type sling is recommended.
The proper use of a military-type sling will be a featured part of the clinic as a sling is the only form of support permitted during any portion of a regular match.
Spotting scope or optic: Some sort of telescopic deivice will allow you to see your bullet holes at 100 yards. Typically, a 15x+ power scope is sufficient to see holes at 100 yds. Optimally, a spotting scope on a stand would work best, but a rifle mounted optic or hand held optic will also work for the purposes of this particular event.
Shooting mat to use for the sitting and prone position. The surface of the firing line is gravel. The "shooting mat" may support and protect your body. The mat may not support the rifle.
Heavy glove to be worn on the non-trigger hand. This will provide padding between the sling and the hand. Use of a tight sling without a glove is usually uncomfortable.
Rain gear - if you have it, bring it. The firing point is covered, but the ground may be wet, and the event will require shooters to walk downrange to score and repair targets even if is raining.
Handwarmers - the air-activated type that are sold at sporting goods stores are extremely helpful on winter days. This is the best piece of equipment that everybody forgets.
Waterproof footwear is recommended.
Pen, paper or device for note-taking.
DISALLOWED EQUIPMENT
Sandbags, bipods, and other forms of "external support" are not permitted for service rifle competition.
.22 rimfire is not suitable for this event.
Any caliber larger than .33 is disallowed for competition under NRA rules.
"Single-point" tactical slings are not suitable.
EAR PROTECTION
Ear protection is mandatory.
Please bring effective ear protection.
EXCESSIVELY-LOUD MUZZLE-BRAKES
Especially loud, obnoxious, blasty-type muzzle blast amplifiers are specifically forbidden for NRA and CMP competition per NRA rule: 3.16.1.
If your rifle is equipped with such a device, it may not be grounds for disqualification from this event per se, depending on the severity of the back-blast generated.
If you have a choice between two rifles, and one of them has a muzzle brake that loosens teeth-fillings and pummels the sinuses on shooters on both sides of you, and which aggravates everybody on the firing line, you already know you are THAT GUY.
Don't be THAT GUY.
Please bring your OTHER rifle that does not punish the shooters and coaches alongside you.
Common "birdcage" type muzzle devices such as the "A2" version on an AR15, and the slotted M14 flash suppressor, do not generate excessive side-blast toward other shooters, and are legal muzzle devices for NRA and CMP competitions.
EYE PROTECTION
Eye protection is not mandatory under rules of NRA, CMP, or Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club.
However VFEMI strongly encourages shooters to wear eye protection at all times while on the range.
Shooters should be aware that many ranges have "club rules" that do require the use of eye protection for highpower rifle competitors. Get used to wearing it.
ATTIRE
The first day of the course may be spent entirely in the classroom.
Do not over-dress for day 1, but please bring sufficient warm clothing in the event that a portion of the Day 1 program is held outdoors.
The second day of the course will be spent entirely outdoors. Take note of the season. Bring enough clothes keep you warm outdoors in severely cold weather for several hours.
FOOD
Bring your own lunch and beverages.
Meals and beverages are not included in the entry fee.
Commercial food service is not available at the site.
There is not time allotted in the program for participants to leave the facility to obtain lunch off-site.
RULEBOOKS FOR THE SPORT
Relevant rulebook materials describing this form of competition are at:
http://compete.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-book.pdf
and
http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Rulebook1.pdf
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
Event will occur rain-or-shine.
Severe ice conditions may cause abbreviated training, postponement, or cancellation.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
DAY 1
0800 WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS, OVERVIEW
SAFETY RULES; GENERAL
SAFETY RULES; RANGE
0900 DUTIES OF THE SHOOTER; SCORER; TARGET PULLER
1000 BASIC SHOOTING TECHNIQUES
1100 PERSONAL CONDITIONING
1200 LUNCH
1300 DATA BOOK; CALLING THE SHOT/PLOTTING THE
SHOT, ZEROING THE RIFLE.
1400 ON THE RANGE -
POSITION DEVELOPMENT and ZEROS
10 rds - Standing; 3 sets of 3 - Sitting/Prone Rapid;
10 - Prone Slow ( 40 Rds.)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
DAY 2
0800 ASSEMBLE ON THE RANGE; HANG TARGETS, How to put the sling on the rifle and use; Will shoot a 60-shot course of fire
2 relay format (if required)
0900 First shot down range
1500 Clean up range,
1530 CLASS ROOM (after we complete shooting and range clean up)
EFFECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
1600 GOALS AND GOAL SETTING
1630 INTEGRATED ACT OF SHOOTING
Directions
from I64:
Take exit 167, take route 617 north, take 3rd left onto 617, 617 will merge with 611, bear right and continue on 617. At stop sign you will see a store (3 way stop), turn left onto 617. 617 dead ends at 610, turn left and follow 610 until you pass Hopeful Church. Turn left on Boondock lane.
just before you get to the Louisa Co. line.
from Ashland:
Take Route 54 to Montpelior (Route 33). Turn right. Go west on Route 33 for a short distance, turn left on Route 610. Stay on 610 until you pass Hopeful Church. Turn left onto Boondock Lane.
from Harrisonburg:
Take Route 33 to Route 664. Turn right onto 664. It is called Hopeful Church Road. Follow 664 until you hit Route 610 at Hopeful Church. Turn right onto 610 west, then left onto Boondock Lane.
** Please observe the 10 mph speed limit on Boondock Lane and the range road. **
Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/3...,-77.767689,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en
Last edited:
