Note: This article was originally posted on Shooting Sports USA: https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/11/16/nra-moving-national-high-power-rifle-championships-from-camp-perry/
USA – (Ammoland.com) – In an effort to keep the National High Power Rifle Championships up to the high standards that competitors have enjoyed for over one-hundred years, the NRA will move the Championship from its historic home at Camp Perry, OH, to Camp Atterbury, IN. This change in venue will take effect during the 2017 National Matches, pending approval by the NRA Board of Directors in January 2017.
Dennis Willing, director of NRA Competitive Shooting, explained the decision.
“The NRA High Power Rifle Committee met and determined it would be beneficial to all competitors if we moved the Championship from Camp Perry to another site. After much discussion, the range at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, was selected as the new home of the NRA National High Power Rifle Championships.”
The proposed match schedule (subject to change) is below:
– First Shot Ceremony – July 7
– Welcome BBQ (afternoon) – July 7
– Across the Course – July 8-13
– Mid-Range – July 14-17
– Long-Range – July 18-22
Willing added, “I intend to change the face of High Power Rifle as a discipline, and will be presenting matches that are better than competitors have ever seen before.”
Since Across the Course is scheduled to end on July 13th, there will be sufficient time for competitors to attend the CMP National Trophy Matches.
The NRA Smallbore Prone Championship is scheduled to end with sufficient time for competitors to leave Bristol, IN, and come to Camp Atterbury to compete in Mid-Range Prone and Long-Range Prone. The NRA National Pistol Championship will remain at Camp Perry but will be held July 9-14, 2017, following previous year’s practice.
The Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center is administered by the Indiana National Guard, and has just under 35,000 acres of training and maneuver space—plenty of room in case the NRA decides to expand beyond the High Power Rifle Championships. Additionally, Camp Atterbury is home to several active U.S. Army components, including several from the First Army Division East. The site also provides various training and testing sites for military and civilian responders from around the world.
Check back with SSUSA often for the latest NRA National Matches updates.
What’s lost is the history of the matches there. How can they throw 100+ years of tradition away like it never happened. The ghosts of Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan, Clark the pistol smith, and legions of the shooters who have made the sport what it is today are there on the ranges at Camp Perry. Generations of shooters from clubs from coast to coast have regarded Camp Perry as a kind of shooters’ Mecca. It is a sacred range for shooters all over this nation. Hell, I’m not much of a shooter, but being part of that kind of history… Read more »
Please, naysayers give this a chance. Atterbury is SOOO superior! the sleeping quarters are like the difference between a Hiatt Regency and Motel 6. The ease of access to Indy airport will make it so much better for those who have to fly. And instead of totally packed handful of restaurants in Port Clinton you will have Indy within easy striking distance. I have shot matches at both. Atterbury has SOOOO much more potential!!! Its not “bleeding”. tThis decision was make long before the election…..like back when we all thought Hillary was going to win. Probably before we even knew… Read more »
As much as I enjoyed my experience at Camp Perry, Camp Atterbury is a good choice. No longer will a boat in the water shut down the range. The accommodations at Camp Perry were meager. We all resist change, but this will be a 1st class upgrade…
Wow, the repayment begins. Mike Pence gets his due from the NRA. As a life long resident of Port Clinton, Ohio and a business owner all I can say is the bleeding begins.
Mike Pence gets his due? What do you think is in this for Mike Pence?
Dumbest thing Ive ever heard. Moving to Atterbury isnt going to improve a single thing
It makes beautiful sense! are you kidding?!! Atturbury is a much more modernized facility and is HUGE. the accomodations for sleeping quarters are infinitely better and more extensive than Perry and with Indianapolis only 30 min away or less it will make attendance MUCH easier for so many people. Flights to Indy will be easier and the airport is very friendly to law abiding persons transporting guns! I love Perry but you will see just how superior this facility is when you come. this should have happened a LONG time ago.
Thanks for explaining why the change is being made. I am sure the NRA would not move the site unless there was good reason.
Don’t see how this will help attendance, Doesn’t make sense
WTF?? If it works don’t try to fix it! What is the reasoning behind this change?