By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Registration for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) 2018 National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches opened March 1, 2018. The annual event, held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Base since 1907, has undergone significant changes for the July 2018 season – presenting new matches never before offered by the CMP and reclaiming traditional matches missing from the Camp Perry soil in recent years.
After months of development, the CMP has proudly brought smallbore back to the ranges of Camp Perry. Making a debut on the CMP’s smallbore schedule is a 3×40 with iron sights and an any sights match, a 3×20 team match and prone events. Scoring will be administered in collaboration with Shooters Technology, using a mobile application that will transmit target images via cell phone to the Orion scoring system and allows scores to be compiled before competitors even return from hanging targets down range.
A six-day CMP National Matches Junior Camp, Smallbore & Air Rifle, will also take place 17-22 July at Camp Perry. Camp is open to junior athletes who shoot both three-position smallbore and standing or international precision air rifle. Participants must be between the ages of 12 to 20 and must currently be shooting in three-position smallbore competition matches and international air rifle.
Also new to the CMP schedule is a three-day series of long range events for teams and individuals. Long range matches will be fired at 1,000 yards and are open to match rifles, service rifles or Palma rifles.
Introduced at last year’s Nationals, the CMP will again host its own Cup Matches, which include a 4-man team event and a 2000 Point Aggregate event which will feature a cash prize based on the average 2-day score. The CMP will also continue to offer an assortment of bonus competitions for vintage and modern military rifles, sprinkled into the mix – each named to honor the memories of important figures in marksmanship history, as well as to commemorate the spirit of past and present National Matches. These matches include the Oliver Hazard Perry Match and the Roosevelt Commemorative Match.
Other events featured at the National Matches will include the John C. Garand, President’s Rifle, Hearst Doubles, Vintage Sniper, as well as a collection of prestigious pistol events. Adult and junior competitors, the well-seasoned and novice individuals, are all invited to participate during this year’s National events.
On top of competitive opportunities, a Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) will also be held for rifle and pistol enthusiasts, where participants will be instructed by some of the top military shooters in the country on firearm safety and competition technique. The SAFS courses have been a staple in the National Matches at Camp Perry since 1918.
Many other clinics and learning opportunities, taught by CMP staff members and qualified professionals, will also be available throughout the National Matches. Whether an experienced shooter or firing a shot for the first time, those wanting to enhance their rifle or pistol abilities can register for a number of clinics conducted during the Matches.
Events are open to the public, and spectators are welcome to observe firing on the Camp Perry ranges at any time. Guests are encouraged to participate in the many exciting activities and visual attractions offered during the Match season.
Don’t forget that outside of the action on the firing line, Commercial Row offers a variety of items for both spectators and shooters – with an array of manufacturers selling used firearms, ammunition, competition gear, accessories, apparel and much more. The CMP Store allows even more buying opportunities at the Matches with our line of military surplus rifles.
The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is also open throughout the National Matches offering a full line up of Air Gun events and Open Practice. The Competition Center is air conditioned, offering a cool environment to practice your marksmanship skills. Rental air guns and pellets are available for visitors to use during their visit for a small fee. Our certified Range staff are happy to help assist new competitors.
Come see it all for yourself! Camp Perry is located six miles west of Port Clinton.
For those looking for lodging, housing is available on base on a first-come, first-serve basis, and a campground is also located onsite. Other area accommodations are only a short drive away and only minutes to beautiful Lake Erie.
For registration and more information on the National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, including a complete schedule of events, log on to https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-national-matches/. We hope to see you there!
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
would like to reg.for cmp matches at camp perry eic president 100 and leg match