[zeeto]

I found out that the range I belong to takes part in a local highpower league, so I started to do some reading on these types of matches. I figured I'd just show up with my gun, ammo, and a mat and be set to go. After doing some reading, started here (Highpower Equipment - AR15.COM) it doesn't seem to be what I thought :wacko:

I read a different thread where it listed the basics "needed", but I'm just trying to figure out what to expect now. What exactly is being done at these matches to need a shooting coat/pants/gloves, stools, etc? Most of my shooting has been kneeling/prone at the range or standing silhouette rimfire "matches".

 

[Tim1]

I was debating joining the league in my neck of the words. Honestly didn't plan on buying all that gear though. I figured I'd show up with my Garand, some ammunition and a spotting scope.

Hey, I just realized you are in my neck of the woods as well. Which range do you belong to? Is it part of the Southern Tier High Power League?

 

[OscarWhiskey2]

High power rifle is governed by two organizations the NRA or the CMP. Both have a standard course of fire:

200 yard offhand no support slow fire 10 rounds (NRA 12 min) (CMP 10min)

200 yard sitting or kneeling rapid fire (99.9% use the sitting position) 10 rounds in 70 seconds with a mag change (1st mag 2 rounds 2nd mag 8 rounds makes you break your natual point of aim and re-establish it)

300 yard prone rapid 10 rounds in 70 seconds with a mag change (1st mag 2 rounds 2nd mag 8 rounds makes you break your natual point of aim and re-establish it)

600 yard prone slow fire 20 rounds (NRA 22 min) (CMP 20 min)

NRA allows 2 sighters then rounds for score you may get into position before the clock starts

CMP no sighters and all courses of fire start from standing (you must drop into sitting or prone after the clock starts.)

This is called "across the course" match, reduced target matches are held on shorter ranges.

Equipment:

If you really want to compete a jacket, sling, glove is a must. Spotting scope is needed for you scoring other shooters but also good for your use while on the line.

National match rifles open sights.

5.56 or .223 AR's are the standard quality ammo is also a must most use 69 gr. at 200 yards, 77gr. or 80 gr. at 300 and 600 yards.

[URL="http://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asp"][URL="http://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asp"][URL="http://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asp"][URL="http://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asp"][url]http://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asp[/URL] go here NRA basic outline
[URL="http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf"][URL="http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf"][URL="http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf"][URL="http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf"][url]http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf[/URL] go her CMP rules

High power has a skills matrix that crosses over to all other shooting, master High Power and other disciplines of shooting come easier.

 

[av8r]

You don't need all the gear for your first time out. I used an old OD cotton, lightweight milsurp jacket with pads sewn into it (by me) for years. I'm a bare bones equipment guy and got by with a 5 gallon pail, monopod for my scope, hat, cheap mat, sunglasses, a range bag with water, ammo, tools, etc and a pair of mechanix gloves (seldom used by me)
You'll see plenty of guys shooting with less than that and some who look like they're shooting for 1st at Camp Perry. Same as any other discipline.

Here's another take on what you need:

Basics of High Power Competition

 

[Guest]

I guess if you're into straps, leather and buckles you might enjoy this particular shooting discipline.

 

[zeeto]

Hey, I just realized you are in my neck of the woods as well. Which range do you belong to? Is it part of the Southern Tier High Power League?

I belong to Square Deal, part of the southern tier league. I contacted the guy at the range who is the contact, and he mentioned coming to the first event, watching them shoot in the morning relay and then shooting in the afternoon.

High power rifle is governed by two organizations the NRA or the CMP.
<
>
<
If you really want to compete a jacket, sling, glove is a must. Spotting scope is needed for you scoring other shooters but also good for your use while on the line.

National match rifles open sights.

5.56 or .223 AR's are the standard quality ammo is also a must most use 69 gr. at 200 yards, 77gr. or 80 gr. at 300 and 600 yards.

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asphttp://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asphttp://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asphttp://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asphttp://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asphttp://www.nrahq.org/compete/highpower.asp go here NRA basic outline
http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdfhttp://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdfhttp://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdfhttp://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdfhttp://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdfhttp://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf go her CMP rules

High power has a skills matrix that crosses over to all other shooting, master High Power and other disciplines of shooting come easier.

Thanks for the info. The one thing I couldn't find a clear answer on was the sights.

You don't need all the gear for your first time out. I used an old OD cotton, lightweight milsurp jacket with pads sewn into it (by me) for years. I'm a bare bones equipment guy and got by with a 5 gallon pail, monopod for my scope, hat, cheap mat, sunglasses, a range bag with water, ammo, tools, etc and a pair of mechanix gloves (seldom used by me)
You'll see plenty of guys shooting with less than that and some who look like they're shooting for 1st at Camp Perry. Same as any other discipline.

Here's another take on what you need:

Basics of High Power Competition

That's primarily what I was hoping to hear.

 

[zeeto]

I guess if you're into straps, leather and buckles you might enjoy this particular shooting discipline.

Doesn't it get warm wearing something like that in the middle of summer?

 

[Tim1]

I belong to Square Deal, part of the southern tier league. I contacted the guy at the range who is the contact, and he mentioned coming to the first event, watching them shoot in the morning relay and then shooting in the afternoon.

I belong to Tioga and believe they are part of the same league. I couldn't get any answers out of their Hi-Power guy though. I need to chase him down soon. I don't believe it starts until May but I want to get a better idea of how it works. I do like the idea of being able to observe in the morning. May have to think about joining Square Deal if I can't get any answers from the Tioga guy. I believe they have a better range anyway.

I'm pretty low end on my shooting equipment as well. I invested in the essentials (good bench rest, good scope) but regarding the rest I'd be content to get by with whatever used gear I can find. Heck, I used a PVC target stand and pizza boxes for most of my handgun shooting....

Dunno what your motivations are but I'm not looking to win metals or go to Camp Perry. It just sounds like a fun way to meet some new people and hone my rifle shooting skills a bit.

What platform are you thinking about bringing? You definitely doing this or still on the fence?

 

[zeeto]

Yeah the league is at Square Deal, Broome Sportsmen, Tioga Sportsmen, and Sayre
Sportsmen. I can send you my contact's email if you want. He mentioned adding me to their mailing list so I'll get more info when it comes out.

Here's the match schedule:
>> May 7 SDS match #1
>> May 21 SSC #1
>> June 4 BCSA #1
>> June 18 TCSA #1
>> July 2 SDS Match #2
>> July 16 SSC #2
>> July 23 BCSA#2
>> July 30 TCSA #2
>> August 6 SDS Match #3
>> August 20 BCSA#3
>> August 27 SSC #3
>> Sept 10 TCSA #3

I was just planning to do it as a fun thing, sort of like the bar-league sports I used to do until I moved to the area.

After reading av8r's post I think I am going to try it out. I just need to pick up a cheap spotting scope. I just wasn't sure if it would be a PIA to do without a bunch of equipment, which it definitely doesn't sound like. I'll be bringing my 20" AR15...

 

[OscarWhiskey2]

Show up folks at these matches will be more than willing to help you! Even at the nationals at Camp Perry folks help each other. A good freind of mine was shooting for the presidents 100 during his course of fire his sling keeper broke. A member from the Navy shooting team scoring for him saw what happen and told him don't move, he took his sling off his rilfe and replaced my firends while still in position. The great thing at the big matches is you can get squaded with anyone, from former national champions, members of current military rifle teams, hell even GySgt R. Lee Arney is on the line as just a guy.

Hers is my son on dry fire snap in day with the USMC rifle team junior clinic down in North Carolina last year.

 

[Marc H]

I occasionally offer a CMP "type" match at my club. I simply use NRA 100yd small bore rifle targets for all stages (slow & rapid prone, rapid sitting, offhand). I have also opened it up to optics. I really don't care what guys shoot as long as they are safe and work at becoming better shots.

No, you do not need coats and gloves for my simple little gatherings. More clubs should get off their duffs and do the same. Very easy and inexpensive to set up.

 

[OscarWhiskey2]

At my local club we just started a 100 yard reduced target offhand league. many folks never get off the bench at ranges, we are making them and so far good turn out and fun. In the winter offhand is an easy thing to do. It humbles many and starts folks in a new direction.

 

[Tim1]

OW, what's the distribution of firearms at these matches? The AR seems to be the dominant platform, how many people do you see competing with M1s or other platforms?

 

[Tim1]

After reading av8r's post I think I am going to try it out.

Shoot me a PM if you are interested in possibly doing it with someone else who is new to it. I'll give you my e-mail address. I'd have to join your range but I've heard it's nicer than mine anyway and it can't hurt to belong to both clubs.

 

[OscarWhiskey2]

OW, what's the distribution of firearms at these matches? The AR seems to be the dominant platform, how many people do you see competing with M1s or other platforms?

Any service rifle issue may be used as long as no modifications outside of national match standards are on it. The vast majority use the AR platform. Over the past few years a specific vintage rifle match has been born where M1-A's are all used. You will also see 1903's from time to time. M-1's will work for you have fun pounding out 30-06 rounds all day long Also on vintage rifles the mag change round count needs to be different on rapid fires as you will not get 8 in a load. You still need to do one mag change however.

The old guard used 30-06 back in the day so I'm just kidding, but enjoy the ride!

Here is a photo of K Mussack at Camp Perry when he was younger, nice glasses Kevin.

 

[Tim1]

M-1's will work for you have fun pounding out 30-06 rounds all day long

...

The old guard used 30-06 back in the day so I'm just kidding, but enjoy the ride!

How many courses of fire are they doing per day? The one you listed was 50 shots. I've done 40 (5 clips worth) in one range visit with my M1 before and wasn't that much worse for the wear. That was without a padded shooting coat or gloves.

Actually, since you are here, I wouldn't mind picking your brain for advice on what to keep when I start a shooting log. I've not yet done that but I've seen you mention it numerous times in various threads. Are there any templates out on the internet that I could download and print out? Any information outside of those templates that I would want to keep track of?

 

[OscarWhiskey2]

Courses of fire are 50 or 80 rounds in a match not all at once you take turns firing, scoring and target pit time. 50 rounds on 500 agg match 80 rounds on 800 agg match.

I have been meaning to do a write up on data book procedures stand by on that one I will get something out soon. One thing I learned from the USMC rifle team use those 4 color bic pens for input change of ink color makes it alot easyer to study shot call marks and impact marks afterwards.

Search creedmoor sports and find high power data books, books are specific for every type of shooting. Creedmoor will also have all the trinkets and equipment for high power that you may want to look at.

 

[Tim1]

Thanks a lot OW.

Look forward to seeing the data books that you put together too.

 

[zeeto]

Yeah, thanks a lot for all the info OW.

I had been just using an old notebook to try and start documenting what I've been doing while at the range. I found these books from a link over on snipershide specific to high power:
NRA Service Rifle Book

and this one seems to have quite a few different log books:
Storm Tactical, Precision Rifle Data Books, USMC Sniper, Army Sniper, Military Sniper, SWAT Sniper, Log Books

Shoot me a PM if you are interested in possibly doing it with someone else who is new to it. I'll give you my e-mail address. I'd have to join your range but I've heard it's nicer than mine anyway and it can't hurt to belong to both clubs.

I'll send you a PM later today. The whole reason I picked SD is because it had the longest rifle range, 300yds. After belonging for the past year, I like it even more because there usually aren't many people there.

 

[Tim1]

After belonging for the past year, I like it even more because there usually aren't many people there.

Tioga is the same way. More often than not you have the pistol range all to yourself and there's only one or two other shooters on the rifle range.

Only thing that stinks about Tioga is they only have a 100 yard rifle range. They've also had some issues with jerks shooting the place up -- there were a bunch of really nice target stands on the rifle range and some idiot shot them all to hell with a shotgun. Hell, they even had people shooting the damn port-a-potty which is well BEHIND all of the firing lines. Sometimes I really hate people.....