Optics-Equipped Service Rifles Dominate President’s 100 Match
When the NRA and CMP issued new rules allowing the use of 4.5X optics for Service Rifles, some asked: “will scopes really make a difference?”. The answer is a resounding “Yes”, based on match results just in from Camp Perry. In the prestigious National President’s 100 Match fired July 25th, the first-, second-, and third-place finishers all had scopes. Keith Stephens won the match, SFC Evan Hess took second, and Hugh Reich finished third — an all-optics Podium. Both winner Keith Stephens and third-place Hugh Reich were running March 1-4.5x24mm scopes on their rifles. And there were many other optics users among the Top 20 competitors in the President’s 100 Finals. (The President’s 100 Match concludes with a single 10-round shoot-off at 600 yards, fired by the best 20 shooters from the prelims.)
The March 1-4.5x24mm scope was designed expressly for Service Rifle competition and tactical applications (it will focus down to 10 yards). This first-focal-plane optic features 1/4″ MOA clicks and optimal eye relief for AR-type rifles. March’s optics experts tell us: “This scope was specifically designed for the Service Rifle match shooter. Oversized tactical turrets allow for easy windage and elevation adjustments. High-quality ED (low distortion) lenses provide superior image resolution”. Current retail price for this scope is $2338.00 from Bullets.com.
That is a significant investment to be sure. But if you asked President’s 100 Match Winner Keith Stephens, he’d probably tell you his March 1-4.5x24mm scope was worth every penny…
Similar Posts:
- Magnified Service Optics — Scope Options for All Budgets
- New 1-4.5x24mm Scope with ED Glass from March
- National President’s 100 Rifle Match at Camp Perry
- Get 10% Off March Scopes Through 1/24/2021 (11:59 PM)
- March Unveils Impressive New High Master Series of Scopes
Share the post "Optics-Equipped Service Rifles Dominate President’s 100 Match"
Tags: 1-4.5x24mm, Camp Perry, March Scope, Presidents 100, Presidents Match, Service Rifle
Congratulations to Keith for winning the prestigious President’s Hundred Match. It was a tightly contested match, Evan and Hugh(Buddy) deserves the due recognition as well.
The March scope is still the only one out there with a parallax adjustment.
And last but not the least, Texans actually took the top 3 positions. Evan is a native son just doing his stint with the Army at Benning.
Lots of military shooters in that line-up. Congratulations to all the shooters and great job to the top three.
This is a very interesting result and really the first test of both the new rules and the new equipment.
Well done to March of course for anticipating the shooting public’s needs and meeting it. Over the next three years, I bet there will be a scramble to meet this new market from a range of similar manufacturers.
Looking forward to reading a more detailed equipment breakdown soon.
Most of the service rifle GI i.e.(free equipment) shooters I seen had Night Force 4.5fixed. FWI. Also be aware of not shooters/coaches “adjusting sights” of target pullers.
Congratulations to all of the top finishers! service rifle was the one discipline that was somewhat affordable. If it’s going to take a $2000 or more scope in addition to a rifle that’s $1000 or more rifle to be a top finisher, then service rifle is no longer affordable. Kind of a shame. Maybe some scope manufacturer will come out with a more affordable SR scope.
To the top finisher the equipment cost is not an issue. At the end of the day, your investment, a March scope for example, distributed over 5 years of shooting, all of a sudden in the big scheme of things it is not the most expensive item in the shooting system. Travel, lodging, food, ammo, and barrels, combined would be more over the cost of the scope. Anadarko after 5 years the scope is still there.
Lastly, to win a big match is priceless. Or even at a lower level, winning a LEG match, a state championship or a regional, all the expenses in the shooting system makes it all worth it.
Although the usage of a scope probably DOES increase overall scores, particularly X’s, this is not a “clear” indication of that.
Of course the top shooters were all using scopes. Why wouldn’t they?
What I’m more interested in seeing how those shooters performed compared to how they did prior to mounting a scope to their rifles. Was there actually an improvement?
Regardless, congratulations to the shooters! I can’t wait to join you. I’ll be using a budget Athlon scope and rifle, but am excited to get ranked soon.
Chris, check out the Leupold scopes that WOA is offering. $450-650 with good reticles and special 300-HD fixed parallax just for SR.
Max parallax error for a 4×20 scope with 300yd fixed parallax is 0.39 inches at 600yd. If you have good head position it will be substantially less!
Adjustable paralax is NOT needed for SR. The problem was that many 1-4 scopes had fixed 100yd parallax, which gives up to 2″ error at 600yd. Not a huge deal (again, solid head position will mitigate most of that), but maybe enough to turn a couple X’s into 10s.
Big objectives are also a hindrance, and small objective lenses minimize parallax error. A 20mm objective gives a 4.4mm exit pupil at 4.5x, which is more than adequate for daylight shooting, even on an extremely dark overcast day. Most F Class shooters end up with exit pupils around 2mm (50mm scope at 25x), which is 1/5th the light! (2^2/4.5^2)
I think the Big Story so far from Perry is the 3 perfect scores fired in the Hearst Doubles (300) and the 1 perfect score fired in the National Trophy Team (500).
That is unreal and I don’t recall there ever being so many cleans during CMP week.
Keith and I have worked together for years and his patience, gentleness and commitment reflect immense value on the shooting sports. I know how hard he has trained for this and every match. He shot with the best our country has and all can be proud of standing in this esteemed line of champions. Congrats KEITH…among the best and this years Presidential winner. You earned it brother.
If it’s going to be a “service rifle” match, it should be a “service” issued optic. Most likley a 4x ACOG. Maybe the 1.25-4 Schmidt and Bender Short Dot.