Looking downrange at the 600-yard targets. All Camp Perry photos courtesy Dennis Santiago.
The National President’s 100 Match is a famous competition held at Camp Perry every summer. This year’s President’s 100 will take place on July 28, 2025, three weeks away. SEE 2025 Camp Perry NM Calendar.
This is a huge event. in recent years, there have been over 1000 ranked competitors from throughout the nation, making this one of the biggest rifle events of the year. Credit our friend Dennis Santiago for this report. Dennis has competed in the President’s 100 in recent years.
The President’s 100 Rifle Match is richly steeped in history. This unique match was first held in 1878. Above is the view from the line at 600 yards. The top 100 competitors overall in the President’s Rifle Match are designated as the President’s 100. They receive President’s 100 medallions and certificates.
President’s 100 Shoot Off — The Top 20 shooters compete in the Shoot-Off.
President’s 100 Course of Fire
There is a three-yardage, four-stage Course of Fire for the President’s Rifle Match Course of Fire. Firing is done on the SR target at 200 and 300 yards and the MR target at 600 yards. Scores in stages 1-3 determine the President’s 100 and the final rankings of competitors in 21st place and below. Scores in stages 1-4 determine the match winner and the final rankings in places 1-20. If there is a tie for first place (equal total and X-count), the tied shooters will continue to fire one-shot-at-a-time until the tie is broken. No sighters are permitted in National Trophy Rifle Matches.
Origins of the President’s Match The National Rifle Association’s President’s Match was instituted in 1878, as the American Military Rifle Championship Match. In 1884, the name was changed to the President’s Match for the Military Rifle Championship of the United States. It was fired at Creedmoor, New York until 1891. In 1895, it was reintroduced at Sea Girt, New Jersey. Today, the match is held at Camp Perry, Ohio.
The President’s Match was patterned after the Queen’s Match for British Volunteers. That British competition was started in 1860 by Queen Victoria and the NRA of Great Britain to increase the ability of Britain’s marksmen following the Crimean War.
The tradition of making a letter from the President of the United States the first prize began in 1904 when President Theodore Roosevelt personally wrote a letter of congratulations to the winner, Private Howard Gensch of the New Jersey National Guard.
After a hiatus in the 1930s and 1940s, The President’s Match was reinstated in 1957 at the National Matches as “The President’s Hundred.” The 100 top-scoring competitors in the President’s Match were singled out for special recognition.
E-Targets at 2025 National Matches — Rimfire and Centerfire
After years of testing, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will make full use of eTargets at the 2025 National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, which run July 20 through August 9, 2025. The advanced Kongsberg eTargets will be used at all Highpower rifle matches, National Trophy Rifle competitions, and Rifle Games events. In addition the eTargets will be used for the Rimfire Sporter Match on July 20 and the National Mid/Long Range Matches in August. The use of eTargets eliminates the need for pit duty, drastically cutting down the duration of each match. CLICK HERE to learn more about Camp Perry eTargets.
These matches are conducted by the CMP and Ohio National Guard. Since their inception, the National Matches have become a huge, national shooting sports event with over 4,500 annual participants.
Editor: America’s birthday, the 4th of July, is just five days away. To help mark this historic occasion, today we feature a pair of patriotic rifles — a Light Gun and a big Heavy Gun both used in 1000-yard competition at the famed Williamsport Range in Pennsylvania. These rifles both feature handsome patriotic graphics featuring the U.S. Constitution and the Stars and Stripes.
Report by Andrew Murtagh
I’ve been a long range shooter for over two decades. Like most shooters in this game I’ve built, bought, and sold many rifles during my tenure. Here’s my tale of two special rifles, a Heavy Gun and a Light Gun, both sporting Patriotic stock graphics. I have shot both of these rifles in competition at Reade Range and The Original Pennsylvania 1000-Yard Club, aka “Williamsport”, where I have served as Club Vice-President.
My two Patriots were both acquired second-hand from a fellow shooter, Mike Bonchack. As purchased, they were very different from what they are now. I first decided to rechamber them using my reamers. The Light Gun (LG) is now chambered in 6×47 Lapua with 0.267″ neck, while the Heavy Gun (HG) is a 6mm Dasher with 0.266″ neck. After re-chambering the barrels, next I decided to get both guns up to maximum weight. The LG already had an adjustable weight system so it was easy to get it to 17 pounds. For the HG, I added an additional 25 pounds of lead/epoxy fill which was milled into the barrel channel and butt stock.
The Story Behind the Patriotic Graphics
I was initially going to have the LG painted until a close friend and fellow shooter, Tom Murtiff, suggested hydrographics. I landed on the patriotic theme because I’m a right-wing leaning Constitutionalist who still believes in the principles upon which our Founding Fathers built this nation. I wanted to express my support of our country’s Constitution and its Amendments. The search for the perfect patriot print was on.
This was my first hydrographic print experience and I was overwhelmed with the sheer number and variety of prints available. I spent a few days searching when I found the Amendment print. I then contacted Rick Schuh, owner of Boyzhid Hydrographics. He then prepped, hydro-dipped, and clear-coated the LG. Late in 2017 I purchased the HG and through a lengthy process in 2018 the metal work and stock additions were completed. I was now back in search of the perfect print. This was also lengthy, and I couldn’t find anything that spoke to me except for a suggestion to have “twin” rifles. I liked the idea — a pair of “Patriots!”
Rick was again employed to dip the Heavy Gun. That became a real undertaking because the stock alone (no metal attached) now weighed 35 pounds. He had to manufacture reinforced hangers to apply the graphics without flaw. The stock came out perfect to my eye, but not to his. On the bottom, which is rarely seen on any HG, he airbrushed a small flag to cover an area that stretched the print. Rick also made a jeweled plate for the toe of the butt.
I’m including this image so everyone can see Rick’s extra effort to make the HG perfect. I often joke with him about the added work no one would see. Well now the world can view his workmanship.
1000-Yard Heavy Gun Specifications:
Kelbly Stolle F-Class Panda dual-port, right eject with Kelbly Picatinny rail
Modified Ryan Miller HG stock bedded/pillared/weighted by David Powley
Bartlein 1:8.5-8″ gain-twist 0.236″ bore barrel
— chambered in 6mm Dasher 0.266″ neck by David Powley
Ryan Miller barrel-block fitted with nylon bushing by David Powley
Harrell’s muzzle brake
Jewell trigger
Optic One: NightForce 12-42x56mm NXS in Vortex rings
Optic Two: Leupold 7-35x56mm Mark 5 HD in Leupold rings
1000-Yard Light Gun Specifications:
BAT Machine B Action RB/LP/RE
McMillan MBR stock bedded by David Powley
Bartlein 1:8″-twist 0.237″ bore 30″ barrel
— chambered in 6×47 Lapua 0.267″ neck by David Powley
Harrell’s radial muzzle brake
Jewell trigger
NightForce 15-55x52mm Competition Scope in Harrell’s rings
Stock Graphics: Both rifles share a Patriot Constitution Hydrographic print (and clear-coat) by Rick Schuh of BoyzHid Hygrogaphics.
How to Succeed in the 1K Benchrest Games — Q & A with Andrew
Q: How Do You Choose a Chambering/Cartridge for a particular Match or Relay?
Andrew: Cartridge choice depends on the wind forecast. I always have several rifles with particular cartridge/loads for each depending on the forecast. If it’s a light wind day, say 4 to 8 mph with light gusts, I’ll be shooting either a 6×47 Lapua or a 6mm Dasher. If it’s blowing around 10 to 12 mph, I’ll campaign a 6×47 on its high node to get it down range flat. But if it’s really blowing or constantly changing direction, I shoot a big .300 WSM with either 200gr or 210gr bullet.
Q: What Is Your Load Development Method?
Andrew: Initial load development is always done over the chronograph at 100 yards until I get low ES/SD for 5 shots utilizing the same 10 pieces of absolutely perfect brass. Once I’m satisfied with the raw data I move to 1000 yards with a set of match brass and shoot 5-shot strings to find the best-performing exact powder charge. I have found this is usually within 0.20 grains of what performs well over the chronograph.
Q: What Brass, Primers, Powders, and Bullets Do You Use?
Andrew: I use Lapua brass for all things 6mm and Norma brass for my big .30 Cal stuff. I never change primers and shoot CCI BR2s or BR4s. I’m a Varget and H4350 fan. I’ve tried other powders, but they never were fruitful at 1K. Currently the only bullets I shoot are Sierra Match Kings. In the 6mm Dasher and 6×47 Lapua I use the 6mm 107gr SMK. In my .300 WSM I use .308-cal 200gr and 210gr SMKs.
Q: What Advice Do You Have for Novice 1000-Yard Competitors?
Andrew: Leave your ego at home and be willing to learn each and every time you come to the range. The discipline evolves rapidly and so must the shooter. It won’t take long to get left behind and become extremely frustrated with the game if you are not willing to learn and adapt. Find a tutor who is a great shooter and who is willing to mentor you. John Hoover and Tom Murtiff helped me and are very dear friends and great 1000-yard shooters. Believe me, having a good mentor takes years off the learning curve. Lastly, enroll in the Benchrest Shooting School offered by The Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard Benchrest Club. I’m an instructor there and I, along with all the cadre, will help new shooters rapidly advance their skills.
Q: What’s the Secret to Judging the Wind? (In this discipline there are no target markers after each shot.)
Andrew: That’s the million-dollar question. What I do is find the condition that seems to hold. Once I’m committed into the record string, I follow it to the end. At Williamsport the wind flags can change at every distance so you simply need to pick one flag and hope it’s the one that remains truthful.
Long Range Competition Advice from a Leading 1K Benchrest Competitor
FIVE Key points to remember when shooting 1000-Yard benchrest
1. Be positive and have a clear state of mind when competing.
2. Bench set-up and shooting mechanics must always be the same — every shot. Then follow the shot through your optic.
3. Shoot two (2) shots before making a scope adjustment unless you’re under a minute of the sighter period.
4. Trust yourself and your equipment. You never want to second guess anything you put on the line.
5. Once you commit to shooting your record string, DO NOT STOP.
Andrew wanted to give credit to the many talented guys who have helped with his rifle builds and his reloading equipment. In alphabetical order, these are Mike Bonchack, John Hoover, Tom Murtiff, David Powley, and Rich Schuh (Boyzhid Hydrographics).
BONUS Topic — Case Prep and Loading for 1000-Yard Benrchest
Accurate loading, in my opinion, all starts with perfect brass. I always use Lapua or Norma brass, and when I buy it I try to purchase no less than 500 of the same lot. Most shooters sort by weight and I do as well, but it’s the last thing I do instead of the first. My reasoning behind this is simple, if I’m going to uniform primer pocket, ream and debur flash holes, turn necks, trim cases to length I’m removing lots of material. Therefore the weights change drastically from where they started. That said weight sort at the end, period. I do the entire lot at one time — a labor of love.
Can a human, with a sling, shoot as well as a mechanical rest? The answer is “yes” (at least once in a great while) IF that sling shooter can deliver a record-breaking performance. Here’s an interesting tale of man vs. machine from our archives…
The USAMU posed an interesting challenge — could one of their shooters match the performance of a mechanical rest? Who would win in this battle between man and machine? You might just be surprised. At 600 yards, with an AR-platform rifle, the results can be remarkably close, based on targets provided by the USAMU. When clamped in a test rig, a USAMU M16A2 produced a 200-18X group with handloads. The USAMU says this was “one of our better 20-shot groups at 600 yards, testing ammo from a machine rest”. Can a human do better?
Remarkably, a human soldier came very close to matching the group shot from the machine rest. The photo below shows a 20-shot group shot by a USAMU marksman with sling and iron sights, using USAMU-loaded ammunition. The score, 200-16X, was nearly the same. As you can see, the USAMU rifleman didn’t give up much to the machine rest, even at 600 yards!
In fairness, this was no ordinary human performance. The 200-16X score represented a new National Record set in December, 1994. This was fired by PFC Coleman in an Interservice Match at Okeechobee, Florida. Brilliant Performance.
The Vihtavuori and Applied Ballistics-sponsored duo of Chad Heckler and Francis Colon topped the Precision Marksman field at the 2025 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge. Held June 18-22, 2025, this 5-day event at the Garth Killpack Shooting Range drew a big crowd, with competitors from over 19 countries. Heckler with a score of 930 and Colon with a score of 900 placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the Precision Marksman Challenge event. Heckler’s victory earned him a $20,000 prize while Colon took home $10,000. Those are some of the biggest cash prizes in any rifle event.
Precision Marksman match winner Chad Heckler was elated: “Team CHANCIS secures the top two spots at the 2025 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge! Winning this event last weekend wasn’t easy, Justin and his Utah Airguns family and friends have created something special with this event. The attention to detail and love that was poured into this match was second to none”, said Heckler. “I feel honored to become the 2025 champ alongside [team-mate] Francis Colon. Congrats buddy.”
“There aren’t many times that I’m happy after taking second place, but earning the top two spots with my best friend is epic…” stated Colon. “Massive thank you to Justin Jacobson and the crew at Utah Airguns! This is not just a match… it is an experience! With 5 days of shooting over four disciplines and custom themes, props, music and food, it makes me excited for 2026!”
Tech Tip: If these rifles don’t look like conventional airguns it is because they employ a new design with a slim diameter air tank wrapped around the barrel. These FX DRS Pro MDT 700 Airguns are “designed with the air tank wrapped around the barrel … lowering the profile of the overall rifle, resulting in a very slim front end and an overall more balanced rifle.”
The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge
The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge (RMAC) is a challenging, multi-class tactical-style airgun competition. The RMAC event, hosted by Utah Airguns, is one of the biggest outdoor air rifle matches in the country. It combines the low-cost of air rifle shooting with the fun of PRS/NRL-type multi-stage shooting.
RMAC features four distinct events designed to test diverse shooting skills. The 100-Yard Benchrest event focuses on precision and wind-reading — most other airgun BR matches are at 50 yards or 50m max, so this is tough by comparison.
The Precision Marksman Challenge is a physically demanding event that requires shooters to engage reactive steel targets from various positions and obstacles under time pressure, utilizing both slugs and pellets. The Speed Challenge is a high-energy, head-to-head competition where shooters race through diverse courses of fire. Finally, the Big Bore Slug Challenge showcases the power and accuracy of slug-shooting airguns, with competitors engaging steel targets at distances from 100 to 450 yards.
Modern Tactical-Style Air Rifles
Here are two state-of-the-art tactical air rifles, the BinTac MCAR ($2790.00 from Airgun Tactical) and the FX IMPACT M4 ($2099.99 from Utah Airguns). The BinTac MCAR almost looks like a centerfire rifle at first glance but the air chambers on the buttstock tell the real story.
SSG Amanda Elsenboss, now with the Pennsylvania National Guard, was the 2021 NRA National High Power Champion and 2019 NRA Long Range National Championship in 2019.
In the archives of On The Mark magazine, DCM Emeritus Gary Anderson, an Olympic Gold medal-winning shooter in his younger years, offers sage advice for competitive shooters.
In his article Ten Lessons I Wished I Had Learned as a Young Shooter, Anderson provides ten important guidelines for everyone involved in competitive shooting. Here are the Ten Lessons, but you should read the full article. Anderson provides detailed explanations of each topic with examples from his shooting career.
LESSON 1 – NATURAL ABILITY WILL NOT MAKE YOU A SHOOTING CHAMPION.
(You also need hard work, training effort and perseverance.)
LESSON 2 – ANGER IS THE ENEMY OF GOOD SHOOTING.
(The key to recovering from a bad shot is to stay cool, no matter what happens.)
LESSON 3 – BAD SHOTS CAN TEACH YOU MORE THAN GOOD SHOTS.
(Today, error analysis is one of the most powerful tools for improving scores.)
LESSON 4 – NEVER GO WITHOUT A SHOT PLAN.
(A shot plan is a detailed breakdown of each of the steps involved in firing a shot.)
LESSON 5 – PRACTICE IN BAD CONDITIONS AS WELL AS GOOD CONDITIONS.
(Most competitions are fired in windy conditions or where there are plenty of distractions.)
LESSON 6 – CHAMPIONS ARE POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE.
(Negative shooters expect bad results; positive shooters expect to train hard to change bad results.)
LESSON 7 – IT’S NOT ABOUT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE.
(It’s about how hard you try to win.)
LESSON 8 – YOUR DOG WON’T BITE YOU AFTER SHOOTING A BAD SCORE.
(Hopefully your coach, parents and friends won’t bite you either.)
LESSON 9 – YOUR PRESS CLIPPINGS CAN HURT YOU OR HELP YOU.
(Winning can go to our heads. We start thinking we are so good we don’t have to work hard any more.)
LESSON 10 — YOU NEVER SHOT YOUR BEST SCORE.
(Great champions are always looking for ways to improve.)
USAMU shooters on the firing line at the Wa-Ke’-De outdoor range in Bristol, IN. Photo courtesy USAMU.
About Gary Anderson Gary Anderson served as the Director of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) from 1999-2009, and is now DCM Emeritus. As a Nebraska farmboy, Gary grew up hunting and shooting. Dreams of winning an Olympic Gold Medal in shooting led Gary to the U.S. Army. In 1959, he joined the elite U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Just two years later, he won his first national championship.
At the 1962 World Shooting Championships in Egypt, Anderson stunned the shooting world by winning four individual titles and setting three new world records. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Gary won the 300m free-rifle Gold Medal, setting a new world record in the process. At the 1966 World Shooting Championships in Germany, Anderson won three additional world titles. At the 1968 Olympics, Gary won a second gold medal in the 300m free-rifle event.
After his “retirement” from international competition, Gary competed in the National High Power Championships, winning the President’s National Trophy in 1973, 1975 and 1976. Over his competitive career, Anderson won two Olympic Gold Medals, seven World Championships, and sixteen National Championships. He is unquestionably one of the greatest American marksmen ever.
This story first ran in 2010. But to mark our long-standing friendships with shooter Joe Friedrich and chassis builder Gary Eliseo, we wanted to reprise the article for 2025. Joe’s Eliseo-chassis 6mmBR rifle delivered some of the most amazing 100-yard accuracy with factory ammo we’ve ever seen, in any rifle, in any caliber. This gun produced groups in the “ones” with Lapua factory ammo. Read on to learn more.
Amazing Accuracy from 6mmBR Tubegun
What kind of accuracy do you think a tubegun can deliver with factory ammo — during barrel break-in? Perhaps 0.6″ at 100 yards, half-MOA if the conditions are perfect? Well you may want to change your preconceptions about tubeguns — and factory ammo. This Eliseo R5 repeater, smithed by John Pierce with a Pierce CM action and Broughton 5C barrel, shot the Lapua 90gr factory ammo into flat ONEs during the break-in session. A day later, in tricky 8-14 mph winds, the gun nailed a witnessed and software-measured 0.174″ 5-shot group using the 105gr factory ammo. That would be impressive for a “full-race” benchgun with precision handloads. For an across-the-course rifle shooting factory ammo, it’s pretty amazing.
Eliseo Tubegun Shoots in the Ones
This accurate rifle belongs to our friend (and designated expert trigger-puller) Joe Friedrich. During the initial break-in session, since his reloading dies had not yet arrived, Joe decided to start with some Lapua factory-loaded 6BR ammo he had on hand. After doing a few two-shot-and-clean cycles (with patches and nylon brush), Joe decided to try a 3-round group just to see if the Broughton barrel had some potential. To his astonishment, the Eliseo R5 put three rounds in 0.100″ (photo below left). Joe then cleaned the barrel again, shot a couple foulers and tried a 4-shot group. The results were just as stunning — 4 shots in a mere 0.104″ but three in virtually one hole (photo below right).
You Can’t Believe How This Gun Shoots
Joe called your Editor and said “You can’t believe how this gun shoots with factory ammo!”. So we arranged a photo session for the next afternoon, where I could verify the rifle’s accuracy. Well it turned out the conditions were way more challenging than when Joe broke in the barrel the day before. Winds were running 8-14 mph and were swinging through 180 degrees half-way down the range. Joe fired a few 90s through the Oehler chronograph at my request, then opened a box of Lapua 105gr factory ammo. It took about four rounds for the barrel to settle in after being cleaned the night before. Then Joe got serious, and with your Editor looking over his shoulder, he drilled a 0.174″ five-shot group in switching winds, doping every shot. Joe felt the gun could have shot tighter but he missed one wind call.
Serious Accuracy with a Multi-Purpose Rifle
So there you have it — a tubegun that shoots in the ones with factory ammo. Joe says that, at least with the 90s, the Elesio R5 shoots as well as his 6 PPC. Joe stressed that “steering the tubegun is hard work. You really have to concentrate compared to a purpose-built bench gun like my PPC. With the tubegun, everything has to be perfect on every shot — hand position, cheek position, stock position in the bag. If you’re off just a little bit, it’s easy to steer the gun the wrong way and send a shot out of the group.”
Accuracy Great But Fouling Heavy and ES Could Be Better
Have there been any negatives to Joe’s 6BR tubegun experiment so far? Well, the Broughton 5C barrel, while phenomenally accurate, shows signs of being a bad fouler. Copper built up pretty quickly over the first 25 rounds or so. We saw best accuracy with a recently-cleaned barrel. Hopefully the fouling will lessen as the barrel polishes in with use. And the canted land barrel is slower than average with the factory ammo. Lapua rates its 90gr naked-bullet ammo at 2950 fps with a 26″ tube. In Joe’s 27.5″ barrel we only averaged 2901 fps. With the 105gr factory ammo, which is rated at 2790 fps, we averaged just 2694 fps. That’s quite disappointing. Also the ES on the factory ammo, slightly over 50 fps for both bullet types, wasn’t particularly good. Still, the overall results were stunning. This gun shoots better than many long-range benchrest rifles running carefully-developed handloads — and it does that with factory ammo, right out of the box.
Rimfire Benchrest Plus N50 Competition — Fun and Affordable
Joe Friedrich is a superb benchrest shooter, who has won many matches and set National Records in ARA rimfire benchrest competition. Here is Joe with “Sweet Pea”, his favorite .22 LR rimfire rig. With over 100,000 rounds through the Benchmark barrel, this well-worn rifle set an ARA 4-target Aggregate record! READ about Sweat Pea Record HERE.
The National 50 Benchrest League
Joe Friedrich is one of the founders of the National 50 Benchrest League (N50). Launched just a few years ago, N50 has easy-to-understand rules, and offers competition with a wide variety of rifles, both .22 LR rimfire rigs and air rifles. There are three classes — Pellet, Sportsman, and PRO. One can be very competitive in the Sportsman Class with a basic factory .22 LR rig or Air Rifle.
The 2025 N50 National Championship will take place August 22-24, 2025 at the NRA Whittington Center in New Mexico. Benchrest competition will be held at Whittington Coors Benchrest range, on the west side of the Whittington facility. CLICK HERE to register for the August event.
N50 competition is unique in allowing air rifle shooters to compete side-by-side with rimfire shooters. This allows folks to compete without the cost of expensive “top-dollar” rimfire ammo. Pellets are relatively inexpensive, and yes air is still free!
About N50 — The National 50 Benchrest League
Commentary by Joe Friedrich, Open Grove Benchrest
The National 50 Benchrest League (N50) offers a unique shooting experience. We shoot air rifles with pellets and slugs alongside .22 LR Rimfire shooters. We currently have sanctioned clubs throughout the USA offering competition and good fellowship.
N50 has three Classes: Pellet, Sportsman, and PRO. The first Pellet Class is strictly for pellet airguns ranging in calibers from .177-.30 using Diabolo-style pellets from various manufacturers.
The second class is the Sportsman Slug/Rimfire. This combined class allows any factory air rifle shooting commercially-made slugs in calibers from .177-.30 to compete against any factory rimfire that utilizes a factory-barreled action with no attachments to barrel. Pellet air rifles may also compete in this class.
The third class is the PRO Class, and no you do not have to have some magic card that says “Professional” to compete. This class allows purpose-built air rifles, and what we call “unlimited” rimfire rifles to compete. Three types of loads are allowed in PRO Class: .177 slug air-driven, .22 slug air-driven, and any .22 LR ammunition.
Another point — in N50, competitors are allowed to move up in class — you aren’t restricted to a “lower” division. For example, Pellet Class shooters can also move up to shoot in Sportsman and Pro. In addition, Factory rimfires are allowed in Pro Class. This way shooters with the less-expensive rifles can shoot more relays and also see how they compete with the unlimited rigs. It’s all about having fun.
We wanted to make N50 as simple as we could combining air rifles with rimfire so folks who have a factory rimfire can participate and have fun. We also did not want a lot of classes, so combining the two gun types would be simpler.
Air Rifle on beautifully crafted, plated Pappas Rest.
National 50 Benchrest League Rules and Targets
The official N50 website, National50.net, lists N50 rules, classes, courses of fire, and membership requirements. Downloadable practice and Match targets are also available (scroll down linked page).
The CMP National matches at Camp Perry, Ohio kick off on July 6, 2025 and run through August 9, 2025. The National Matches are open to the public and have offered a wide range of events and matches since 1907. Held annually at Camp Perry, the National Matches include a wide range of events for rimfire rifles, centerfire rifles, and pistols. Listed below are event by category. Click on each discipline below for registration information, detailed match program, and schedule.
These matches are conducted by a partnership of the CMP and Ohio National Guard. Since their inception, the National Matches have become a huge national shooting sports festival with over 4,500 annual participants including many of the world’s best marksmen.
E-Targets at 2025 National Matches — Rimfire and Centerfire
After years of testing, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will make full use of eTargets at the 2025 National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, which run July 20 through August 9, 2025. The advanced Kongsberg eTargets will be used at all Highpower rifle matches, National Trophy Rifle competitions, and Rifle Games events. In addition the eTargets will be used for the Rimfire Sporter Match on July 20 and the National Mid/Long Range Matches in August. The use of eTargets eliminates the need for pit duty, drastically cutting down the duration of each match. “Shooting on eTargets is just a better experience for all competitors” notes Brian Williams, CMP Highpower manager. CLICK HERE to learn more about Camp Perry eTargets.
These matches are conducted by a partnership of the CMP and Ohio National Guard. Since their inception, the National Matches have become a huge, national shooting sports festival with well over 4,500 annual participants. School students and competitors range from beginners to many of the world’s best.
Feel free to contact the CMP Competitions Department at competitions@thecmp.org or (419) 635-2141, ext. 724 or 714 for additional questions.
The NRA Blog ran an feature on Silhouette shooting by NRA Silhouette Program Coordinator Jonathan Leighton. Here are selections from Leighton’s story:
NRA Silhouette Shooting
The loud crack from the bullet exiting the muzzle followed by an even louder ‘clang’ as you watch your target fly off the railing is really a true addiction for most Silhouette shooters. There is nothing better than shooting a game where you actually get to see your target react to the bullet. In my opinion, this is truly what makes this game so much fun.
Metallic Silhouette — A Mexican Import
Silhouette shooting came to this country from Mexico in the 1960s. It is speculated that sport had its origins in shooting contests between Pancho Villa’s men around 1914. After the Mexican Revolution the sport spread quickly throughout Mexico. ‘Siluetas Metalicas’ uses steel silhouettes shaped like game animals. Chickens up front followed by rows of pigs, turkeys, and furthest away, rams. Being that ‘Siluetas Metalicas’ was originally a Mexican sport, it is common to hear the targets referred to by their Spanish names Gallina (chicken), Javelina (pig), Guajalote (turkey) and Borrego (ram). Depending on the discipline one is shooting, these animals are set at different distances from the firing line, but always in the same order.
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
In the very beginnings of the sport, live farm animals were used as targets, and afterwards, the shooters would have a barbeque with all the livestock and/or game that was shot during the match. The first Silhouette match that used steel targets instead of livestock was conducted in 1948 in Mexico City, Mexico by Don Gonzalo Aguilar. [Some matches hosted by wealthy Mexicans included high-ranking politicians and military leaders].
As the sport spread and gained popularity during the 1950s, shooters from the Southwestern USA started crossing the Mexican border to compete. Silhouette shooting came into the US in 1968 at the Tucson Rifle Club in Arizona. The rules have stayed pretty much the same since the sport has been shot in the US. NRA officially recognized Silhouette as a shooting discipline in 1972, and conducted its first NRA Silhouette Nationals in November of 1972.
Great Video of Silhouette Shooting in Canada with Drone Footage
Now There Are Multiple Disciplines
The actual sport of Silhouette is broken into several different disciplines. High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Cowboy Lever Action Rifle, Black Powder Cartridge Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and Hunter’s Pistol are the basic disciplines. Cowboy Lever Action is broken into three sub-categories to include Smallbore Cowboy Rifle, Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action, and regular Cowboy Lever Action. Black Powder Cartridge Rifle also has a ‘Scope’ class, and Hunter’s Pistol is broken into four sub-categories. Some clubs also offer Military Rifle Silhouette comps.
Where to Shoot Silhouette
NRA-Sanctioned matches are found at gun clubs nation-wide. There are also many State, Regional, and National matches across the country as well. You can find match listings on the Shooting Sports USA website or contact the NRA Silhouette Department at (703) 267-1465. For more info, visit SteelChickens.com, the #1 website dedicated to Silhouette shooting sports.
One of the most fun things you can do with a firearm is to shoot reactive targets at relatively short ranges. For this kind of shooting, a rimfire gun is the way to go. Recoil is way less so you can transition targets quickly, and the cost of .22 LR ammo is a fraction of the cost of centerfire ammo. Rimfire is a bargain — you can get decent bulk .22 LR ammo for just six cents ($0.06) a round. Even cheap 9mm ammo can cost you twenty-four cents ($0.24) a round or more — that’s four times more expensive than .22 LR!
If you’re looking for a nice .22 LR pistol for gun games, we can recommend the SIG Sauer P322-COMP pistol. Designed for speed, accuracy, and flat shooting (low muzzle flip), this rimfire pistol is ready for competition right out of the box. It comes with a red dot optic, barrel-mounted compensator, slide-mounted racker, good trigger, and high-capacity (20- and 25-rd) magazines. READ P322 Manual.
We think this would be a good choice for fun action pistol matches. One YouTube viewer noted: “I applaud SIG… basically [the P322-COMP is] the first RFPO (Rimfire Pistol Open) factory option for Steel Challenge. Every other gun on the market you have to buy the optic, thumb rest, and compensator.”
SIG P322-COMP — Components and Features Video
NOTE: This 44-second video from SIG Sauer has detailed illustrations of all components with 3D rotation of the pistol so you can see it from all angles.
The SIG SAUER P322-COMP is a competition-ready .22 LR rimfire pistol with class-leading 25+1-round and 20+1-round capacity. It has a threaded barrel equipped with a 2-port compensator and comes with a factory-installed ROMEO Zero Elite Red Dot Optic. The polymer grip features an extended magazine catch, adjustable trigger shoe, sport takedown lever, 1913 rail, and integrated magwell. The Single Action Only hammer-fired action on the P322-COMP is completely enclosed in a two-tone competition alloy slide with a high viz fiber-optic front sight, plus front, rear, and top cocking serrations. The ambidextrous, slide-mounted racker ensures easy slide manipulation. The pistol ships with (1) 20-round magazine and (1) 25-round magazine.
P322-COMP Specs:
Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 20+1, 25+1
Barrel length: 4 inches
Sight Radius: 6 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 19.8 oz.
22Plinkster Review of P322-COMP Pistol
Note how fast 22Plinkster can hit multiple targets with this new brake-equipped pistol. No question this rimfire pistol would be fun to shoot on steel targets.
Shooting USA TV has a good show this week. Shooting USA’s Wednesday episode features the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge, an AR-based competition program for shooters of all levels. On April 19, 2025, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, the NRA held the America’s Rifle Challenge, a one-day competition giving participants an intro to action shooting sports with AR-15 type rifles. The NRA provided awards/prizes for competitors and winners. ShootingUSA filmed the match and conducted interviews with competitors.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
On April 19, 2025, at Camp Atterbury the NRA held the America’s Rifle Challenge, a one-day, multi-stage competition with AR-15 type rifles. This is a new shooting sport format designed with two competition classes to challenge both novices and experienced practical shooters.
In this video, Professional shooter, Ryan Muller, shows three typical AR-15 platform configurations and shares what he looks for in an AR-15 rifle for long-range shooting, competitive shooting, and home defense — all of which are also suitable options for AR Challenge competition.
America’s Rifle Challenge Match Gear Requirements:
AR rifle in .223/5.56, .300 Blackout, or .308 Win
Level 1 Ammo Requirement: 125 Rounds (bring 180 Rounds)
Level 2 Ammo Requirement: 150 Rounds (bring 200 Rounds)
All firearms must have Empty Chamber Indicator
At least three magazines
Magazine holders
AR Sling required
Hearing protection
Eye protection
America’s Rifle Challenge Event Levels:
Level 1: The Level 1 course of fire is conducted from 10 out to 100 yards with competitors firing from different positions under time constraints. Level 1 is intended for AR owners new to competitive shooting. This event focuses on building skills to improve accuracy, speed, and mechanics. L1 matches are conducted from 100 yards and inward, with a balance of both time and accuracy being measured in every event. There are currently five total stages of fire in this match, with more in development. NOTE: Level 1 is limited to the first 32 competitors (4 squads). Space in level 1 is limited, so sign up quickly.
Level 2: The Level 2 course of fire covers the full spectrum of what is possible with an AR. L2 matches are conducted from 500 yards inward. Competitors will face a variety of stages designed to test skills — shooting and moving, positional shooting skills, long-range precision, speed, stage planning, and use of barricades, as well as close-quarters exercises. Level 2 offers a higher round count and more dynamics to the stages. NOTE: Level 2 is limited to the first 60 competitors (6 squads).
The National Rifle Association’s President’s Match was instituted in 1878, as the American Military Rifle Championship Match. In 1884, the name was changed to the President’s Match for the Military Rifle Championship of the United States. It was fired at Creedmoor, New York until 1891. In 1895, it was reintroduced at Sea Girt, New Jersey. Today, the match is held at Camp Perry, Ohio.
RMAC features four distinct events designed to test diverse shooting skills. The 100-Yard Benchrest event focuses on precision and wind-reading — most other airgun BR matches are at 50 yards or 50m max, so this is tough by comparison.
In the archives of 
Gary Anderson served as the Director of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) from 1999-2009, and is now DCM Emeritus. As a Nebraska farmboy, Gary grew up hunting and shooting. Dreams of winning an Olympic Gold Medal in shooting led Gary to the U.S. Army. In 1959, he joined the elite U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Just two years later, he won his first national championship.
Amazing Accuracy from 6mmBR Tubegun
You Can’t Believe How This Gun Shoots
Joe Friedrich is one of the founders of the 
The 
Metallic Silhouette — A Mexican Import
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
