The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) offers a CMP Affiliate Program that provides special benefits to marksmanship organizations and clubs. For just $35 a year per club, CMP-Affiliated Clubs and their members get many benefits, including access to training, facilities, equipment, and competitions. Clubs are also eligible to receive marksmanship grants and access to sales promotions. Learn more about the CMP Affiliate Program on the CMP website: https://thecmp.org/clubs/affiliate/.
CMP-Affiliated Clubs are eligible to host their own local CMP sanctioned matches — from smallbore rifle to CMP Games rifle and pistol events, highpower and more. The CMP’s Affiliated Club network now boasts over 2700 affiliated clubs nationwide. To find an Affiliated Club in your area, visit TheCMP.org/clubs.
Marksmanship clubs or organizations may affiliate as one of the following club/team categories: Junior Club, Senior Club, Senior Club with Junior Division, Youth Camp, School Team (High School, Middle School, JROTC Unit, etc.), or College Shooting Team.
Eligibility Requirements for CMP-Affiliated Clubs
Senior Club
Minimum of 10 adult members who are U. S. citizens
Junior Club
Minimum of 10 junior members, age 20 and below
Senior Club with Junior Division
Minimum of 10 adult and 10 junior members, age 20 and below
Youth Camps
Minimum of 10 participants in camp riflery program
School Shooting Team
Minimum of 10 participants in team program
College Shooting Teams
Minimum of 10 team members, age 27 and below
CMP-Affiliated Clubs Get Discounts on Rifles and Targets
Affiliated Clubs receive a discounted price on certain firearms, such Savage .22 LR rifles. The CMP is also contracted with Crosman, Daisy, and Walther, offering each company’s line of quality air rifles, including Crosman Challenger (CH2021S) air rifles. Additionally, the CMP offers a sales program for air rifle and smallbore targets.
M1 Garand Raffle Options
State associations within the Affiliated Club program are able to hold a raffle once a year for an M1 Garand rifle (purchasing an M1 Field Grade from the CMP for a much discounted $200). Clubs not part of a State Association are still able to get a 10 percent discount on M1s for use within their own ranges.
Insurance Options for CMP-Affiliated Clubs
Through a new partnership with Lockton Affinity Outdoor, clubs and members of the CMP community may now access a wide range of affordable insurance solutions to protect themselves and their firearm property. Starting as low as $50 per year, coverage with Lockton Affinity Outdoor helps protect against loss to personal items, property damage, third-party injuries and more.
How to Apply to Affiliate with the CMP
Download and fill out the CMP Affiliation Application PDF form or use the Online CMP Affiliation Form. Get copies of key documents for your organization (such as its constitution, by-laws, articles of incorporation or other governing rules) and attach to your application.
Provide a check, money order, or credit card information to pay the first annual dues of $35.00 (Note: JROTC units, 4-H Shooting Sports Clubs and BSA organizations may affiliate at no cost). Send all the application materials (with payment) to:
CMP Affiliate Relations
P.O. Box 576
Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
Some Clubs May Already Be Affiliated
Some established clubs earn automatic affiliation through the CMP Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). Entities such as the JROTC commands from each military branch, 4-H and Boy Scouts are automatically affiliated at no cost. Though automatic, clubs must enroll with the CMP in order to become officially associated.
Last week, on 12/8/23, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted the Alabama Army National Guard (ALARNG) Best Warrior Mystery Event at the Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. This was the final event in a week-long competition.
A total of 14 competitors had the opportunity to fire the M1 Garand Rifle in this mystery/surprise event. Each competitor received basic instruction and a safety briefing before shooting the CMP Garand Match course of fire: 35 rounds at 200 yards on Talladega’s electronic targets. Only one of the 14 competitors had previously fired an M1 Garand. The CMP provided all rifles and ammunition for the competition.
At the conclusion of the Garand Match course of fire, the Best Warrior awards ceremony was held on the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park clubhouse patio stage, where each competitor was given CMP challenge coins, ALARNG challenge coins, and overall ranking awards for the week. The CMP was honored to host this event and looks forward to increased partnership with the ALARNG. ALARNG leadership present included the Adjutant General of Alabama, Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, and Command Sgt. Maj. Elmore.
About the Talladega Marksmanship Park Talladega Marksmanship Park is one of the USA’s top shooting centers. The 500-acre facility boasts advanced electronic targets with scoring monitors at the firing lines. Talladega hosts rifle, pistol, and shotgun events through out the year. Talladega’s Unknown Distance Range at also allows guests to practice their skills with over 100 steel targets, placed out to 625 yards. Talladega also has a 20-lane, life-size 3D target Archery Range.
The public is welcome all year long, to test out their firearms or to simply explore the grounds. Off the firing line, the Club House holds a fully stocked Pro Shop with rifles, ammunition, marksmanship accessories and CMP memorabilia. CLICK HERE to learn more about Talladega Marksmanship Park.
Applied Ballistics Founder Bryan Litz and Former USAMU and Team USA coach Emil Praslick III share their wisdom in an informative Guns Magazine Podcast. Along with being a true ballistics guru, Bryan Litz is an outstanding competitive shooter, having won F-TR National Championships, and both Sling and F-TR divisions at the Berger SW Nationals, along with many other matches. Emil is considered one of the world’s great wind-readers and team coaches, having coached 20+ championship teams.
Guns Magazine podcast host Brent Wheat asks Bryan and Emil about multiple topics including: exterior ballistics, bullet design, wind reading, ballistic solvers, BC myths, and more.
Brent reports: “Together, Bryan and Emil understand what happens from the time a bullet leaves the muzzle until it impacts the target, including the atmospheric affects along the way. Grab a pencil, listen in, and get ready to take notes.”
This Long Range Grad School podcast features Berger’s Chief Ballistician, Bryan Litz, and Berger’s Emil Praslick. Both have extensive long range competitive shooting experience, with championship titles (as shooter and/or coach) in a multitude of long range disciplines. CLICK arrow below to start podcast audio:
Emil Praslick (left) confers with Bryan Litz (right) at King of 2 Miles ELR Event.
In this Video Emil Praslick explains his methods for determining wind direction.
Bryan Litz coaching Team USA in Canada using a WIND PLOT.
SIG Sauer has a new .22 LR rimfire handgun — the P322-COMP pistol. Designed for speed, accuracy, and flat shooting (low muzzle flip), this new rimfire pistol from SIG SAUER 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.
SIG Sauer states: “The P322-COMP ships with a factory-installed ROMEO Zero ELITE Red Dot optic for fast target acquisition, is designed with a slide mounted racker and sport takedown lever as value-added fun features. It has a barrel-mounted compensator to reduce muzzle rise making the P322-COMP a fast, fun, and [flat-shooting pistol].
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.
TheHumbleMarksman Review of P322-COMP Pistol
This video starts with close-up, slow-motion footage of the pistol. Components and magazines are illustrated at 0:55-1:30 time segment, and there’s a good explanation of how the compensator works at the 6-minute mark.
The following article by Tom Alves describes a very practical approach to physical training for those of us who are not as young and spry as we once were. Tom shows us how to give our bodies at least some of the maintenance we give our rifles. While we all realize that our rifles will outlive us, let’s see if we can’t narrow the margin a bit with some personal maintenance that just might help the shooting too!
This article originally appeared in German Salazar’s Rifleman’s Journal, and appears with permission. Sadly, German passed away in 2022. This was a very sad loss of a great marksman and a great shooting sports writer. This Editor also counted German as a close friend, who helped this site in many ways.
A Suggested Training Approach for Older Shooters
By Tom Alves Most articles and discussions regarding competitive shooting center around equipment. Now and then one will come across an article about physical training such as the USAMU piece on Physical Conditioning for Highpower Shooting. If you break the articles down they often discuss “core strength” and durability. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on those points with a bit different perspective. Many of the articles you will read in books about position shooting and the one mentioned before are directed more toward the younger generation of shooters in their 20s. If you look down the line at a typical high power match these days you are likely to see quite a few folks who are in their middle 30’s and up. Many people in that age range have had broken bones and wear and tear on their joints so a training program needs to take that into account. For instance, while jogging for an extended period for heart and lung conditioning — often called cardio exercises — may be the recommended approach for younger folks, it may be totally inappropriate for older people. The procedure to repair meniscus tears in knees is one of the most frequently performed operations in this country. Another approach one often sees in training to improve core strength is the use of weight machines which isolate certain muscle groups in their operation. I would like to suggest an alternative approach that not only does not require special equipment but uses the body’s muscles in a coordinated fashion in the same way they are used in our natural movements. So, let’s set down some criteria:
1. The approach has to be low impact to conserve joints.
2. One goal is to improve the strength of the core muscles which are the muscles of our trunk that keep us erect and from where all movements initiate.
3. Along with core strength we need flexibility and full range of motion.
4. We want to improve our lung and heart function so we can have a good flow of oxygen going to our organs and muscles to reduce the rate at which we become fatigued during a competitive event.
Before I continue I believe it is appropriate for the reader to understand that I am a fellow shooter and this is a program I have designed for myself based on considerable reading and experience over a number of years. I am not a medical doctor, a formally trained exercise professional or any other type of specialist in the field. Consequently, this information is offered with the advice that you consult your medical advisor or similar authority before you embark on this or any similar regimen.
I will start with core strength and flexibility. Pilates exercises are resistance exercises that can incorporate the use of resistance bands, light weights and the weight of your body parts in order to strengthen the muscles in the abdomen, back, hips, chest and shoulders. The exercises can be performed alone but I recommend attending classes put on by a certified instructor who will ensure that you perform a balanced routine meaning you work on the front and back and both sides of your trunk. As to flexibility, yoga complements Pilates exercises and they are often taught together. In practical terms yoga strengthens through resistance using the weight of the body and increases flexibility by stretching the various muscle groups in a coordinated fashion. Some yoga exercises also work on balance which is helpful in position shooting and life in general. Again, I suggest attending formal yoga classes since an instructor can help you address such things as a joint misalignment. As an example, my right leg healed improperly after the femur was broken and my right foot splays out putting undue load on my left knee. There are a number of books available on Pilates and yoga and some of them get pretty involved; I leave that to the reader to explore. I will list some reference material at the end of the article that I have found useful.
Finally, heart and lung improvement. In order to exercise the heart and lungs while not abusing the joints, particularly the knees and hips, one has to resort to something other than jogging. Walking, bicycling, elliptical machines and swimming may be alternative methods you’d like to consider. Based on my reading, in order to get the most benefit it is important to exercise so that the pulse rate becomes elevated for periods of time rather than kept at a constant rate. The process I use, called PACE, is promoted by Al Sears, MD, http://www.alsearsmd.com/. It is interval training for the non-athlete. In simple terms one exercises, using whatever equipment one desires, to achieve a heart rate in which you are slightly above your ability to bring enough oxygen into your body to sustain the activity for an extended period. This is similar to wind sprints for a sprinter or a football player. After each episode you must rest until you have achieved recovery, meaning you can catch your breath easily. A series of three sets is recommended which covers a total time of about 20 minutes.
Report from the Author — Yes, Training Helps
As a result of this training program I have experienced increased strength in my legs and trunk, less joint stiffness, lower blood pressure, and lower resting pulse rate. The Pilates/yoga classes are usually attended 2 to 3 times a week and the interval training performed twice a week. [The author was 64 when this was first published. He is now 75, and still shooting Palma and Smallbore prone.]
Before I close I would like to touch briefly on two other related subjects: hydration and visual training. When one is exerting oneself, the body produces perspiration to keep the body’s temperature at an acceptable level. As one perspires the blood gets thicker and the ocular fluid in one’s eyes thickens as well. The heart has to work harder to supply oxygen and nutrients to the body so visual and cognitive functions degrade and fatigue sets in rapidly. Essential chemicals called electrolytes are also carried out of the body with the perspiration. As a result, it is necessary to replace moisture and electrolytes to maintain basic health and a competitive level of performance. If one goes on the Internet there is a multitude of articles on hydration. Due to the kindness of my lead Pilates/yoga instructor, Ms. Annette Garrison, I have a pretty comprehensive article on various aspects of hydration that I have included, http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/hyponatremia-other-side-hydration-story , for your information.
Last I want to mention visual performance training. The New Position Rifle Shooting, A How-To Guide for Shooters and Coaches by Bill Pullum and Frank Hanenkrat mentions sports vision training amongst other aspects of vision in competitive shooting. If one goes on the Internet you will find training programs directed at golfers, baseball and football players. There is one site that has a demo which, if one looks at it for long, it is obviously very similar to a shooting gallery video game. The training involves rapid recognition and hand-eye coordination. Another source of visual training exercises, along with a wealth of other information, is the book Prone And Long Range Rifle Shooting by Nancy Tompkins.
Hopefully, I have provided some information which will be helpful in improving shooting performance and extending the time you can participate at a competitive level. It is important that you proceed at your own pace. I have pushed myself too hard in the interval training and now have to back off a bit. In closing I would like to thank Annette Garrison and GS Arizona for their help, patience and encouragement.
Additional Reference Material
1. Framework by Nicholas A. DiNubile, MD This is required reading for anybody who has suffered an injury like a torn meniscus or has muscular skeletal issues. This is the book that led me to Pilates/yoga
2 P.A.C.E., The Twelve Minute Fitness Revolution by Al Sears, MD The approach I use to interval training. I am sure there are other sources.
SSG Amanda Elsenboss, now with the Pennsylvania National Guard, is the 2021 NRA National High Power Champion. And Amanda also won the NRA Long Range National Championship in 2019. These two major titles place Amanda among the greatest American shooters and one of only three women in U.S. history to win the High Power title. Amanda combines a superb “mental game” with outstanding gun-handling and wind-reading skills.
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.
We created the above target a decade ago. Since then it has been used by tens of thousands of shooters. It has proven very popular as a load development target, since all your load data fits neatly in the boxes under each target. In fact this target is being employed by both rifle-makers and barrel-makers (including Criterion) to test their products. The target was designed for aiming efficiency. The diamonds have 1/2″ sides and you can align your cross-hairs on the horizontal and vertical lines. It is a clean design that is easy to see even at 200 yards with a 20X scope. When we test, we usually crank in a little elevation, setting the point-of-impact higher, so that our shots fall in the gray circles. That way you leave the squares intact for precise aiming.
We also use these two targets for load development and precision practice. The circle dot target can also be used for informal rimfire competition at 50 yards.
Right-Click Each Target to Download Printable PDFs.
How to Print Your Targets
Most of us have access to a printer at home or at work. That means you can print your own targets. You’ll find hundreds of free target designs online, including dozens of downloadable targets on our AccurateShooter.com Target Page. If you’re feeling creative, you can design your own target with a computer drawing program such as MS Paint.
Paper Stock Is Important
If you want your self-printed targets to show shots cleanly (and not rip when it gets windy), you should use quality paper stock. We recommend card stock — the kind of thick paper used for business cards. Card stock is available in both 65-lb and 110-lb weights in a variety of colors. We generally print black on white. But you might experiment with bright orange or yellow sheets. Forum Member ShootDots report: “They sell cardstock at Fed-Ex Kinko! I use either Orange or Yellow. That makes it easy to see the bullet holes clearly.” On some printers, with the heavier 110-lb card stock, you will need to have the paper exit through the rear for a straighter run.
Here are some Target-Printing Tips from our Forum members:
“Staples sells a 67-lb heavy stock that I have settled on. I use the light grey or light blue, either of these are easy on the eyes on bright days. I have used the 110-lb card stock as well and it works fine. It’s just a little easier to print the lighter stuff.” (JBarnwell)
“Cardstock, as mentioned, works great for showing bullet holes as it doesn’t tear or rip like the thin, lightweight 20-lb paper. I’ve never had a problem with cardstock feeding in the printer, just don’t stick too many sheets in there. If I need three targets, I load only three card stock sheets”. (MEMilanuk)
“20-lb bond works pretty well for me if I use a spray adhesive and stick the entire back of the paper’s surface to the backer board.” (Lapua40X)
Fire-Form with Foulers
Here’s a tip for guys who shoot the 6 PPC, 6 Dasher, 6 BRA, .284 Shehane, or other wildcat cartridges that require fire-forming. Use your fouler shots to fire-form new cases. That way your fouler shots do “double-duty” and you get your brass fire-formed without putting extra rounds through your expensive barrel.
This procedure is recommended by Joel Kendrick, the 2004 IBS 600-yard Shooter of the Year. After he cleans his barrel, Joel knows it takes two or three shots to foul in the bore before accuracy returns. (YMMV — some barrels may need five or six foulers.) When shooting his PPC, Joel uses those fouler shots to fire-form his new brass. Joel explains: “I like to have relatively new brass always ready. By fire-forming a couple cases after each barrel-cleaning during a match, by the end of the weekend I’ve got a dozen or more freshly fire-formed cases to put into the rotation. If you do this with your fouler shots you get your fire-forming accomplished without using up any extra barrel life.”
This not only saves barrel wear, but it saves you trips to the range for the purpose of fire-forming. We thank Joel for this smart suggestion. For those who do not have a dedicated barrel for fire-forming, this should help keep your round-count down. Note: With this fouler fire-forming routine, you should ALWAYS do the fire-forming with the SAME POWDER you load for your match ammo. Joel currently works as the Supplier Quality Process Engineer for MMI-TruTec, a company that offers barrel surface coatings that can further extend your barrel life.
Kulzer Sets Eight IBS 1000-Yard IBS Benchrest Records with 6 BRA Rifle Report by Alex Wheeler
In 2021, Glenn Kulzer of Dillon, Montana had a season that will go down in 1000-Yard Benchrest history. Glenn set eight IBS records in 2021 at the Deep Creek range in Missoula, and then was named IBS 1K Shooter of the Year. What makes this so incredible is not just the number of records but the records themselves. Normally when a world record small group is shot that’s a singular event — never accompanied by Aggregate records set by the same shooter. Glenn’s IBS record small group wasn’t a one-time lucky string. Consider this — Glenn nailed that historic small group, but also recorded multiple IBS Aggregate records in 2021. And Glenn set these IBS Heavy Gun records actually using his 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) Light Gun! Mighty impressive.
[Editor: These were impressive records that have stood the test of time. A quick search of the IBS record site shows Glenn Kulzer still holds six of the ten listed IBS 1000-yard Heavy Gun records. Plus, Glenn broke the Light Gun 20-Target Agg group record, but that was later bettered by Tom Mousel.]
1000-yard Benchrest Aggregate records represent a series of targets shot over the course of multiple matches during a season. That really takes any luck out of the equation. You have to keep the rifle shooting at its peak all year long. It’s the ultimate test of accuracy. But the small groups do get the most notice and Glenn also broke the small group record with a remarkable 2.6853″ 10-shot group (photo below).
Eight IBS Records Set by Glenn Kulzer in 2021
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Group, 2.6853″
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Score 100/2.6853″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Group Aggregate, 4.349″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Score Aggregate, 99.167/4.679″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Group Aggregate, 4.529″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Score Aggregate, 98.583/5.058″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 20-Target Score Aggregate, 95.2/6.422″
Date: 2021
Class: Light Gun
Record: 20-Target Group Aggregate, 5.202″
NOTE: Two of these records have been broken. The HG 20-Target Score Aggregate record is now 95.55, set by Blake Wilson. And the LG 20-Target Group Agg record is now 4.3825″, set by Tom Mousel.
This IBS record 1000-yard group, and Glenn’s other IBS records, were shot with Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI BR4 primers, and Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass. However, Glenn does use Lapua brass for some other 6 BRA rifles.
Glenn’s record-setting rifle is a Light Gun with a common setup used in long range Benchrest. The rig features a Borden BRM drop-port action with a Bix’n Andy trigger. The action is glued and screwed into a industrial wood laminate Deep Creek Tracker stock, a predecessor of the McMillan LRB. The Krieger barrel is a 4-groove, 1:8″-twist Heavy Varmint contour chambered for the 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) cartridge. All of Glenn’s rifles are topped with Vortex Golden Eagle scopes. Glenn notes that his Vortex Golden Eagles have show excellent point-of-aim stability when tested with a scope checker. The front rest was a Sinclair competition with Edgewood front bag, Field & Cave outfitters front rest plate, and speed screw. For rear support Glenn uses an Edgewood LRB rear bag.
Loading Procedures for Record-Setting 1000-Yard Shooting
Glenn’s loading process is pretty simple. He full-length sizes every time, bumping the shoulders back about .003″. Powder is weighed to the kernel, and bullets are seated with a Wilson seater. NOTE: Glenn does does not anneal his brass. He sorts primers by weight but does not otherwise measure them by dimensions. He seats the primers by feel using a relatively inexpensive primer seating tool — nothing fancy.
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Glenn shot Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass all year with the .080″ flash hole. This year he shot Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet set quite deep into the rifling. NOTE: This deep jam has proven to be very stable IF you barrel likes it. Glenn used CCI BR4 primers and Hodgdon H4895 with .005″ of neck tension. His load delivered 3030 fps out of a 28″ barrel. NOTE: This is a “HIGH NODE” that may not be possible in an average barrel with different brass. Many 6 BRA shooters are reaching a 3000+ fps node, but you should always start low and work up. Some 6 BRA barrels will max out at 2950 FPS with 103-108gr bullets.
Glenn Interview Part I — All About the Rifle that Set Eight 1000-yard Records
Glenn Interview Part II — Load Development Process and Loading Methods
Glenn Interview Part III — Barrel Cleaning Discussion
Glenn Kulzer also shot his impressive 6 BRA at the 2021 IBS Nationals at Deep Creek (shown above). This Deep Creek range photo is by Forum member Dave Way.
Setting Records in June 2021 Report by Alex Wheeler
It was a typical match for June, nothing unique about it. Saturday was actually looking to be a really great day. Overall it was good but not great. Sunday had a clear blue sky with bright sun. I looked through a couple of scopes before the match and it was milky. I probably would have shot that relay at 30-35 power. But somehow Glenn Kulzer was able to pull off the best heavy gun group ever shot in 1000-yard IBS competition. With that group Glenn also broke the 6-match Group Aggregate record. The group was no fluke, this rifle also shot great in previous matches with small groups at 1000. To my knowledge this may be the only time a small group record AND an Aggregate record were broken in the same season by the same gun. The ultimate achievement.
On June 13, 2021, Glenn shot a 2.6583″ 10-shot group, all shots in the 10 Ring for a 100 score. This now stands as the current IBS Heavy Gun 1000-Yard 10-shot group record AND score record. It is also part of new Aggregate Records listed above.
About Glenn Kulzer — Rising Star in the Long-Range Benchrest Game by Alex Wheeler
Kulzer is a pharmacist in Dillon, Montana. The attention to detail required for his job crosses over to Long-Range Benchrest. He started off a very competitive shooter right from the start. I have said it many times, but benchrest is not an elitist sport. Hard work and dedication will always rise to the top. Glenn took the sport seriously from the beginning. Accordingly, he displayed a rapid learning curve and quickly surpassed some of his mentors in match results. Glenn tunes mostly at 1000 yards using the Deep Creek variation of ladder testing. He will also load and tune at the range to try and nail the best tune for the conditions. Again, it all about the work done by competitors. But Glenn’s success shows that a bright, hard-working shooter can rise to the top of the game in just a few seasons.
Last month, Orangeburg, South Carolina became the epicenter of rifle competition on November 4-5, 2023 as the Mid-Carolina Gun Club hosted the widely-acclaimed Tack Driver IV. The Tack Driver has rapidly grown in popularity and stature, becoming a yearly must-attend event. The match’s rise in popularity can be attributed to several factors, including its organizer, the spirited Jim Cline, renowned for his quick wit, larger-than-life persona, and affinity for pranks. The Tack Driver’s popularity and status is further boosted by its unique format: shooting a mix of group and score targets at 300 meters. It has a generous 22-pound rifle weight limit and extends an invitation to all precision shooting disciplines. Competitors get the opportunity to compete with some of the world’s best shooters, have a great time, enjoy fantastic food, and see if they have what it takes to earn the title of “Tack Driver”.
What is the Tack Driver Match
For the uninitiated, the Tack Driver is a 300-meter “take-all-comers” match designed to answer the age-old question of which combination of caliber and shooting discipline is the most accurate. The rules are simple: all rifles will be fired from a bench, 22-pound weight limit, caliber must be .338 or smaller, and no one-piece rest is allowed. Each competitor will alternate shooting 5 group targets and 5 score targets over the course of two days. There are a few more rules, but those are the basics.
The Tack Driver’s course of fire alternates between score targets and group targets. So competitors must demonstrate both precision and accuracy. The group targets test precision, measuring only the group size for 5 record shots. Meanwhile, the score targets demand accuracy with a goal of hitting 5 separate 1″-diameter bullseyes, each with a single shot (ideally obliterating the dot in the center). Each target has a designated area for unlimited sighters during the 7-minute match. At the end of the match, the shooter with the best combination of the highest score and smallest group aggregate wins.
Beginning of Tack Driver IV — Cool Temps and Light Winds
Bright blue skies, light winds, and cool temperatures greeted the 99 competitors in attendance to compete for the title of Tack Driver Champion. The match, since its inception, has attracted a deep list of “Who’s Who” in the world of precision shooting. In attendance are World Record Holders, National Champions, Hall of Famers, Shooters of the Year, and World Team members. Literally the “best of the best” from UBR, Score, Group, 600-yard, 1000-yard, and Ground Hog competitions, were competing in this unique contest of “precision and accuracy.”
Tack Driver IV Video — Many Images from Match
Wayne Campbell’s Tack Driver-Winning 6 PPC Rifle
Wayne Campbell won The Tackdriver IV with a modern 6 PPC rifle. The components included: BAT 3-Lug action, Bartlein 5-groove barrel, Scarborough stock, Nightforce 42x44mm fixed-power scope, Bix ‘N Andy trigger. Notably, Wayne did most of the gunsmithing himself.
Results of The Tack Driver IV — Combined Grand Aggregate
The Tack Driver IV Grand Aggregate Winner is Wayne Campbell! Congratulations to Wayne who was also the Tack Driver Group Shooting Champion with a .7028 Aggregate! This is Wayne’s second year in a row to win this honor.
The “agony of defeat” award goes to Jeff Thompson. Jeff lead in group after targets 3 and 4 and appeared untouchable. However on target 5, Jeff shot an uncharacteristic 1.031″ group, which allowed both Greg Ellis and Wayne Campbell to surge past.
Top 5 Group Results
1. Wayne Campbell .7028
2. Greg Ellis .759
3. Jeff Thompson .7758
4. Jeff Summers .794
5. Dewey Hancock .804
Fun Group Fact: Jeff Summers and Wayne Campbell were the only competitors to keep all 5 groups below an inch.
Top 5 Score Results
1. Derick Loflin 245-2X
2. Stevie Salter 244-3X
3. Rober Seeman 244-3X
4. Dave “SuperMan” Way 244-1X
5. Gavin Peinhardt 243-2X
A big congratulations goes to Derick Loflin, the new Tack Driver Score Champion with a 245-2X. Once Derick moved into 1st place (after target 4 was posted) he never relinquished the lead.
Chambering Selections of Competitors — 6 PPC Most Popular
Of the 98 recorded chambering types for participants, the 6 PPC was the most popular with 39 entries. Next was the 30 BR with 27 entries. There were a dozen 6 BRAs (aka 6mmBR Ackley), plus 11 6mmBRs. There were three 22 PPCs and two each 30 Dasher and 6.5×47, with one Grinch and one 30 WW.
Saturday Morning Tack Driver Interviews with Top Shooters
Click NAME to view YouTube Interview Video:
Jeff Peinhardt, Tack Driver I Champion Hall of Fame Member
Samuel Hall, 600-Yard Shooter 3-Time National Champion
Here is the 0.337″ group shot by George Cabrera. George was shooting a 6mmBR rifle with Panda action (right bolt, left port, no ejector), Kelbly stock, Krieger 1:10″-twist barrel, Jewell trigger, Nightforce 12-42x56mm BR scope. George loaded his 6mmBR rifle with H4895 powder and Berger 90gr HPBT bullets. At 300 meters this 0.337″ group works out to 0.098 MOA (one MOA is 3.435″ at 300 meters).
Saturday Night Cookout with Smoked Prime Rib
With the range closed and targets hung, shooters and family members began gathering at the pavilion (on top of the hill) for the 6:30 feed. With a main course of Smoked Prime Rib, it was a packed house. Previous nights the shooters were treated to a low country boil and grilled chicken. The food throughout the event, lunch and supper is simply amazing. It’s a 5-Star dining experience served with paper plates and napkins. Here is a video of folks enjoying the festivities.
Prime Rib Night Video
Prelude — Tack Driver Lite (November 2, 2023)
This year started with a new event, “The Tack Driver Lite,” held on Thursday morning. two days prior to the regular Tack Driver. The match has two goals: first, to give early-arriving competitors something to do, and second to get the match director, Jim Cline, out from behind his computer and see how he stacks up against the competition. The Tack Driver Lite format is similar to the regular Tack Driver but with a couple of twists. The match consists of 4 targets (2 Score & 2 Group) instead of the usual 10 (5 Score & 5 Group). Each competitor was allowed to put out one flag. Prior to drawing a bench the shooter had to state at what range he would put his flag. Competitors have 7 minutes to shoot one Score and one Group target. The next twist is the targets were hung sideways, one on top of the other, instead of the normal straight up and down. It really shouldn’t make a difference, but visually and mentally it did. With the temperature in the low 30s and light and variable winds, twenty shooters took to the line.
Results of Tack Driver Lite
When the dust had settled Roy “The Renaissance Man” Hunter (photo below) found himself the winner of the score portion of the match, shooting clean with a perfect score of 100. Top dog was Billy Stevens who won both the Overall Grand Aggregate (combined score and group) and the Group Aggregate with a 0.689.
Target by Target Progress of the Main Tack Driver IV Match
Most articles and discussions regarding competitive shooting center around equipment. Now and then one will come across an article about physical training such as the USAMU piece on 
Last I want to mention visual performance training. The 
In the archives of 
How to Print Your Targets
Fire-Form with Foulers
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Click NAME to view YouTube Interview Video:
