This past weekend, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) Service Rifle Team won the 2021 Interservice Rifle Team Championship Match held in Quantico, Virginia. The USAMU squad finished with an impressive score of 4918-185X! This competition features 10-person teams. All the shooters have to perform well to secure the team victory.
This is a tough match, shot with multiple positions at 200, 300, and 600 yards. In this course of fire, all members of a 10-person team complete the following stages:
Stage 1 at 200 yards — 10 standing, slow fire shots with a total time of 66 minutes.
Stage 2 at 200 yards — 10 sitting from standing, rapid fire shots within 60 seconds per shooter.
Stage 3 at 300 yards — 10 prone from standing, rapid fire shots within 70 seconds per shooter.
Stage 4 at 600 yards — 20 prone, slow fire shots with a total time of 126 minutes.
Team members were: Sgt. 1st Class Walter Craig (coach), Lt. Col. Erik Andreasen (captain), Staff Sgt. Erin McNeil (497-21X), Sgt. Brandon Muske (495-22X), Sgt. Jarrod McGaffic (495-18X), Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Green (494-20X), Sgt. Jared Desrosiers (494-15x), Staff Sgt. David Bahten (492-19X), Spc. Kade Jackovich (492-17X), Spc. Luke Rettmer (489-16X) Staff Sgt. Verne Conant (487-13X) and Sgt. Lane Ichord (483-24x).
By earning the top score in this match, SSG Erin McNeil (shown above) also earned the Lt. Col. Reynolds Trophy. SGT Muske placed second in this category. The 2021 Interservice Match at Quantico concludes today with the well-known Infantry Trophy Team Match. See more Interservice match photos at: USAMU Flickr Archive (742 images).
The U.S. Armed Services’ new champion is a young lady. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Erin McNeil claimed the 2021 Interservice Individual Rifle Champion title with an impressive score of 996-52X, beating out 86 other service members. That score also earned Erin the title of High Woman. The 2021 Interservice Rifle Championships (IRC) continued with other events, including the 1000-yard match. Shown below is SSG McNeil competing in the IRC 1K Match.
Staff Sgt. Erin McNeil hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has a B.S. in Mathematics from Texas Christian University (TCU), and holds the military occupational specialty of battle management system operator. With the USAMU, SSG McNeil has served on the International Shooting Team and the Service Rifle Team. As a USAMU team member, SSG McNeil has earned the President’s 100 Tab, Rifleman’s EIC Badge, and Bronze Medal at the 2014 World Championship in 3-Position/50m Smallbore Rifle.
McNeil started shooting through a 4-H program while in the 8th grade and then shot in college with the TCU Rifle Team. Now, she serves as a shooter/instructor on the USAMU International Rifle Team. In the video below, SSG McNeil talks about her career in competitive shooting, and what she enjoys most about rifle competition — both smallbore and High Power. She notes she gets enjoys instructing young high school and collegiate shooters.
Erin enjoys shooting competition because “It’s really between you and the gun. It’s a very mental game. I think shooting is a great sport… as long as you are able to compete within yourself.”
Like Father, Like Daughter — Both Great Shooters
Erin noted: “My father was very influential in my shooting career. As a child, I looked up to him. I knew that he had been a world-class shooter in his youth. He asked me a few times if I would be interested in starting the 4H Rifle program He was excited when I started showing interest in the program. Although he never coached me for fear of crossing the father/daughter relationship with the athlete/coach relationship, but he was always my biggest supporter and even gave assistance when I asked for it. I had a natural talent for shooting and ended up joining my high school’s Army JROTC. I was given a NCAA scholarship; to TCU during my senior year. After completing college, I was accepted into the USAMU. My dad [was] the quiet, proud encourager of my shooting career[.]”
Words of Praise for SSG Erin McNeil from Facebook
“The nice thing about shooting sports is men and women can compete against each other and be on equal footing. Congratulations on the win!” — Doug Fraser
“Congrats Sergeant McNeil from an old shooter from the 1964 ARADCOM Interservice Rattle Battle matches at Fort Carson Colorado, Ft. Campbell, Ft Sheridan, et cetera. You make me proud of all you folks who carry on the tradition.” — Walter Colbert
“I’ve watched Erin shoot while I was calling the matches from the Tower at the Camp Perry smallbore championships. [She was] never bothered and never ruffled. Just keeps shooting those Xs.” — Ken Kelley
With gun sales in the USA approaching 40 million guns sold in 2020, the demand for ammo has dramatically gone up, depleting stockpiles and straining ammo manufacturers to keep up with that demand. This has led to extreme price gouging by some online vendors as well as sellers on Gunbroker.
There is a NEW ammunition seller that claims to be committed to providing rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition at reasonable prices. This new venture, AmmoSale.com offers a modern website and regular specials. AccurateShooter.com has no direct experience with this enterprise, but it is good to see another option for folks looking for hard-to-find factory ammo.
AmmoSale.com was launched in 2021 out of necessity, offering in-stock ammo at competitive prices while simultaneously keeping the price-gouging ammo sites in check. Located just outside of Columbia, Missouri, AmmoSale.com is smack dab in the middle of the America, enabling high-speed shipping times to all gun buyers across the US.
“AmmoSale.com was launched to focus on the needs of the consumer, getting them the ammo they need to shoot, compete and defend, at a reasonable price,” said Loren Hrabovsky, General Manager of Ammosale.com. “Launching our website and offering great pricing on popular calibers will hopefully start a trend to lower overall pricing in the seller industry. We currently offer some of the cheapest 9mm ammo in America[.]”
AmmoSale.com demands no paid membership or subscription. Buyers can sign up for the newsletter and receive notifications when specific ammo is in stock. AmmoSale.com states it “will always be honest and upfront with what is ‘in stock’ and ready to ship.” [Editor: Hopefully that proves to be the case.]
If you purchased Winchester or Browning 9mm Luger (9x19mm Parabellum) ammunition this year, you should check your lot numbers. Olin Winchester is recalling numerous lots of 9mm Luger 115 grain Full Metal Jacket and 115 grain Jacketed Hollow Point pistol ammunition. The problem is the ammo may yield “squib” loads that could leave a bullet in the barrel. With a subsequent shot, this could be very dangerous. The affected 9mm ammo products have symbols: Q4172, RED9, USA9JHP, USA9MMVP, USA9W, WW9B.
NOTE: The ammunition Lot Number is stamped on the cartons as shown below:
NOTE: Winchester states “If ammunition of the above Symbols was purchased BEFORE March 25, 2021, it is NOT subject to the recall.” This recall notice applies only to the above 9mm Luger 115 FMJ and JHP Symbols with the above Lot Numbers.
Safety Issue Leading to Recall: Winchester has determined the above lots of 9mm Luger 115 FMJ/JHP ammunition may contain propellant that does not properly ignite and burn when the cartridge is fired. Ammunition containing propellant that does not properly ignite and burn may result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e. a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into the bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury.
How to Check Your Ammo: To determine if your ammunition is subject to this recall, review the Symbol and Lot Number. If it is any of the above Symbols and Lot Numbers, immediately discontinue use and contact Winchester toll-free at 844-653-8358 for free UPS pick-up of the recalled ammunition. Upon receipt of your recalled ammunition, Winchester will ship replacement ammunition directly to you or issue you a reimbursement check.
If you have any questions concerning this 9mm Luger 115 FMJ / JHP pistol ammunition recall please call toll-free 844-653-8358, write to Winchester (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: 9mm Luger Recall), or visit our website at Winchester.com.
BROWNING 9mm Luger Ammo Recall NOTICE
Along with the Winchester ammo recalled, Browning Ammunition is recalling the following lots of Browning 9mm Luger 115 grain Full Metal Jacket pistol ammunition: Symbol B191800092 with Lot Numbers SC13LD20, or SD10LD20.
The reason for the Browning Recall is the same as for the Winchester 9mm Luger ammunition — possible “squib” loads that could leave a bullet in the barrel of the gun.
DO NOT USE BROWNING 9mm Luger 115 FMJ SYMBOL B191800092 THAT HAS LOT NUMBER SC13LD20 or SD10LD20. The ammunition Lot Number is stamped on the 50-round carton as indicated here:
Browning Ammunition has determined the above lots of 9mm Luger 115 FMJ ammunition may contain propellant that does not properly ignite and burn when the cartridge is fired. Ammunition containing propellant that does not properly ignite and burn may result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e., a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into the bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury.
This notice applies only to Symbol B191800092 with Lot Number SC13LD20 or SD10LD20. Other Symbols or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall. Note: If ammunition was purchased before March 25, 2021, it is NOT subject to the recall.
If you have any questions concerning this 9mm Luger 115 FMJ pistol ammunition recall please call toll-free 844-653-8358, write to Browning Ammunition (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: 9mm Luger Recall), or visit our website at Browningammo.com.
The 2021 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships will be held July 6 through August 28, 2021 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Registration for the 2021 NRA National Championships for Smallbore Rifle, High Power Rifle, F-Class, and Precision Pistol is now open. Competitors can REGISTER ONLINE for the 2021 NRA National Championships via the NRA Competitive Shooting Web Portal.
The following 2021 NRA Rifle and Pistol Championships will be held at Camp Atterbury this summer, starting with Smallbore Rifle. Camp Atterbury has hosted the High Power Rifle Nationals since 2017. Here is the schedule for the Major events. NOTE: There is NO ELR event this year:
Smallbore Rifle Championship: 6-18 July, 2021
Precision Pistol Championship: 20-25 July, 2021
F-Class Mid-Range Championship: 22-26 July, 2021
F-Class Long Range Championship: 27-30 July, 2021
Fullbore Championship: 1-7 August, 2021
High Power Mid-Range Championship: 9-13 August, 2021
High Power Long Range Championship: 14-19 August, 2021
Over-the-Course (OTC) Competition: 22-28 August, 2021
View Latest Match Calendar (6/18/21) — CLICK TO ZOOM!
Note, this year the Smallbore Nationals will include Rimfire F-Class, starting on July 11th. Among notable specific rifle matches include: Fullbore America Match (August 7); Palma Team Match (August 15); Wimbleton Cup Match (August 18). For 2021, the NRA will NOT host an Extreme Long-Range Championship. Specific start dates are listed at end of article.
In addition to the main NRA matches, there are Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association (ISRPA) events including: Junior Intermediate Smallbore Clinic, Ladies’ Day on the Range, Family Day on the Range, Basic Safety Class, Introduction to Shooting Sports Class, Laser Range.
Lodging Options at Camp Atterbury — Summer 2021
Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA) recently released information on the NRA Championships at Camp Atterbru. The SSUSA article states: “As for lodging, there are several options. The most convenient are on-base, with Camp Atterbury offering hotel-style buildings with suites, along with standard rooms, and ‘open military squad bay’-style quarters available by reservation. Camp Atterbury also offers a limited number of RV spots, plus the MWR campground and cabins. NOTE: Lodging is controlled by the Camp Atterbury Lodging Office, not the NRA.
Click Photo for Large Map of Camp Atterbury, Indiana
Key NRA Championship Start Dates by Discipline
6 July — Smallbore Nationals 3-Position
11 July — Smallbore Nationals Prone and Rimfire F-Class
17 July — Metric Smallbore Prone and Rimfire F-Class
20 July — Precision Pistol (including Revolver)
22 July — F-Class Mid-Range Individual
26 July — F-Class Mid-Range Team Match
27 July — F-Class Long-Range Individual
29 July — F-Class Long-Range Team Match
1 August — Fullbore Match
7 August — Fullbore America Match
9 August — Midrange Cycle
14 August — Long Range Cycle
15 August — Palma Team Match
16 August — Palma Individual Match
18 August — Wimbleton Cup Match
22 August — OTC (Over the Course) Week
The NRA Convention will be in the Lone Star State this year — in September. Originally slated for May 2021, the National Rifle Association’s 2021 Annual Meetings & Exhibits are now scheduled for September 3-5, 2021 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The 2021 NRA Annual Meetings will celebrate NRA’s 150th anniversary as the oldest civil-rights organization in the country. The Exhibits Hall will be full of product and outfitter displays. More than 850 exhibitors will provide show-goers with a look at the latest firearms, ammunition, and accessories.
The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits is free for all NRA members, while some special events do require tickets. The organization plans to have a powerhouse lineup of political speakers, as well as an event exclusively for women exploring their right to keep and bear arms. Country music artists, seminars, workshops and more are available for the celebration of a lifetime.
Get the latest information on the 150th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits at NRAAM.org.
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is running a big Father’s Day Sale right now. Scores of popular products are deeply discounted — typically 20-30%. For some products the prices have been cut in half! Save on AR Uppers/Lowers, Handguns, Shotguns, Rimfire rifles, Triggers, Optics, Chassis Systems, Magazines, and more. Don’t delay as inventory is limited for many of these items, and the sale prices may expire after Father’s Day (Sunday, June 20, 2021).
Here are EIGHT GREAT Father’s Day Deals at PSA today. CLICK HERE view ALL items on sale (over 250 total as this is released):
Click on Photos to Access Sale Items at Palmetto State Armory
Long Range Competition at Camp Perry
For rifle shooters, the ability to shoot out to 1000 yards on the historic ranges of Camp Perry is a definite “bucket list” item. The CMP invites competitors to test their skills in the CMP’s Long Range events at the National Matches. The series features five full days of competition — all from 1000 yards. To learn more, visit the CMP’s Long Range Info Page.
Camp Perry has been a sought-after destination for marksmen since 1907, when the National Rifle and Pistol Matches moved to the Ohio facility. Since then, it has become a coveted journey for hundreds of thousands of guests through the generations. Learn more about the 2021 Camp Perry National Matches through the CMP website: https://thecmp.org/nationals.
Smallbore Training Provided by USAMU Experts
This summer, the CMP will offer a Smallbore Rifle Small Arms Firing School during the 2021 National Matches. The course, taught by members of the Army Marksmanship Unit, will cover .22 LR rimfire competition and fundamentals. This should be a great opportunity for young smallbore competitors.
Camp Perry’s famous Commercial Row has long been a big attraction at the National Matches. Take a stroll down Commercial Row and check out a wide variety of products and gear for a variety of disciplines, all in one location. CLICK HERE for a list of all 2021 Commercial Row Vendors.
25 Days and Counting…
The 2021 CMP National Matches will get underway very soon. You can get more info, view the Official Match Programs, and Register Online at the CMP National Matches homepage. If you have questions or need assistance with registration, call the CMP at (419) 635-2141.
114 Years of National Match History at Camp Perry
The National Matches have been hosted at Camp Perry since 1907. The National Matches, which have now spanned 114 years and five generations of Americans, have a rich history. Here are two covers of the American Rifleman magazine, from 1931 on the left and 1971 on the right.
History of Camp Perry
Federal legislation originally launched the National Matches. The 1903 legislation also established the National Matches, commissioned the National Trophy and provided funding to support the Matches. The National Matches have been held at Camp Perry since 1907. The range is located along the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio near Port Clinton. The site was first acquired in 1906, in response to the need for a larger facility for military training and the NRA’s shooting programs. In 1906 Gen. Ammon B. Crichfield, Adjutant General of Ohio, ordered construction of a new shooting facility on the shores of Lake Erie, 45 miles east of Toledo, Ohio. The original land for Camp Perry was purchased in 1906, and the reservation was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the American naval commander who won the Battle of Put-in-Bay during the War of 1812.
On August 19, 1907, Cpl. L. B. Jarrett fired the first shot at the new Camp Perry Training Site. And that year, 1907, Camp Perry held its first National Pistol and Rifle Championship events. This location has hosted the annual National Matches ever since (though they were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID). Typically over 4,000 competitors attend the National Matches each year, making it the most popular shooting competition in the western hemisphere.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has added Mid-Range 3×600 events to its list of local club matches that can be CMP-sanctioned. For the new sanctioned Mid-Range 3×600 matches, clubs may choose to have service rifle and/or match rifle categories. The match and service rifle classifications will be the same used in across-the-course competitions. The rifles used can include Service Rifles, High Power Match Rifles, AR Tactical Rifles, and F-Class Rifles (both F-TR and F-Open).
The CMP notes: “With the 3×600 match, various rifles can compete side by side. Service rifles, match rifles and AR tactical rifles shoot at the regular MR1 600-yard targets. F-Class rifles shoot at the MR-1FC, which is an F-Class target. Scoring rings are similar, making it more difficult, with individuals shooting off of rests and/or bipods.”
Match sanctioning allows CMP Affiliated Clubs to host a number of competitions and clinics, including air rifle, High Power rifle, pistol, rimfire, smallbore rifle and long range disciplines, on their own ranges. CMP’s Long Range program is one of the latest installments to the safety-and-education-based organization and is rapidly growing in popularity.
To sanction a CMP Mid-Range 3×600 event, Affiliated Clubs should visit the CMP Competition Tracker Page. Then click the “Clubs > Sanction Your Club’s Match” option to start a request.
Rifle Specifications for the Mid-Range 3×600 Program:
F-TR (Target Rifle) Classification:
— Rifles chambered for unmodified .223 Rem or .308 Winchester (or NATO equivalents) are permitted.*
— Maximum rifle weight is 18.25 pounds (w/the bipod attached).
— The only front support allowed is a bipod. A sandbag may be used under the rear of the stock.
— Rifles with a 24-inch barrel or longer will suffice. Heavy-barreled factory guns are allowed.
F-Open Classification:
— Open rifles can be chambered for any cartridge up to .35 caliber.
— Rifles must weigh no more than 22 pounds, have a maximum fore-end width of three inches and can be shot using a front tripod rest and separate rear sandbag.
— Rifles may be fired from an adjustable front rest (such as benchrest shooters use), plus a rear sandbag.
— Rifles must be fired from the shoulder, and rail guns are not allowed.
AR Tactical Rifle:
— .223 Rem or .308 Win AR-platform only
— 20-inch max barrel length
— 15-power scope
— Bi-pod or ruck-sack rear rest may be a bag without ears (tactical front rests, such as Harris-type bipods and limited rear rests one might find used in military or police tactical situations).
— There are additional requirements for the AR Stock and grip. **
Other CMP-Sanctioned Match Offerings
The CMP also offers match sanctioning for Long Range 1000-Yard Match, Long Range Palma Match, F-Class Long Range Match, F-Class Palma Match and F-Class 3×600 Match. Learn more about CMP sanctioned matches and clinics at https://thecmp.org/clubs/clinics/.
* The CMP Press release also includes this reference for F-TR: “Rifles may be chambered for any cartridge, not exceeding .308 inches in diameter and not less than .224 inches in diameter.” We don’t know what to make of that statement. Normally F-TR is limited to .223 Rem (5.56x45mm) or .308 Win (7.62x51mm) only. And this would contradict the first part of the CMP class specification.
** The “Tactical” (Military or Police) butt-stock and cheek-piece must be symmetrical (ambidextrous) and in line with the centerline of the bore. The butt-plate must be vertical (perpendicular to the centerline of the bore). The length-of-pull of the stock may be adjustable. Butt-stocks that allow other adjustments, such as the cheek-piece height or butt-plate location, will be allowed. The stock may or may not have a pistol grip. If the stock has a pistol grip, it may not be designed to support the bottom of the trigger hand (hand rest) or extend more than six inches below the centerline of the bore.
The first Annual V² Finale, held this weekend in Tennessee, has concluded. This new-format match pitted F-Class competitors against each other in a bracket-style double elimination match. This was a very elite field, selected via a Points series. All targets were placed at 1000 yards, with a Euro-Style 5V target. In something unusual for an American F-Class match, ALL shooting was done via PAIR FIRING, with shooters going head-to-head with alternating shots, 15 per shooter in the brackets and then 10 per shooter in the final two-man showdowns for F-TR and F-Open divisions.
The competition was fierce but we have final results of this tough F-Class tournament. Congratulations to the V² Finale 2021 winners who earned fame, glory, and large cash pay-outs: Tracy Hogg (F-TR) and William (Bill) Kolodziej (F-Open). Additional top finishers are listed below, with links for FULL RESULTS below the table.
The event, hosted at the modern Dead Zero Shooting Park in Tennessee, was sponsored by Vihtavuori and Vortex Optics. Along with helping to defray the range costs, these sponsors provided prizes to top shooters. In 2021 shooters qualified for the event through a nationwide points series, with 32 slots for F-Open and 32 slots for F-TR. The match organizers encourage F-Class competitors to shoot points series matches in the future, to qualify for next year’s event: “Earn some points so you can be part of V² Finale II in 2022.”
Big Pay-Outs for Participants
The V² Finale was first and foremost a money match. This event offered the highest payout ever for F-Class competition. Cash awards are distributed to the top 8 shooters for each equipment category, as a percentage of the overall match fee pool. The actual amounts will depend on match fees and attendance. We don’t have final numbers yet but payouts for positions 1-8 in each class were estimated to be:
