The 2018 Western CMP Cup and CMP Games Event will be held October 16-22 at the Ben Avery Range in Phoenix, Arizona. For 2018 the CMP takes over what were the Creedmoor Cup Matches, and all matches will now follow CMP High Power Rifle Competition Rules. Notably, this year the Cup and Games matches on the High Power range will be fired on the CMP’s electronic targets. That means less time in the pits, and faster cyeling of relay. Also new this year, the CMP will be adding more smallbore events at Ben Avery. Click HERE for full schedule of events.
The CMP Cup Matches include two CMP 1000 Aggregate Matches followed by a 4-Man Team Match and an EIC Service Rifle Match. Following the CMP Cup Matches will be the CMP Games Matches, which will include Small Arms Firing School (SAFS), Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Modern Military Matches, Carbine Match, Rimfire Sporter match and Vintage Sniper Team Match.
All Competitors firing on the High Power range will be firing on Kongsberg Electronic Targets (KTS). The KTS system registers each shot and relays the location and score value to a monitor beside each shooter on the firing line. CLICK HERE for Electronic Target Scoring Rules.
M1 Carbine Match is always very popular.
There will be shade for the Rimfire Sporter Match, at least during the prone stage.
Eye, Ear, and Cranial (Sun) Protection
Vintage Sniper Rifle Match competitors try to keep cool
A Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018.
In 2014, two competitors sported vintage U.S. Marine Corps uniforms. Semper Fi!
Shooting USA will broadcast a great episode today, September 19, 2018. There are three segments worth watching. First the TV show spotlights the popular GAP Grind, a Pro-Am PRS event at the K&M Precision complex in Tennessee. Then this episode covers the CMP Western Games at Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Finally John Scoutten reviews two new 6.5 Creedmoor Savage rifles.
AIR TIMES — NOTE possible changes this week during the Outdoor Channel’s Deer Week promotion. Check Outdoor Channel TV listings in your cable menu. Shooting USA Episode normally airs Wednesdays at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, and 8:00 PM Central.
Part One: GAP Grind Pro-Am PRS Match
Lots of Action, with 20+ Stages
The GAP Grind, the biggest PRS match in the country, is a notoriously challenging, “high tempo” match with minimal down-time between stages. Over the course of 20+ stages, competitors will fire 200+ shots at a variety of steel, paper, moving, and reactive targets out to 1,200 yards. Targets vary in size/difficulty based on the shooter’s position, distance, and time allotted. Most stages include “stressors” — i.e. time limits or required movement(s).
Part Two: CMP Western Games
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) was established by act of Congress in 1903, with the purpose of teaching shooting skills to American citizens. The Western Games at the Ben Avery Facility North of Phoenix draws enthusiasts from many Western states for competition with Service Rifles, vintage military rifles, M1 Carbines, and Rimfire Sporter rifles. Along with numerous matches (including the Vintage Sniper Team match), the Western Games features Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) shooting clinics.
“Our mission is to teach marksmanship and give the citizens of the United States the opportunity to learn marksmanship, with an emphasis on youth”, states Mark Johnson, CMP Chief Operating Officer.
Part Three: Savage 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles Review
In this review segment of today’s Shooting USA episode, John Scoutten reviews two new 6.5 Creedmoor rifles from Savage Arms. The Model 10 BA Stealth is a short action bolt gun priced at $1,207 MSRP. The MSR 10 Long Range is am AR-platform semi-auto priced at $2,284 MSRP. Both rifles showed good accuracy with factory ammunition. For this test both Savage rifles were topped with Bushnell Elite LRTS optics.
National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day) takes place on Saturday, September 22, 2018. The annual celebration serves as a reminder that conservation succeeds because of leadership and funding from hunters, shooters and anglers. National, regional, state and local organizations will run thousands of “open house” hunting- and fishing-related events around the country. Events will include Fishing Derbys, Hunting Expos, Wing-shooting tournaments, and much more. Over four million Americans will participate.
Find Events in Your State
For info on NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org. To find NHF Day events in your state, click links below:
Hunters Aid Conservation Efforts
The contributions of hunters, in the form of excise taxes paid on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment, benefit every state. These taxes have generated approximately $5.6 billion for wildlife conservation since 1939.
Anschutz .22 LR rifle set up for F-Class competition. Photo courtesy Sportschieben Blog.
Here’s a new discipline we think should become very popular — Smallbore F-Class with .22 LR rimfire rifles. Rest-supported prone rimfire matches have been held around the world for quite some time, but only a few years ago was the discipline officially codified in the NRA Smallbore Rulebook. And the first-ever Smallbore F-Class National Championship was held this past July in conjunction with the Smallbore Nationals at Camp Wa-Ke’-De in Bristol, Indiana. The Nationals involved multiple days of prone shooting at 50 meters and 100 yards.*
Jim Murphy, a respected centerfire shooter and coach, became America’s very first Smallbore F-Class National Champion, shooting an impressive 2374-146X score. Fourteen points behind, but with the same X-Count, was runner-up David Pessall (2360-146X). Jess Huehn finished third with 2358-137X.
Competitors could either shoot off a bipod F-TR style, or use a front rest. In this photo from the inaugural NRA National Championship you can see a shooter with SEB Coaxial Rest at top, with a competitor using a low-profile bipod at bottom. Note the extended handle used to adjust bipod elevation. This is not a coaxial joystick, but rather a long handle attached to the mariner wheel.
Smallbore F-Class — The Future Looks Bright
With the high cost of centerfire ammunition, and the limited number of 1000-yard (or even 600-yard) ranges, we can envision that Rimfire F-Class will become a popular event at ranges across the country. Clubs don’t even need benches — just a 100-yard target bay and flat ground for the shooters. You can start with an inexpensive rimfire rig and Harris bipod. Then work up from there. Here is a custom rimfire F-TR style rig that belongs to F-Class ace and past centerfire F-TR National Champion James Crofts.
Smallbore F-Class Course of Fire
The Smallbore F-Class Nationals was completed on paper targets at 50 yards and 100 yards. According to Shooting Sports USA: “The tournament ran during the any sight and metric phases of the 2018 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships, featuring a daily course of fire which mirrored the sling shooters, 40 shots at 50 meters on the A-50 target, a Metric Dewar, followed by 40 shots at 100 yards on the A-33 target. Although the international targets were shot throughout, the first two days were titled ‘conventional’ and the last two ‘metric’.”
The specifics of the match such as rifle requirements, rests, and sights may be found in the Provisional Smallbore Rifle F-Class Rules (Section 23), found on page 65 of the current NRA Smallbore Rifle rulebook. Any rules not covered in Section 23 will [reference] the normal rules of Sections 1 through 22.
* All ‘short range’ F-Class was shot at 50 meters on the A-50, the 50 meter International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) target. All ‘long range’ stages were shot at 100 yards using the NRA A-33 target, the ISSF 300-meter target reduced to 100 yards.
IBS 100/200 Yard Score Nationals Will Be Rescheduled due to Impending Hurricane
Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Florence, the IBS 100/200 yard Score Nationals event has been rescheduled from this coming weekend (September 15-16) to the weekend of October 27-28, 2018, at the same location — the Ashe County Wildlife Club (ACWLC), in Laurel Springs, North Carolina.
The same Ashe County club hosted the 200/300 Score Nationals in 2015, and it was a huge success. Given the popularity of this fine North Carolina shooting facility, we expect the turn-out in October (as rescheduled) will be high. CLICK HERE for Forum thread.
The ACWLC range is located in the mountainous northwest point of the state with Virginia to the north and Tennessee to the west. The Club also hosted the 100 and 200 Yard National Championship in 2014, utilizing its 30 benches protected by an overhang.
Ashe County Wildlife Club maintains a website, www.acwlc.org and a public Facebook page. The Club hosts rifle, pistol, and shotgun sports (skeet, trap, sporting clays) events at its range facility located about 15 miles east of West Jefferson at 3220 Big Peek Creek Road, Laurel Springs, NC (turn north off NC Highway 88). Visit www.acwlc.org to learn more about the club or obtain Membership applications.
No Carry-Guard Convention this weekend boys and girls — there’s a Hurricane coming…
NRA Carry Guard Expo in Richmond CANCELLED
Ahead of Forecasted Landfall of Hurricane Florence
RICHMOND, Va. – The National Rifle Association (NRA) has cancelled the second annual NRA Carry Guard Expo, which was scheduled for Sept. 14-16, 2018 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia, due to the impending threat of severe weather associated with Hurricane Florence. The hurricane is now predicted to make landfall on the North Carolina coast late Thursday.
In a press release, the NRA stated:
“The cancellation was made in the interest of public safety due to the forecasted arrival of Category 4 Hurricane Florence in the mid-Atlantic region this forthcoming weekend, and the resulting declaration of a State of Emergency by the Governor of Virginia. This decision required careful deliberation and concern for the safety of attendees, exhibitors and others involved with the event.
Customers who purchased event tickets or tickets to paid workshops will receive refunds for their purchases.
Despite this major weather event being beyond human control, the NRA regrets any inconvenience caused by this decision. We look forward to welcoming guests and exhibitors next year to the 2019 NRA Carry Guard Expo, scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas.”
Refund Process — How It Will Work
Regarding refunds, the Carry Guard Expo website states: “If you bought tickets, you will receive a full refund on any show admission, workshop(s), and Concealed Carry Fashion Show tickets purchased, as well as the ticket convenience fee (if applicable). NOTE: There is no action required on your part. Refunds will automatically be applied to the credit card used by the customer at the time of purchase. Please allow up to 5 business days for processing.”
SAVAGE Service Program — 30% Off for Those Who Serve Savage Arms now has a Service Program with discounted pricing for all active duty, veteran and retired military, first responders, and law enforcement personnel. Savage is offering 30% off Savage firearms to those who serve in the military and who “protect and serve” our communities.
The Savage Service Program offers qualified personnel the opportunity to directly purchase firearms at 30 percent off Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) which will be shipped to their preferred Savage dealer for delivery. Official program dates are September 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Eligible participants may purchase two firearms per calendar year under this Savage program.
Qualifying customers must submit a Program Order Form, supply a copy of their preferred ship-to FFL, and provide a copy of their law enforcement or military credentials. Limit of two firearms per calendar year under this program. Discounts not applicable on special order (custom) firearms. For more information, visit https://www.savagearms.com/savage-service-program.
Savage Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions
A new video series featuring NFL legend Brett Favre and USA Shooting competitors is now available on GetZone.com. This series showcases the best aspects of our sport — the dedication and hard work of young shooters, including paralympian marksmen. Host Brett Favre talks with Olympic and Paralympic competitors about their challenges and achievements. In each episode, Favre and the featured athletes conduct shooting drills and share tips and tactics.
Episode 1 — Brett Favre talks with two-time Olympic shotgun bronze medalist Corey Cogdell-Unrein. She explains that more financial support is needed: “I’ve watched so many of my teammates struggle, and scratch, and fight to pay just their training expenses, and go in debt financially to pursue this sport. I’ve thought, how good could we be if we had the funding that we needed?”
Episode 2 — In the second episode, Marco De La Rosa details his journey from service in the U.S. Marine Corps to competing for the USA as a Paralympian pistol shooter: “I traveled everywhere to find myself — then I found this — I found shooting,” said De La Rosa. “I didn’t get into this for myself. I’m representing the Corps, and the Army guys, and everybody at the VA. That’s what I’m about, I represent America,” he added.
Episode 3 — In the third episode, Brett Favre interviews Paralympic Rifle shooter McKenna Dahl, who explained: “Shooting gives me a purpose and a passion for life that I don’t think I ever would have found if it weren’t for the sport. It’s an honor to be able to go out and wear the American Flag on your shoulder. I wouldn’t be where I am in life today if it weren’t for the sport and… this country, and I’m really thankful for that.” [Editor: Compare this young woman’s ethics and dedication to a certain ex-NFL quarterback who is now being glorified by Nike for kneeling during the National Anthem. She honors the country, while he dishonors it. Yet he gets paid millions by Nike.]
NOTE: We’re proud to report that McMillan Firearms stepped up as one of the first major sponsors for the series, and will be featured in an upcoming episode of “USA Shooting Presented by 4Outdoors”.
Are you feelin’ lucky? Then here is a contest you may want to enter. This new contest has not one but THREE very impressive prize packages that each include a rifle (or shotgun), premium hunting gear, plus a guided duck/quail hunt. The contest prize rifles — Steyr Scout or Steyr Pro THB 6.5 Creedmoor — provide real incentive to enter this contest. Those are nice rigs.
Steyr Arms celebrates the fall deer season with a month-long Big Buck Down contest with THREE big prize packages — one awarded every 10 days in September. All three prize packages will include a Steyr or Merkel firearm, Jagdhund and X JAGD gear, plus a two-day, two-person duck/quail hunting trip. The first two give-aways also include a 3.5-18x44mm Swarovski Z5 riflescope.
The program runs from September 1 through September 30. Those that enter by September 10 will be eligible to win all three prize packages (but you can only win once of course). Along with a firearm, and premium hunting gear, each package includes the winner’s choice of a two-day guided quail or duck hunt for two from Intercoastal Safaris, complete with meals and beachfront lodging in the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast. CLICK HERE for PRIZES.
THREE PRIZE PACKAGES — One Package Every Ten Days
To enter the Big Buck Down! Giveaway, visit www.buckdowngiveaway.com. NOTE: You must agree to sign up for the sponsors’ e-mail newsletters. After entering the giveaway, contestants can receive additional entries by visiting sponsor websites and social media pages. There is no purchase necessary to enter. Due to legal restrictions in California, New York, Florida and Rhode Island, residents of those states are not eligible to win.
FREE TV — what’s not to like? Now through the second of October, DISH Network customers can watch the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel for FREE. This 1-month FREE Preview lets you sample some of North America’s most popular shooting and hunting cable shows, such as Shooting USA, American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, Live2Hunt, Duck Dynasty, BuckMasters and many more. NOTE: These month-long channel previews are free, but you much already have a DISH network basic subscription.
With hunting season underway, Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel will be available on DISH Network as a free preview now through October 2, 2018. Watch Outdoor Channel on DISH Ch. 396, and the Sportsman Channel on DISH Ch. 395. Viewers can visit www.mydish.com/preview for more information on satellite previews and packages.
Many Shooting USA episodes are available FREE on YouTube. Here’s a full episode featuring Varmint Silhouette Shooting in Texas. Definitely worth watching:
“The fall season ushers in its own joys with the changing of the season and beginning of hunting season across many states in the country and DISH allows us to promote this special time of year. DISH helps make this possible… through free preview programming of Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel”, says Outdoor Sportsman Group President/CEO, Jim Liberatore.
Currently, Outdoor Channel is available on DISH Network Channel 396 and Sportsman Channel is on Channel 395 – both are a part of the Outdoor Package. Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel’s late summer/early fall programming provides many shows of interest to hunters and target shooters. DeerWeek takes over Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel on September 17-23 as thoughts turn to treestands and deer hunting. Visit DeerWeek.com for the entire lineup, expert tips and much more.
About Outdoor Channel: The largest outdoor-centric programming service in the nation, Outdoor Channel was started in 1993. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, Outdoor Channel (which also runs the Sportsman Channel) provides a complete spectrum of hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband and mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) was established by act of Congress in 1903, with the purpose of teaching shooting skills to American citizens. The Western Games at the Ben Avery Facility North of Phoenix draws enthusiasts from many Western states for competition with Service Rifles, vintage military rifles, M1 Carbines, and Rimfire Sporter rifles. Along with numerous matches (including the Vintage Sniper Team match), the Western Games features Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) shooting clinics.
In this review segment of today’s Shooting USA episode, John Scoutten reviews two new 6.5 Creedmoor rifles from Savage Arms. The 
About Outdoor Channel: The largest outdoor-centric programming service in the nation, Outdoor Channel was started in 1993. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, Outdoor Channel (which also runs the Sportsman Channel) provides a complete spectrum of hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband and mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit 
