Today is the first day of August, the beginning of National Shooting Sports Month (NSSM). Each August, throughout the month, America’s shooters come together to celebrate our sport and get newcomers involved. To help grow the ranks of shooters, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) asks you to bring a new shooter to the range in August. That’s a good mission — adding to the ranks of shooters is the best way to preserve our Second Amendment rights.
This month, newcomers can take their first shots, and experienced shooters can invite someone new to the range or help an older shooter rediscover the fun of target shooting. This month-long event involves all the shooting sports — rifle, pistol, and shotgun.
Find Shooting Sports Events Near You
The NSSF’s ShootingSportsMonth.org website offers a comprehensive, searchable database. This lets you search by state, to find ranges, events, and sales promotions near you. Visit the NSSF online database of NSSM shooting events to find matches, clinics, training sessions, special sales — and much more.
Find Shooting Ranges Throughout the USA
The NSSF offers a directory of shooting ranges online. Visit Wheretoshoot.org to get info on thousands of shooting ranges and facilities around the country. In addition, there is a FREE WheretoShoot Mobile App you can install on your phone. Versions are available for both Android and iOS (Apple) users.
To promote National Shooting Sports Month, the NSSF offers 17 FREE Downloadable Targets. There are regular bullseyes, as well as Darts, Golf, and more. We really like the Billiards target and kids love the Water Balloons target. You can download all 17 targets for free, and then print them out, ideally with a color printer. Below are six of our favorite targets. Click HERE to download these six targets (3.5 mb ZIP).
What Shooters Can Do to Promote National Shooting Sports Month:
The NSSF says: “As shooters, you serve a critical role in the continued growth of gun ownership and shooting sports participation. We urge you to join us this August for National Shooting Sports Month.” There are a variety of ways you can help this August:
— Introduce a family member, friend, or group of friends to the shooting sports by taking them to a local range that’s hosting an event.
— Spread the word to family/friends and encourage them to get out to the range in August.
— Encourage the ranges and retailers near you to host an event this August and add them to the official events calendar at www.ShootingSportsMonth.org.
For the next four days — July 31 through August 3, 2025 — the .30-06 M1 Garands and classic military rifles will fill the firing lines at Camp Perry. The National John C. Garand, Springfield, Vintage and Modern Military Match (GSMM) concludes Saturday, August 2, 2025, followed by an M14 Heritage Match and Vintage Sniper Match on Sunday, August 3rd. SEE CMP National Matches 2025 Calendar.
Some participants will shoot just one rifle type, but there is also a combined GSMM 4-Gun Aggregate. This GSSM Agg encompasses a series of position shooting matches on NRA SR targets at the CMP Nationals. Match scores will be posted on the CMP National Matches Results Page.
This video shows the Garand Match at Camp Perry. The rifles are still the same a decade later…
The annual GSMM event is one of the most popular events at Camp Perry, drawing participants from around the nation. One of America’s top GSSM shooters is Brian Williams, who was profiled in our Daily Bulletin. The 4-gun Aggregate includes M1 Garand, 1903 Springfield/1917 Enfield (or similar bolt rifle), M1 Carbine, and AR-type rifle for “Modern Military”.
GSMM matches attract new shooters as well as older competitors. You don’t need to make a huge investment in rifles or optics. We have friends who have done well with a “box stock” 1903 A3 Springfield they acquired from the CMP decades ago. On the firing line are a mix of seasoned competitors and novice shooters. They all come together to share common interests in marksmanship and historic firearms.
During CMP GSMM matches, CMP staff members are always on hand to ensure safety on the firing line and answer questions. This match is fun and efficient. The electronic targets, with monitors at each station, show shot location/score instantly. And there is no pit duty. Competitors never have to venture downrange to change or retrieve targets.
E-Targets at 2025 CMP National Matches
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.
Shoot Like A Girl is a group that helps introduce women to the shooting sports. The organization offers training clinics and tours the country with a unique semi-trailer rig mobile range.
After a successful trip to Thornton, CO, the Shoot Like A Girl Mobile Range will be at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, TN, August 1-3, 2025 (Friday through Sunday). The state-of-the-art mobile range allows participants 18 and older to experience shooting under the guidance of certified female instructors. These instructors will offer a comprehensive intro to firearm safety/handling using a Firearms Training Systems (FATS) by InVeris. This military-grade simulator provides immediate sound, recoil, and impact feedback. Shoot Like A Girl instructors also offer safety talks for youths under 18.
The Shoot Like A Girl experience will be stationed in front of Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee on Friday, August 1, Saturday, August 2 and Sunday August 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Women and men of all experience levels are welcome for this free event. All necessary equipment will be provided to guests.
August 29-31, 2025 Professional Bull Riding, Ridgedale, MO
September 27-28, 2025: Bass Pro Shops, Huntsville, AL
October 11-12, 2025: Bass Pro Shops, Mesa, AZ
TBD (5 Days): Bass Pro Shops, Grand Opening, Odessa, TX
Shoot Like A Girl (SLG2 Inc.) was established in 2008 with a mission to grow the number of women who participate in archery and shooting sports. The first five years focused on archery, but in 2013, SLG2 added Firearms Test Shots™ where women can shoot a 9mm pistol, .223 rifle with the use of a military-grade firearms simulation system.
New and experienced shooters are invited to attend this free event. At the range, women gain experience in handling and shooting handguns, long guns and compound bows using state-of-the-art technology.
The Shoot Like A Girl semi-tractor trailer travels to cities all across the USA, giving attendees an opportunity to shoot pistols, rifles, and bows in a fun, safe and comfortable atmosphere. These events utilize the InVeris military grade firearm simulator. The event is free to each guest thanks to Shoot Like A Girl’s generous corporate partners.
Check the ShootLikeAGirl.com Website for Mobile Range 2025 Travel Schedule.
Find Shooting Sports Events Near You
August is almost here. This is good news for gun enthusiasts. August is National Shooting Sports Month (NSSM). This coast-to-coast celebration spotlights the fun and enjoyment of target shooting. The NSSF’s ShootingSportsMonth.org website offers a comprehensive, searchable database. This lets you search by state to find ranges, events, and sales promotions near you. Visit the NSSF online database of NSSM shooting events to find matches, clinics, training sessions, special sales — and much more.
Great FREE Targets for Fun at the Range
To promote National Shooting Sports Month, the NSSF offers 17 FREE Downloadable Targets. There are regular bullseyes, as well as Darts, Golf, and more. We really like the Billiards target and kids love the Water Balloons target. You can download all 17 targets for free, and then print them out, ideally with a color printer. Below are six of our favorite targets. Click HERE to download these six targets (3.5 mb ZIP).
The National President’s 100 Match is a famous competition held at Camp Perry every summer. This year’s President’s 100 Match takes place today, July 28, 2025. 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.
Image from Shooting USA TV which has broadcast highlights from President’s 100 match.
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.
Looking downrange at the 600-yard targets. Camp Perry photos courtesy Dennis Santiago.
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.
Second Amendment advocacy groups have been vital to the protection of our gun rights. Successful litigation has protected Americans’ rights to purchase and carry guns for sport, hunting, and self-defense. We’re very pleased to see that Brownells is supporting by gun rights efforts by donating 5% of Brownells’ website sales to Gun Owners of America (GOA) this week. From Monday, July 21, through Sunday, July 27, 2025, every purchase made at Brownells.com will help support GOA’s mission. And there’s a bonus for Brownells customers — you can save 10% on orders over $350.00 with Brownells Code SAVE4GOA. So if you buy $400 worth of products you’ll save $40.00.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) Defends Second Amendment Rights
The Gun Owners of America (GOA) is an organization dedicated to protecting and defending the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. GOA’s lawyers have pursued legal efforts throughout the nation, in local, state, and Federal Courts, challenging unconstitutional gun control laws, executive actions, and federal overreach.
Gun Owners of America is actively engaged in some of the most critical Second Amendment legal battles today, including a forthcoming federal lawsuit to dismantle the remaining provisions of the National Firearms Act. GOA, along with the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), has also filed a lawsuit against the United States Postal Service (USPS), seeking to overturn the Prohibition-era federal ban on the mailing of handguns. Additionally, Gun Owners of America has defended the right to build and own homemade firearms while fighting back against ATF overreach on pistol braces and other regulatory abuses. Brownells is proud to stand with GOA in defending the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
New Legal Actions by GOA to Eliminate National Firearms Act Restrictions
The GOA has recently commenced new legal actions in Federal Court to curtail remaining restrictions in the NFA. This could help make suppressors easier to obtain at much lower prices. That would benefit both hunters and target shooters.
About Gun Owners of America
Founded in 1975, Gun Owners of America (GOA) is known as “The only no-compromise gun lobby in Washington.” GOA works to protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans through grassroots activism, legal action, and by holding lawmakers accountable. GOA fights against federal and state-level infringements, challenges unconstitutional regulations in the courts, and leads efforts to advance pro-2A policies across the nation. For more information about GOA or to make a direct donation, visit GunOwners.org.
SSG Sagen Maddalena fired the ceremonial first shot with a 1903 Springfield rifle, officially opening the CMP National Matches for the 2025 season.
On July 14, 2025 the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted the annual First Shot Ceremony, the traditional start to the CMP National Matches. The CMP welcomed back an accomplished USAMU shooter who earned the Silver Medal at the Olympics. As visitors arrived, the 122nd Army Band played in the plaza. Then a wheeled cannon gave multiple blasts. Above the crowd, a U.S. Army Air Corps Mitchell B-25 bomber and a U.S. Navy Grumman TBM Avenger fighter-bomber flew overhead.
Emcee Christie Sewell, CMP Chief Programs Officer, introduced notables including CMP Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus, Gary Anderson. After brief remarks from CMP’s Board Chair/CEO, Jerry O’Keefe, Sewell introduced the 2025 honorary First Shot Speaker, Staff Sgt. (SSG) Sagen Maddalena of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
SSG Maddalena — currently the number-one-ranked 50-meter smallbore athlete in the world — had some of her earliest successes at Camp Perry as a junior before earning a Silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the women’s 50-meter 3P rifle event. She began as a junior in a California 4-H .22 rifle program and moved on to the California Grizzlies service rifle team. As a teen with the Grizzlies she earned a Distinguished Rifleman badge in 2011.
Then she became a member of the Alaska Fairbanks rifle team. She went on to become an eight-time All-American. In 2019, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
In 2023, she earned a gold medal and set a new world record in the women’s team 50-meter rifle three-position event at the 2023 ISSF World Championships. She went on to add another two gold medals in the women’s 50-meter smallbore rifle and 10-meter air rifle events at the 2024 CAT Games in Argentina. That performance secured her place on the 2025 U.S. Olympic Team.
At the First Shot ceremony, Sagen thanked the community and all those who helped to make the National Matches a success: “Let us give it our best in competition and treat each day as a new opportunity to challenge ourselves and to excel.”
CMP National Matches Schedule and Details
The 2025 CMP National matches at Camp Perry commmenced on July 6th 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.
The 2025 NRA F-Class Nationals take place at the Winnequah Gun Club in Lodi, Wisconsin, August 2-9, 2025. And this is peak summer vacation time. So we know many of our readers will be driving to other states in the days and weeks ahead. If you plan to travel across state lines with your guns, this book can really help. With over 100 changes from last year, the 2025 edition of Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States is a must-read for anyone planning to travel around the country with firearms. In addition, the book also covers the firearms travel laws for Canada and Mexico.
For $16.95 you can purchase a state-by-state Traveler’s Guide to firearms laws. This book can help ensure you comply with all state laws during your trip. Highways Magazine states: “If you carry a weapon in your rig, you need this book.” This 68-page guide covers all firearms types and all 50 states. It even has info for Canada and Mexico. The Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States has sold more than 2,000,000 copies since it was first released in 1996.
This 28th edition of the Traveler’s Guide covers important topics such as carry of firearms in a motor vehicle, concealed carry reciprocity, which states preempt local gun regulation, tips on handling a traffic stop, concealed carry in state and National Parks, vehicle carry and possession on college campuses and much more. Best of all, the text is in plain, easy-to-read English.
Written and researched by J. Scott Kappas, an attorney and Class III Firearms Dealer, the 2025 Traveler’s Guide has a preface that defines many key terms important for anyone traveling with a firearm across state lines. The latest edition also has new formatting for easier reading.
The Traveler’s Guide is especially useful for shooters traveling in RVs and motorhomes. The American Rifleman Magazine declared: “This book is a must-have for truck drivers, motor home enthusiasts, campers and other travelers…easy to read and understand, well-organized and concise….” One reader from Texas adds: “I used to think that my RV was the same as my home when it came to gun carry….the Traveler’s Guide set me straight. Now I know my motorhome is subject to the same laws as any vehicle when it comes to guns.”
Plan Your Visit: Top 5 Areas to Explore Near Camp Perry Feature based on article by Ashley Dugan, CMP Writer
This summer, many of our readers will visit Camp Perry, Ohio to participate in the historic CMP annual National Matches. There will be smallbore and centerfire rifle matches, along with pistol matches. And this year there will be a number of new mid-range (600-yard) rifle matches. For those competing at Camp Perry this summer, there are many interesting nearby places to visit along the shores of Lake Erie. This article covers some tourism highlights in the area — the Top 5 areas visitors can explore outside of Camp Perry this summer. Many of these tourism attractions are featured in Ohio’s useful Shores and Islands website.
Marblehead and East Harbor State Park
Marblehead is a small village about 18 miles east of Camp Perry. The downtown area offers a strip of quaint shops and restaurants along with an eclectic array of artist galleries and events. Here, catch the Kelleys Island ferry or drive slowly down the picturesque coastline of the peninsula to reach the Marblehead Lighthouse – a state park with the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes (since 1822). The spot has a good nautical museum on the grounds. Fish off the rocks, have a picnic or take in views of the world-famous amusement park, Cedar Point, located just across the bay. For more outdoor activities, Marblehead offers East Harbor State Park, with a public beach, a marsh pond, camping and breathtaking views.
Port Clinton, Put-In-Bay, Liberty Aviation Museum
Port Clinton is the city where Camp Perry is located. Nestled along the shore of Lake Erie, Port Clinton offers beaches, restaurants, festivals. and live outdoor music during the summer months. Ride the fast, Jet Express catamaran ferry to Put-In-Bay, visit the old Port Clinton Lighthouse, reserve your spot on one of the many charter fishing boats or grab a basket of fried Lake Erie perch.
Visitors may also visit the Liberty Aviation Museum, which showcases several authentic World War II aircraft and a fully operational Ford Tri-motor “Tin Goose” — one of only a few still flying. Learn more about Port Clinton at PortClinton.com.
Catawba Island
No more than a 10-minute drive from downtown Port Clinton is Catawba Island, which offers several fun options. The Gideon Owen Wine Company serves up local wines, with roots dating back to the 1870s. Just down the road, The Orchard restaurant offers farm-to-table options in an upscale atmosphere. Try fresh seafood or Wagyu beef, and listen to the live entertainment. Visit the farm stand next door for a salad or hot honey & whipped feta dip, or simply sip on some wine in the garden area. Later you can watch the sunset over the lake at Catawba Island State Park, find yet another ferry to Put-In-Bay, play putt-putt or maybe even take a tour of African Safari Wildlife Park, a member of the Zoological Association of America and home to many exotic animals and drive-through encounters.
Sandusky and Cedar Point
Just a short drive across the bay, you’ll find Sandusky, which is home to Cedar Point, a large amusement park opened in 1870 that now has over 70 thrill rides, including 18 roller coasters. The park is built within its own peninsula and holds a mile-long sandy beach and water park. Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, located in Sandusky, is Ohio’s largest indoor water park. Buy a day pass to the many pools and water slides. This is the USA’s #1 indoor water park according to USA Today. Other Sandusky amenities include the Sandusky Mall, a Merry-Go-Round Museum, a speakeasy bar, and the Jackson Street Pier with a variety of restaurants to enjoy. Learn more about Sandusky at CityofSandusky.com.
Lake Erie Islands
The Western Basin of Lake Erie, where Camp Perry is located, is home to several unique islands. Just a short ferry ride away, guests may rent golf carts, bikes, or take their own transportation. Such islands include South Bass, home to Put-In-Bay. The island is also home to Heineman Winery, founded in 1888. While at the winery, explore Crystal Cave, one of the largest geodes in the world, and Perry’s Cave, a limestone cavern discovered in 1813. Families may also visit the Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, at 352 feet, one of the tallest monuments in the USA.
Viewable from South Bass is Kelleys Island, another fun destination in Lake Erie. The island offers historic homes, bed & breakfasts, and a State Park where you can camp, sunbathe, swim, or rent kayaks. Next to the beach is the Glacial Grooves, a natural phenomenon created when a massive glacier moved through the area millions of years ago, forming the Great Lakes.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a print resource at your fingertips that has hundreds of true-size cartridge illustrations, plus technical descriptions of thousands of popular cartridge types? That could be a real time-saver. It’s no wonder this book is an Amazon category best-seller.
If you’re a serious shooter, the latest 7th Edition of the Ammo Encyclopedia belongs in your library. Released in late 2022, this 928-page book is probably the most comprehensive and up-to-date book in print covering current and obsolete cartridge and shotshell types. The Ammo Encyclopedia is a massive resource work with 100+ chapters, covering thousands of handgun, rifle, and shotgun cartridges from the past century and a half. This 928-page edition includes over 150 new cartridge profiles. An expanded Trademark Index lists contact information for all current ammunition manufacturers.
One of the best features is a full-color section with actual size drawings of over 320 current rimfire/centerfire cartridges and shotshells. You won’t find that many “life-size” cartridge drawings in one place even on the internet. Cartridge profiles and ballistic charts have been expanded to include many new factory cartridges. An updated Cartridge Index lists both the standard and alternate names for each cartridge in chronological order. The authors have even included air rifle pellets and historical images and charts. This 928-page softcover book is now just $19.99 on Amazon, 60% off list price.
Comments from guys who bought the book:
“This book contains a vast array of information on many modern and even obsolete ammunition. Definitely recommend for any modern reloader novice or experienced.” – Duggaboy460
“It’s a great reference book for individuals who reload their own ammunition. There is a lot more info in this Edition. Everyone who likes this information should have it in their library.” – Reloader
“Very comprehensive with great photos and detailed information. A Must have for anybody with several guns/ammo.” – M.Ibarra
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.
Written and researched by J. Scott Kappas, an attorney and Class III Firearms Dealer, the 2025 Traveler’s Guide has a preface that defines many key terms important for anyone traveling with a firearm across state lines. The latest edition also has new formatting for easier reading.
