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June 14th, 2010
The 2010 NRA National Junior Air Gun Championships and Training Summit will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico from June 23-26, 2010. The competition will take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event is open to ALL junior shooters under the age of 21, who are placed in Sub-Junior, Intermediate Junior, or Junior classes according to age. There are three equipment divisions: Sporter Air Rifle, Precision Air Rifle, and Air Pistol. Participants may shoot as individuals or as part of a four-person team. There are four team categories: School Team, Military Scholastic, Local club, or State Association. CLICK HERE for Rifle Match Program and Schedule.
This year 150 junior shooters from 15 states will travel to Albuquerque to compete and participate in the Training Summit. Open to shooters, coaches, and parents, the Training Summit offers informational seminars on a variety of topics including mental and physical conditioning, sports nutrition, position training, and collegiate shooting opportunities. “We’re excited to bring this year’s National Junior Air Gun Championship and Training Summit to Albuquerque,” said Jessica McClain, NRA Air Gun Coordinator. “We have competitors traveling from all across the country to see how they measure up to other air gun shooters on a national level.”
June 2nd, 2010
 The most recent ISSF World Cup competition ended over the weekend. The Chinese shooting team won 10 medals, placing first in ISSF World Cup medal count for third consecutive time this year. Team USA finished second with 6 medals, including 2 Golds, both in rifle events. Russia took third place with 1 Gold and 5 total medals.
The Fort Benning, Georgia venue seemed to be comfortable for members of the USA Shooting team. “We were in every final. We are contending everywhere,” said Rifle National Coach Dave Johnson. Among the American standouts were Matt Emmons, who took gold in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Position and a bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle Prone; Jamie Beyerle, the gold medalist in Women’s 50m Rifle 3-Position; Jason Parker, who captured third place in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Postion; Eric Uptagrafft, who earned silver in the Men’s 50m Rifle Prone; and Daryl Szarenski, who captured silver in Men’s 50m Pistol. For Parker, it was his first international event since returning from deployment in Afghanistan. Learn more about the ISSF World Cup at the USA Shooting and Int’l Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) websites.
Jamie Beyerle (above) won Gold in Women’s 50m 3-Position Final.
May 12th, 2010
 CMP efforts to develop the new National Match Air Rifle (NMAR) shooting discipline continue to advance. The CMP has created a new 30-shot NMAR Sporter-Garand Course especially for new and recreation-oriented shooters (as well as cross-over military rifle shooters). A special NMAR webpage is now posted on the CMP website to provide a handy, complete source of updated information. A revised edition of the CMP Guide to National Match Air Rifle with the latest rule changes was recently released and can be downloaded from the CMP website. The National Matches Air Gun Events Program featuring a month of daily NMAR opportunities during the National Matches has also just been released.
 General Information for NMAR Competitors
Download the CMP Guide to National Match Air Rifle (PDF) for additional details. This 20-page booklet contains NMAR Rules, Courses of Fire, Firing Procedures and Range Commands, Safety Definitions and Regulations, and Range Officer Commands along with information on how to get started in NMAR and how clubs can run NMAR Matches.
A new Sporter-Garand Course has been added. This course of fire closely duplicates the popular 30-shot John C. Garand Course that is fired outdoors (with as-issued military rifles). The Sporter-Garand Course is fired with Sporter Class rifles only. All three stages of this course are fired on the AR-SR (200-yard reduced) target. This new course is designed expressly for new and inexperienced shooters and for Military Rifle shooters who want a rifle event that duplicates what they will shoot outdoors.
NMAR Rules and Guide Updated
A few rule changes were recently adopted after experiences from earlier NMAR matches were evaluated. The latest NMAR rules that are listed in the CMP Guide to National Match Air Rifle (PDF), on the CMP website. Front sight inserts in Sporter Class rifles can now be either posts or rings (apertures). It turned out that so many shooters, especially juniors, were coming to NMAR matches with aperture experience only so the change was adopted.
May 5th, 2010
If you want to see some of the very best smallbore and air gun shooters in the world, including many multi-time Olympians, head down to Fort Benning, GA later this month. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with USA Shooting, will host the ISSF 2010 World Cup USA May 22-31.
This major event is the third of four World Cups being held this year by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). So far, more than 400 of the world’s top-level shooters from 49 countries have committed to the event. There will be many Olympians (including medal winners) in the competition. CLICK HERE for Entry List by Nation.
Shooters will compete for medals and world records in the Olympic disciplines of Air Pistol, Air Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, and Smallbore Rifle. The ranges are located on the military installation at Fort Benning, Georgia, approximately 150 km (90) miles south of the Atlanta Int’l Airport. Fort Benning has some of the most advanced target systems in the United States. Sius Ascor electronic targets will be used for all elimination, qualification, and finals competitions. Seventy-two (72) targets are available for both 50 meters and 10 meters, while there are 40 targets for 25-meter events.
CLICK HERE for complete Event Schedule | Download Match Info Form (PDF)
Bookmark ISSF World-Cup Website
USAShooting has created a full-featured website dedicated to the 2010 World Cup. There you can find travel and lodging info, match schedules, registration info, and much more. Once the competition starts, the USAShooting World Cup website will provide photos and videos, and updated match results. Visit the official match website at www.usashooting.sports.officelive.com.
March 16th, 2010
Here’s a good deal from AirGunsDaily.com if you’re looking for an inexpensive air rifle for your kids, or just a “fun gun” for plinking. Today only, AirgunsDaily.com is offering the RWS 34P (Panther) .22 Cal (pellet) Air Rifle with 4X32mm Scope and a 2-piece C-mount for just $227.99. Shipping is just $7.00.
The RWS 34 Panther is the most popular air rifle sold by RWS. It has an injection-molded synthetic stock and adjustable fiber optic sights. It is a break-barrel design with a 2-stage adjustable trigger, and 33-lb cocking weight. RWS has a good warranty and this rifle has earned excellent reviews from Pyramid Air customers, one of whom wrote: “Appearance and finish out of the box were flawless. It cocks smoothly and has a very well-balanced feel. From the very first shot I was surprised how accurate it is.”
If you miss today’s AirGunsDaily.com offer, Pyramid Air sells the RWS 34P, in either .177 (1000 fps) or .22 (800 fps) calibers, with NO scope, for $216.85. Pyramid also offers a package deal: $220.09 for the .177 version with a tin of .177 pellets and FREE Shipping.
March 15th, 2010
Texas Christian University (TCU) won its first-ever NCAA Rifle Championship, on its home floor at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. In this coed sport, the all-female TCU team triumphed over the all-male Alaska-Fairbanks squad. In the 31-year-old history of NCAA rifle shooting, this is the first time an all-women squad has captured the National title. Way to go girls!
The men from Alaska-Fairbanks did win the .22LR segment of the competition, but the TCU ladies’ superior air rifle shooting secured the overall team title. TCU’s Sara Scherer also won the Individual NCAA Smallbore Championship. (CLICK HERE for team profiles.) TCU (4,675 points) won in its fourth NCAA appearance after previous finishes of third, fifth and fifth. Alaska-Fairbanks was second with 4,653 points, followed by 14-time NCAA champion West Virginia at 4,641.
 TCU alumni nationwide are celebrating this NCAA championship, TCU’s first NCAA team title since 1983 (women’s golf). TCU won football national titles in 1935 and 1938, but those years are distant memories.
The TCU “Horned Frogs” all-female rifle team is coached by Karen Monez, a former world and national champion air rifle shooter. In a few short years Monez built a championship-level squad, five members of which were named All-Americans this week. Sarah Scherer, Sarah Beard and Lorenzen were honored as both smallbore and air rifle All-Americans, while Simone Riford and Caitlin Morrissey garnered All-American honors in air rifle. Senior Erin Lorenzen was honored as the MVP of the championships by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association.
CLICK HERE for TCU Rifle Team Media Guide
CLICK HERE for Full Match Report
March 11th, 2010
The 31st Annual National Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Rifle Championships will be held this weekend, March 12 & 13, at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
In team competition, shooting powerhouses West Virginia and Alaska-Fairbanks are favored to win team championships, but one of the other six schools could pull off an upset. The eight teams who qualified for this year’s team championship are:
Murray State University
Texas Christian University
University of Alaska-Fairbanks
University of Kentucky
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
U.S. Military Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
West Virginia University
If you want to follow the action, the NRAblog.com will have reporters in Fort Worth providing updates, photos and interviews from the championships.
March 1st, 2010
Eleven members of the 2010 World Championship team were selected following the Spring Airgun Championships, which served as Part II of the World Championship Team selection for the men’s and women’s open air rifle and pistol events. Six air rifle and five air pistol shooters qualified to represent the U.S.A. this August at the 50th ISSF World Championships in Munich, Germany.
 The 2010 World Championship team for airgun was determined by the match scores from the first two days of the 2009 Winter Airgun Championships (held last December), added to the match scores from both days of the Spring Airgun Championships and the best two finals from both matches. For complete results from the 2010 Spring Airgun Championships, please visit www.usashooting.org.
Olympic gold and silver medalist Matt Emmons qualified for the World Championship team in Men’s 10m Air Rifle with an overall score of 2600.7 points. U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) member Matt Rawlings grabbed the second spot in Men’s Air Rifle with a total score of 2584.2 and Jonathan Hall earned the third spot with 2577.1 total points.
Leading the Men’s Air Pistol team will be 2008 Olympian Brian Beaman, who finished with an overall score of 2507.4 points. Two-time Olympian and 2008 bronze medalist Jason Turner will finished right behind Beaman with 2506.2 points. Three-time Olympian and USAMU member Daryl Szarenski grabbed the third spot after firing a total score of 2502.1 points.
Two-time Olympian Emily Caruso lead the way in Women’s Air Rifle with 1800.4 total points. Jamie Beyerle, a 2008 Olympian, took the second spot with an overall score of 1798.8 points and TCU’s Sarah Scherer qualified in third place with 1796.4 points. Teresa Meyer finished first in Women’s Air Pistol after firing 1691.8 total points, while Brenda Shinn, a 2008 Olympian, took the second spot with 1679.0 points.
CLICK HERE for Info on 50th ISSF World Shooting Championship (PDF)
January 28th, 2010
The 2010 Winter Olympics are coming up soon, so we asked Uwe Anschütz to show us the Fortner-Action rimfire biathlon rifle that will be used by the vast majority of top competitors. This high-tech 22LR rifle features a straight-pull action that can be cycled nearly as quickly as a semiautomatic. The rifle is designed to be carried on the back while skiing, then quickly deployed at the shooting stages, where competitors engage banks of targets either prone or standing. Note the slots on the forearm for storing up to four extra 5-round magazines.
Olympic Medal-Winning Air Rifles on Display
In addition to the Biathlon Rifle, Uwe Anschütz showed us the model 9003 S2 Premium Air Rifle, which features a 9003 S2 action in the Precise aluminum stock. This state-of-the-art airgun earned medals at the 2008 Olympics in China, and it is a favorite of top compeitors worldwide. The model 9002 S2 features a very sophisticated buttstock assembly which with great adjustability. With this metal stock, you can adjust every point at which the rifle contacts the shooter’s body, from shoulder to cheek to hand. Even the angle and fore/aft position of the trigger shoe can be adjusted.
December 20th, 2009
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites air rifle and air pistol shooters to participate in the 4th Annual Camp Perry Open. This year’s match will include a 3-position air rifle competition, an international air rifle (all standing) event, a pistol course of fire, and optional clinics. The match will be held on 15-17 January 2010 at the new CMP Marksmanship Center in Camp Perry, Port Clinton, Ohio. Visit the Camp Perry Open webpage for complete information including rules, fees, event schedule, and match descriptions/courses of fire.
The U. S. National Team coaches, Maj. David Johnson and Sergey Luzov, plan to bring some National Team members to shoot in the International event. The Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) is also sending some of their best to shoot in the International standing course of fire event as well. Members of many top NCAA rifle teams will also attend. This is a great opportunity to see some of the best shooters in the US compete.
Special Junior Clinic
In addition to the regular matches, on Saturday, Jan. 16th, there will be a clinic for interested junior shooters from 5:30pm – 8:15 PM. The cost is just $10, which includes a pizza dinner! This Saturday clinic is limited to 60 junior shooters — all those wishing to attend should pre-register. On-the-line training will be provided by the members of the U. S. National/Development Team, and members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Team (USAMU). The clinic will conclude with a 20-shot standing competition.
What to Bring
Shooters that use Sporter Class air rifles (Daisy M853/753/888/XSV40) should bring an air rifle for each shooter plus a sling, kneeling roll, and glove. You will not need spotting scopes. Shooting mats are provided at the range, but you may bring your own. Shooters using precision air rifles should bring them along with their shooting jackets and other equipment. Also, bring your own pellets. The CMP will have air tanks and CO2 available at the range. Please bring your own adapters.
How to Register
CLICK this LINK to Register for the Camp Perry Open. Competitors over the age of 18 must complete and sign a CMP Affidavit and Liability release prior to competing at Camp Perry. Shooters under the age of 18 must have a Parental Permission Form completed prior to competing at Camp Perry. The forms may be submitted to Katie Harrington at: CMP, P. O. Box 576, Camp Perry OH 43452. Alternatively, fax forms to 419-635-2565. Email inquiries may be addressed to kharrington [at] odcmp.com.
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