Report based on story by Sheri Trusty, CMP Feature Writer
Major smallbore (rimfire) prone rifle competitions took place July 8-12, 2023 at the Camp Perry National matches. This year, CMP competitors had the added benefit of scoring with Kongsberg Target System (KTS) technology which employs electronic acoustic sensors to determine shot location. Scoring is instantly displayed on user-friendly, touch-screen monitors at the shooter’s side. Mark Del Cotto, a two-time NRA Smallbore Prone Champion, observed: “This is a really nice setup for electronic targets. It’s much easier to shoot the match. It’s quicker, it saves money on paper targets, and there are no rain delays. This is an absolute treat to get to shoot like this.”

The 4-Day Smallbore compeition at the Petrarca range included two days of Iron Sight Championship Matches and two days of Any Sight Matches (scope optional). “Each day, competitors shoot 160 record shots, all fired from prone position”, noted CMP Smallbore Program Manager Brad Donoho. “They do a 40-shot match at 50 meters, a 60-shot match at 50 yards, and a 60-shot match at 100 yards.”

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Competitor Mark Del Cotto said marksmen were disappointed when the NRA moved the National Smallbore Rifle Championship to Bristol, Indiana, so many of them asked CMP to create its own smallbore competition. “It was like moving the Masters from Augusta,” said Del Cotto. “Ninety percent of competitors wanted to come back to Camp Perry. When [the NRA] moved it, the level of participation went down and down.” Del Cotto has also shot High Power (centerfire) matches, but he prefers rimfire: “I didn’t have time to do Highpower and Smallbore, so I picked Smallbore Prone. Smallbore is a better experience for me. You get to shoot more shots in a day.”

The competitors are vying for the top score of 6,400 possible points. Due to a USCG search, the last day of the Smallbore Prone Matches was cut short and the match was condensed to a 5,200 points aggregate. “This is a big prone match”, Donoho said. “It’s like a marathon.”

Scopes were allowed for the two-day Any Sights phase of the competition.

Camp Perry’s proximity to Lake Erie can create challenging, variable wind and weather conditions. CMP Smallbore Manager Donoho noted: “We had classic Camp Perry conditions [on Day One]. It started out a little overcast, nice and warm, and then a thunderstorm rolled in. We had pretty blustery conditions and a downpour. Here at Camp Perry, we’re accustomed to 60s and chilly and 90-degree days.”

Ace marksman Kevin Nevius brought 30 years of shooting experience and six national titles to CMP’s Smallbore Prone Matches. He said Smallbore Prone competition has its own unique appeal: “The course of fire is longer. You shoot more shots per day… there’s an element of endurance.” Nevius placed second in the Smallbore Iron Sight Prone Championship and the Overall Prone Aggregate, and he had fun doing it.

Top CMP Camp Perry Smallbore Prone Match Shooters

Smallbore Prone – 5200 Aggregate Championship
Open Class Winner: SFC Shane Barnhart, 5188 – 401X
Ladies Class Winner: Abigail Donovan, 5167 – 340X
Senior Class Winner: Philip Latzgo, 5174 – 331X
Junior Class Winner: Joseph Hahn, 5159 – 289X
F-Class Winner: Daniel Pagliari, 5129 – 313X

Smallbore Team Champions

Open Team Champion: Misfit Love, 1592 – 99X
Team Members: SFC Brandon Green (USAMU), Lewis Makison, PO2 Philip Latzgo (USN), and Thomas McManus [NOTE: SFC Green (green shirt top row of podium) is a multi-time High Power Nat’l Champion and 2022 NRA Long Range Nat’l Champion. Brandon delivered the First Shot at the 2023 Camp Perry National Matches opening ceremony].
Club Team Champion: Rochester Rifle Club Team A, 1591 – 108X
Team Members: Abigail Donovan, Antonio Gross, Joseph Hahn, and Edward Hahn
State Association Champion: Ohio Rifle & Pistol Assn., 1591 – 100X
Team Members: Jeffrey Perry, Paul Gideon, Garald Wise, and Michael Naylon

It’s great to see normalcy return to our shooting facilities, including Camp Perry. COVID is still a concern, but the ranges are opening up at long last. On May 22, 2021, the CMP hosted a Garand/Springfield/Vintage and Modern Military Rifle (GSMM) Match on the electronic targets of Petrarca Range at Camp Perry.

The CMP’s recreational-style events, like the GSMM Match, are designed to ease interested individuals into the sport. On the firing line are a mix of seasoned competitors and those getting started in marksmanship. They all come together to share a common interest. The match allows shooters to meet old friends and enjoy the company of fellow shooters. And of course there is the fun and challenge of the course of fire.

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

During Petrarca 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.

Twenty-five competitors participated in Camp Perry’s May GSMM Rifle event. Similar GSSM matches will be held at the Petrarca Range on June 26 and September 25, 2021. Here are the May Match “Top Guns” by class, with their scores:

M1 Garand: Jeffrey Beierke, Blissfield, Michigan – 277-3X
Springfield: Andy Welter, Westerville, Ohio – 262-6X
Modern Military: Scott Whiteman, Fort Wayne, Indiana – 280-5X

CLICK HERE to learn about the Petrarca Range electronic target system at Camp Perry, Ohio.

Good News — Camp Perry is BACK for 2021!

There WILL be shooting matches at Camp Perry in 2021, with safety protocols in effect to prevent COVID transmission. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will host a variety of Garand, Springfield, Vintage and Modern Military (GSMM) rifle matches during the 2021 season at the historic Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Ohio. There will be matches at both the Petrarca Covered range and the Viale outdoor range. Registration for all matches is now open. Competitors of all skill levels are welcome to attend these recreational events. Knowledgeable CMP staff members will be on hand at all events. Space will be limited, so sign up soon.

Garand, Springfield, Vintage and Modern Military at Petrarca Range
A series of GSMM matches will be held at Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range using Camp Perry’s advanced electronic target system. The use of the KTS (Kongsberg Target System) targets means faster competition time (with no need for pit duty) and extra convenience for competitors who can rely on the instant and accurate shot monitors, located beside each firing point. Dates for the 2021 GSMM events at Petrarca Range currently include: May 22, June 26, and September 25.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Petrarca Range and its electronic target system.

High Power Matches at Viale Range
In addition to the Petrarca matches, a set of High Power rifle 800 Aggregate and Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) events will be held on Camp Perry’s outdoor Viale Range, June 26-27, 2021. The CMP explains: “The matches are ideal for those in the quest for a Distinguished Rifleman Badge as well as those with a love for modern military rifle shooting.” The Viale matches will utilize CMP’s High Power electronic targets.

Availability of Petrarca Range for Public Shooting Practice
Along with organized competitions, Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range is open for public shooting each Monday, with advanced reservations. Opening day for Petrarca Range’s Open Public slots begin March 15, 2021. Every Monday, by appointment only, guests may use Petrarca during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through May and September through November. During the summer months (June through August), Petrarca is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Please note: During the National Matches scheduled July 12 – August 14, Petrarca Range will be open throughout the week but only after firing is complete on Rodriguez Range. Guests to Petrarca must adhere to current CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing.

Competing at the Camp Perry National Matches is a “bucket list” item for every serious marksman. The National Matches were first held in 1903, moved to Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1907 and continue to take place every summer at Camp Perry. The National Matches have become a huge, national shooting sports festival with well over 6,000 annual participants.

Here’s the information you need. Below is the 2019 National Matches Calendar for Camp Perry. We’ve also got the complete 2019 National Matches Program for you. Plus you’ll find links to REGISTER ONLINE.

Click 2019 Calendar for full-screen version.

Year 2019 Camp Perry NM Competition activities begin with NRA/CMP pistol matches on July 8-14, 2019. The CMP Junior Rifle Camp, USAMU SAFS, and Smallbore matches run the next week, with the hugely popular Rimfire Sporter Match on July 21. High Power Rifle events kick off on July 23 with the 4-Man Team Match and rifle events run continuously for the next two and a half weeks.

Here are some key dates for RIFLE events:

July 27 – CMP/USAMU Rifle SAFS
July 29 – President’s 100 Rifle Match
July 30 – National Trophy Individual Rifle Match
July 31 – National Junior Team Match
August 1 – National Trophy Team Match, National Carbine Match
August 2 – National Trophy Infantry Team Match (“Rattle Battle”)
August 3 – M1 Garand Match, Springfield/Vintage Bolt Rifle Match
August 4 – M1A Match, Springfield/Vintage Bolt Rifle Match
August 5 – CMP Vintage Sniper Rifle Match
August 5-8 – CMP Long Range Individual Matches
August 9 – Camp Perry Palma Match

PISTOL Registration | SMALLBORE Registration | RIMFIRE Sporter Registration | HIGH POWER Registration

At the Small Arms Firing Schools, rifles and ammo are supplied to trainees.

The John C. Garand match is a Camp Perry classic. Note the signature Garand clip in the air.

The Rimfire Sporter Match attracts hundreds of competitors of all age levels.

The Vintage Sniper Rifle match is a very popular event with two-person teams.

In response to the NRA’s just-revealed plans to move NRA High Power Rifle Matches away from Camp Perry starting in 2017, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced that it will offer MORE matches at the storied Camp Perry facility in 2018. CMP is demonstrating its commitment to Camp Perry, which has been the site of the National Matches since 1907.

CMP Announces New Programs for 2018 National Matches

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is pleased to announce planning is underway for a number of new and exciting programs for the 2018 National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.

“In an effort to continue to attract new competitors and to reward the thousands who annually participate in our matches, the CMP will add new pistol, smallbore, high power rifle, and long range rifle matches in 2018,” said Mark Johnson, CMP Chief Operating Officer.

“A major part of our mission is to conduct competitions, provide marksmanship training and recognize competitors for their progress and achievements as has been done at the National Matches since 1903. Accordingly, we enthusiastically look forward to the opportunity to expand our role at the National Matches at Camp Perry. We are committed to Camp Perry and our published dates for events in 2017 remain set. We have invested in Camp Perry with electronic targets on Petrarca Range, the Bataan Armory, our headquarters building, the CMP North Store, and the Gary Anderson Competition Center.”

Planned enhancements include a new CMP High Power Ranking System which will provide a fair and accountable method of rewarding success on the firing line at every level of experience, above and beyond our current awards. New, challenging pistol and rifle matches will be added to the schedule. Greater shooting opportunities for women and junior competitors are being developed. Increased use of electronic targets is being considered for many events. A CMP Range Officer Certification and Licensing Program has been developed for pistol, rifle and airgun disciplines and will be introduced by year-end.

“The CMP will not waver in its mission of promoting firearm safety and marksmanship training with an emphasis on youth,” Johnson said. “The tradition of the National Matches at Camp Perry will continue, supported by the CMP and the Ohio National Guard, with or without the participation of other organizations.”

Get 2017 National Match Calendar Online
To get more info on the National Matches or to download a 2017 National Match Calendar, visit the CMP website at: http://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-national-matches/.

One of the important events at Camp Perry every summer is the Small Arms Firing School.

Shown is the CMP’s Camp Perry Competition Center with its 80-point electronic target air gun range.