If you want to learn more about setting up your sling properly for position shooting, here are some tips from Dennis DeMille, a past Service Rifle Champion who worked for Creedmoor Sports for many years. Dennis explains how to choose a sling, and how to adjust it to fit properly.

The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
Once you know how to set up your sling properly, you’ll want to practice. Dennis DeMille stresses the importance of dry-fire practice with sling and shooting coat. Dry-Fire training is essential to the sling disciplines. Dennis DeMille, a national Service Rifle Champion, told us that, for every minute he spent in actual competition, he would spend hours practicing without ammunition. While in the USMC, Dennis would practice in the barracks, working on his hold and dry-firing:

“The most important thing is to spend time off the range practicing. Most of what I learned as a High Power shooter I learned without ammunition — just spending time dry firing and doing holding exercises. Holding exercises will really identify the weak parts of your position. The primary purpose of dry firing is to get you used to shooting an empty rifle. If you can shoot a loaded rifle the same way you shoot an empty rifle then eventually you will become a High Master.”

Here is Brandon Green, 3-Time Nat’l High Power Champion, when he was with the USAMU. Brandon, one of the nation’s best “hard-holders”, demonstrates proper use of sling in prone position.

Setting-Up a Leather Service Rifle Sling for Competition

So you made the mistake of disassembling your leather service rifle sling, or are intimidated about how to use one? In this Creedmoor Sports InfoZone video, former Creedmoor G.M. Dennis DeMille explains how to set up and use a sling. The covers the basics — Dennis starts with a totally disassembled leather service rifle sling and shows you how to set it up properly.

Tip: “Many shooters shy away from using a leather sling because they have never been taught how to use one. That’s unfortunate. In my opinion a leather sling offers more support than a web sling, which is important when competing with the heavier than normal rifles.”

Configuring the Sling for the Standing (Offhand) Position
In this second in a series of Creedmoor InfoZone videos on the setup and use of the leather service rifle sling, Dennis DeMille details how to configure and best utilize the leather service rifle sling while shooting from the standing position.

Tip: “Putting the Frogs in different hole will change the amount of added elevation a sling provides.”

Looking at Sling Types — Comparing the Features
In this video Dennis showcases a large variety of shooting slings. He explains the strong points of each type so you can choose the sling best suited to your discipline and shooting style.

REGISTER Now for CMP 2026 National Matches at Camp Perry
Registration for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s 2026 National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches is now. This year’s National Matches will run from July 12 through August 9, 2026. Review the new 2026 National Matches schedule and other event info on the CMP website at TheCMP.org/cmp-national-matches.

2026 National Match Program | 2026 National Match Calendar

Click discipline below for REGISTRATION information, match program, and match schedule:

The CMP National Matches, held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Base since 1907, is conducted via a partnership between the CMP and the Ohio National Guard. The National Matches include multiple indoor and outdoor events, with spectators welcome to watch this noteworthy, century-old competition.

Along with several competitive opportunities for adults and juniors of all experience levels, the National Matches features a variety of educational clinics for marksmen and women as well as retail selections from some of today’s leading industry vendors. Whether participating for the first time, a seasoned competitor or simply observing, the National Matches has something for everyone. All events are open to the public, free for viewing. Spectators are welcome to observe firing on the Camp Perry ranges at any time, with ample parking on-site.

Highpower, Service Rifle, and Vintage Rifle

Introduced last year, the National Trophy Rifle series will again be held completely on electronic targets! The schedule of events includes prestigious matches like the President’s Rifle, Hearst Doubles, Rattle Battle, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team events. NOTE: The National Trophy Infantry Team Match will still be on paper targets.

A paired Junior Team Match is also on the schedule for young competitors, along with an assortment of vintage and modern military rifle events like the John C. Garand, Springfield and Vintage Sniper matches for individuals at every stage of their marksmanship abilities. Additionally, the M14 Heritage Match is a major attraction.

CMP National Championship Rifle

The CMP National Championship series features three days of 800 Aggregate competitions and a 4-Person Team event. Awards are presented for the leading competitors of each day as well as for the culminating 2400 Aggregate (800×3).

Mid-Range and Long-Range Rifle

The CMP’s National Mid-Range and Long-Range series features both individual and team competitions, fired fully on CMP’s line of outdoor electronic targets. All Mid/Long-Range matches are open to Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma Rifle, F-Open, F-TR or AR Tactical categories fired from 600 yards (Mid-Range) and 1,000 yards (Long-Range).

New for 2026: The CMP has added a Mid/Long-Range category for this year: F-Class Practical. This “Practical” class is geared toward new competitors and has more affordable equipment standards. In addition, this summer an International 12-Person Team Match will be held, featuring teams from the United States, Great Britain and Canada. The event will feature a Palma course of fire: record shots at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards.

Rimfire Sporter Rifle

Highlighted as one of CMP’s most popular events, the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match features .22 caliber competition in open sights (O-Class), telescopic (T-Class), tactical/unlimited (TU) and U.S. military rimfire training rifles (M-Class). The event is perfect for those just beginning in the sport or those looking for a unique challenge on the range.

Like last year, the event will be fired completely on electronic targets! Competitors will be able to enjoy close parking and the covered structure of Petrarca Range.

Smallbore Rifle

Likewise, the National Smallbore events will be fired on the same electronic targets as Rimfire Sporter — also setup on Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range. The schedule includes three-position and prone events, complete with an F-Class category for interested individuals.

National Air Rifle Championship

The National Air Rifle Championship (60 Shot and Team Match) for adults and juniors will be held at the same time as 3-position smallbore to accommodate those competitors wishing to fire in both events. These are sanctioned USA Shooting Designated Ranking Matches.

Pistol Events and Glock Challenge

Fired this year on newly minted paper targets branded with CMP’s insignia, the National Pistol events include a mix of traditional matches like the President’s 100 Pistol, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team events, along with a series of 900 Aggregate matches for .22, Center Fire and .45 Pistol. The GSSF GLOCK National Challenge will be returning to the schedule in 2026 along with the Service Revolver EIC Match. The National Air Pistol Championship will be held in the evening to allow competitors to take part in the aggregate matches during the day.

National Matches Air Gun Events

For air rifle and air pistol competitors, the National Matches Air Gun events will be offered within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center’s 80-point indoor electronic target range – also located on Camp Perry. The air gun events are available through the entirety of the National Matches and appeal to those of any experience level, with supported bench options included.

Marksmanship Training Clinics and SAFS

Image shows 2023 National High Power Rifle Champion Amanda Elsenboss (left) providing instruction. Amanda was, a former USAMU Team member, now serves in the National Guard.

Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) will be held for rifle, pistol and smallbore rifle. Participants in SAFS are trained by some of the top military instructors in the country on firearm safety and competition basics. All firearms and ammo are provided for the live-fire portion of the clinic. Other clinics during the National Matches include a Rimfire Sporter Rifle Clinic, the CMP Junior Rifle Clinic and the CMP Advanced Highpower Clinic, for more experienced competitors. Most clinics include both classroom and live-fire training on the range.

Ray Gross, one of America’s great rifle competitors, has served as captain of the United States F-TR Team. While Ray is best known for his F-Class shooting and leadership, Ray is also an experienced service rifle shooter, who secured his Distinguished Rifleman Badge 31 years ago. Ray has shot many rifles during his competitive shooting career, but the M1A rifle above held a special place in Ray’s heart. This old semi-auto earned Ray his Distinguished Badge, and he’ll never forget that, though he parted with the rifle in 2016.

Posting back in 2016, Ray told us:

“I said goodbye to an old friend… Affectionately known as ‘Number 2′, she is the rifle that I earned my Distinguished Rifleman Badge with in 1995 (#1159).

That rifle was also responsible for a fair amount of Venison in the ’90s, as well. But since then, she has spent a lot of time in the closet. Last time I got her out was to destroy a bunch of hard drives containing evidence collected during my Computer Forensics days. She deserved better than that.

I will miss the beautiful sound of all that American steel slamming into battery when I tripped her bolt.” – Ray Gross

Ray Gross was profiled in Shooting Sports USA a few seasons back. Ray explained how he started his competitive shooting career with an M1A rifle:

How did you begin in competitive shooting?

I began competing in 1991, at age 27. I bought an M1A and joined the Midland County Sportsman’s Club. One day I was at the club shooting the M1A when a member, Rich Koskela, came over and invited me to join them shooting competitions. Up until that point, I had no idea there was such a thing as NRA Competitive Shooting and I had been a member since 1986. Anyway, Rich and some of his friends showed me the basics and at my first match, I finished in the top half and first MU.

What are your major accomplishments in the shooting sports?

In 1995, I earned the Distinguished Rifleman Badge and a few years later switched to Palma rifle. On the way to making my first Palma team in 2003, I won the Army Cup, the Andrus trophy twice and the Sierra Trophy once. As a coach, I won the Herrick match, and seven F-TR National Championship team matches. Internationally, I’ve coached three gold medal America Match teams (The USA has only won four in Palma Rifle), and earned a Silver and Bronze coaching on the Palma Team in 2015 and 2019. In 2017, I led the U.S. F-TR Team to a World Championship. In 2019, I also won the NRA ELR National Championship (25-lb max Division).”

“Descended from the M1 Garand, the M14 utilized multiple improvements that made it a far superior firearm for combat and a much better rifle for competition.” — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA.

In the April 2018 issue of Shooting Sports USA, you’ll find a good article on the civilian version of the M14, now sold commercially as the Springfield M1A. An evolution of the battle-proven M1 Garand, the M14 was designed to shoot the 7.62×51 (.308 Win) round instead of the larger .30-06 Springfield cartridge used in WWI, WWII and Korea. While the vast majority of today’s M1As are chambered for .308 Win/7.62×51, Springfield Armory also produces a 6.5 Creedmoor version.

Dick Jones reports that accurized M14/M1As could post remarkable scores: “The accuracy potential of the M14/M1A is unquestionable. During their reign as service rifles, they produced multiple perfect 200 scores at 600 and 1000 yards in the hands of top shooters. This is a difficult feat with a modern, scoped, magnum-caliber rifle and remarkable with an iron-sighted battle rifle. Good competition rifles can group 10 shots under one MOA, and the meticulously-massaged rifles used by the top shooters during my career would consistently put up 10 shots under an inch at 200 yards off a test cradle.”

For many years, the semi-auto version of the M14 was “top dog” in iron sights Service Rifle competition. Now that discipline is dominated by .223 Rem (5.56×45) AR-type rifles, but the bigger .308-caliber rifle, now sold as the M1A, remains popular. And in non-pandemic years, the CMP hosts a major M1A Match at Camp Perry, sponsored by Springfield Armory. This is a very popular event with 100+ competitors and significant cash prizes.

This Springfield Armory video explains M1A field-striping, cleaning, and maintenance.

As racing improves automobiles, competition improves firearms, and the current crop of Springfield M1As, from the Basic to the top-of-the-line Super Match and Loaded models, reflects the years of development. The M14 and its variants are … still considered by many to be the best battle rifle in the history of the U.S. Military. — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA

Military Version Operation Revealed — M14 Training Film

The original military version of the M1A was the select-fire M14. The 27-minute official U.S. Army video below demonstrates the operation of the M14. Field-stripping is shown from the 5:13 time-mark through 8:30. Cut-away drawings show the M14’s gas operation at 8:40.

Watch M14 Functioning Cycle Starting at 9:25 Mark:

The M14’s complete 8-step functioning cycle is demonstrated from the 9:25 time-mark through 22:41. These eight operations are: 1) Feeding; 2) Chambering; 3) Locking; 4) Firing; 5) Unlocking; 6) Extracting; 7) Ejecting; and 8) Cocking. This movie is fairly long, but fans of battle rifles will find it well worth their time. Every M1A owner should definitely watch this video start to finish.

The First Shot, the CMP’s online magazine, features a well-written article on Prone Shooting Technique by SPC Matthew Sigrist of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU). The article covers all the major points of gun hold and body position: hand position, elbow position, stock weld, buttstock placement, and sling position/tension.

Keep it Steady — The Elements of a Good Prone Position

Part 1 — Building the Position
By SPC Matthew Sigrist

Imagine the following scenario: You are at the last stage of fire in the National Trophy Individual Match, firing at the 600 yard line in the prone position and every point matters. What should you reflect on as you prepare to shoot this final string? As your eyes cloud from sweat, you realize that all you have to rely on is your experience and knowledge of the fundamentals.

During the National Trophy Individual Match, you will fire 60 percent of your shots from the prone position. This article will address the fundamentals of a good prone position and help you learn the techniques required to be successful in both the slow and rapid-fire stages of National Match competition.

This article will be divided into two parts. In part one, we will discuss the elements of a good prone position. In part two, we will cover the techniques you will in the rapid-fire and slow-fire stages.

The Fundamentals

The fundamentals are the building blocks of a position. Much like the framework of a house, a correct application of the fundamentals ensures a solid and stable structure. Since each person’s position will depend on their particular body build and shape, there is no “perfect position” that applies to everyone. Experience, practice and knowledge of the correct fundamentals will dictate the best position for you.

There are six key elements of any position. The purpose for these six points is to achieve a solid platform that allows for consistent sight alignment using the least amount of muscle tension.

1. Placement of the Firing Hand (the hand that pulls the trigger)
The firing hand needs to be placed high on the pistol grip. This high hand position will give you better control of the rifle. Combined with a firm grip there will be a reduced amount of hand movement when pulling the trigger. Wrap your thumb over the three fingers on the pistol grip (excluding the trigger finger). This will help isolate the movement of the trigger finger.

2. Placement of the Non-firing Hand (the hand supporting the rifle).
The non-firing hand should grip the handguard or stock in the flat portion of the hand between the thumb and forefinger. The fingers should curl naturally around the stock, but they should not grip it tightly. The position of the hand on the stock will depend on the physical size of the shooter. Generally speaking, taller shooters with longer arms will grip the rifle further out, near the sling swivel, while shorter shooters will need to pull their hand rearward. This is sometimes referred to as “short-stocking” the rifle.

3. Stock Weld
Stock weld is the contact that the face makes with the stock. It is important because it directly effects your sight alignment. Consistent head placement will help you achieve consistent sight alignment. The human head weighs an average of 8 to 10 pounds. The full weight of the head must rest on the stock. In doing this you achieve two things, a relaxed neck and reduced recoil because of the pressure of the head.

4. Placement of the Rifle (the contact that is made in the firing shoulder)
The rifle butt placement needs to be consistent. If this changes between shots, it effects your sight alignment and the effect of recoil. In the prone position the rifle will sit lower in the shoulder compared to other shooting positions. This allows for a more forward head and a lower position as a whole.

5. Position of the Sling
The sling should be high on the arm, above the bicep. This way the sling will have less leverage on the arm so it doesn’t cut off the circulation.

Demonstration of the placement of the firing elbow (left) and non-firing elbows (right).

6. Placement of both the firing, and non-firing elbows
A guideline for non-firing elbow placement is that there should be 1 ½’’ to 2’’ gap between your non-firing arm and the rifle’s magazine. (NOTE: this references the AR-15 service rifle) Your arm should be almost straight up and down; this will transfer the weight directly down the arm and not to the side (see picture above). Think of the firing arm as only a kind of kickstand, it doesn’t support weight it only holds the firing hand in position.

Variations of the Prone Position

There are two main variations of the prone position; open/spread legged, and bent-legged. The two types will be discussed below.

Open/Spread Leg Position

Demonstration of the Open/Spread Leg Position.

The first position is the open/spread legged position. This is when the shooter spreads their legs shoulder width or more apart. This allows for a more forward pressure on the sling and elbows. This position requires a tighter sling and solid elbow placement. The rifle should sit tight in the shoulder. With this position, your body will be farther behind the rifle compared to the bent leg position, allowing for minimum disturbance from recoil.

Bent Leg Position

Demonstration of the Bent Leg Position.

The bent leg position is when the shooter bends the firing side leg up towards the firing hand making the knee at a rough 90 degree angle to the body. The non-firing leg will remain straight and inline with the body. This will take pressure off the lungs and heart minimizing the pulse from the chest as well as easing the pressure on the lungs which will allow for easy breathing and control.

Summary

You now know the fundamentals of a good prone position, as well as the two types most commonly used. Extensive dry-firing will reveal which is the best position for you. If possible, have a friend take pictures of you in position. This will enable you to better diagnose and correct your errors. Remember, a position must be both fundamentally sound and comfortable. Practice frequently to learn your new position and to develop the conditioning required to endure long days on the range.

M1A rifles at M14 Heritage Match at Camp Perry
Today we feature the M1A rifle. Last week, the rugged M1A rifle, descended from the M1 Garand and M14, was the star of the show at Camp Perry. The M14 Heritage Match was held last Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the CMP 2025 National Rifle Matches.

History of the M14 Heritage Match and Springfield M1A Match
The M14 Heritage Match, previously the Springfield Armory M1A match, began with one man’s concept. Springfield Armory’s Mike Doy witnessed the waning of classic M1 Garand and M1A rifles from the competitive High Power firing lines. “I really wanted to get those M1A rifles out of safes and closets and back out onto the field. So [in 2008] I promoted the idea of running an M1A-specific match at Camp Perry. That first year we had over 600 competitors and spectators.” After running as a Springfield Armory-sponsored match (with cash prizes) for many years, the match is now the “M14 Heritage Match”.

Folks, take the time to WATCH this 3-minute video. It has great match footage of Camp Perry and interviews with M1A competitors. Well worth watching!

Nick Till in 2009 M1A Match. Nick was the 2007 Service Rifle Nat’l Champion. Photo courtesy NRA Blog.

M1A Competition at Camp Perry National Matches
For many years, the semi-auto version of the M14 was “top dog” in iron sights Service Rifle competition. Now that discipline is dominated by .223 Rem (5.56×45) AR-type rifles, but the bigger .308-caliber rifle, now sold as the M1A, remains popular. The CMP hosts a major M1A Match every year at Camp Perry now called the “M14 Heritage Match”. Significant prizes are awarded. In past years M1A Match competitors took home over $25,000 worth of cash and merchandise when the match was sponsored by Springfield Armory.

Photo courtesy Civilian Marksmanship Program.

M1A Match 2016 — Rapid Fire Sitting Stage

In the April 2018 issue of Shooting Sports USA, you’ll find a good article on the civilian version of the M14, now sold commercially as the Springfield M1A. An evolution of the battle-proven M1 Garand, the M14 was designed to shoot the 7.62×51 (.308 Win) round instead of the larger .30-06 Springfield cartridge used in WWI, WWII and Korea. While the vast majority of today’s M1As are chambered for .308 Win/7.62×51, Springfield Armory also produces a 6.5 Creedmoor version.

Dick Jones reports that accurized M14/M1As could post remarkable scores: “The accuracy potential of the M14/M1A is unquestionable. During their reign as service rifles, they produced multiple perfect 200 scores at 600 and 1000 yards in the hands of top shooters. This is a difficult feat with a modern, scoped, magnum-caliber rifle and remarkable with an iron-sighted battle rifle. Good competition rifles can group 10 shots under one MOA, and the meticulously-massaged rifles used by the top shooters during my career would consistently put up 10 shots under an inch at 200 yards off a test cradle.”

In this video, YouTube Reviewer Hickok 45 compares the M1 Garand and the M14/M1A:

“Descended from the M1 Garand, the M14 utilized multiple improvements that made it a far superior firearm for combat and a much better rifle for competition.” — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA.

M1A Match Equipment Rules and Course of Fire
Renewed interest in the M1A led to the first dedicated Camp Perry M1A match in 2008. That first-ever match drew over 500 shooters. Match equipment rules allow pretty much all types/grades of M1As. The one-day course of fire consists of 50 shots at 300 yards on the NRA MR-65F target, as follows: 5 sighters; 20 shots slow-fire prone; 10 shots rapid-fire prone; 10 shots rapid-fire, kneeling or sitting; and 10 shots slow-fire standing. Here are photos from the 2014 MIA match, courtesy NRA General Operations.

See how the modern M1A is built in this Springfield Armory Video:

As racing improves automobiles, competition improves firearms, and the current crop of Springfield M1As, from the Basic to the top-of-the-line Super Match and Loaded models, reflects the years of development. The M14 and its variants are … still considered by many to be the best battle rifle in the history of the U.S. Military. — Dick Jones, Shooting Sports USA

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.

CLICK HERE for history of the President’s Match.

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.

The National President’s 100 Match is a famous competition held at Camp Perry every summer. This year’s President’s 100 will take place on July 28, 2025, three weeks away. 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.

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.

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.

CLICK HERE for history of the President’s Match.

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.

The CMP Eastern Games ran April 25 through May 4, 2025 at the Camp Butner Training Facility in North Carolina. The 2025 Eastern Games had nearly 450 competitors from 33 states who competed in a variety of events including rimfire sporter, highpower rifle, long range rifle, and pistol. This popular event, part of CMP’s Travel Games series, combines competitions and educational clinics open to adults and juniors of all experience levels. CLICK HERE to learn more about the CMP Eastern Games.

» VIEW 2025 CMP Eastern Games Match Program

The CMP employs electronic targets for all highpower and long-range events at Eastern Games.

Here Are Some of the Notable Eastern Games Winners by Category:

Garand Match Overall: David (Greg) Ficklin, 296-6X *New Record
Long Range Aggregate: SSG Logan Frost, USA, 793-36X
Four Gun Aggregate: Keith Schachle, 1151-35X
Mid-Range 3×600 Match Rifle (and High Overall): Jerrel Neuhaus, 598-30X
Carbine Match Overall: Victor Betzold, 359-3X
Vintage Sniper Team Semi-Auto: Team Shenanigans, 395-24X *New Record
Rimfire Sporter Match Tactical: John Hawes, 596-39X *New Record
Overall Individual Pistol Aggregate: CWO4 Brian Turlington, USCG, 1546-20X

There will be modern and vintage military rifle competitions, like the Springfield, Carbine, and John C. Garand Matches, as well as the .22 Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match and Vintage Sniper team event. Mid-Range 3×600 and 1,000-yard Long Range matches, added to Eastern Games in recent years, will also make a return in 2025, as well as CMP Cup Rifle Matches – comprised of 4-Man Team, 80 Shot and EIC Rifle competitions. All rifle matches will be fired on advanced CMP electronic targets, removing pit duty. That allows matches to be concluded more quickly.

Long Range Competition at CMP Eastern Games

The newest addition to the CMP Eastern Games is the Long Range program for Palma rifles, service rifles, and F-Class rifles. KTS (Kongsberg Target System) electronic targets were used for this match as well as all other rifle matches. Shown above is a Long Range competitor shooting with scoped Eliseo Tubegun. Note the viewing screen for electronic target. In addition to the Long Range Rifle matches, there will be a mid-range 3×600 match, EIC Rifle match, 80-shot HP match, Carbine Match, Vintage Sniper Match, 4-Man Team match, and other rifle competitions.

Garand, Springfield and Modern Military (GSMM) Matches

Like other Travel Games events, those competing in the John C. Garand Match with As-Issued M1 Rifles will have the chance to earn a GCA (Garand Collectors Association) Master Marksman medal.

Service Rifle Competition at CMP Eastern Games

There were multiple matches for modern service rifles. Current rules allow ARs to be fitted with optics. In CMP and NRA service rifle competitions using AR-15 platform rifles, scopes are allowed with a maximum magnification of 4.5X and a maximum objective lens of 34mm, and the rifle, including the optic, must weigh no more than 11.5 pounds.

Rimfire Sporter Competition at CMP Eastern Games

The CMP had a good turn-out of Rimfire Sporter class competitors. Rimfire Sporter competition uses relatively inexpensive .22 LR production rifles and is a good way to enjoy a CMP match without a huge investment in rifle and scope. John Hawes set a new 596-39X record in Rimfire Sporter Tactical Class. Victor Betzold won Rimfire Sporter T-Class with 588-33.

Pistol Competition at the CMP Eastern Games

The Eastern Games included multiple pistol competitions including Centerfire, .45 and .22 Pistol 900 Aggregates and a Service Revolver EIC Match. In the pistol competitions, Daniel Kupar won the any sights category in the Pistol 2700 Aggregate with a score of 2563-95X. SFC Ryan Adams won metallic sights with 2513-59X. Martha Hall took first place for .22 only with her score of 2433-51X.

For more information about the CMP and its programs, visit TheCMP.org.

The CMP Eastern Games will run April 25 through May 4, 2025 at the Camp Butner Training Facility in North Carolina. This popular event, part of CMP’s Travel Games series, combines competitions and educational clinics open to adults and juniors of all experience levels. CLICK HERE to learn more about the CMP Eastern Games and to access the Eastern Games Registration Page.

» VIEW and Download 2025 CMP Eastern Games Match Program

There will be modern and vintage military rifle competitions, like the Springfield, Carbine, and John C. Garand Matches, as well as the .22 Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match and Vintage Sniper team event. Mid-Range 3×600 and 1,000-yard Long Range matches, added to Eastern Games in recent years, will also make a return in 2025, as well as CMP Cup Rifle Matches – comprised of 4-Man Team, 80 Shot and EIC Rifle competitions. All rifle matches will be fired on advanced CMP electronic targets, removing pit duty. That allows matches to be concluded more quickly.

Long Range Competition at CMP Eastern Games

The newest addition to the CMP Eastern Games is the Long Range program for Palma rifles, service rifles, and F-Class rifles. KTS (Kongsberg Target System) electronic targets were used for this match as well as all other rifle matches. Shown above is a Long Range competitor shooting with scoped Eliseo Tubegun. Note the viewing screen for electronic target. In addition to the Long Range Rifle matches, there will be a mid-range 3×600 match, EIC Rifle match, 80-shot HP match, Carbine Match, Vintage Sniper Match, 4-Man Team match, and other rifle competitions.

Garand, Springfield and Modern Military (GSMM) Matches

Like other Travel Games events, those competing in the John C. Garand Match with As-Issued M1 Rifles will have the chance to earn a GCA (Garand Collectors Association) Master Marksman medal.

Service Rifle Competition at CMP Eastern Games

There will be multiple matches for modern service rifles. Current rules allow ARs to be fitted with optics. In CMP and NRA service rifle competitions using AR-15 platform rifles, scopes are allowed with a maximum magnification of 4.5X and a maximum objective lens of 34mm, and the rifle, including the optic, must weigh no more than 11.5 pounds.

Rimfire Sporter Competition at CMP Eastern Games

The CMP expects a high turn-out of Rimfire Sporter class competitors. Rimfire Sporter competition is conducted with relatively inexpensive .22 LR production rifles and is a good way to enjoy a CMP match without a huge investment in rifle, fancy optics, and shooting gear.

Pistol Competition at the CMP Eastern Games

The Eastern Games will include multiple pistol competitions including Centerfire, .45 and .22 Pistol 900 Aggregates and a Service Revolver EIC Match. Those interested in learning more about the sport may also sign up for the Pistol Marksmanship 101 courses taught by certified CMP instructors.

For more information about the CMP and its programs, visit TheCMP.org.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) has created a series of instructional videos about High Power Rifle shooting, Service Rifle shooting, 3-Gun matches, and pistol competition. We’ve linked five of these informative USAMU videos today along with a special profile video on Amanda Elsenboss, who, as a USAMU shooter, has won both the Long Range and High Power National Championships in recent years.

In addition, as a major BONUS, we link twenty (20) informative articles authored by expert USAMU shooters and coaches. Those excellent, detailed articles covering a wide range of topics including rifle positions, wind reading, fitness training, trigger control, nutrition, training plans, and much more.

Amanda Elsenboss — National HP and Long Range Champion

The gifted SSG Amanda Elsenboss won the 2023 NRA High Power Championship, the 2021 NRA High Power National Championship, and the 2019 NRA Long-Range Championship. In 2022 Amanda also won the National President’s Rifle Match, the first woman ever to do so. Those accomplishments place Amanda among America’s legendary shooters. Amanda started shooting at age 8 with her father, then began competitive marksmanship at age 13. In 2009, she joined the U.S. Army as part of the USAMU rifle team. She has left full-time service, but is now a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Sight Alignment and Trigger Control

In this USAMU Shooter’s Corner instructional video, SFC Kenneth Rose explains key elements of using sights on a service rifle. Rose also explain how to make the trigger pull at the optimum moment when the sights are perfectly aligned and steady.

How to Set Up Sling and Rifle for Prone Shooting

In this video, the USAMU’s SGT Jonathan Wannemacher explains how to set up a service rifle sling for prone rifle shooting. Wannemacher has earned a number of coveted awards including the the Distinguished Rifleman Badge and President’s Hundred Tab.

Rifle Grip, Stance, and Body Position for 3-Gun Action Matches

SFC Daniel Horner, now with SIG Sauer, is arguably the best 3-Gun action shooter on the planet. Horner has won multiple major 3-Gun Championships, shooting rifle, shotgun, and pistol in timed action matches. Horner’s speed, accuracy, and mobility is without peer. In this video, Horner shows techniques for AR-type rifle shooting in 3-Gun competition.

Amazing Trick Shot with Air Rifle

In this Trick Shot Tuesday video SPC Ivan Roe shoots a pill (at two different angles) off the top of a balloon. Very impressive shooting! Ivan hails from Manhattan, Montana and has been a notable member of the USAMU International Rifle Team.

How to Use Data Books During Matches

Data books can be very valuable tools during marksmanship training. In this video, USAMU shooter SGT Lane Ichord explains Data Book basics and how to log information during practice and matches.

BONUS: 20 Marksmanship Articles from USAMU Experts

USAMU shooters and coaches have written an excellent series of articles on highpower and service rifle shooting. Many of these originally appeared in The First Shot, the CMP’s on-line magazine. Here are twenty notable USAMU expert articles:

Elements of a Good Prone Position – Building the Position – By SPC Matthew Sigrist
Crossed-Ankle Sitting Position – By SFC Grant Singley
Standing and Trigger Control – By SFC Brandon Green

So you want to shoot Infantry Trophy? – By SFC Norman Anderson
Thinking Your Way to Success – By SFC Emil Praslick
Coats, Gloves, and Mitts – By PFC Evan Hess
Straight to the Rear – By SPC Tyrel Cooper
It’s Just a Sling – By SFC Lance Dement
Strapping In – By SPC Calvin Roberts