Rifle 

The Rifle Special Interest Group (SIG) participates in numerous different informal rifle matches throughout the year at both the indoor and outdoor ranges.  While these matches are not sanctioned by the NRA or CMP, they call upon many of the same marksmanship skills and are attended by some of the best shooters in the area (many of which are current or former NRA Highpower, CMP, or rifle silhouette shooters).

During the winter months (January through April, with some practice time in November-December), the Rifle SIG has a weekly smallbore (22 rifle) match at the indoor range.  There is a rapid-fire match on the first Tuesday of the month, a slow fire precision match on official light rifle 50 ft targets on the second Tuesday, an indoor smallbore rifle silhouette match on the third Tuesday, and a fun game called Black Death (so named because if your shot strays into the black area of the target you lose) on the fourth Tuesday.  This match tests both the rifle and the shooter’s gamesmanship…there is an element of risk in this game.  Typically, a group of shooters will attend a local “watering hole” after these matches to continue the revelry.

During the summer months (May-September/October) the group has outdoor matches at either the 50-yard or 100-yard range.  Two of the four are offhand (standing) matches in which any safe rifle can be used (both centerfire and rimfire), one is a 22LR only benchrest match, and one is an any-rifle benchrest match; this is the only match that takes place on the 100-yard range.  As noted above, often after shooting is finished a group will adjourn to have a drink or two.

There is also a 30/40 bore match that runs year-round on the second Saturday of each month.  This match consists of shooting a rifle with open sights (lever actions predominate) at buffalo targets on the 50-yard range.  This is also an offhand match, consisting of 20 shots for record with no time limit.

As noted above, these matches are attended by some of the best shooters in the area.  They are competitive in a friendly way; no one walks away with anything other than bragging rights.  We welcome new shooters and are always ready and willing to share our knowledge with new folks.  After all, that’s how many of us learned!