CMP National Rimfire Sporter Match slated

PORT CLINTON – One of the most popular events of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s National Rifle Matches is always the Rimfire Sporter Match, firing this year on Thursday at Camp Perry.

The match is perfect for preparing first-time shooters for competition-style shooting as well as allowing experienced marksmen to rekindle a nostalgic connection with a .22-caliber rifle.

Fired every year to a growing crowd of competitors, the event is simple enough that even new shooters can complete it while also being uniquely challenging for experienced riflemen. It’s the perfect opportunity for families or old friends to participate in a fun afternoon of entertaining competition.

During the match, competitors fire small-bore sporter rifles from 50 and 25 yards. Rifles may be manually operated or semi-automatic and supported with sights or a sling. Competitors will complete slow fire prone, rapid fire prone, slow fire sitting or kneeling, rapid fire sitting or kneeling, slow fire standing and rapid fire standing shot sequences.

There is no minimum age for the match, but all competitors must be capable of safely completing a 60-shot course of fire.

Three classifications of rifles will be used during the competition: “O Class” for open-sighted rifles, “T Class” for telescope-sighted rifles and the recently added “Tactical Rimfire” class. High juniors and seniors, as well as overall winners, will be named for each class.

For those wanting to learn more about the match before firing, an instructional Rimfire Sporter Clinic will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday to cover rules, Course of Fire, safety instructions and competition procedures. The free course will include demonstrations and presentations by qualified members of the CMP.

Competitors with no previous Rimfire Sporter Match experience are strongly encouraged to attend.

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