CMP now allows scopes on Service Rifle
Some
observations from Camp Perry 2016
CMP
allows now scopes for service rifle!
This year, CMP changed the rules to allow AR-15 type rifles to have scopes!
NRA/CMP High Power Rifle competition includes stages at 200, 300 and 600 yards. “Service Rifle” division shooters use the civilian equivalent of the US military rifle. For years we used AR15s with iron sights that looked just like the military’s M16A2. (internal accuracy mods are permitted). The military had in recent years adopted the M4 and various types of optics. CMP finally updated the competition rules.
This year, it looked like, the majority are still shooting a conventional A2, but there is more variety with the new rules. For those choosing optics, under that scope, was a flat-top 20” AR15 type rifle with either a quad rail or A2 forend, the Magpul UBS stock and low profile gas block or A2 front sight
This year at Camp Perry there were a LOT of scopes!
The rules allow 4.5X max magnification. There were a lot of Nightforce ($1800) and Leupold scopes. The March was talked about a lot ($2500 or so) I’m not sure how many were on the line. A few Vortex and other scopes such as Hi Lux and one sold by Jim Owens both in the $300 range.
It will take a season or two for all the weak scopes to break and we find out just how much we have to spend to get a fully reliable scope for High Power competiton. And to find the best reticle, parallax, mount etc.
Marine Corp team getting their scoped rifles ready for the NTIT match.
http://arizona-rifleshooting.com/SR-scopes-02.jpg
Some team using scoped rifles in the NTIT match at Camp Perry.
Shooters from the Illinois team laid their rifles out on their coats prior to the start of the NTIT match.
Here is a scope side by side with iron sights.
Shooter using a scoped AR in the 200yd offhand stage.
Army shooter using a scoped AR in the offhand stage at 200yds.
Navy shooter using a scope in the offhand stage at 200yds as the sun rises above Camp Perry.
Scope and Iron shooter side by side at Camp Perry
2 scope shooters with different buttstock types.
This seems to be a common configuration Nightforce scope, Magpul UBS, low profile gasblock.
Another variant, quad rail forend, folding front sight, scope, A2 buttstock.
Scoped AR on a shooter's stool waiting for the next relay.
Scoped AR on a shooter's stool waiting for the next relay.
Scoped rifles set out while the Marine Corp team huddles before the NTIT match.
This seems to be a common configuration Nightforce scope, Magpul UBS, A2 front sight.
So if you’ve been reluctant to get involved in High Power competition because you can’t align the iron sights with a target 200 to 600 yds away. Now’s you chance!
Here in Arizona for years, we’ve encourages shooters to bring any style AR with any sights they want to shoot the club practice matches. So if you’ve got a 3-9 scope or some configuration that doesn’t qualify for the Nationals, come on out to Rio Salado, Phoenix Rod & Gun, Ben Avery or Tucson! We ALWAYS welcome new shooters! If you get serious, you can upgrade your equipment later.
We have beginner’s classes in High Power: At Ben Avery in October with CMP Western Games, and February with Washington’s Birthday, and in October (Sunday 23-oct-16) and April at Rio Salado. We also have beginner-friendly high power shoots that are 200 yds only (shooting the 300 & 600yd stages at the closer distance). 28-Aug at PRGC, 17-Sep at Rio and pretty much every month at both clubs.