CMP Gearing Up for New Mid-Range Match along with Long Range National Matches
July 13, 2023
By Sheri Trusty, CMP Feature Writer
The wide scope of the 2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Long Range National Matches provides an opportunity for just about anyone to test their skill at long distance shooting including a new Mid-Range Match. Participants can compete with six different rifles in three different classes, making the matches accessible to marksmen of all skill levels. The matches will be held on July 31 to Aug. 5 during the National Matches on Camp Perry’s Viale Range.
“Pretty much anyone who has a long range rifle or AR can shoot the matches,” said CMP Highpower Rifle Coordinator Sara Rozanski. “We could get anyone to fall into one of the categories offered.”
The Long Range series featuring 800, 900, and 1,000-yard matches was launched by CMP in 2018. This year, a 600-yard Mid-Range match was added.
“This is the first time we’ve had a mid-range match. It’s three matches, shot at 600 yards,” Rozanski said. “This is a program we’d like to grow.”
The Long Range series includes ten individual and team events. The matches are named for citizen soldiers and those whose vision and determination made Camp Perry, Ohio, the site of one of the finest ranges in the world and permanent home of The National Matches. Participants can compete with a Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma, F-Open, F T/R or AR Tactical in the Service, Match and Palma rifle classes.
Marksmen are welcome to compete for one day or every day of the event. Daily and package fees are available.
“Awards are presented at the end of each day, and the aggregate awards will be presented on the last day. Competitors can win a match for that category and receive their award that day,” Rozanski said.
With the variety of competition options and the relatively small amount of equipment needed, Long Range matches can be an easy step into national competition. In addition to a rifle and ammo, Rozanski recommends competitors bring the following equipment: a prone mat, a range bag, safety glasses, ear protection, and, if they wish, a shooting jacket.
Competitors are encouraged to bring their families with them to the competition. Spouses and children can spend time in the air gun range at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, where air guns are available to rent and a shooting simulator will be set up.
“This year, we’re getting a simulator. It’s computer-based shooting on a big screen,” Rozanski said. “You’re not shooting real bullets or pellets. You’re shooting lasers at a screen. It has trap and skeet and hunting – just about anything you can think of.”
In addition to on-site activities, Port Clinton, located on the shores of Lake Erie, offers a wide range of entertainment. Downtown Port Clinton, which is about a ten-minute drive from Camp Perry, is filled with shops, restaurants and many opportunities to hear live music. Waterworks Park offers swimming, boating and fishing. North Coast Beachfitters, located at Waterworks Park, rents water equipment like paddleboards, kayaks and boogie boards. The Arts Garage (TAG) features resident artists, art exhibits and art classes. Hopfinger Zimmerman Memorial Park offers a playground, pickleball courts, basketball courts, a dog park, a swimming pond, a fishing pond and pavilions. The Liberty Aviation Museum features vintage automobiles, airplanes and military vehicles.
“If they are worried about bringing their families, there is plenty of sightseeing for them to do during the day,” Rozanski said. “And the matches usually end by about 3:30, so families have the whole evening to explore Port Clinton.”
Back at Camp Perry, competitors can have their own fun competing on the range. Events include:
• Mid-Range 3×600 – 20 shots slow prone at 600 yards in 22-minute block times
• Viale Memorial, Critchfield, Henry Memorial, Kerr Memorial, McMaken & Speaks Memorial, Baesel Memorial individual matches – 20 record slow prone shots in 30 minutes at 1,000 yards
• Bataan Memorial 4-Man Team Match – 20 shots slow prone by each member at 1,000 yards
• Winder Memorial Iron Team Match – 20 record shots per team member in 47 minutes from 1,000 yards
• Camp Perry Palma Match – 15 record shots at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards, in a block time of 22 minutes at each firing line
The CMP Long Range Nationals will kick off with the CMP Mid-Range Match on July 31.
“Then it’s several days of long range matches. All events are open to the public,” Rozanski said.
Camp Perry offers a unique competition environment. The historic grounds have been home to generations of military personnel, and it is one of the few remaining ranges that offer long range shooting.
“There are not many ranges where you can shoot 800, 900 or 1000 yards. They are becoming more and more rare,” Rozanski said. “Camp Perry is a premium range with a lot of history. People say it’s one of the toughest but most unique ranges to shoot on.”
Rules for the CMP Mid-Range and Long Range Matches can be found in the CMP Highpower Rifle Competition Rulebook available at www.thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023HighpowerRifleRules.pdf?vers=061123.
Information on lodging can be found at www.cplcc.com.
Further information on the match, including fees and registration links, can be found at https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/national-long-range-matches/.