I think I
should
explain
what a “match
rifle”
is
compared
to a “service
rifle”.
I
started
out the
year
(1999)
under the
mistaken
impression
that
Highpower
Rifle
Competition
was all
about the “Service
Rifle”.
This
is
evidenced
by the “DCM
AR-15”
article
found
elsewhere
in
EGPWorld.
There
may be
some
people
that are
under the
mistaken
impression
that the
“service
rifle”
is the
only way
to shoot
Highpower.
I
hope a lot
of people
aren’t
being
turned off
by this,
because
that would
be a
shame.
The
great
thing
about the
AR-15 is
that it
really
doesn’t
matter all
that much
either
way! In
a
nutshell,
“service
rifle”
Highpower
competition
manifests
itself in
the form
of a “leg
match”.
A
“leg
match”
is,
typically,
a 500
point NRA
Highpower
match that
is shot
across the
course and
no sighter
shots are
allowed.
This
“no
sighters”
rule makes
it double
tough.
One
had better
know their
equipment
and wind
calls, especially
in the
rapids. Note:
I
was at the
Nationals
at Camp
Perry in
1999
during the
big “leg
match”.
I
was there
just as an
observer.
Suffice
to say, it
was very
educational.
The
military
teams
dominate,
without
question.
Their
scores
were a
minimum of
98% across
the board
for the
Marines
and the
AMSU.
It
appeared
that half
of the
military
shooters
were
women, and
they
appear to
be in the
pace
group.
The
AR-15
totally
rules the
event.
Wood
stocks
were few
and far
between.
These
people
have their
poop
collated.
Do
not be the
enemy
downrange
of one
these
shooters!
Be
afraid, be
very
afraid…
The other
big
distinction
of the
service
rifle
class is
the rules.
A
lot of
these
rules
center
around the
rifle.
Basically,
the idea
originally
came from
the
assumption
that the
“service
rifle”
used for
“service
rifle
competition”
would be a
GI issue
rifle or a
GI issue
rifle of
years
past.
So,
in order
of issue,
this would
include
the 1903,
M1 Garand,
M14, and
the M16.
Over
the years,
certain
“modifications”
have been
allowed.
This
started
out as
ordinance
modifications
like glass
bedding,
NM
(National
Match)
gauged
parts, and
the
addition
of GI
approved
target
upgrades
(the
introduction
of NM
sights).
This
was Okey
Dokey with
the Army because
they ran
the whole
deal.
This
propagated
through to
later
years when
Service
Rifle
became
increasingly
popular
with the
public.
Once
civilian
gunsmiths
started
getting
involved
the rule
became
increasingly
more “function”
or “external
appearance”.
Modifications
could be
extensive,
as long as
the
appearance
of a NM
grade GI
rifle
remained.
This
is a
little
confusing
since
stainless
barrels,
non GI
wood
(laminates)
and wood
finishes
(urethane),
and
extensive
glass
bedding
(which is
all
visible
externally)
are all
approved
modifications. There
are a few
other
rules that
are
Service
Rifle
specific: 1.
Caliber
changes
are
acceptable
as long as
it is
30-06,
.308 or
.223. 2.
Only
GI sized
magazines. 3.
Only
GI sling
equipment,
including
no sling
hooks. 4.
No
use of the
shooting
coat sling
keeper. 5.
GI
appearance
rifles
only.
Suffice to
say, if
you are
into AR15’s
the
Service
Rifle is
limited to
a 20”
barrel,
DCM style
float tube
(floats
inside,
stock
handguard
outside),
carry
handle
upper (not
removal-not
approved
yet)
with “match”
A2
sights/standard
“match”
post front
and
a 4.5 lbs.
trigger.
This
is really
a pretty
straightforward
setup.
What
really
sucks is
what some
of this
stuff
costs!
Once
the
M16/AR15
came into
the fold,
there was
quite an
uproar
from the
wood gun
crowd
about how
the AR15
would
require
“non-military”
modifications
to be
competitive.
In
fact, they
said, they
have to
“single
feed”
long
bullets
(80 gr.
Sierras)
to be
competitive
at 600
yards. Well,
it is the
opinion of
the
management,
that this
is a load
of poop.
Service
Rifle
modifications
to the
AR15 are
the
easiest
(by far)
of the
lot.
I
can take a
stock
rifle and
turn it
into a
standard
“DCM”
type rifle
in about
5-6 hours
of assembly
and fitting
(the
trigger
will
probably
take
1-2
hours of
the 5-6
hours). M1
Garand/M14
NM mods
take
weeks!
One
of the
biggies is
how much
fun it is
to shoot
these
rifles.
Shooting
one of
these
things is
a
pleasure,
because of
the
reduction
in recoil.
This
reduction
in recoil
allows the
shooter to
hug the
rear
sight,
this
allows a
whole list
of
advantages.
Besides
women
like ‘em. I
digress…..
this
is Match
Rifle
article…. The
AR15 Match
rifle is
really a
much more
straightforward
solution.
Highpower
“Match
Rifle”
is
actually a
different
class from
“Service
Rifle”.
Match
rifle has
much fewer
rules than
Service
Rifle and
almost no
limitations
on rifle
type,
caliber,
or
accessories.
Except
for a few
minor
(some
stupid)
rules, the
NRA Match
Rifle
shooter
can do whatever
the hell
he wants
to be
competitive.
The
Match
Rifle
course is
typically
800 points
across the
course,
with 10
more shots
than a leg
match at
200 yard
Offhand,
200 yard
sitting
rapid, and
300 yard
Prone
rapid. The
few
exceptions
(that I
know of)
are as
follows: 1.
Rifle
must hold
a minimum
of (5)
rounds.
(5
and 5 are
fired in
the rapids
instead of
the 2 and
8 in
Service
Rifle). 2.
Removable
palmrests
are not
allowed. 3.
Detachable
magazines
must not
protrude
below the
magazine-well
for
offhand.
This
is
considered
a palmrest.
This
makes the
magazine
size thing
an issue. 4.
Sights
are “iron
sights”
except in
“any
sights”
matches.
Iron
sights
have
virtually
no
restrictions. 5.
Muzzle
breaks are
not
allowed. 6.
Arm
pit
buttstock
hooks are
not
allowed. Everything
else is
pretty
much
subject to
your every
whim! Here
is a list
of
advantages
of the
match
rifle
class: ·
The
rifle can
have
everything
just as
you want
it.
A
Match
Rifle can
be
virtually
hand-fitted
to your
body, and
fully
adjustable
for every
position.
Also,
the
shooter
could
choose to
have a
very
simple
rifle and
still be
competitive. ·
Match
slings
are much
easier to
use,
remove,
and
install. ·
The
sights
can be
tailored
to your
eyes and
your
individual
preference
for sight
picture
(this is
biggie
folks-especially
if your
vision is
not
perfect).
·
Sling
handstops
are the
norm.
This
removes
the need
to cover
your whole
body in
glue
(yuck) to
get a firm
position.
·
Wildcat
calibers
are
constantly
popping
up,
originating
from those
handloaders
who feel
they will
find the
next
standard
in
accuracy. How
does all
of this
apply to
the AR15
you ask?
The
first
advantage
listed is
the most
important
for the
average
guy who
wants to
get into
Highpower
shooting
at his
local
club.
I
feel that
Highpower
rifle is
hard
enough
without
adding the
extra
challenges
that are
present in
the
Service
Rifle
category.
There
are a lot
of AR15’s
out there,
especially
these
days, that
would be
extremely
competitive
with little
or no
modification.
Large
majorities
of the new
AR15’s
that I am
seeing at
the local
gunshows
are very well
suited to
long
range,
across-the-course
shooting
right out
of the
box!
I
think
there is a
whole
world of
shooters
out there
who do not
realize
there is a
Highpower
x-ring
machine
right in
their
gunsafe. Godzilla
is here to
set record
straight! |