High Power Service Grade suggestions.

[axeman_g]

Gentleman...

I just got introduced to High Power matches on Sat. I am now looking to get involved. I am out looking for a good service rifle in .223 or .308. I was thinking, since I can shoot any other countries military rifle variant ... are there any platforms that are more accurate then others, for example... is the H&K SL8 worth while? Can I shoot something like the JLD PTR 91? I have about $2000 to spend and it needs to be NJ legal.

All advice, welcome, even bad... I just started a garden.

 

[cdrt]

If you're going to shoot Highpower with a service rifle, you should probably stick with an AR platform so you can also shoot EIC matches. Service rifles that are EIC eligible are only the AR15/M16 type, M14/M1A or the M1 Garand. The NRA uses the same types as "service" rifle eligible. There is a foreign service rifle category in the NRA rule book, but they are not eligible for EIC matches, so you would need a second rifle if you wanted to compete for the Distinguished Rifle medal.

3.1.4 Foreign Service Rifle - Any center fire, self–loading rifle, as issued for general service by the armed forces of any nation (except rifles described in NRA Rules 3.1, 3.1.1, 3.1.2 and 3.1.3), or the same type andcaliber of commercially manufactured rifle, having not less than a 4 ½ pound trigger pull, with standard type stockand standard leather or web sling. In all courses and in all positions the standard 10, 20, or 30–round boxmagazine will be attached. A hinged butt plate, if installed, will be used only in the folded position. The gas system,if any, must be fully operational. External alterations to the stock will not be allowed. The application of syntheticcoatings, which includes those containing powdered metal, to the interior of the stock to improve bedding is authorized provided the coating does not interfere with the original design, but may vary in dimensions of rear sight aperture and front sight blade. The internal parts of the rifle may be specially fitted and include alterations which High Power Rifle will improve the functioning and accuracy of the arm, provided such alterations in no way interfere with the proper functioning of the safety devices as manufactured. Such rifles will be fired in the NRA Match Rifle Division.

You can download a copy of the current CMP regs for EIC matches at www.odcmp.com and the NRA Highpower regs at http://www.nrahq.org/compete/targetsbooks.asp

You might also want to send a PM to Blackfork. He was the Texas Highpower champion last year and can give you some insight as to what type of rifle to get.

 

[Jenrick]

Basically anything other then an '03 springfield, M1, M14, or M16 (or their civilian equivalents) is going to be shot against match rifles. This includes foreign military rifles such as FAL, G36's etc. This puts you in the same class as the custom built space guns.

If it's what you've got bring it and shoot it though For $2K you could be a mighty fine NM service rifle, and still have money left over for all the other things that come in handy (jacket and scope mainly). Or you could buy a very nice used Match rifle and still have a good size chunk of change left over.

I might also recommend http://www.nationalmatch.us/ they have a very good forum with a lot of knowledgeable people. I just started out as well, enjoy it's addicting

-Jenrick

 

[taliv]

i strongly recommend you make it as easy as possible and remove as many barriers to learning as possible by just getting a RRA or DPMS NM AR15 and sending it to white oak and having him fix it up for you. or just buy the base gun directly from white oak. odds of finding a used AR15 at your club are very high. ask around.

shoot that for a year or two and then knock yourself out with crazy space guns etc.

 

[Canuck-IL]

I just went throu the same decision process with about the same budget considerations. I ended up buying an RRA stripped lower, a DPMS lower parts kit and ordering a complete NM upper from White Oak with 1/4*1/4 pinned rear sights and their slicked up RRA 2 stage trigger. It's due here in 2 weeks.

I've shot several of their guns and uppers. With an AR, the only lower part that really matters is the trigger so assembling your own lower is not an issue and takes about 30 minutes - excellent pictorial instructions over on ARF.com.

The WOA upper is almost identical to Fulton's and about $100 cheaper...and they're nice folks to deal with. All the other accessories needed, loading quality ammo, plus transportation to matches (gas!!) add up quickly. I think the WOA is abolutely the most cost efficient, no corners cut way to go if you want to start with new equipment.
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/
/Bryan

 

[RockRifle]

Just get started

If you talk to the guys at the match, you will see what works.

I started with a M1A and no scope. I saw that AR's pushing heavy bullets (77 and 80gr) did not give up points to M1's and M1A's. There is less recoil in the rapids, and less intensive maintenance to maintain a competetive edge.(no glass bedding, no op-rod) Don't get me wrong, I love my M1A, but it won't hang with the AR across the course.

get a good sling, glove, and jacket, and start going. Turner sling, creedmore jacket and glove

a spotting scope is nice. Clarity is better than power. You can't see .22 cal holes at long range anyway, but you can see the spotter. Bigger just means more heat waves. Everybody raves about the Kowa scopes, but my big Leupold has a better warranty and is just as clear at abvout half the price.

Shooting mat to lie on... half your shots in the 800agg are shot from the prone, find something fast and comfortable. By fast I mean that you will pick up and move, so your gear needs to travel between stages. Creedmore and Dillon have nice ones

shooting stool, add wheels to carry your stuff. Creedmore and Ray-Vin have good options.

Scope stands, sturdy and portable, adjustable for prone, sitting, and offhand... I love my Ray-Vin stand

I have a RRA NM A2 upper on a Bushmaster lower w/ RRA 2 stage trigger. I use 20rnd mags for rapids and a bobsled for singles.

DPMS, Stag,RRA, Armalite will not lead you wrong.

I also have a Model-1 sales varmint upper that in becoming a nice match rifle


Talk to the shooters that have been at it for a while about what works for them and you will find that alot of it will work for you too. If you can save on your rifle and equipment by only buying it once, you can buy more ammo.(or reloading components)


good luck!

 

[shooterer]

$1,000 Rock River Arms National Match A2 AR15 (.223 is the easiest and cheapest to shoot)
$200 Konus 20x60x80 spotting scope (Kowa is better but 3 times more)
$200 Vin-Ray scope stand (buy once, cry once)
$50-75 Sling (I like Les Tam @ $75)
$40-60 Glove (I'm a open finger guy)
$100 Used shooting jacket off Ebay (bought my hawkeye 20 year old heavey leather jacket for $115)
$5 piece of carpet (or $75 shooting mat)
$65 Shooting stool (mine is a Creedmoor)
$25 Dewy cleaning rod
$20 Sinclair AR cleaning rod guide
$20 AR cleaning hold open
5 ~ $15 Mags (20 round)
$25 NRA membership
$150 Ammunition (400 rounds Remington 55 grain)

There you go, 2K. Now go have fun.

If you shoot short courses, the ammo will be fine your first year. Next year buy a press and make your own "match" rounds for the same cost.

Remember, Dry fire as much as you can, focus on the front sight, forget about the last shot, don't worry about the next shot, and break this shot in the X ring.

Jim

 

[lonegunman]

Amen to the above post. I bought the RRA CMP match rifle with 1/4 and 1/2 rear sights and added a ziplock of old 38 bullets to the buttstock, add a decent sling (buy one that is 4-6 inches longer if you are tall), Leupold Wind River spotting scope, Ewing scope stand, Creedmore stool, glove and coat. 2K can go a long way if you shop carefully.

 

[30Cal]

Get an AR with a 1:7 or 1:8, match sights, float tube and a good trigger.

The 03/03-A3 does not qualify as a Service Rifle under NRA/CMP rules.

 

[Howard Roark]

The 03/03-A3 does not qualify as a Service Rifle under NRA/CMP rules.

There are problems with this statement.

CMP rule 6.2.4 covers the 03 as a service rifle, with certain restrictions.

NRA rule 3.1.3 covers the 03 as a service rifle for their matches.

CMP rule 8.1.1 says that only the M1, M14 and M16 (rule 6.2.1, 6.2.2, 6.2.3) can be fired in the National Trophy and EIC matches.