natedog,
Welcome to Highpower comp....
Your best bet in learning how to shoot your M1 is to locate a CMP club in your area that holds John C. Garand Matches.... OR any club that holds NRA Highpower matches, OR any club that holds military rifle shoots. These clubs usually hold clinics to show new shooters how it's done.
Having said that I'll address your questions:
1) Sorry, I'm from SW Missouri.
2) Go to this website
Osage Orange Sharpshooters website and check out all the pages. This will give you a decent idea of what's involved in your basic Highpower short course (100 yds). It is showing basically what's done at any CMP type John C. Garand match which your new rifle will be ideal for. This is because the JCG match rules specify an isuue grade, unmodified M1. No match mods allowed. This means that if you switch tubes you'd have to keep it 30-06. .308 is a no-no.
As a contrast.... a CMP EIC (aka "Leg Match") or NRA Across the Course Service Rifle match is shot in the exact same format as above, but is done at 200-300-600 yards. The rules about rifles are different too. In these matches a .308 M1 is legal..... but in order to be competitive at these longer ranges you REALLY need to do the full match upgrade to your M1. The stock M1 just ain't gonna' cut the mustard much past 200 yards. This is an expensive proposition. By the time you put on a new barrel, do full bedding, front end unitizing, match sights... etc... you'll have another $800+ added to the cost of your rifle. On these matches, too, the AR15 rules the course. For less than $1k you can get a top of the line competitive AR15 that is MUCH easier to shoot than any M1. This is due both to very good accuracy and to minimal recoil shoving your position around during the rapid fire events. Not to say you won't have FUN with an M1 X-course.. I regularly shoot my Match Grade M1 X-course... but I admit I'll do better in the rapids with the AR.
As far as equipment goes the bare basics for any style Highpower event are:
A sling (1907 leather or M1 web). DON'T buy any 1907 other than Turner Saddlery or Les Tam. Most of the others range from "not nearly as good" to Pure-D Crap in quality.
Shooting mat (an old rug works fine for starters)
Padded glove for your left hand (sling pressure HURTS without one)
At least 2 clips. Four is better
Sight blacking
Ammo. Good handloads or match ammo are best and shold be allowed at any range or match. Use milsurp only for 100-200 yds short courses. Some ranges dis-allow any steel core or jacketed bullets. Ask to be sure. Note: Officially sanctioned CMP-JCG matches issue ammo to the competitors.
Last but not least... a spotting scope to see your target between shots.
The one other item that you WILL want after a bit but is not necessary to get started is some form of shooting jacket. This can range all the way from your basic canvas jacket with the rubber pads all the way to the full up thick cordura or leather "hardback" jobs that make you feel like your strapped into a form fitted coffin. The former can be had for as little as $65 and do a GREAT job of letting you learn good position and form. The latter can range in price from $185 to $350 and are what you'll need once you really get into your game.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Swampy
Garands forever
