John Butcher Wins 2011 M1 Carbine Match

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – While some consider it the M1 Garand’s little brother, it’s now one of the biggest rifles in John Butcher’s gun cabinet. Butcher, 46, of Grafton, Ohio, fired an aggregate score of 371-6X, winning the 2011 M1 Carbine Match by a five-point margin and came up two points shy of the match record set by David Chase (373-7X) in 2007.

Robert Steketee Wins 2011 As-Issued John C. Garand Match in Tie-Breaker over John Hefner

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Robert Steketee, 61, of Haslett, Michigan, won the 2011 John C. Garand Match in a 3X tie-breaker over John Hefner, 28, of Gilmer, Texas, on Saturday, 6 August. Both shooters fired 292, just missing the match record set by Kurt Palmer (293-6X) in 2009. Steketee broke the X-ring 11 times to Hefner’s eight to decide the match.

DeMille Wins Springfield, Langham is Tops in Vintage Military & Rutherford Takes GSM Top Gun Crown

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Dennis DeMille, 46, of Oceanside, California fired a rare 100-4X in the standing stage of the 2011 Springfield Rifle Match, winning the event and setting a new record in the process. DeMille’s 297-8X aggregate score toppled the former record of 295-6X set by Douglas Armstrong last year. DeMille, a former U.S. Marine rifle team member, fired a 98-2X in slow-fire prone, and a 99-2X rapid-fire prone in addition to an outstanding offhand stage.

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Air National Guardsman, SSgt Leigh Jenks III, 37, of Underhill, Vermont, won the 2011 National Trophy Individual (NTI) Rifle Match on Tuesday, 2 August with a near-perfect score of 498-24X out of 500 possible. As the match winner, SSgt Jenks’ name was added to the Daniel Boone Trophy (overall winner), National Guard Association Trophy (high guardsman) and the Paul J. Roberts Memorial Trophy (high U.S. Air Force) and set new National Records for each trophy.

Konrad Powers Wins 2011 President’s Rifle Trophy Match and Tyler Rico Wins Junior President’s Trophy

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Civilian shooter Konrad Powers, 41, of Carol Stream, Illinois won the storm-shortened 2011 President’s Rifle Trophy Match here Monday, 1 August, with an aggregate score of 295-8X out of 300 points possible, topping SSG Ty Cooper, 26, U.S. Army and SGT Christopher Atkins, 24, U.S. Army Reserve, who placed second and third, respectively.

Rifle Small Arms Firing School Draws 615 Participants; Brian Williams Tops EIC Competitors with a 394-12X

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Brian Williams, 37, of Granby, Massachusetts, wasn’t the only shooter who was happy with his score at the 2011 Small Arms Firing School Excellence-In-Competition match, but he had reason to be the happiest, firing a record-setting score of 394-12X. Williams led all 539 non-distinguished shooters in the match and earned his first four “leg points” toward his Distinguished Rifleman badge. Fifty-four other eligible competitors earned introductory EIC points with Williams on Sunday, 31 August. Points were awarded only to the top 10 percent of competitors who were not already Distinguished and had no EIC points already.

Enthusiasm for Competitive Recreational Match Grows as National Rimfire Sporter Celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – What started as an introductory recreational match in 2002, the National Rimfire Sporter Match is now bigger and better than ever following its 10th firing here Sunday, 24 July. Since the John C. Garand Match had proven so successful in getting M1 Garand owners involved in fun-oriented target shooting competitions, the Civilian Marksmanship Program decided it was time to create a "Garand Match for Rimfires."

CAMP PERRY, OHIO - Calm conditions and sunny skies prevailed as three previous champions set new national records in all three classes in the 2011 National Rimfire Sporter Championship fired here Sunday, 24 July. Charles J. Opalewski II, Lucas Boord and Ron Villanueva, all past champions, once again reached the top of the podium at this year's event which also brought out a record number of 480 match entries.

Marty’s M1

The sun has just peeked over the horizon at our backs on this steamy August morning. We’ll all lose a few pounds before this day is over. My sweaty hands grip the wooden stock of the rifle as I check the sights. All around me others are in similar stages of preparation, some putting in earplugs. They’ve been here before and know the damage to sensitive ears when hundreds of rifles begin firing. Even though there are almost two thousand souls settled on this tiny peninsula, it’s strangely quiet, hardly a sound. The pre-dawn breakfast of powdered eggs, “SOS,” and syrupy coffee is lying heavy in my stomach which grumbles in protest. The guy next to me looks over and chuckles. No doubt he’s a veteran. I’m a rookie and my main concern is that  I don’t mess up.

High-Flying Father & Son Bond at 2011 National Trophy Pistol Matches

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – The ranges at Camp Perry are THE place shooting competitors come to win championships. And over the years, many very skilled shooters have graced the ranges and awards podium, leaving with hard-earned medals, plaques, badges and trophies. For many others it’s a place where family and friends come together to enjoy their summer vacations, combining shooting with family reunions and reacquainting with old friends and taking in the aura and atmosphere of the grand-daddy of all shooting events.