Matches, Rifles and how we Shoot

Matches

The Osage Orange Sharpshooters has three main types of shooting events as a part of our regular schedule:

Garand League Matches

Our Summer “Garand League” consists of matches throughout the summer months. Members scores are recorded from each match and accumulate toward prizes awarded at the end of the season. Awards are given for the highest match score, highest average score, most improvement from last year, etc…

Although the M1 is the predominate rifle that members use to accumulate points in the “Garand League” matches, shooters are also welcome to shoot with other types of rifles. Many shooters enjoy competing with the M1 Carbine, 03 or 03A3 Springfield, M14 (M1-A), AR15, FAL (STG-58 & L1A1), or Mini-14 type rifles. Pretty much any centerfire rifle having iron sights is allowed as long as it can be safely operated by the shooter.

NEW !!!! for 2002. The CMP has a new type of shooting event for 2002, the “.22 Sporter Rifle” Matches. This event is great for junior shooters or any newcomer who wants to shoot in a competitive event with a .22 caliber rifle. Two categories, open sights and scoped. Any rifle that has a 5 round magazine and weighs less than 7.5 lbs (including sights-scope) is eligible. Please see the “Junior Shooters Program” page for details and contact info.

John C. Garand Matches.

The John C. Garand match, named after the inventor of the M1, is a match that is directly sponsored by the CMP to foster increased interest in the M1 rifle. As the name suggests, in order to compete in a J.C.G. match, the shooter must be shooting a stock issue Service Grade M1 rifle. No match grade parts or accuracy modifications are allowed for rifles used in a JCG match.

The OOS usually hold 2 JCG matches each year, one in the Spring, another in the Fall.

The Osage Orange Sharpshooters Summer “Garand League” and “John C. Garand” matches follow the CMP rules for a standard “B Course” of fire. The “B Course” consists of 50 rounds fired for score (plus sighters) as follows:

Standing Position: 10 rounds fired standing, slow fire in 10 minutes

Shooters are required to fire 10 shots in 10 minutes. Each round must be individually loaded into the rifle

Sitting Position. Rapid Fire

Shooters must begin in a standing position. At the command to Commence Fire, they will have 60 seconds to assume a sitting position and fire 10 rounds.

Prone Position. 10 rounds fired prone, rapid fire in 70 seconds 20 rounds fired prone, slow fire in 20 minutes

There are 2 prone stages, Rapid Fire and Slow fire. In Rapid Fire, starting from a standing position, the shooter has 70 seconds to drop into prone position and fire 10 shots. In Prone Slow Fire, 20 rounds must be individually loaded into the rifle and fired in a 20 minute period.

Fun Shoots and Practice Day.

Once or twice a year the OOS will have a “Fun Shoot”, where various types of fun shooting contests are held. Some events allow the use of .22 rimfire rifles, scoped or with iron sights, others are specified as “any rifle, any sight”. The emphasis is on fun, and you never know just what kind of wacky event the Match Director will dream up.

In conjunction with the “Fun Shoot” is usually a couple hours of spare time for shooters to practice their positions or whatever else they want to do.

Rifles and Equipment

The primary rifle that we use in our matches is the M1 Garand (officially known as “US RIFLE, CALIBER .30, M1″), the same rifle carried by millions of US GI’s, Marines, and Sailors during WWII, the Korean War, and even early in the Vietnam conflict.

Called by General George S. Patton Jr., “The greatest battle implement ever devised”, the M1 truly is a classic.

US Rifle, Caliber .30, M1

The very first semi-automatic rifle ever to be adopted as the primary infantry weapon of a major military establishment, it is rugged, reliable, and accurate. The M1 is chambered for the hard hitting 30-06 cartridge which is carried and loaded in an 8 round en-bloc clip. The M1 was manufactured for the US Army from 1936 to 1957 and was built by the US Springfield Armory at Springfield, Mass, as well as under contract to the US Govt. by Winchester, Harrington & Richardson, and International Harvester Corp. For almost 50 years, highpower target shooters have been using the venerable M1 as a very viable means of preserving our heritage of marksmanship.

The stock USGI M1 rifle, even though it may be anywhere from 45 to 60 years old, is sometimes capable of remarkable accuracy. This 20 shot group on a 100 yd SR-1 target was fired from a standard CMP Service Grade M1. The rifle dates from Feb. 1945 and still has its original barrel. The 2 shots at 3:00 in the 8 ring were entirely the fault of the shooter... not the rifle...

M1 rifles are available as US Army Surplus through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (formerly the “DCM”, the Directorate of Civilian Marksmanship), a privately funded organization enabled by the US Congress to dispose of surplus Army rifles, parts, and ammunition. Most of our members have M1 rifles that they have purchased through the CMP Rifle Sales Program.

You MUST be a member of a CMP affiliated Club, such as the Osage Orange Sharpshooters to be eligible to order rifles, ammo, or parts from the CMP. Please note that the NRA is NOT a CMP affiliate organization and NRA membership does not grant you any privileges within the CMP club structure.

Equipment needed to shoot in a Garand League match or JCG match is quite basic. An M1 rifle with sling, a few throw rugs or a piece of old carpet for a mat, a glove (padded if possible) to protect your off hand from sling pressure, hearing protection, a can of sight blacking, and a box of .30-06 ammo. While not absolutely necessary, a spotting scope is a great help in adjusting your fire during a match.