Director: Walt Ream

Schedule:
The high power program usually has eight matches per year, traditionally on the third Saturday of the month. The only exceptions are May, September, November, and December, when we do not shoot.

Course of fire:
High power matches have 4 stages with 20 record shots and 2 sighting shots per stage. The first stage is standing slow fire. Shooters have 22 minutes to fire 22 shots (20 for record); shooters must load 1 round at a time in slow fire stages. The second stage is sitting rapid fire. Shooters have a 3 minute preparation period followed by 2 minutes to fire 2 sighting shots. Then shooters must rise, lock their safeties, and load 2 rounds, leaving their bolts open (except for M1 Garand shooters). When the command is given to begin the rapid fire string, shooters drop into a sitting position, close their bolts, fire 2 rounds, reload with 8 rounds, and fire the remaining record shots - all within a 60 second period. After the first 10-shot string, there is a brief break to reload magazines, and then shooters fire a second string of sitting rapid fire in the same manner. The third stage, prone rapid fire, is similar except shooters use the prone position and have 70 seconds to fire 10 record shots. The final stage, prone slow fire, is similar to standing: rounds are loaded 1 at a time, and 22 rounds are fired within 22 minutes. Slings are used in all stages except standing.

Targets:
At full size ranges, high power stages are shot at 200 (standing and sitting), 300 (prone rapid) and 600 (prone slow) yards. We fire all stages at 100 yards and reduce the target size accordingly. The black is approximately the same diameter (about 6 inches) on all 100-yard-reduced targets. On 200 yard targets, the outer ring of the black is a 9, on 300 yard targets it is an 8, and on 600 yard targets the outer black ring is a 7. The lowest scoring ring on all targets is a 5, and the 5 rings become smaller as the yardage increases.

Rifles:
Typical high power rifle shooters use either US service rifles (M1 Garand, M1a/M14, AR-15/M16) or bolt action match rifles with iron sights (Winchester model 70s with heavy barrels are popular). Match rifles are loaded with 5 rounds via a stripper clip, so rifles must be fitted with a stripper clip slot. At ARPC, we allow foreign service rifles (SKS, AK-47, etc.) and other high power rifles (mini-14, mini-30, etc.), although we have yet to see rifles of this type at our matches. A few nostalgia buffs use 1903 Springfields or Enfields. Juniors sometimes use M1 carbines.Other equipment:
Eye and ear protection is mandatory. Most high power shooters also have a shooting coat, glove, mat, spotting scope & stand, stool, and sling.

Getting started:
New shooters need to bring eye and ear protection. We can supply the rest, including spotting scopes, mats, and M1 Garand & AR-15 rifles or M1 carbines. We sell ammunition for these rifles ($18/80 rounds for adults; free for juniors under 18; prices subject to increase).

Fees:
Match fees are $12 for adults (plus $18 for ammunition, if desired) and $5 for juniors (under 18) (includes free ammunition). The June match is the club championship, and the adult match fee is $20 (to pay for the trophies); juniors still pay just $5. Fees are subject to increase.

Logistics:
New shooter orientation is at 8:15 am, and firing begins at 9:00. Participation ranges from 16 to 38 shooters. If we have 28 or fewer shooters, we run 2 relays and usually finish around 1:30. If we have more shooters, we run 3 relays and finish around 3:30.

People:
As with most shooting sports, the people who shoot high power are very friendly and willing to help new folks. Skill levels at most matches range from high master to novice, with all levels in between well represented. We attempt to squad new shooters with experienced ones. Our matches are a very good venue for new people who want to try high power shooting.

Affiliations:
Our matches are sanctioned by the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the National Rifle Association. Shooters who participate in one of our matches are eligible to purchase an M1 Garand rifle (for $400) from the CMP. The forms for the rifle purchase program are available at our matches. Shooters who join us for 3 matches will receive a classification card from the NRA. You need not be a member of the NRA to participate, although almost all participants are also NRA members.

Accolades:
The high power and smallbore programs at ARPC are proud of their work with juniors shooters. Both offer coaching as well as opportunities to practice and compete. The high power program encourages young shooters by keeping match fees low and by providing free ammunition. We believe this is a worthwhile investment in the future of the shooting sports, because today's 14-year-old will be a voter in 4 years.