How many of you shoot Match with your M1?

[Rome]

I'm just curious to hear from those of you who shoot match with your M1 rifles. I've been taking lessons from an expert and boy am I beat after 2 1/2 hours of practice! Even with a shooting jacket, my shoulder and elbow are sore.

I'm getting a lot of pleasure from it, however, and can see improvement with every session. Tonight I had a 3" group going for 7 of ten rounds:all in the black. My instructor was calling my shots and I was a little nervous toward the end.

I'd like to very much encourage anyone who hasn't shot match to look into it as it is very challenging and satisfying; especially in the sitting position, rapid fire session. That's my favorite. Hearing and experiencing that M1 while shooting 10 rounds in 60 seconds with a clip change is tons of fun!

Rome

 

[Dead]

Best advice I can give about shooting in matches is JUST HAVE FUN!!!! Dont worry about your score, just shoot for fun. (that alone will make you do better)

I have shot in a match, after take 1 year off from the matches, and ranked up in the top 5 in an NRA highpower match with a stock HBAR (6700model Colt). I went out there, and would have been happy if I would have hit the target at all (though I know I am a really good shot).

 

[swampyMO]

Rome,

Many guys use the M1 for matches, especially now that the CMP sanctions the "John C. Garand" matches. These matches are for rack grade "as issued" rifles only, no match modifications allowed.

Our local CMP highpower club here in Springfield MO is having two J.C.Garand matches this year, one in April, the other in October. In between we run monthly club matches. During those we allow any legal service or match rifle to shoot. M1's shoot in a "Garand league" for year end points totals & high average, the other rifles shoot in their own categories.

At this point, since we are a relatively new club, most guys shoot Garands. A few of us are shooting M1-a's & AR's, but most of the guys are still plugging away with the grand old M1. It's still the most "bang for the buck" out there, and a whole lot of fun into the bargain.

Later,
Swampy

 

[Rome]

Owww,my elbow is sore this morning after 75 round of 30.06!

I've shot the M1a as well as my brothers AR but they don't compare to the venerable M1 as far as I'm concerned. There is just something about that rifle that penetrates your soul. Of course you're talking to a guy who loves old English cars and retored them for 20 years. They have a "soul" too and are real "sports cars" unlike anything made today imho.

I never understood just how physically strenuous match shooting can be. I'm actually going to have to start to trim down a little more (I lost 20 pounds last Fall) just to be able to grab that sitting position quickly if I want to be competitive. I was actually starting to perspire after the second practice sitting position round and learning the proper technique of setting the sling,loading 2 and then 8 and fire them all in 60 seconds, all while grabbing the proper position and aiming. That is quite a physical and technical challenge! I still managed to keep them in the target, however, so there is hope that I won't embarass myself amongst the other shooters.

I've found a club not far from here that offers friendly outdoor match competition and I'll be joining soon. They qualify for CMP competition, too, so I'll eventually be able to purchase from CMP.

Thanks for the input. Yes, it is fun, but serious fun. It isn't a light hearted as other hobbies I've enjoyed over the years but very rewarding. I'm going to try to become reasonably proficient with my "peppergrinder" as I'm able and am enjoying every bit of the work it takes.

Rome

 

[Dead]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I used to compete in NRA Highpower matches with a mostly stock DCM M1 (was glass bedded that is it). THe Rifle could put every round into the 10 ring at 200/300 yards. If I did my part that is If you reload try working up a load that will group nice with your rifle, I found that 150grain boattails work best in mine (even better than 168grain Sierra Match-Kings...