NRA High Power / Wimbledon Cup Question

[sigma2chi]

I have read the rule book a hundred times and even called the NRA High Power Coordinator and am still a bit confused. Need some help here PLEASE.

I want to get started in NRA High Power matches specifically the Wimbledon Cup type. I am about to build a rifle with that purpose in mind.

Here's what I think I know:
1) Can use either iron sights or Scope; iron sight target has bigger target than scope target. (I'm going scope)

2) Have to use a sling. No bipod or "rest" allowed.

3) Palm rests on forend are allowed.

Here's what I don't know

1) Are there any restrictions on barrel length or overall weight for rifle?

2) Does the rifle have to be capable of being magazine fed or can it be single shot side load?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Erud]

You are about to get started in one of the most rewarding shooting disciplines there is. The skills you will develop shooting NRA prone will transfer to any other type of shooting you ever decide to do, and will make you a better shooter in any setting. To answer your questions:

Think you know's:

1) this type of shooting(sling) is typically done with iron sights, but there are some matches where a scope is allowed. You can shoot with your irons in any of the matches that allow scopes, but you can't shoot scopes in the irons-only matches, which is most of them. Best plan of attack is to get yourself set up primarily for sights, but get the rifle set up with a scope mount too so that you have the option to do both if you so choose. Typical scores between irons and scopes in this type of shooting are basically the same, with maybe the slightest edge going to scopes. Some shooters can shoot a few more X'x with a scope, but they are not the advantage that you might expect they would be. Personally, I shoot irons all the time, even when scopes are allowed because I do better that way. The target is the same whether you are using a scope or iron sights. You are probably thinking of F-Class shooting(from a rest or bipod) where the target is smaller.

2) Correct. Sling only. As mentioned above, F-Class allows bipod or rest, but it's a different discipline.

3) Correct, and you will need to have one to attach your sling to.

Don't know's:

1) No restrictions on length or weight. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 15# is fairly typical. Remember that you have to support the weight of the rifle, so too heavy will wear you out fast. Too light will increase felt recoil and make it harder to maintain a good position. 30-32" barrels are typical, and will be what most are using.

2) Single shot is preferred for prone-only shooting(like the Wimbledon match). If you want to shoot Highpower over-the-course type matches(standing, sitting, prone), there are rapid fire stages that would require you to be able to feed 5 rounds from a magazine. Building a rifle capable of shooting both disciplines is no problem.

Keep in mind that the Wimbledon Cup is just one single match shot at Camp Perry every year. It is a 20-shot match fired with "any rifle, any sight". Depending on where you live, there are probably matches nearby where this style of shooting is done locally. As for your rifle choice, best bet would be to talk to a gunsmith that is experienced with this type of shooting. They can make sure you are getting what you need. Let us know where you live, maybe someone can recommend a smith that is close to you. Hopefully this is useful info, please feel free to post any follow-up questions that you may have.

Best,
Erik

 

[cjmill87]

+1 for some excellent advice Erik

 

[FatBoy]

Areed. Great advice.

I would add that most regional matches, at least around the south east, are a combination of scope and iron sights (scope optional ). Typically the weekend so as follows :

1 - any rifle/any sight
2 - any rifle/iron sight
3 - any rifle/ iron sight

Day 2

1- any rifle/any sight
2- any rifle/iron sight

You can shoot scope in iron sight only matches, however your score doesn't count towards the aggregate . This is useful if you are trying something new and are not worried about winning the match. Some match directors may frown on this, but none that I have ever met. They just want a safe, fun match and for people to come back, preferably with a kid to get into the sport.

A word of caution. If you do this and you're decent with a scope out an screw yourself if you're not up to snff with irons. I got a HMR card right out of the gate and to this day struggle with irons. A good set of irons, properly adjusted lows you to see wonderfully, but learning how to do that can take time , so do yourself a favor and budget them in up front then force yourself to use them.

If you are anywhere around Middle Tennessee I have an array of different stocks and actions you welcome to try for fit. I would bet we could get you hooked up with 100% of what you'd need for a match in short order and have you on teach 1k firing line next month.

A word of caution. Read the match program carefully, in advance. Some programs still list the rifles as match rifles. If the club actually intends that only match riles are eligible for the win the rifle most have iron sights and a 5 roujds magazine (internal or box). This is rare but I have seen people have their rifle protested by competitors and if he MD doesn't state any rifle, or include the any rifle wording in the match directors brief you could be challenged.

 

[Mudcat]

Didnt we just answer these same questions for the same OP about 3 months ago? Or am I having a case of deja vu??

 

[Erud]

Didnt we just answer these same questions for the same OP about 3 months ago? Or am I having a case of deja vu??

I'll be darned, I think you're right. Weird.

 

[sigma2chi]

I appreciate the help guys.

Yes I asked a similar question a few months back but was still left with a few questions here. Sorry if that rubbed someone the wrong way. I was definitely getting some F Class stuff mixed up with this in my head as well. I was just sure the targets were different

I shoot tactical sniper matches now and have a great gunsmith in Robert Gradous. The reason for the new post was some ambiguity between the rule book and info found elsewhere. The Wimbledon Cup is my ultimate goal here so that's what I want to work towards. I have a great .308 BAT right now but want to build a .284 just for the Wimbledon to fight the wind a little better. I'm about to order another BAT action and just wanted to make sure I didn't order something I couldn't use for the Cup.

Oh I live in Augusta Ga by the way

 

[Erud]

Just out of curiousity, why the Wimbledon?

 

[Mudcat]

I appreciate the help guys.

Yes I asked a similar question a few months back but was still left with a few questions here. Sorry if that rubbed someone the wrong way. I was definitely getting some F Class stuff mixed up with this in my head as well. I was just sure the targets were different

I

Nope, just thought I was having an old age flashback or something. And, I dont have anything to add to the answers as I think the guys did a good job of explaining everything, like usual. Tons of knowledge here....tons.

 

[sigma2chi]

Just out of curiousity, why the Wimbledon?

That's just the one I've always heard about as the pinnacle of long range shooting. Right, wrong or indifferent that just always been in my mind and I would love to win it one day. I'm doing good at the tactical matches and always finish first or close to it in the .308 division but the tactical ones aren't run as efficient as the NRA matches and always seem to have issues calculating scores correctly at the end. The last 2 matches I shot had major errors at the end. Kind of fed up with that honestly.

 

[pcrowe]

Sigma,

If you already have a rifle that you could shoot with a sling, put a scope on it (if you don't have iron sights) and come shoot the Confederate Mid Range Nationals at River Bend in October. It will be 3 600yd matches on Sat. and the same on Sun. Could be a great way to get your feet wet in shooting prone with a sling.

 

[sigma2chi]

Sigma,

If you already have a rifle that you could shoot with a sling, put a scope on it (if you don't have iron sights) and come shoot the Confederate Mid Range Nationals at River Bend in October. It will be 3 600yd matches on Sat. and the same on Sun. Could be a great way to get your feet wet in shooting prone with a sling.

I would love to but unfortunately I am working those days. I do shift work and that's my weekend to work

 

[243Mendoza]

I suspect the allure of the Wimbledon comes from Carlos Hathcock winning that match and from other military/special forces competitors winning that match at one time of their career. But as most people have said, that is the only match at Nationals where a scope is allowed, all other matches requires iron sights so your opportunity to use scope in matches are severely limited unless you are comfortable in not being in the running for awards.