MSA is affiliated with the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), USA Shooting, and the Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Association.  North Harrisburg American Legion Post 1001 co-sponsors our high power rifle events.  Each summer, NRA Conventional High Power Rifle matches are conducted on our 100-yard range.  See the Club Calendar for Dates.  Sign up ahead of time by e-mailing the match director, Mark Burkhead, at msahighpower@gmail.com .  Walk-on's will be accepted as space permits.

 

Conventional High Power Rifle shooting was originally based on courses of fire for military instruction.  Today's courses still include both slow and rapid fire stages and involve shooting from various positions at fixed targets at several standard distances.  MSA uses the 50-shot National Match Course with reduced targets at a single distance of 100 yards.

The four stages of fire are:

• Slow fire, standing: 10 shots in ten minutes, singly loaded and fired, at an NRA SR-1 target which simulates 200 yards.

• Rapid fire, sitting: 10 shots in sixty seconds at an SR-1 target, (200 yard simulation).  Rifle starts unloaded and stage must include one magazine change.

• Rapid fire, prone: 10 shots in seventy seconds at an SR-21 target (300 yard simulation).  Rifle starts unloaded and stage must include one magazine change.

• Slow fire, prone: 20 shots in 20 minutes, singly loaded and fired, at a MR-31 target (600 yard simulation).

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Prior to each stage is a three minute preparation period followed by a two minute, two shot sighter period.

The rifles used are classified either as a service rifle, match rifle, or any rifle.  Service rifles must look like current or former military rifles and meet certain specifications.  The M1 Garand and the M1A (M14) meet the criteria of service rifles, while the service rifle most commonly used is the AR-15 matching either the M-16 or the M4 carbine specifications.  High Power rules now permit the use of optical telescopic sights on a service rifle.  If some features or sights of an AR-15 do not meet the definition of a service rifle, it would most likely then be defined as a match rifle or any rifle.  Match rifles can also be more exotic AR platform based or totally custom-built bolt action rifles.  These are all permitted at our High Power matches.  Restrictions do include: no compensators or muzzle brakes (flash hiders are allowed); and the caliber of cartridge must be no larger than 35 caliber.

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We strive to make our matches new participant friendly.  The more experienced competitors at our matches are all very helpful and glad to assist any new people.  Shooting in these matches will absolutely improve your marksmanship and proficiency while having a lot of fun in the process.  Don’t be afraid to come join us.

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Participation in a match also meets one of the requirements for the purchase of an M1 Garand from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).  You can view the CMP website at thecmp.org for more details about the program. 

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For additional information on the High Power program, please feel free to contact the match director via email.

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2025 High Power Rifle Schedule ​

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