Bolt Action Military Rifle competition has grown rapidly in Oklahoma during the last ten years and seems to be spreading in other states as well. Any bolt action military rifle which, at some point in history, was the general issue individual weapon of the armed forces of any nation of the world, may be fired. The rifles must be in original "as issued" condition with military sights. Although Krags, MAS's, Nagants, and SMLE's are sometimes seen on the line, Springfields and Mausers are the most common entries. Below: M96 Mausers and a US Krag, Oklahoma State Shoot Off, Oil Capital Rod & Gun Club.


     The most common course of fire consists of unlimited sighters with five (5) stages of ten (10) shots each. The distance is 100 yards. Targets are NRA 100 yd. High Power Rifle Targets "SR-21." Stages One and Two are fired for "group." The size of the group is the greatest measured distance between any two shots on the target, without reference to the scoring rings. Stages Three, Four, and Five are fired for score. The score is determined by the position of the shots within the scoring rings, without reference to the distance between shots. Ten minutes is allowed to fire each stage. This is a "bench match." Shooters are seated at the shooting bench, and most use both a "forward rest" and a "rear bag."

     The short course of fire consists of unlimited sighters with three (3) stages of ten (10) shots each. The distance is 100 yards. Targets are NRA 100 yd. High Power Rifle Targets "SR-21." Stages One and Two are fired for both "group" and score. The size of the group is the greatest measured distance between any two shots on the target, without reference to the scoring rings. The score is determined by the position of the shots within the scoring rings, without reference to the distance between shots. Stage Three is fired for score only. Ten minutes is allowed to fire each stage. This is a "bench match." Shooters are seated at the shooting bench, and most use both a "forward rest" and a "rear bag." Below: Shooters at the Oklahoma State Shoot Off, Oil Capital Rod & Gun Club.


     To qualify for the State Shoot Off, a shooter must compete in not less than five (5) local bolt action military rifle matches during the year. In 2011, the Lawton-Fort Sill Rifle and Pistol Club will hold one qualifying match each month from March through September. Match entry fees will be $5 per shooter. Each shooter provides his/her own equipment and ammunition. Targets are provided by the club. It does not appear these qualifying matches will be open to the public, because we have not been able to find range facilities.

     The first match of 2010 was to have been held May 29. Due to cold weather and strong wind, the shoot was canceled. The next regular shoot will be held April 30, 2011.

     April's shoot was held on Saturday, the 30th. Five shooters attended, and four fired for record. It was a fine day, but it's going to take a shoot or two to get back what we lost over the winter through lack of practice.

     May's shoot was held on Saturday, May 28th. It was a nice day; we started a little early which allowed us to shoot two relays before it got too hot to be comfortable. Five shooters fired for record.
A.B. fired a 6.5x55 M'96 Mauser. Stage three, 88-1X; stage four, 91-1X, and stage five, 89. total score, 268-2X.
J.C. fired a 6.5x55 M'96 Mauser. Stage three, 90; stage four, 95-1X, and stage five, 96-2X. total score, 281-3X.
R.J. fired a 6.5x55 M'96 Mauser. Stage three, 71; stage four, 44, and stage five, 78. total score, 193.
J.P. fired a 7.5 K-31. Stage three, 86; stage four, 91-1X, and stage five, 87. total score, 264-1X.
B.W. fired a .30-"06 1903A3. Stage three, 93-1X; stage four, 92-1X, and stage five, 94-2X. total score, 279-4X.
Stage one group was J.P. with 4.4". Stage two was J.C. with 3.38".
     June and July both turned into not-for-record matches, but on Saturday, August 27, we finally got back to serious effort. Three shooters fired for record.
J.C. fired a 6.5x55 M'96 Mauser. Stage three, 98-3X; stage four, 95-1X, and stage five, 92-1X. total score, 281-3X.
R.J. fired a .30-'06 '03 Springfield. Stage three, 77; stage four, 90, and stage five, 81-1X. total score, 193.
B.W. fired a .30-"06 1903A3. Stage three, 95-2X; stage four, 92-1X, and stage five, 91. total score, 279-4X.
Stage one group was B.W. with 4.25". Stage two was B.W. with 3.13".
     September's shoot was held on Saturday, September 24th. It was a cool morning and firing for record began at 9:00 in order to avoid the heat of mid-day. Three shooters fired for record.
A.B. fired a 6.5x55 M'96 Mauser. Stage three, 81; stage four, 85, and stage five, 93-3X. total score, 259-3X.
R.J. fired a 6.5x55 M'96 Mauser. Stage three, 79; stage four, 90-1X, and stage five, 96-3X. total score, 265-4X.
B.W. fired a .30-"06 1903A3. Stage three, 84-1X; stage four, 86-2X, and stage five, 83-2X. total score, 253-5X.
Stage one group was A.B. with 5.0". Stage two was R.J. with 3.38".

     Below: a 1903 Springfield and equipment, Oil Capital Rod & Gun Club

---

Return to Club Home Page

---