So, I'd like to get into NRA High power shooting.  The local range I belong to has a monthly event, all at 200 yards.  Of course there are different classes, but I am interested in the service rifle class.  Problem is that I don't have a "service rifle" yet.  I've always wanted to get a Garand, but I'm familiar with the AR-15 platform.  Are any  .308 AR's allowed in the SR class?  Since I'm pretty much a noob to the High Power competition, I'd like to hear some opinions on rifle platforms.

Mitch

http://www.usrifleteams.com/

National Match forum is the best place I've found for info

.308 AR's are allowed as service rifles, rule 3.1(d) as M-110 rifles. http://competitions.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-book.pdf

There's no advantage to using a .308 if you're thinking to buy one, unless you really just want one. The ammo costs more , parts cost more, and you won't see a higher score.

My advice would be to just show up and start shooting matches with whatever you have. If all you own is a .22, check if they have a 50-100 reduced course fun match. Pretty much any mag or clip fed rifle that can hold at least 5 rounds is allowed. Shooting under match class or service rifle dosen't make one bit of difference at local matches. It's likely that at the first match someone will offer to let you use a spare gun at the next match if you bring ammo.

where in PA?

Here is a good place to read up on getting yourself organized to shoot SR

http://www.jarheadtop.com/articles_EquipNotes.htm

Buy and shoot 223
Cheaper to feed

I also say go with a 5.56 AR-15. Buy or build one for Service Rifle w/ free float tube under hand guards.
Buy 1/4 minute sights on removable carry handle.

Try to attend "Small Arms Firing School" (SAFS) at Camp Perry , Ohio. The have it every July.
You will learn so much in 2 days...for only $45!

Do it.

I did SAFS at Perry last year and promptly marched over to the Rock River hut after the EIC match and picked me up the same rifle they use in the school now. Very happy!

Do you have an AR carbine with irons? That would work fine for now, just attach a web sling to the front swivel, get a 200yd zero, couple of mags, binoculars, piece of carpet, some kind of heavy glove for your left hand and go shoot. You could use BUIS if that's all you have for now as you won't need to change elevation if only shooting at 200yds.

Try and contact the match director first and let him know you are a new shooter wanting to attend, he will help you out with anything you need. Most clubs will supply a rifle and ammo if you call ahead of time, many of the shooters will lend you equipment and teach at the match.

 

An 11.5" upper at 600? I would hate to be pulling on that target.  Seriously, I would not attempt that, the match director probably won't allow it either especially if you never tried it before and didn't have zero's. Doudt you could dial in enough elevation on the rear sight anyhow, would have to screw down the front post, re-zero ect. Would be awful fun to watch though!



Your carbine and 55gn ammo will work just fine for your first few matches. Go shoot it, have fun. I see a lot of guys shooting 55FMJ's at 600yd when starting out. Saw a pretty good score put up with PMC 55FMJ last season (20" upper) on a day with no wind. If it's blowing anything over 5-6mph full value wind the 55's will be a bear to keep on target. Just shoot when the lulls come.

Lol, yeah, I figured as much, like I said, I'm inexperienced.   I'm hoping to learn a lot more this weekend about how barrel length and twist affect ballistics, and since EIC is going to be a long haul endeavor I'm planning on getting into reloading.  I've been reading a few things about 55gr being really unpredictable out to 600, to the point that it's not allowed in the Army Marksmanship Unit matches.  I don't have a link, but I'm pretty sure I was reading it on a page where some guys from the AMU were answering questions from competition newbies.  Or, maybe I'm confusing it with shooting 77's out of a 1:9, but it was something about the jacket coming off the bullet and the bullet tumbling and being a danger to the staff in the pit.

 

Snip*
Full Value - does that mean a straight 90 degree cross wind?




Yes. Here is a good article on wind basics. Has a chart, I printed a small copy and taped it to my buttstock along with come ups for the different yard lines with clear packing tape until I had it all memorized.

Look at the chart labeled clock system to see what the different values are, learn the angles by clock position, same way we call round impacts on target. Notice a half-value wind is not exactly 10:30. don't get too wrapped up in precise reading of the wind angle at first, just get a good idea what full, half and quarter value is by looking at the wind flag angles. Learning the flags as well as reading mirage through your spotting scope will come with time and you will develop a system to determine wind dope with each shot as skills improve.

Takes a few seasons to figure it out confidently, try and shoot when the wind looks the same each shot if possible. Watch other good shooters, they are great for judging wind when you score for them. Ask them when they are done firing what the wind was worth (in minutes) and pay attention to what conditions they fired mostly. Laminated wind charts for the bullet you shoot are available or make one. Comes in handy for making a guess what windage to put on when it's time to shoot.

I still make notes while at different ranges such as how the wind acts due to terrain features, lighting, altitude ect. That's why a scorebook is so important when starting out. Keep records of the things you see and do by writing it down after shooting a string. I just use a pocket pad kept in my shooting cart.