High Power Service Rifle or Service Rifle as it is commonly known, is a division of High Power Rifle where shooters use a service rifle to compete at ranges of 200, 300 and 600 yards in the standing, sitting and prone positions.
Service Rifle also encompasses what are called games matches where vintage military surplus rifles are used at 200 yards in the standing, sitting, and prone positions.
Modern Service Rifle competitions have their roots with President Theodore Roosevelt and the foundation of the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice in 1903. Camp Perry hosted the National Matches for the first time in 1907, where there are still held by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) to this day. Additionally, the NRA started hosting their National Matches at Camp Atterbury.
Texas has a long history of participation at the national rifle matches with teams participating since almost the beginning. TSRA was founded by a group of WWI veterans who were service rifle shooters.
Texas Service Rifle Teams have won the following trophies at the National Matches:
Soldier of Marathon - Highest Civilian Team (NTT)
Leatherneck Trophy - Highest Scoring Civilian Team (NTIT)
Minuteman Trophy - Highest Junior Team (NTT)
Junior Infantry Team Trophy - Highest Junior Team (NTIT
Texans have also won many national individual awards as well, including the President’s 100 and National Trophy Individual (NTI) match.
Service Rifle requires specialized equipment similar to Smallbore and High Power Rifle.
Either Match rifles or Service rifles may be used in most competitions. A service rifle can be an M1 Garand, M14 (M1A), or an AR15. Most competitors use some form of AR15. Rifles can use either iron sights or 4.5 power scopes. Stocks can be fixed or adjustable. Most competitors use an AR 15 with a 20 barrel, collapsible stock, free-floating hand guard, and 4.5 power scope.
If a rifle does not meet the requirements of a service rifle as defined by either CMP or NRA, it may be entered as a match rifle. Match Rifles compete in their own class.
For CMP Games matches, pretty much any military surplus rifle has a designated match and can be used against similar rifles.
Other than the rifle, the basic equipment needed is as follows:
1. Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI)
2. Eye and ear protection
3. Ammunition (88, 50, or 35 rounds, depending on match format)
4. Sling
5. Spotting scope and stand
6. Shooting glove
7. Shooting coat
8. Magazines
9. Loading block
10. Mat
11. Scorebook
12. Shooting stool or cart
Firing is done standing, sitting, and prone. Shooters may use a sling in the sitting and prone position.
Traditionally all shooters will have pit duty pulling targets, but many ranges are moving to electronic targets.
Competitors are grouped by category, Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, Master, and Highmaster, based on their score converted to a percentage.
Shooters may earn a Distinguished Marksman badge through the CMP or NRA by competing in specified matches.
Most courses of fire involved starting at 200 yards in the standing position for slow fire, then 200 yards in the sitting position for rapid fire, then 300 yards prone rapid fire, and finally 600 yards prone slow fire.
CMP Games matches are shot in the opposite order, all at 200 yards.
Match programs will have full details.
Step 1: Join TSRA
Step 2: Contact TSRA Directors below
Justin Burns
High Power Service Rifle Director
hpsr@tsra.com