I want a Distinguished badge. What do I have to do?

[PhillipM]

I've done some Garand clinics and the last one I did I won with a M1903 just to see what I could do because even though I have two excellent Garands, me and my Mark I are on the same page. I don't own an AR platform and although I'm dubious about it's combat efficiency, there is no doubt it has the best potential accuracy. I'll buy or build one if I knew what to get. As best I can tell, there are no highpower matches within several states of me in Mississippi other that Garand and vintage bolt gun matches.

Can someone please tell me what to do to get started in highpower?

[CMP Shooter]

The shortest answer I can give you, other than moving to an area where they hold EIC matches, is to go here: http://www.usrifleteams.com/
Register and go to the National Match forum on the website where you can read a subsection that tells newbies all they need to know about shooting high power.

[JohnnyM]

The Distinguished Marksmanship program is administered by the CMP or the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Go to the CMP website for information about equipment, matches, rules, times, dates, etc. Shoot as many matches as you can. Be prepared to spend ungodly amounts of time and money.

[da gimp]

Practice practice practice, there are 4 folks in our club , (Bucksnort Rifle & Pistol, Marshall, Mo.) that are rated DM's, and that's their advice.

da gimp

[PhillipM]

I've been doing that today! I've also been in contact with two DM's, Clyde Morgan and Doug Bowser. Thanks, guys

[Herschel]

Philip,

The Central Arkansas Gun Club is a very active club that holds monthly highpower matches. Their matches are held at Camp Robinson just outside North Little Rock, AR. To be competitive you will need an AR15 based rifle. That is what most match winners are shooting. Check your email for a point of contact for the CAGC.

Herschel S. Garner
Distinguished Rifleman, 1967

[dzelenka]

Phillip,

There are highpower matches (but no EIC matches) at Bogue Chitto, MS. These matches are run by Doug Bowser, but were not terribly well organized the last time I attended. There are also monthly matches at Palo Alto Rifle and Pistol Club in Donaldsonville, LA. They are on the 3rd Saturday of each month and are very well run. The match director is Jay Hunt - jdhunt3@louisianashooting.com . The LA state championship and EIC match are the 3rd weekend of October. I know at least 1 person who is coming from Jackson to that match.

Also, are you sure Doug is Distinguished? I didn't think he was.

Dan
DR1827

[dzelenka]

Oh, and the shortest way to a DR badge is with an AR.

[Hunter]

Oh, and the shortest way to a DR badge is with an AR.

What he said. In 1998 I looked down the line at Camp Perry and counted less than 7 non-AR's. None of the Nat'l Champions shoot M1 Rifles and haven't since forever. That's not to say I don't love 'em. I do. But to go distinguished? You're right: You need an AR. I'm nowhere near shooting Distinguished (I'm Expert and on occasion have shot Master scores) and I have enormous respect for those who have received the DR. You have to shoot like a machine in all weather conditions. I recommend you get a White Oak Armament NM AR. www.whiteoakarmament.com
Oh yeah, get a Dillon 550 and LOTS of match ammo components. You're going to need them. Good luck! H.

[PhillipM]

Thanks for the info on Donaldsonville, I drove through there last year. I guess was mistaken about Doug. Clyde is an NRA lifetime high master in highpower and a distiguished badge. He has a practical rifle course he's doing next month that I will attend.

I'll buy an AR, either the white oak or the RRA when I come up with some scratch, but just to get my feet wet and figure out what I'm doing I don't see a problem with the M1. It's amazing that an AR can shoot rings around an M1A for less than half the money.

dzelenka, Where are you located?