The decision was made in October 2015 to keep the NRA Smallbore Rifle Championships in Bristol, IN, at the Chief Wa-Ke-De Range. After lengthy discussions, the NRA Smallbore Committee supported the NRA staff’s decision to move the Championships.
Located just off Interstate 80, and about three hours driving time west of Camp Perry, the Wa-Ke-De Range features a 100-point asphalt covered firing line. The range sits in a large grove of trees providing a beautiful setting and shelter from the wind, making it ideal for smallbore rifle competition.
Starting on July 10, 2016 and ending July 18, 2016, the Championships, including the International Postal Team matches, will be fired over ten days of competition to reduce costs for the competitors. The Metric and Conventional Championships will be combined into a 3-Position Championship. Metric Prone was taken out of the program and the 50-Yard Match was added to the Conventional Prone Championship (6400). This action was in response to the numerous prone competitors’ requests. A winner will be selected from the 3-Position Championship (Metric and Conventional) and the Conventional Prone Champion as NRA National Smallbore Rifle Champion.
The 3-Position Team matches will be “paper matches” with the scores coming from the Individual Championships. Conventional Prone will remain a fired team match and will be shot after the end of the daily Individual matches. Additionally, an overall team champion will be presented in each of the 3-Position and Prone Championships. Regarding the International Postal Matches, the International Team Captains will have the option to fire their match at the end of the day after the individual matches have been fired.
The Smallbore Rifle Championship Tournament Program will be posted online on March 1, 2016, with online registrations beginning April 1, 2016. As in the past, when a competitor or a coach registers, a confirmation will be mailed to them, squadding is issued at the time of registration. Entries will be limited to 200 competitors for the Metric Position, Conventional 3-Position, and Conventional Prone Championships.
Special awards ceremonies are being planned for each Championship. The Championships will feature an Amish dinner and awards presentation at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus Convention Center. All of these events will be attended by competitors, coaches, families, and representatives of the local communities.
Competitors who like to camp will have plenty of opportunity, with a KOA Campground located just a mile away from the range. There are a few motels located about two miles from the range in Bristol and about 15 miles away in Elkhart, IN, in total there are over 21 hotels and motels. There are several restaurants in the area to support the competitors and staff. Food service will be available at the range during the day.
More information will become available in 2016. Currently, NRA is planning tournament details and working with the sponsors. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. Find things to do and hotel info at this link: AmishCountry.org.
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