Perry in the News: The Toledo Blade

Camp Perry matches will attract 6,000 shooters

by Steve Pollick
July 6, 2008

As many as 6,000 shooters from across the United States will step up to the firing lines at Camp Perry over the next six weeks during the 101st edition of the renowned National Rifle and Pistol Matches.

A First Shot ceremony is set for tomorrow evening, followed by the opening Tuesday of competition in the pistol discipline, featuring revolvers, in what is known as America's World Series of shooting sports.

The Matches have been at Camp Perry, just west of Port Clinton off State Rt. 2, since 1907.

The 640-acre Ohio National Guard training base along Lake Erie over the years has been thoroughly upgraded, including an array of shooting range and lodging improvements. Visitors are welcome during all the matches.

A national pistol champion is to be crowned next weekend after a series of challenging matches that includes hundreds of rounds fired with special .22, centerfire, and .45 semiautomatic target pistols. The kickoff pistol matches Tuesday are unofficial memorial revolver events.

Competition overall includes pistol, smallbore or .22 rifle, and centerfire or high-power rifle, the latter including matches fired at ranges of up to 1,000 yards.

The complex task of managing and conducting the matches falls to several partners, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), and the Ohio National Guard. Competitors will range in experience from new first-time competitive shooters to Olympic champions, and will include civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement officers. A wide variety and number of matches are offered which appeal to a broad range of competitors.

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