The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-19
Ponder Smoke
By
EnMTrNn MT AFFIRM
EDMUND M'LAURIN

North Carolina, through it's Ad-
jutant Generals Department,
is one of the few states which
officially recognizes rifle shooting
as n of our typical American
sports, and, in the interest of all,
seeks to promote organized rifle
practice among the shooters of the
state.
To give all shooter, regardless
of experience, degree of individ-
ual skill, or place Of residence
within the state, an opportunity
ao get together for friendly should
er-to-shoulder competition, open
matches r held annually at Fort
Bragg, near Fayetteville. These
matches cover a period of two
days and feature a complete pro-
gram of smallbore (.22 CALI
events, both rifle and pistol, and
special matches in which the 80
cal. Army Service rifle is used
exclusively and "as issued, the
latter meaning that the rifle must
be fired in the same condition as
issued by the government, and
without special stocks, extra sight
ing equipment and the dozens of
other gadgets which are favored
by the smallbore clan.
ALI citizens of the state are in
vited to participate in these annual
matches, and the competition is
so arranged that the prize list is
equally attractive to both tyro and
expert. Shooters are ranked in
three groups 60 "A", "B" and &C"
- according to their individual per-
Torrance in the matches entered.
Under this system, I am convinced
that anyone, regardless. of previous
match experience, has a fair
chance to win an award in any
match entered as the score made
during the actual firing will auto
matically determine the class in
which each man will compete for
medal awards.
In 1910, the state matches will
be held on June 22nd and 23rd,
Saturday and Sunday. Quarters
and meals will be provided at the
Fort, by courtesy of the Command
ing General. Having been to Bragg
several times, I can assure my
readers that the fort feeds its
guests well. This year, as usual
the rate will be two dollars per
Gay, though meals and lodging,
singly, may be had at the rate of
so cents. It is customary for en-
trants to assemble on Friday ev-
ening prior to the matches, but
this is not compulsory. Shooters
may enter one, or all, of the scjed-
uled matchss, and non-shooters, or
spectators, may attend with the
assurance of accommodations at
the same rate as competitors, if
reservation is made in advance
to Captain H. M. Rooney, Box ITO,
Linville, N. c.
All competitors in the 80 cal.
Army Service Rifle matches will
be furnished with a rifle and all
necessary ammunition, the entry
lee for this event being one dollar,
which includes rifle, ammunition,
targets, etc. The fourteen high
men in the 80 cal. matches will
be given the opportunity to repre-
sent the state, expenses paid, in
the national matches at Camp
Perry, Ohio, the latter part Of
August. AS the 80 cal. matches
are fired Sunday as the final feat
ure OF the program, persons un-
able to get away in time to take
in the smallbore events on Sat-
urday, can still get a chance to
shoot.
For fun, frolic and friendship
the state matches just can't be
beat. Ask any of the local boys
Who've been there's
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