As a boy I knew that Camp Perry was a magical place. I had never been there, but I was raised on tales of long-range matches won by professional soldiers or back-country woodsmen in wild and woolly conditions. So when the chance came to cover the 100-year anniversary—and, better yet, shoot in the Springfield M1A match designed to honor Camp Perry—I didn’t hesitate.

The National Matches were established by President Theodore Roosevelt. In fact, his last message to Congress was—and I’m paraphrasing—that in order for America to be prepared to defend herself and keep peace, citizens must be marksmen, and that there should be a program in place that promoted good marksmanship.

In 1903, at the president’s urging, the 57th Congress passed a bill that is the foundation of the National Matches. For a few years the matches were held at various places around the country. Then, in 1907, they were held at the newly constructed facilities at Camp Perry, Ohio, where they have been ever since.

Another act of Congress in 1905 opened the way for citizens to become proficient with military arms by authorizing the sale of surplus firearms to “Rifle clubs formed under regulations prepared by the national board for the promotion of rifle practice.” The organization that is now the Civilian Marksmanship Program became the leading force in developing Roosevelt’s ambitions.

Technically an NRA high power match, the Springfield M1A match was inaugurated on Camp Perry’s 100-year anniversary as a way to honor history, as well as to give competitors a match dedicated to the classic M1A platform that had been a staple on the National Matches firing line for many years.

This new course of fire involves a total of 50 rounds, all at 300 yards from various positions: 20 rounds prone slow-fire, 10 rounds sitting or kneeling rapid-fire (60 seconds), 10 rounds prone rapid-fire (70 seconds) and 10 rounds off-hand slow-fire to finish. Five sighters are allowed at the onset of the match. All rapid-fire strings involve a reload: two magazines are loaded with five rounds apiece.

The target is the MR-65F, which is a 500-yard F-class target. All scoring rings are black, providing a large 30-inch bull, but the X-ring is only 21⁄2 inches. That is less than one minute of angle at 300 yards. The 10 ring is five inches, less than two moa. All shooting is done unsupported other than a sling.

Winner of the inaugrural M1A match, 17-year-old Ryan Castanguay -- shot an amazing score of 463 out of a possible 500 points.

While planning the event, Springfield Armory decided that if it was going to do the match, it would be the best-awarded match at Perry. The firm ponied up $25,000 worth of prize money and guns to be divided among the competitors. The top 50 shooters would also receive a Springfield M1A medallion.

When the go-ahead came for my trip, I was already behind the eight ball. First, although I have competed in various and sundry shooting disciplines ranging from cowboy action to benchrest, I had never shot in NRA-style high power competition.

I knew the basics of using a military sling and that I needed a glove, but when Rifle Shooter editor Scott Rupp asked if I had a coat, I thought (but didn’t say) I need a coat? Isn’t the shoot in August?