My Experiences at Camp Perry
Some of my Experiences at Camp Perry, Ohio
By Doug Bowser
I used the rifles we talk about in these matches. The M1 and 1903-A3 were very accurate rifles, capable of good scores over the 600 yard course of fire.
When I was 41 years old, I attended the US Army Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio. I was involved in High Power Rifle shooting in the early 1960's. I was a member of the Elbridge, NY Rod and Gun Club. We had M1 rifles issued by the DCM and surplus ammunition. We attended tournaments at Ft. Smith, New York and shot at 200, 300 and 500 yards. In 1962 the DCM offered 1903-A3 rifles for $34.95 delivered. They were new in the oil cloth and cosmolene. I preferred the 1903-A3 because it was more accurate than the M1. We were able to buy WW2 issue .30 M2 ball for $.03 per round from the DCM.
In 1976, I moved to McComb, MS and joined the Southwest Gun Club. I found out the M1 rifles were still available for loan to DCM clubs. We ordered 6 M1 rifles and 6 Remington 513-T .22 rifles. We were able to get training from several retired Marine and Army shooters and our club became active in High Powered Rifle shooting. We reactivated a 600 yard range in Amite, Louisiana and our club grew to over 250 members. We were issued 12,000 rounds of .30 M2 Ball each year and we saved the brass and ammo cans and sold them to support our club's teams to Camp Perry in 1984, 85, 86, 87, 88 and 90. Our team earned 30,000 rounds of .30 M72 Match each year we attended. The shooting at Camp Perry was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.
We fielded a team of 20 members. Seniors and Juniors, alike. Some of our Juniors joined the military and did very well for themselves due to the extra training they received on the trips to Ohio.
