Precision Rifle Matches in Colorado for 2020

Precision Rifle matches in Colorado for 2020

Practical/Tactical style matches are evolving every year. As shooters find it easier to make hits at distance, more matches are popping up to help push the limits of long range, precision rifle shooting.

To help you plan your next match, or your first, here’s a list of precision rifle matches in the state of Colorado. For 2020 we’re also including 22lr matches, as the precision 22lr market explodes.

Single Day Matches

Pikes Peak Precision

Pikes Peak Precision hosts and promotes a series of practical/tactical precision rifle matches in the state of Colorado. Beginners and experts alike are welcome to attend and shoot these 1-day matches with challenging courses of fire.  $30-$40 to shoot.

Bison Tactical will be putting on the Bison Tactical Udder Madness match hosted by Pikes Peak Precision on May 9, 2020. You can register by clicking here (practiscore) – registration open April 3, 2020.

Matches are hosted on the 2nd Saturday of every month at Cheyenne Mtn. Shooting Complex. Round count is generally +/- 80 rounds. Small to Medium Rifle cartridges, no magnum cartridges. 3,200FPS speed limit. Match Schedule can be found at – https://www.pikespeakprecision.com/schedule/

Shooters can qualify for the PRS Rocky Mountain Regional finale shooting these matches. Most matches are for PRS regional points.

Border War South Central

Colorado is in the South Central NRL Border War region. This region is shared with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Colorado will host three matches in the state. https://nrlborderwar.org/south-central-region/

March 28th – Carr, Co. – High Plains Precision
May 9th – De Beque, CO – High Country Precision
August 8th – Colorado Springs, Co. – Hawkins Precision Shootout

Shooters can qualify for the Border War regional finale in Kansas with an Border War membership.  

NoCo Precision Rifle Match at Pawnee

This monthly long range match is held on the 2nd Saturday of every month at Pawnee Sportsman’s Center in Briggsdale CO. This match emphasizes positional shooting (sticks, tripods, barricades, Bags, etc). There may be pistols on some match days, so bring one with a box of ammo.

This is a fun challenging match for all skill levels. $50 to shoot. More information can be found on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255884904834543

Colorado Rifle Club Long Range Precision

The Colorado Rifle Club (CRC), outside of Byers, Colorado hosts a monthly precision rifle match every 4th Saturday of the month.  The 100% prone course of fire is the same each month.  Various target sizes are placed between 200 and 500 meters.  The course is run by each competitor three times for a total of 50 rounds fired.  For scheduling and match information, visit http://crci.org/EventSchedule/tabid/2560/Default.aspx

Pueblo Precision 600 yard Field Rifle Match

This match has changed from the 300 yard match in the past.

Pueblo West Sportsman’s Association and Pikes Peak Practical Shooters host the Precision 600 Yard Field Rifle Match.

The match now starts at 9:30 and costs $15 per entry. 3rd Sunday, year round. You will be able to verify your zero from 8:00-9:30.

15 shooter max for match. If you do not sign up ahead of time you do not get to shoot. To get signed up, go to Practiscore and look for Hoser’s Steel under the clubs tab or click on the link below.

You don’t pay when you sign up, you pay at the match. https://practiscore.com/clubs/hosers-steel

Centerfire calibers from 223 – 300 Win Mag are legal. 3200 fps speed limit. No bullet weight restrictions.

No tracer or steel core ammo allowed. If a magnet sticks to it, leave it at home. You will not like the $500 fine for using the above and I won’t like my targets getting torn up.

Eye protection is required at all times while on the range.

The new 600 yard format will change things up a little bit. At 615, 300, 410, 460, 615, 615 and 390 yards there will be a bank of targets. A large target and a small target. When shooting prone you will shoot the small target. If you are not shooting prone, you will shoot the large target. Simple as that.

The 600 yard Certification is required for everyone. It is a one-time deal and can be accomplished the day of the match. Contact the Match Director (Hoser) for details.

Two divisions. Semi-Auto and Bolt/Manual Action.

Total round count is 56. 14 shots per position/stage.

Start position for all strings will be bolt closed for most strings, however the start position could vary. When the buzzer goes off shooter will engage all seven targets. Hit or miss the shooter will advance to the next target. Like the prairie dog matches of days gone by, only hits count. There is no penalty for misses.

Shooting sticks may have one, two or three points of contact and saddles may be used. You may not be any lower than sitting.

While shooting off a pack, no part of the rifle may touch the ground.

While shooting prone, a bi-pod or tri-pod may be used.

The “Position of the month” details will be given at the range on match day and will vary from month to month.

If you cannot comply with a shooting positions criteria, you can shoot it however you want but hits will only be worth half (5 vs 10 points) value.

There is no minimum age limit. It is up to you as the parent to decide what is too young.

Slings will not be required, but could be very helpful.

Rifle Sportsman Club Precision Rifle Match

Hosted in Rifle, Co. on the first Saturday of each month, this match is +/- 40 rounds with sign up at 8:30am.  All calibers welcome. http://www.riflegunclub.com/event-3167745

Western Colorado Precision Shooters (NEW for 2020)

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Looking for precision rifle matches on the Western slope? With the help of local Colorado company XLR Industries, and High Country Precision, now you have options. These matches are hosted at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex in DeBeque, Co. This match is held in the bluffs and mountain around the complex, providing challenging and fun wind and shooting conditions. NRL22 matches are held the 4th Saturday of the month as well. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4967267293377550/about/

Sporting Rifle Match, Whittington Center Raton, NM (close enough to count)

The “Sporting Rifle Match” at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton NM is designed to test a rifleman’s skills shooting small targets in the natural terrain, with what he can carry throughout the course. Distances are 200-900 yards.

The match format is 10 stages spread over a 1 mile distance and involves a minimum of 2 miles walking while carrying all gear.  Each stage has 6 targets at varying distances to be engaged with only one shot each.  Target distances are known to the shooter.  Shooters must complete each stage’s target engagements within 4 minutes.  With one point per hit, the maximum score is 60 points. See rules for additional details.  Most stages accommodate prone position shooting, however, some may require elevated shooting positions, shooting sticks, etc.

Match entry is $30. There is partial cash payback to winner(s) based on the match turnout. The balance of fees goes to the NRA WC. 

Typical equipment used includes: a rifle capable of 1 MOA accuracy; rifle optics allowing precise hold-over for small targets from 175 – 875 yards; binoculars to spot for other shooters; and a backpack to carry water, ammunition, and a couple power bars. Bring 60 rounds plus whatever you want for Saturday afternoon & Sunday morning sight-in.

Details Schedule – https://sportingriflematch.com/  

NRA Whittington Center also hosts a Magnum version of this match, a Team Match, and an “AR” rifle match. Visit the site for more details.

Two Day Events

NRL Hight Country Precision Mile High Shootout

July 10-12, 2020 – DeBeque, Colorado – https://nationalrifleleague.org/matches/#1573005448754-fe7fecf7-03bf

Hosted by High Country Precision, this NRL event is a two day precision rifle match. The Mile High Shootout is an 18-20 stage field course with static and reactive targets ranging from 200 yards to 1400 yards. 

Most targets will be under 1000 yards, but get ready for a few surprises! Most shooting positions will be in natural terrain and conditions with a few shooting props.  

Walking between stages will be necessary so plan on shooting the entire course with what you’re carrying!  Round count for the match will be no more than 250, but be sure to bring extra ammunition for the zero range.

PRS Western Slope Shootout

Oct. 10-11 – DeBeque, Co. https://www.precisionrifleseries.com/matches/match/1878/

Hosted by the minds that give you the Mile High Shootout comes the Western Slope Shootout. Hosted at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex, this new for 2020 match will be a must attend.

.22LR Rimfire Events

.22LR rimfire has taken the industry by storm. With inexpensive ammo and improvements in rifle systems, it’s a great way to practice and just have an enjoyable time shooting. It’s also a great way to get younger or inexperienced shooters into the rifle sports with low recoil and concussion.

A great 22LR trainer rifle for PRS style shooting can be easily built from the new RimX 22LR barreled action available from Bison Tactical.

Colorado hosts several 22LR Matches across the state.

Ben Lomond NRL 22

Hosted on the 3rd Saturday of every month, this match is hosted at the 560 acre shooting facility near Ramah Co. Distances out to 150 yards. https://nrl22.org/clubs/ben-lomond-gun-club/

Northern Colorado Rod and Gun Club

Hosted in Laporte, Colorado, this match is hosted at the Northern Colorado Rod and Gun club near Ft. Collins. https://www.facebook.com/pg/ncrgc.org/events/

High Country Precision

Precision Rifle match located 4 miles from Craig, Co. Distances up to 300 yards! https://nrl22.org/clubs/high-country-precision/

Pueblo West Sportsman’s Assoc Precision Rimfire

22 Long Rifle only. No 22 mag or 17s. All shooting prone or bench. Up to the shooter. You can even shoot off sticks/packs/standing/ect. You can build your own shooting challenge based on your training needs. Any flavor of optics allowed. Suppressors allowed and encouraged.

No time limits or bonus points for finishing fast for the morning match, but you must be done shooting by 11:00. Most stages for the PRS match will have a 90 second time limit.  https://www.ar-15.co/threads/151753-Pueblo-Rimfire-Precision-and-PRS-NRL-Matches

Conclusion

There’s a lot of opportunity to shoot many different types of matches in the state this year. Don’t miss out on expanding your skills and meeting new friends. If you have any questions fill free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.