Getting an NRA Classification Card

My goal last year was to obtain my first NRA classification card in High Power Rifle. I've been an avid C&R (FFL03) firearms collector and recreation shooter for quite some time and have also competed in IDPA pistol competitions before. But there was always something about High Power Rifle competition that appealed to me. Well, today I just received my card and I am officially classified by the NRA as an Expert meaning that I have shot consistently within the 89% - 93.9% range of total possible points.



In the Beginning

The journey for me began by showing up one very cold January day last year to a 100 yard reduced match with my favorite M1 Garand. I didn't know anyone and I felt really out of place given that all competitors had the latest black rifles, shooting gear and gadgets. I had my old military surplus ammo and my even older vintage 1942 M1 Garand. To make things worse, and as luck would have it, I picked the one match that had record participation which so happens to have included a military rifle team.

All in all, there were close to 60 shooters with 3 relays. And this wasn't even a sanctioned NRA match but a reduced fun match! But it really was the best match I've experienced. The newness of the event was very exciting for me.

However, by the end of the event, I had met some very helpful people, learned the proper use of the sling, learned how to score, began learning the basic positions (standing, sitting, prone) and the all too important High Power Rifle mantras of Sight Alignment and Trigger Control.



Still a Newbie and Learning

That first match was 10 100 yard reduced, 3 NRA sanctioned XTC, 2 Garand, 1 Military Bolt Action, and 1 600 yard matches ago. Let's see, that's about 1,100 bullets fired all told through my AR-15, M1 Garand, and Remington 1903-A3 combined. And I'm still a newbie.

And yes, I have accumulated some of the latest and greatest gear. In reality, investment in good quality gear is critical in this sport.

NRA High Power Rifle Classifications

The NRA has established a set of standards for classifying shooters. This is based on the average of your last 3 matches in NRA "Approved" or "Registered" matches. The Match program will tell you if a particular match is an approved or registered one. Practice matches are not but State and Regional Championships are. If you have not fired in 3 approved matches, you can use a "Temporary" classification based on your running average of matches you have fired, practiced and approved. After you have fired your 1st match, ask the match director for a temporary classification book, they are free. If you have never fired in a High Power match before, you will compete as an "Unclassified Master." If you can not show proof of classification, you will compete with the Masters.

Once you have a classification, you will compete against other shooters in the same classification. If there are not enough shooters in your class, you may be combined with the next classification up.

Here are the classifications based on a percentage of the possible total score (800):

• High Master............97%....................(776)


• Master.....................94% - 96.9%.......(752 - 775.2)


• Expert.....................89% - 93.9%.......(712 - 751.2)


• Sharpshooter..........84% - 88.9%........(672 - 711.2)


• Marksman...............Less than 84%.....( LT 672 )

To learn more about High Power Rifle, I encourage you read the following on how to get started.

How to Get Started - High Power Rifle Competition