(GunReports.com) — If you’ve been hearing mumblings about changes to the NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships, both Position and Prone, look no further. NRA says the championships are being moved from Camp Perry, Ohio to Bristol, Indiana for 2014 and 2015.
NRA says the move is necessary to support the World Palma Rifle Championships scheduled at Camp Perry in the summer of 2015. Why 2014 also? Next year will be used as a “dress rehearsal” for the event. Although there will no doubt be a little commotion, the Palma Championships come around once every 25 years, so it will be a while before Camp Perry’s regular schedule gets disrupted again.
To some smallbore shooters the new, temporary location will be familiar. The Wa-Ke-De Range in Bristol, Indiana is the current location of NRA Metric Championships, held each year right before the National Smallbore Championships at Camp Perry.
Located just off the Indiana Toll Road, Interstate 80, the Wa-Ke-De Range is about three hours due west of Camp Perry. The venue isn’t as expansive as Camp Perry (as few places are), but it is actually ideal for smallbore rifle competition. With enough space for 300 competitors, the range features a 100-point asphalt covered firing line and sits in a large grove of trees that provide a beautiful setting and shelter from the wind.
The 2014 dates are tentatively set for July 14-25, 2014 (including the Metric Championship). The Championship Program will be published — and online — no later than Match 3, 2014 with registrations starting April 1, 2014.
Competitors who like to camp, there is a KOA Campground just a mile away from the range. Additionally, the range has 20 RV hookups. For those who wish to have hotel or motel accommodations, a number of hotels and restaurants are just 10 to 15 minutes away from the range at exit 92.
