Rifle Marksmanship
After an extensive classroom course of instruction on rifle marksmanship and shooting safety, cadets were required to fire a qualification course with a 22-caliber target rifles (usually with Remington Model 513Ts). This qualification course initially consisted of firing five shots in each of four positions (prone, sitting, meaning, and standing) indoors at targets located 50 feet from the shooters. In the mid-1970s, the qualification course of fire was changed to the International Position shooting format with shooters firing 10 shots each in prone, kneeling and standing.
After the initial qualification firing, cadets with an interest in competitive rifle marksmanship began practicing for the Tri-County Cadet Rifle League competition. These rifle matches were held between schools in the Sacramento area beginning in late December and going through the end of February each year. First year cadets were placed on the B Team and fired five shots in the prone position and five shots in the sitting position. Second year cadets participated on the Junior Varsity Team and fired five shots in the prone position, five shots in the sitting position, and five shots in the kneeling position. The remaining cadets were on the Varsity Team and fired the junior varsity course of fire along with five shots from the standing position.
When the course of fire switched to the International format, the B Team was eliminated, the junior varsity team fired 10 shots each in the prone and kneeling positions and the varsity team fired ten shots each in the prone, kneeling, and standing positions. Most cadets that participated on the rifle team is higher-quality Remington 40X, Winchester 52 and Anshutz Model 54 Super Match rifles.
Originally, the Tri County Cadet Rifle League was divided into two divisions, with the exception of La Sierra High School, schools with rifle ranges were in Division A and schools without rifle ranges were placed in Division B. As the program matured the two divisions were eventually combined. Cadets were responsible for organizing and conducting the matches. They set up relays, scored targets and tracked statistics for awards. Significant learning activities in addition to rifle marksmanship were involved.
Pictures from the 1977 National Matches, Camp Perry, Ohio