Shooting Sports - .22lr Rifle Benchrest
If you’re looking for the thrill and excitement of a traditional Yooper rifle-shooting competition, then grab your gear and come join us for the .22lr Rifle Benchrest Competition that is being hosted by the Negaunee Rod & Gun Club as part of the annual 2025 Marquette Winter Games! The State Games of Michigan is a non-profit, multi-sport, Olympic-style organization that hosts the Summer and Winter Games. This will be an exciting event for competitors of all ages and abilities. You won’t want to miss this one!
DATE
February 8 - 9, 2025
LOCATION
Negaunee Rod & Gun Club
335 North Road
Negaunee, MI 49866 (directions)
TIME
Saturday:
2/8 @ 9:00 AM - 10 spots left
2/8 @ 11:00 AM - 10 spots left
2/8 @ 1:00 PM - 10 spots left
2/8 @ 3:00 PM - 10 spots left
Sunday:
2/9 @ 9:00 AM - 10 spots left
2/9 @ 11:00 AM - 10 spots left
2/9 @ 1:00 PM - 10 spots left
2/9 @ 3:00 PM - 10 spots left
VENUE INFORMATION
Range:
The Negaunee Rod & Gun Club is located in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and offers unparalleled, year-round rifle, pistol and shotgun shooting opportunities. Participants in the .22lr Rifle Benchrest Competition will shoot a series of three (3) American Rimfire Association (ARA) .22lr benchrest targets that are set at a distance of 50 yards while enjoying the comfort of the Club’s enclosed and heated firing points. Each firing point (10 in total) is equipped with its own bench and seat. Participants should plan on providing their own benchrests, sandbags, seat cushions, etc. for use at their assigned firing point shooting station.
The Club’s Skeet, Trap and Compact Sporting Clays ranges will also be open and available for use between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on February 8th and 9th. The cost is $10.00 per round of 25 clay pigeon targets. Participants will need to provide their own shotgun, ammunition and safety gear if they intend to enjoy a round of Skeet, Trap and/or Compact Sporting Clays while visiting the Club.
Clubhouse:
The Negaunee Rod & Gun Club offers a spacious clubhouse that is equipped with tables and chairs, a kitchen, and two restrooms. Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase at a nominal fee (cash and credit cards are accepted).
Targets:
American Rimfire Association (ARA) .22lr benchrest targets will be utilized for the .22lr Rifle Benchrest Competition. The Negaunee Rod & Gun Club utilizes a target scanning scoring system for quick and accurate scoring. Each target will be scored with a perfect score being recorded as 2,500 points.
Safety:
Safety is paramount at the Negaunee Rod & Gun Club! Competitors are expected to review and abide by all Range Safety Requirements before participating. Each participant must abide by all Range Safety Officer instructions at all times and they must sign the Negaunee Rod & Gun Club’s Waiver and Release form (available the day of the event).
The use of eye and hearing protection is mandatory! The use of an Empty Chamber Indicator (ECI) is also required. Competitors are expected to furnish their own firearms, ammunition, ECI, benchrests, sandbags, seat cushions, and safety equipment. A limited number of eye and hearing protection will be available for use by the competitors the day of the event.
ENTRY FEES
Advanced Registration (through 2/6 at 11:59 PM)
$30 for one relay
$50 for one relay both days
Day-of Registration (2/8 - 2/9)
$35 for one relay
$55 for one relay both days
Participants requiring special accommodations, including multiple registrations during a single day, are encouraged to email Brett French at negauneerodandgun@gmail.com.
REGISTRATION
Advanced registration closes 2/6/24
Onsite registration available
EVENTS
Participants will have the option to either shoot a factory approved rifle or an unlimited rifle. If you are unsure which category you fit in, please visit this link.
Participants will be assigned to one of the event’s two Divisions according to their gender (i.e., male or female).
CLASSES
Participants will compete in their Age Class according to their age as of February 8, 2025. The following Age Classes will be utilized for the event:
Youth: age 12 and under (parent or guardian must be present),
Junior: ages 13 through 17 (parent or guardian must be present),
Adult: ages 18 and over.
COURSE OF FIRE
Participants should plan to arrive at the Negaunee Rod & Gun Club at least one hour ahead of their scheduled shooting time. Participants will shoot a total of 75 shots at three (3) American Rimfire Association (ARA) .22lr Benchrest targets (25 shots per target). The targets will be set at a distance of 50 yards from the shooter’s firing point. Participants will have a total of 20 minutes to shoot each target. A round is expected to take approximately one hour 30 minutes to complete, so shooters are encouraged to plan accordingly.
A final score will be recorded for each participant consisting of the sum total of the scores shot for each of the three (3) targets. A perfect score for the round will be recorded as 7,500 points. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top three shooters, respectively, for each Category (male or female), Age Class (Youth, Junior and Adult), and Division (Factory or Unlimited).
AWARDS
Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded for each class, division, and male and female categories.
QUESTIONS
For event specific questions, contact Sport Director Brett French at negauneerodandgun@gmail.com.
For registration help, contact registration@stategamesofmichigan.com.
MERCHANDISE
Merchandise coming soon!
PREPARE FOR THE GAMES
Click each title for more information
OPENING CEREMONY
Join us as we officially kick off the Winter Games in Negaunee on Friday, February 7 at the Heikki Lunta Winter Festival.
All athletes are welcome to attend and join the athlete parade
Hotel
Meijer State Games of Michigan athletes receive a discounted rate for the Marquette Winter Games at Staybridge Suites! Click the button below to book your room now.
Staybridge Suites
855 W Washington St
Marquette, MI 49855 (directions)
MARQUETTE VISITOR INFORMATION
Be sure to check out the abundance of activities and attractions that Marquette has to offer when you are not competing! Click here for more information and ideas.
