About Us 

The Southern California Golden Bears Highpower Rifle Club was formed as a sporting club in 1986.  The 17 founders were interested in shooting their newly acquired M1 Garand rifles.  Those rifles came from the predecessor of today’s Civilian’s Marksmanship Program (CMP), the Department of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM).  The equipment used has evolved from to California compliant AR-15 rifles in 5.56 caliber.  The club has loaner equipment to assist new shooters in getting started.  

For over nearly 30 years the Club has met once a month and held a National Match Course competition the third Sunday of the month at Angeles Ranges.  The goal of the club has always been to advance the competitive highpower rifle shooting skills of its members and to provide a venue to introduce new shooters to the sport.  While the Angeles Ranges Complex offers only a 100 yard reduced course for competition, this has been ideal for beginners as well as experienced shooters seeking to refine their skills.

In addition to holding high power rifle matches, the Club offers instructional sessions and supports organized shooting at the local, state, and national level.  Hundreds of shooters have taken advantage of the matches and Club meetings to learn the course of fire for Service and Match Rifle and Regional Highpower matches and a number of the Club members have gone on to win National Level awards.

Golden Bears have been on California’s Service Rifle Teams at the Camp Perry National Matches with many earning their “Distinguished Rifleman” badge and a few earning President’s 100 tabs.  Golden Bears have won four Women’s Class 600 yard National Trophies.  Members have become NRA and CMP Firearm Instructors.

The club continues to thrive and has made its home on the Fort Angeles private range in the Angeles Ranges complex.  Come out and shoot with Southern California’s Golden Bears.  Check out our Events page to learn more and hope to see you on the line. 

Across The Course (XTC) - On a full distance course, shot at 200, 300, and 600 yards. At the Fort Angeles Range used by the Bears, we shoot all stages at one distance, 100 yards. The targets are reduced proportionally to simulate the longer distances. Standing, sitting, and prone positions are used with both rapid and slow fire stages.

Midrange - Shot at 500 and 600 yards with almost all events taking place at 600 yards.  All shooting is done from the prone position.  F-Class shooters use bipods, rear bags, and rests.  The scoring rings are significantly smaller for F-Class shooters.

Longrange - 800, 900, and a 1000 yard distances with most matches being shot at 1000 yards.  All shooting is done in the prone position with either sling or F-Class.

Garand, Springfield, and Modern Military - Similar to XTC, and typically shot at 200 yards although it can be shot at 100 yards.  Most matches do not have a rapid sitting stage.  The Civilian Marksmanship Program holds events throughout the country which are known as the "Travel Games".  Many clubs have GSM matches as well.