Current weight limits used to define benchrest rifle classes.

[Mulligan]

I shoot both long-range and short-range benchrest.
When I look at rifles used in the different classes, many times, the participant is using the same rifle in both or all three classes. I understand the cost, and likely more importantly, the time involved to keep two rifles in tune are factors that cannot be ignored. The small group, agg, and score in long-range records do not appear to be statistically different. Admittedly, I have not run the numbers, but at a casual glance, weight does not appear to be a defining factor in group size as the rules currently allow. To say this another way, in short-range, does HV have an advantage over LV or Sporter? In long-range, does HG have an advantage over LG?

Are these weight limits set correctly? If it doesn’t appear to make a difference, what’s the point?

I am not suggesting some dramatic change in disciplines or organizations, just really formulating into words my personal observations and trying to understand why we have the weight limits we have.

This of course is based on the premise that my casual glance at national and international records and equipment lists is accurate.

CW

 

[jcline]

Ibs short range 13.5 is custom class.
Hunter class is 10.5. w/ scope limits
There is no set hvy class for record fire. (unless that changed recently)

Ibs long range 17.5 is light class max.
Chose your style.
You can shoot a light gun in hvy class but not the other way around.

You can't sway the odds in your favor with weight but you can go the other way.

Yep 13 & 17 lb rifles shoot great & win.
Even though their rifles move allot.

Supposedly hvy rifles stay on poa... Ive not seen many that are anymore consistent than a lighter one though.

I've not seen rail guns that won allot.
But I've heard of one or two.

The guys i know with hvy are playing with their toys. Some cool looking ones at every match.
I'd kinda like to try one but $$$ say be happy with what i have.

Gotta set the limits or the "skaters" on the rules ppl come out.

In 22 some would install a custom barrel. Marked like a factory and win across the board... In pistol triggers were the big trick.
Im sure there are tricks in cf lr but the rules are only weight & rest designed.

IBS HV is 13.5 LB
IBS LV is 10.5 LB
Hunter or VH is 10 LB with maximum 6 power scope

 

[6bra1k]

you seem to be mixing apples and oranges.
short range br gas little in common with long range br.

in mild long range conditions a lite gun can compete, even win .
but bring on some wind and the lite guns struggle.
a relay a the nationals had a bunch of "lite" guns in the heavy match blown off target
and dq'd........
it is always a gamble to bring a lite to the heavy match.
( oh and lite stops at 17 lbs)

 

[Mulligan]

you seem to be mixing apples and oranges.
short range br gas little in common with long range br.

in mild long range conditions a lite gun can compete, even win .
but bring on some wind and the lite guns struggle.
a relay a the nationals had a bunch of "lite" guns in the heavy match blown off target
and dq'd........
it is always a gamble to bring a lite to the heavy match.
( oh and lite stops at 17 lbs)

No mixing

Just observation.

6 mm’s still have the lion’s share of the wins at 600 or 1000.
The weather is likely playing a much more significant impact than the weight of the rifles.

CW

 

[6bra1k]

No mixing

Just observation.

6 mm’s still have the lion’s share of the wins at 600 or 1000.
The weather is likely playing a much more significant impact than the weight of the rifles.

CW

you are ignoring that lite riflee tend to be 6mm and when shot in the wind do not fair well against 30 cal heavy rifles.

 

[JMayo]

IBS HV is 13.5 LB
IBS LV is 10.5 LB
Hunter or VH is 10 LB with maximum 6 power scope

There ya go !

I was close !

 

[Mulligan]

HG at a grand is a 10 shot contest and LG is a 5 shot contest so comparing them is problematic.
At 600, IBS HG and LG both shoot 5 shot groups. As near as I can cipher, the 6’s still get the wins most of the time, regardless of conditions.
There are a few exceptions, but not many that I have found. Am I blind?
CW

 

[Fuj]

At Ridgeway VBR (850 to 1000 yards), You have a 12 and 17
pound class. More people shoot 17, and looking over the
scores of the knocked down steel targets, the 17 pounders
score better. Not conclusive, and only one example.

 

[Mulligan]

At Ridgeway VBR (850 to 1000 yards), You have a 12 and 17
pound class. More people shoot 17, and looking over the
scores of the knocked down steel targets, the 17 pounders
score better. Not conclusive, and only one example.

I can see that, the recoil difference between my 13.5 # rifle and my 17 # rifle significant. Not a deal breaker either way, but the difference is real.

CW

 

[Mulligan]

IBS short-range Records

 

[Mulligan]

NBRSA Short-range records

 

[Mulligan]

The above two posts are the records, but do not say anything to what weight rifle was used to set the record. Excepting all were shot with guns meeting the weight restrictions.
CW

 

[LRPV]

There ya go !

I was close !

Long range LG limit is 17# not 17.5# by the way. Don’t want you to get somewhere and run into a problem.

 

[tom]

you seem to be mixing apples and oranges.
short range br gas little in common with long range br.

in mild long range conditions a lite gun can compete, even win .
but bring on some wind and the lite guns struggle.
a relay a the nationals had a bunch of "lite" guns in the heavy match blown off target
and dq'd........
it is always a gamble to bring a lite to the heavy match.
( oh and lite stops at 17 lbs)

The ONE AND ONLY man in that relay that did not blow off wound up winning heavy gun. He was shooting a legal 17 pound 6 BRA......but generally speaking I agree with you, especially for big tournaments where things might get dicy around 2 in the afternoon! Normal matches, agg season stuff, I'm not willing to look it all up,.....and everything is about to get updated as THE GLENN has about rewrote the heavy records, but I'll bet you dinner more than 50% of 1,000 yard heavy gun records in the ibs are held by legal light guns.


Edit, I remembered later one other guy stayed on, so 2 out of 12, and also with a 6mm lol.


Tom

 

[JEFFPPC]

you seem to be mixing apples and oranges.
short range br gas little in common with long range br.

in mild long range conditions a lite gun can compete, even win .
but bring on some wind and the lite guns struggle.
a relay a the nationals had a bunch of "lite" guns in the heavy match blown off target
and dq'd........
it is always a gamble to bring a lite to the heavy match.
( oh and lite stops at 17 lbs)

Speaking of apples and oranges this thread has went from pounds and ounces to 6mms vs larger cartridges.

 

[tom]

Speaking of apples and oranges this thread has went from pounds and ounces to 6mms vs larger cartridges.

True, but that has to be part of the discussion, at least with long range. That is what the mass of the heavy affords you, the opportunity to run something with bigger ballistics.

Tom

 

[JEFFPPC]

It's interesting how long many off the records have been standing.

 

[jackieschmidt]

To answer the OP’s question concerning NBRSA Short Range Bag Guns.
In Group, where the vast majority shoot a 6PPC, a 10.5 pound LV will shoot exactly the same as a 13.5 pound HV.
Sporter has no stock or barrel taper restrictions. But since it still can only weigh 10.5 pounds, the vast majority of shooters simply shoot their LV in Sporter.
In NBRSA VFS, the class is shot with any Rifle that is legal to be shot in Class HV.