AR-15 Bench Rest ?

[Wolfdog91]

So I know bench rest is primarily a bolt gun deal but with as popular as AR's are , is there any beach rest deal for them and other semi autos ?
Just wondering

 

[WayneShaw]

Several years ago, the IBS made a "class" so to speak available for an AR to be used in benchrest shoots. It was a flop from what I'm aware of, and it fizzled out.

 

[Kurz]

This is the set of rules from 12 years ago:



I didn't see any continuation of this type of competition currently but I didn't do a comprehensive search either.

There are several other types of competitions for the AR platforms but none that I found for benchrest.

 

[Vick]

IBS has a tactical class. I have not seen too many AR rifles in the tactical class. The field is dominated by bolt guns.

 

[LHSmith]

IBS has a tactical class. I have not seen too many AR rifles in the tactical class. The field is dominated by bolt guns.

That is news to me. It was only offered on a trial basis for 1 year. I remember shooting next to a guy using one that year. IIRC he shot it in 3 match events and eventually switched to his FIL's Hunter Class gun. Individual clubs may offer special classes but they are not recognized by the organization for record purposes.
EDIT- There IS a Tactical class in the IBS LR program.

 

[OMW57]

At our club matches, not sanctioned, we have a custom class, factory class, ar class, we just shoot for fun & bragging rights! Always have a great time just getting together & visiting with all the gang & having fun, doesnt need to be a sanctioned event to have fun.

 

[Wolfdog91]

Vey interesting eveyone! I'm honestly surprised it's not more of a common thing , especially with how easy someone could build a AR compared to a bolt gun. Doubt you'd have guys shooting in the 0's but I mean I reckon it could be competitive and fun in it's own class like some of y'all have stared they have

 

[Phil3]

I built an AR-15 just for bench use, , and to see how accurate I could make it. The thing is actually more accurate than I expected, shooting about 1/2" 5 shot groups ay 100 yards a good percentage of the time, and sometimes as small as 0.3". In my opinion, it is easier to build than a bolt gun, but of course, is not as accurate...just closer than I thought.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Phil, Whose barrel did you use on that one if you don't mind me asking.

These rifles are never going to be bolt guns but I have a hunch with the right chose of parts they might just surprise a guy.

 

[Phil3]

Phil, Whose barrel did you use on that on if you don't mind me asking.

These rifles are never going to be bolt guns but I have a hunch with the right chose of parts they might just surprise a guy.

The barrel is a Krieger, chambered by them to SAAMI minimum spec for 223. Krieger said not to use 5.56. It is stainless, 22" long, a 0.920" or 0.9375" muzzle (can't recall right now), 1:9 twist, rifle length gas system. 52 and 53 grain Sierra MatchKings with Vhitavouri N133 powder seems to shoot well.

I do think the AR can surprise people, and mine surprised me. But, to achieve top accuracy, it is more than the barrel in my opinion. I can speak more to that if you wish.

 

[BKA]

With gas guns, the Indian and the arrow both play a role in overall accuracy, same as a bolt gun.
Biggest difference I notice is recoil impulse, for me, bench manners are more demanding with AR.
This summer I had fun at ground hog shoots with distances of 200, 300 & 500 yards with my .224 Valkyrie. 22" ARP 1:7 barrel, Jard set trigger, Wilson Combat matched receiver, Magpul buttstock, etc.

 

[jghoghunter]

With gas guns, the Indian and the arrow both play a role in overall accuracy, same as a bolt gun.
Biggest difference I notice is recoil impulse, for me, bench manners are more demanding with AR.
This summer I had fun at ground hog shoots with distances of 200, 300 & 500 yards with my .224 Valkyrie. 22" ARP 1:7 barrel, Jard set trigger, Wilson Combat matched receiver, Magpul buttstock, etc.
View attachment 1394440

Hey Brian where did you get that shirt? I think between your gun and my gun people would be pretty impressed with what an AR can do bench rest wise.

 

[BKA]

The shirt, match win tokens, and plaque were awarded to me by the nice folks at Mifflin County Sportsman Association in PA. Jessie, I think you might know a couple of them

With the "Val" I'm running Starline brass, CCI 450 primers and using Varget powder to push the 85.5gn Bergers about 2800 fps for best accuracy in my rig. At 100 yards, if I do my part, it'll regularly shoot in the mid 2's with good conditions. My loaded cartridge is too long to be fed from a magazine, I single load.

 

[jghoghunter]

The shirt, match win tokens, and plaque were awarded to me by the nice folks at Mifflin County Sportsman Association in PA. Jessie, I think you might know a couple of them

Them guys at Mifflin sure are a bunch of nice fellas.

 

[jghoghunter]

These targets were shot during matches at MCSA. The one with the orange dot is 300 yds the two are at 200 yds. These are average targets for this rifle. At 500 yds its between 2-3" on average. Most of the time 4 shots are under 2" and the 5 is out. Im beginning to think it's the driver and not the rifle.

 

[jghoghunter]

Here is a picture of the rifle that I use in AR benchrest at MCSA. The lower is all custom with a Giesslle trigger. The upper is an off the shelf WOA 223, 1-8 twist Wilson bbl. I shoot 73 gr. Bergers with 8208 set at mag. length. I have always shot it as a repeater if I want to shoot a single shot I have plenty of bolt guns for that.

 

[Fuj]

One of these day, I need to get to Mifflin.....Erie to Anderson Creek is
125 miles and Mifflin another 90 miles. I shoot a Krieger bull barreled
RRA-EOP bull with a Bushnell XRS on top. I don't even bother to load
for it any more. Israeli IMI mod-1 77's (Brown box mil) by the case lot
shoots 1/2 MOA. Trigger is just a 3 lb Varmint from RRA that pulls at
2.75 lbs. That 1/2 MOA is using a bipod and rear squeeze bag.

 

[BKA]

Nice looking gear guys, thanks for sharing the pics! I travel about 100 miles to Mifflin and find the ground hog shoots to be fun and challenging with an AR. It's not unusual to have 40-60 guns competing and the AR Class is usually about 10% of that. Bald Eagle front rest with Shadetree joystick top and Protektor rear bag for me

 

[jelenko]

Here is a picture of the rifle that I use in AR benchrest at MCSA. The lower is all custom with a Giesslle trigger. The upper is an off the shelf WOA 223, 1-8 twist Wilson bbl. I shoot 73 gr. Bergers with 8208 set at mag. length. I have always shot it as a repeater if I want to shoot a single shot I have plenty of bolt guns for that.

What grip is that? And, is there something going on with the charging handle? It looks orange colored.

 

[Gargoyle]

I presently have an AR10 308 build that rivals 6-8K GAP bolt guns.

Aero parts, Ballistic Advantage 20" bull 416R 5R with EC Tuner Brake. My self smithed Aero 2 stage nickel boron trigger.

I'm presently trying to load 168 Amax to same degree of accuracy.

168 FGMM at 2570fps. Shots 1 & 2 clean bore sighters.



F'N gas guns and hand loading though! LOL