This is my view on this interesting quest for finding a solution to a problem (Critical Thinking).
You are forgetting the nature of this game. Most every concept in bench rest comes from experimentation (not practical). Bench rest is cutting edge and the unconventional is the norm. The same goes for F-Class and some other shooting styles. Technically if you want practical you would shoot a standard cartridge out of a standard rifle (No PPC or BR). That is what F-TR is about (.223 or 308 Only!!). There is nothing wrong with it. I don't think anyone in short range bench rest is interested in the norm. No one is complaining about forming PPC cases or spending well over $1,400 just for an action. We won't even get into how and who is going to make your crazy custom rifle.
All of the bench rest shooters you mentioned all have different approaches to their success. They are not copy cats. They achieved their success through experimentation and figuring out what works for them. I've never shot with any of them but I am old enough to know what makes an outlier. Cookie cutter ain't it. They all walked their own path.
Doing what other successful shooters have done is fine. Finding your own way is priceless. Very few have the determination and drive to walk a different path and think for themselves. The bottom line is do what works for you and most of all have fun at it. It is all about enjoying yourself. Shooting small groups out of device that is somewhat privative in principle and design we are still a long long way off from having a 1 size fits all mind set for success at the highest level. That's the con; doing what others have done is no guarantee for success. Life in general is way too complex for that. The same goes for shooting a rifle off a bench at the highest level.
Having fun is the bottom line as this is often the fuel for success.
R&B
This is exactly right. But none of them wasted time creating anything that was not better than they had at hand to begin with,, key word, to begin with.
It's a wate of time to create brass for which the best brass is already available. The didn't stick their heads up there behind getting into BR when they set there new gun up getting started. Or quibble over a 400 or 500 dollar option on that "crazy custom" action, to be able to use the finest brass available for it without creating more work for themselves.
To think any BR shooter would choose to put a gun together for the purpose if shooting altered brass, that was no better than the brass already available for there purpose is ludicrous.
Most while experimenting try and choose the best way to attack any situation. Today we are fortunate enough that there is absolutely no need to make shooting a BR more difficult. Bolts and brass are readily available of the highest quality!
This guy ain't wildcatting, he ain't experimenting, he wants a gun dedicated to the purpose of shooting a 30 BR for score. Maybe you missed that. But he is not wanting to experiment with the differance in shooting quality brass with or without a related rim.
It is obvious there places this would be useful, building a new action for an intended purpose with all premium components available is just not one more well educated shooters that can afford it would turn.
Again at this point you are just suggesting more work to the case that will not be any better in the end than simply using the available actions to use it in.
I hope that is obvious, if some struggle understanding that, I'm sorry, better luck with your shooting.
