Interest in long range sporter class?

[Ledd Slinger]

I know there’s some competitions in Montana dubbed “Hunter Class” where people use their hunting rifles to compete. Nothing that is officially sanctioned tho.

I would also say that a course of fire with varying terrain and rest positions would be more indicative for the purpose of proving the accuracy and reliability of a hunting rifle. And maybe add a cold bore shot at various ranges with one round scored closest to center X. But now we are getting close to PRS so maybe a hunter class in PRS would be a better approach instead of a hunting rifle class in benchrest. I also rarely shoot my hunting rifles from a bench

 

[Alex Wheeler]

We actually have been doing this for sometime, not necessarily the same as you stated, but foldable bipods and rear squeeze bags, I didn’t put a weight limit or cartridge due to the mass amount of PRs rifles in our area. I wanted to grow long range benchrest and get more people associated with it. It worked, in the last few years, we have had 6 shooters go on to buy or build 17lb benchrest guns, they all are amped and enjoying the matches. success

Your weight limit is not a bad idea, but so many guys these days are using heavier rifles, and some may not even have hunting guns??
The caliber restriction, could and would be super fun imho,
But once again in my area, most all coming in have some sort of lil 6mm

The Tru Tac class will help grow it ever so slightly I feel like.

I think you did it right. Keep it open to as many as possible.

 

[Phys86]

I would be interested, so long as there are realistic hunting scenario shots from various positions with a timed element, not just prone.

Would this be similar to NRL? Maybe... I've never done one of those but I know that it's plagued with the same BS as that if PRS... Everyone that takes it seriously uses a "gamer" gun and lugs way more stuff around than they'd actually use hunting.

So even though some people do carry around a tripod (or 2) to hunt with and shoot from, I'm not sure how you'd restrict equipment to make it a test of the shooter moreso than the shooter's ability to buy equipment.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

No, Im not talking about a whole new match. Just something to shoot at a LR BR match. So just group and score from a bench. Or prone if thats what you prefer.

 

[Darkside]

Count me in. I'm getting into Br next year for the only purpose of working on my reloading skills and practicing shooting to 600 and 1000yds. I will be shooting a 300Wm. In the 17lb class.
I would Love to shoot my LR Hunting guns.

 

[Dimner]

Exactly, we built them for hunting but only get to use them for that. Shoot a few groups to make sure they are dialed but they mostly sit. Just looking for a way to get some more use out of them. Lots of money that just sits there most of the year. Its part of the hobby. If it was only about the meat we'd just buy tikkas. We like rifles Plus thats not why we shoot competition, no one is proving anything or gloating. We are having fun shooting with out buddies. You need to go to deep creek and see what its like.

I agree, that's the rub with building a hunting rifle.

Deer season is only 15 days in Michigan. I would like to use it many other days as well.

 

[Dimner]

Even though I would like to see a minimum cartridge and weight limit, it probably doesn't make sense to start that way and break up an already small class. Im thinking folding bipod, rear squeeze bag, and mag feeding. If it grew in popularity that there was enough to ad the weight class and cartridge limit then great but I doubt it.

you could always just make this rifle comp walk their rifle a long long ways to the shooting location or you have to shoulder sling your rifle down the 500 yard line and back(minus the bolt) when you hand targets.
Anyone showing up with an 18lb hunting rifle will not have very much fun.

I jest of course, but the point is what I am getting at. There are some hunters that bring 90lbs of crap into the field and some who bring only the essentials. Both can be successful, but it's my opinion that the guy with 90lbs of crap is going to have a harder time.

 

[lawman29]

I know there’s some competitions in Montana dubbed “Hunter Class” where people use their hunting rifles to compete. Nothing that is officially sanctioned tho.

I would also say that a course of fire with varying terrain and rest positions would be more indicative for the purpose of proving the accuracy and reliability of a hunting rifle. And maybe add a cold bore shot at various ranges with one round scored closest to center X. But now we are getting close to PRS so maybe a hunter class in PRS would be a better approach instead of a hunting rifle class in benchrest. I also rarely shoot my hunting rifles from a bench

The fellow down at Cameo range in Colorado is trying to get something like that started. They have shot it there and Casper WY. Don't know after that.

Ultimate Hunter Shooting Sports – The shooting sports by hunters, for hunters

ultimate-hunter.com

 

[davidjoe]

Create an efficiency race.

In a hunter class you could easily devise a way to factor points according to weight.

Weigh all the guns in the class. The heaviest gun, whatever that is, keeps its point score unchanged.

Every gun under the heaviest gun gets its raw score multiplied by its disadvantage.

Your rig is 94% of the heaviest gun in class? You get 106.3829% of your raw score. Simple inverse relationship.

Christensen Rifles and Titanium actions now start looking eminently attractive.

No arbitrary lines like Sendero’s and Varmint barrels, or not, every gun can play. Just decide the extent if any it must be factory made, and then shape the guns desired by how far away/small the targets are placed.

 

[enrique]

I’m sure people would enjoy it. Keep the round count down to 5-10 shots due to barrels getting to hot and stringing shots. Maybe one day at 100yd, then day 2, 200yd and day 3, 300 yd - this would help mimic true hunting distance scenarios and allow people who can‘t afford higher magnification scopes still remain competitive. It would also make all calibers from 20 cal and up to have a chance as they can all shoot 300 yds effectively pending wind calls

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Pure "Hunting Rifles" in the West, Start at, 6MM / .243 Win. and End Up at, Sub, 8.5 Pounds Max., Weight !
I AIN'T Carrying, a 10-12 Pound Rifle, 5 Miles into, the Mountains OR,. rolling Hill, Deserts AND Hauling, a Deer / Antelope,.. Back to, the Truck ( That's FOR, the Internet, idiots ! )

 

[Presis Skytter]

This looks like it would be a fun class. What if instead of having a weight limit, it’s a barrel contour limit. I know some folks like heavier hunting rifles these days but I doubt those rifles are running heavy palmas or straight barrels.

 

[Dimner]

I like the idea of using weight as factor with the score could be really interesting.

 

[Darkside]

I like the idea of using weight as factor with the score could be really interesting.

I agree, all my Magnum, Ultra Mags and Weatherby Magnum start at 10lbs up to 15lbs with optic. And 5 rounds Max. I'm not shooting any of them over 5 .

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The weight factors not a bad idea. But too much extra work for the match director.

 

[WIB3]

Alex, last year at this time I purchased a CA Ridgeline in 6.5 CM. I put a Huskmaw 5-20 on it and shoot it at Williamsport in the 600yd matches. With bipod and sandbag was shooting 3-5” 5 shot groups. Yes I knew that I stood no chance of winning but it sure was fun. 140gr elite hunters, Lapua small primers and 38.0gr of 15.5. 2660fps. I did put a Bix trigger in it though. Other than that, bone stock.

 

[WIB3]

It might not be the most precise scale on the market but I think the idea of a factory hunting rifle class would be more than appealing.

 

[WIB3]

8.82lbs. Camera distorted led on the scale. A true hunting rifle that I would love to see a LR class for. I believe that it could possibly create interest in a BR class that many thought financially are out of reach. Browning makes some extremely accurate rifles along with others. Would be an introductory class to BR shooting. Hats off to Alex W for bringing potential new talent into the game. Factory guns with factory chambers and barrels. Brilliant. Full out 600 and 1000yd BR is not cheep. The need to bring young shooters into the sport at a reasonable cost to their families is paramount.

 

[LRPV]

I think the biggest thing to remember is the purpose here which unless I'm mistaken is to set a trap for someone who wants to dip their toe into the BR game with equipment that they already possess and not be at a competitive disadvantage with their peers. Need to have some regulations to keep it from being a mag fed unlimited class but still allow my buddy Dave to come play with his 700 that has a Bartlein barrel on it.

 

[Evan]

The weight factors not a bad idea. But too much extra work for the match director.

If someone wants to do it, I can work it into the 1k scoresheet for them.

Edit: I can add it to the 600yd scoresheet too. This is a relatively simple thing compared to some of the relay rotation that was requested, haha. @tom @InTraining