I would appreciate any advice as to getting set up to start learning bench rest shooting. My experience is limited to plinking, and that was many years ago. I want equipment that with practice I can get somewhat consistent results, yet not spend a fortune on something that I might not stick with. Thanks for any help you guys might have for me.,Yeah I know, another FNG, right?) By the way, I am in Chattanooga TN if anyone can recommend shops or coaches in this area.
Advice for Beginner's 1st Rifle
- Thread starter billmac3
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Bill,
Welcome to the Forum. First, is your goal to compete in Registered IBS/NBRSA at 100/200, or 600, or 1000? Or are you looking to do well in local range or club events?
Do you want to shoot Score matches,one shot per target) or group matches?
The answers will help dictate the right equipment. For point-blank,100/200) group matches you'll need a high-end PPC to be in the running. For Score Matches, the 30BR is the ticket.
At the local club level, a 6BR with an 8-twist can be competitive at all distances from 100 yards to 600 yards. My friend John Southwick recently won the local 100-yard club BR match, then turned around and won our 600-yard varmint match. He did that with the same 6BR rifle shooting 105gr bullets.
I'd say your first priorities are to: 1)Ascertain the distances you want to shoot; 2)Order an appropriate barrel; and 3)Choose an appropriate stock. All will follow from that.
Welcome to the Forum. First, is your goal to compete in Registered IBS/NBRSA at 100/200, or 600, or 1000? Or are you looking to do well in local range or club events?
Do you want to shoot Score matches,one shot per target) or group matches?
The answers will help dictate the right equipment. For point-blank,100/200) group matches you'll need a high-end PPC to be in the running. For Score Matches, the 30BR is the ticket.
At the local club level, a 6BR with an 8-twist can be competitive at all distances from 100 yards to 600 yards. My friend John Southwick recently won the local 100-yard club BR match, then turned around and won our 600-yard varmint match. He did that with the same 6BR rifle shooting 105gr bullets.
I'd say your first priorities are to: 1)Ascertain the distances you want to shoot; 2)Order an appropriate barrel; and 3)Choose an appropriate stock. All will follow from that.
Have you thought about shooting F-class? It is a class in NRA Long range shooting, that is somewhat similar to benchrest except you shoot from the prone position, and you are located in a great spot for that. The ranges that shoot F-class are plentiful around Chattanooga. A.E.D.C at Tullahoma, and Oak Ridge both shoot 600 and 1000 yard matches, and I believe there is a range in Chattanooga that shoots 500 yard matches. Chris Hayes aka FatBoy, who is a regular here, can fill you in on more details about the Chattanooga range or you can visit the TNSSA Highpower web site.
If you decide to try F-class, a 6mm BR with a 1-8" twist barrel and a BR style stock will get you started, or if you like 308, you could shoot F/TR a class for 308/223 only shot off a bipod. A factory 308 such as a Winchester Stealth or Remington VS will get you started there.
Jeff
If you decide to try F-class, a 6mm BR with a 1-8" twist barrel and a BR style stock will get you started, or if you like 308, you could shoot F/TR a class for 308/223 only shot off a bipod. A factory 308 such as a Winchester Stealth or Remington VS will get you started there.
Jeff
Thank you so much for your responses. I guess I am most interested in developing competency in the 600 to 1000 yd ranges. The .308 is interesting but I think the recoil is too much for me to fire off enough rounds to see progress. Also, is doing my own reloading absoutely necessary when starting out or can I see some consistency with factory rounds at those distances. At any rate, from a preliminary review of prices, it seems there are many different choices in barrels, stocks and scopes. Can I get a few hints? What should a beginner expect to spend to get reasonable results and stay motivated? Once again thanks for your help.
HI
There is someone over your side of the pond that specialises in S/H and near new BR guns.
I dont have the link to his site but AFIK It know as "the list" in BR circles.
I had a look at it months ago and there was some serious $$ rigs there but there were also some very reasonable $$ rigs that would just need a new Pac-nor tube in 6BR screwed onto them and away you go. $210 for the barrel plus fitting or 310 for an already fitted and chambered to whatever action you choose.
If you got one of the hunter BR guns you could compete in a whole heap of disiplines with the one rifle untill you found the one you like and then you could focus your $$ there.
IMNHO- don't limit what you can compete in by your equipment setup with to narrow a focus.
Starting out it's highly unlikly,unless your are a natural) your goingto be at the pointy end of the comp.
As you have saud you are there to learn and experience the various comps.
An accurate BA repeater will still be accurate whether it's shot off the bench or a bipod/front rest or from positions in a field target/ course environment.
Some advice from someone who specalised before he tried all the competition options out there and had to RE-SPEND $$ he shouldn't have had to ih he had got something a lot more jack-of-all-trades. I'm saying this while your are learning and trying out the different comps in your area- once you find the comp that pushes your buttons- the $$ spent is up to you, or more closely what her indoors will let you get away with)
Hope this helps
later
P
There is someone over your side of the pond that specialises in S/H and near new BR guns.
I dont have the link to his site but AFIK It know as "the list" in BR circles.
I had a look at it months ago and there was some serious $$ rigs there but there were also some very reasonable $$ rigs that would just need a new Pac-nor tube in 6BR screwed onto them and away you go. $210 for the barrel plus fitting or 310 for an already fitted and chambered to whatever action you choose.
If you got one of the hunter BR guns you could compete in a whole heap of disiplines with the one rifle untill you found the one you like and then you could focus your $$ there.
IMNHO- don't limit what you can compete in by your equipment setup with to narrow a focus.
Starting out it's highly unlikly,unless your are a natural) your goingto be at the pointy end of the comp.
As you have saud you are there to learn and experience the various comps.
An accurate BA repeater will still be accurate whether it's shot off the bench or a bipod/front rest or from positions in a field target/ course environment.
Some advice from someone who specalised before he tried all the competition options out there and had to RE-SPEND $$ he shouldn't have had to ih he had got something a lot more jack-of-all-trades. I'm saying this while your are learning and trying out the different comps in your area- once you find the comp that pushes your buttons- the $$ spent is up to you, or more closely what her indoors will let you get away with)
Hope this helps
later
P
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