Any tips for first time short range benchrest?

[Schippergreg]

Seriously looking at shooting a couple short range matches this year. I have never shot any competitions other then sporting clays, nor have I watched a sr br match. I’m fortunate enough to live less than 40 minutes from St. Louis benchrest club so I shouldn’t have to travel far.
I have a panda 6ppc that will make 10.5lbs with a t36, bald eagle base with a shadetree top and don’t shoot without flags, although my wind reading abilities are rookie at best.
I’m lucky that I have a 100yd and a 160yd bench in my back yard so I have the ability to shoot whenever I can. I know the 2 areas I need to work on are wind reading and tuning the load.
Any pointers for a guy trying to get into short range?

 

[Terry]

If you get the chance shoot UBR it's a hoot!

UltimateBenchrest.com | Ultimate Benchrest Shooting

 

[LHSmith]

Learn to shoot both eyes open. When not shooting, practice smooth gun handling by dry firing working the bolt and reloading without upsetting bags while keeping eyes on flags and not looking at what your hands are doing. Muscle memory.

 

[Schippergreg]

If you get the chance shoot UBR it's a hoot!

UltimateBenchrest.com | Ultimate Benchrest Shooting

Unfortunately it looks like the closest matches are at least a few hours away. I’ve never had to travel that far to get my butt whipped before. Lol

 

[Schippergreg]

Learn to shoot both eyes open. When not shooting, practice smooth gun handling by dry firing working the bolt and reloading without upsetting bags while keeping eyes on flags and not looking at what your hands are doing. Muscle memory.

Thanks, great points and exactly what I’m looking for.

 

[mharp]

Schipper, you are very close to what many consider the nicest range in the US. St. Louis Benchrest Club will have it’s first match the last weekend in Feb. if you want, I could send you Harry Wards email. He runs the show. Great ppl, great facility. Have no apprehension. You will feel very welcome and might get more help than you can digest!

 

[Schippergreg]

Schipper, you are very close to what many consider the nicest range in the US. St. Louis Benchrest Club will have it’s first match the last weekend in Feb. if you want, I could send you Harry Wards email. He runs the show. Great ppl, great facility. Have no apprehension. You will feel very welcome and might get more help than you can digest!

If you could do that I would truly appreciate it. At a minimum I d like to watch a match and see what I’m getting myself into.

 

[boltfluter]

Above all, remain calm, and expect to get beaten up for a year or two. If you go with the mindset to have fun you will be fine. If you think you are gonna show the established guys something, hold onto your hat, it's gonna be a rough ride. Some people can do this, many cannot. You sound like you will have a great time!

Paul

 

[Shooter13]

Unfortunately it looks like the closest matches are at least a few hours away. I’ve never had to travel that far to get my butt whipped before. Lol

I do it all the time that I can and you will love it, I too live within an hours drive of 3 different ranges. You won't meet a better bunch of guys all over the country! The Nationals are a blast too!

 

[Fuj]

Look over the basic rules for that particular discipline,
gather up your gear that may fit the occasion, pay your
fee, then jump in head first !! I did just that this past week.
I'm not new in the shooting world, but a complete novice
to the game I entered. Now be advised each game creates
it's own rabbit hole !! Let see.....I need a seat, better bags,
and.......

 

[Schippergreg]

Above all, remain calm, and expect to get beaten up for a year or two. If you go with the mindset to have fun you will be fine. If you think you are gonna show the established guys something, hold onto your hat, it's gonna be a rough ride. Some people can do this, many cannot. You sound like you will have a great time!

Paul

Thanks Paul, I have no grand illusions that I’m gonna set the world on fire. Next to last seems like a great place to start, last will probably work also.

 

[D Coots]

Come to the February match in St Louis and compete. Load inside and get your feet wet. That's where I started 20 years ago. No better place or time to start, unless it's cold and snowing. You can always bet on the weather to be nice there....the week before the match. Be careful of a guy named Harpenau....

Later
Dave

 

[Tim Singleton]

My suggestion is to spend most of you practice time at 160yd home range.
work on your flags and tuning at 160yds
One good and fun exercise at 200yds or 160 is shoot a 3 shot group hopefully it’s pretty small wait 2 mins and try to put the last 2 shots into that group.
when you can hold your own at 200 yds you’ll be ahead of half the field

 

[Chuckhunter]

If you could do that I would truly appreciate it. At a minimum I d like to watch a match and see what I’m getting myself into.

That is always an excellent idea. Walk around, check out the equipment, ask questions and as someone else pointed out you'll receive more information than you can digest. I'm sure you'll enjoy the day and get a good feel for what to do when you actually show up to compete. Best advice I received when I did that was compete against yourself and try to improve on your technique and wind reading skills and just have fun, before you know it you'll see your groups shrink or scores rise and you'll say, hey I can do this! Good Luck and enjoy this very demanding sport.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Do you have a good system for finding bullet seating depth?

the Boyer method working from touch into the lands is a good way to go about it

 

[AlNyhus]

You'll learn more in one real tournament than you will in a year of practice on your own....having guns on both sides firing as the clock is running is the great equalizer for everyone. Take Dave's advice and go have some fun. You'll likely be surprised how well you do.

Remember that no matter how experienced they are, all the other competitors put their pants on one leg at a time, just like you.

Well....except for Dave!

Good shootin'. -Al

 

[D Coots]

Wow Al, I can't believe anyone said to take my advice......thanks.

Buy Boyers book....it's the best one. Come to the match and shoot.

 

[AlNyhus]

Schippergreg: There you have it...an invitation by one of the best BR shooters around to come and have fun!

Bring cigars, any 409 Chevy stuff you might have laying around and ask for Dave! -Al

 

[seb]

Bring a tripod & spotting scope, a camera or handycam. Sit on the back of some really good shooters, watch the condition windflags etc and how he/she shoots. You will learn a lot by this method.

 

[powderbrake]

I suggest you attend one match without participating. Bring your gun, front rest and rear bag, and ammo, just in case you want to participate, or... you want someone to look at your equipment and make suggestions.
You will find the BR guys are friendly and helpful. The gate is open on match days, so you can come in and watch. I suggest you sign in in the clubhouse to let them know you are there, and to pick up info on the club.

I also suggest that you join the club. I am a member and I live twice as far from the club as you do. If you happen to be retired, you will find that on weekdays you will be sharing the 60 bench range with only about 2 to 6 or 8 other guys, and you will be able to pick the brains of some BR shooters. I bought a used LV gun and learned a lot from the weekday "practice" and the matches.

here is the match schedule
Match Schedule