It sure is`nt a 6ppc 
Attracting Newcomers to Benchrest Competition
- Thread starter Fred Bohl
- Start date
Well, I shot in my first score event yesterday and I have come up with a new saying:
"When things are going good it's easy. When things are going normal it's not easy at all ! "
I shot a 50-2x on the first match [ 200 yds ] which was 2nd best. I then started dropping points. Some were probably missed conditions and others maybe ammo related. At 100 yds I still had some lost shots but on match 9 I managed a 50-5x to win that one overall !!! Unfortunately I was the only prod gun . At the first or second 100 yd match I did discover that one of my front rest center shaft locking bolts was loose allowing the top to wobble. DOH !!
I now think that a score match might be the best first match for a newbie. I have been focused on group shooting for about 2 yrs and wasn't really looking forward to this first score event. Actually I really enjoyed it. Score events take you back to when you first started shooting when you just wanted to hit something. Also, at this match several shooters were brought preloaded ammo so I didn't feel like the Lone Ranger
I also tried out a Farley coaxial and a Farley compact. I think I am going to buy a compact top to put on my Caldwell base if the proper adaptor is readily available.
Ray
"When things are going good it's easy. When things are going normal it's not easy at all ! "
I shot a 50-2x on the first match [ 200 yds ] which was 2nd best. I then started dropping points. Some were probably missed conditions and others maybe ammo related. At 100 yds I still had some lost shots but on match 9 I managed a 50-5x to win that one overall !!! Unfortunately I was the only prod gun . At the first or second 100 yd match I did discover that one of my front rest center shaft locking bolts was loose allowing the top to wobble. DOH !!
I now think that a score match might be the best first match for a newbie. I have been focused on group shooting for about 2 yrs and wasn't really looking forward to this first score event. Actually I really enjoyed it. Score events take you back to when you first started shooting when you just wanted to hit something. Also, at this match several shooters were brought preloaded ammo so I didn't feel like the Lone Ranger
I also tried out a Farley coaxial and a Farley compact. I think I am going to buy a compact top to put on my Caldwell base if the proper adaptor is readily available.
Ray
Sweat while shooting? Oh yeah.. but only sweat at the range on hot days when I'm all trussed up in that doggone leather shooting jacket. That thing's a torture device...
Funny thing, I hear the same comments about highpower,too slow, too fixed, to boring) from those who shoot primarily "tactical" matches.
It's all different strokes - but I wonder, if we want to attract newcomers to shooting sports, maybe, just maybe we should spice 'em up a bit? Maybe something like Sporting Clays, where competitors walk a course and take different, challenging shots along the way at reactive steel targets? Okay, I'll go back in my corner and be quiet now. BR is not my sport, but someday it just might be...
I truly do respect the accomplishments of the BR competitors and truly do value the wonderful accuracy gains you all have made avail to the rest of us who can't seem to sit still very long. Without the input of BR guys I would have never learned much of what I know about accurate reloading & shooting.
Regards, Guy
Funny thing, I hear the same comments about highpower,too slow, too fixed, to boring) from those who shoot primarily "tactical" matches.
It's all different strokes - but I wonder, if we want to attract newcomers to shooting sports, maybe, just maybe we should spice 'em up a bit? Maybe something like Sporting Clays, where competitors walk a course and take different, challenging shots along the way at reactive steel targets? Okay, I'll go back in my corner and be quiet now. BR is not my sport, but someday it just might be...
I truly do respect the accomplishments of the BR competitors and truly do value the wonderful accuracy gains you all have made avail to the rest of us who can't seem to sit still very long. Without the input of BR guys I would have never learned much of what I know about accurate reloading & shooting.
Regards, Guy
M700 Guy
I'm one of the old guys who is still shooting but if it wasn't for Benchrest I'd have to look for something else to occupy my time, such as chasing girls. Not everyone ages the same and I know some of my buddies still run marathons, play softball, and shoot OTC. But I can't. If you talk to the old-timers in Benchrest it's amazing how similar our backgrounds are. Most of us have been competitive shooting for 50 or more years and have tried just about every discipline at one time or another. The fact is, we like to shoot and will take whatever Mother Nature gives us. I shot my first competition in 1955,NRA Pistol) and have shot something ever since. So enjoy the more strenuous sports while you can but don't be surprised if someday you find yourself behind a bench.
Enough preaching. I've got to pack. I'm driving to California to shoot the NBRSA 600 Yard Benchrest Nationals.
Ray
I'm one of the old guys who is still shooting but if it wasn't for Benchrest I'd have to look for something else to occupy my time, such as chasing girls. Not everyone ages the same and I know some of my buddies still run marathons, play softball, and shoot OTC. But I can't. If you talk to the old-timers in Benchrest it's amazing how similar our backgrounds are. Most of us have been competitive shooting for 50 or more years and have tried just about every discipline at one time or another. The fact is, we like to shoot and will take whatever Mother Nature gives us. I shot my first competition in 1955,NRA Pistol) and have shot something ever since. So enjoy the more strenuous sports while you can but don't be surprised if someday you find yourself behind a bench.
Enough preaching. I've got to pack. I'm driving to California to shoot the NBRSA 600 Yard Benchrest Nationals.
Ray
rayjay said:Well, I shot in my first score event yesterday and I have come up with a new saying:
"When things are going good it's easy. When things are going normal it's not easy at all ! "
I shot a 50-2x on the first match [ 200 yds ] which was 2nd best. I then started dropping points. Some were probably missed conditions and others maybe ammo related. At 100 yds I still had some lost shots but on match 9 I managed a 50-5x to win that one overall !!! Unfortunately I was the only prod gun . At the first or second 100 yd match I did discover that one of my front rest center shaft locking bolts was loose allowing the top to wobble. DOH !!
I now think that a score match might be the best first match for a newbie. I have been focused on group shooting for about 2 yrs and wasn't really looking forward to this first score event. Actually I really enjoyed it. Score events take you back to when you first started shooting when you just wanted to hit something. Also, at this match several shooters were brought preloaded ammo so I didn't feel like the Lone Ranger
I also tried out a Farley coaxial and a Farley compact. I think I am going to buy a compact top to put on my Caldwell base if the proper adaptor is readily available.
Ray
There's nothin' easy about shooting score. It's a very demanding endevour that unlike group shooting requires the shooter to hit the "spot" with all five record shots. In group shooting, the first shot is what creates the "X", not to mention the fact that shooting at 5 differrent X's for every record shot can bring out the worst in your equipment. Your rifle must not bind in any way in the front rest if you want to hold the same POI, which is harder to achieve when shooting for score IMHO. BTW, did you have any issue's going from the Farley and the Farley top? There's been a lot of talk about the fact that the top's adjustment is opposite the joystick travel. I use a Seb and like it a lot and like Farley's too but haven't used the new top. Butch Lambert's new top uses the same type of adjustment as the original Farley and Seb BTW, it's also a nice rig. I think that eventually you will end up with a more stable set-up the deeper you get into this sport thoough, the Caldwell base just isn't heavy enough to support serious BR work.
It was not an issue. I tried out the Compact about 1/2 way through the event. After I was done the guy with the big Farley tried out the Compact and he said after about 20 seconds of using it he wasn't even noticing the 'reversed' action. You are moving your hand in response to what your eyes are seeing.
If someone needs a mental crutch all they have to do is think about how the things work. On the Compact you have the knob in your hand, the pivot is right at the back of the unit and the 'crosshair' connection is out beyond the pivot. The crosshair moves opposite the movement of the knob. On the other coaxials you have the knob then the crosshair connection and then the pivot so that the crosshair and the knob move the same.
Now that I just wrote that it hits me that the 'reversed' action is just like aiming a gun where you are using a front rest or bipod but no rear rest. If you want to aim a bit more to the left you move the butt to the right. So really, for a shooter either would be 'natural'.
I must say that, as a complete newbie to BR, my local club could not have been more inviting. They just let me shoot right alongside the competitors with whatever I happen to have, scored me just the same,with no credit, of course), and answered all my stupid questions.
I brought my varmint rigs for a couple of sessions, then decided to get semi-serious in Hunter BR. I'll stick there for a bit, with a rebarrelled sleeved Remington I found used. I found a lightly used heavy 6mm-284 that I may work into, then rebarrel it for something more range-specific.
My point is that I'm not sure you need a new class. Instead, maybe offer an entry fee discount to anyone who is willing to let a newbie shadow them and ask silly questions.
I brought my varmint rigs for a couple of sessions, then decided to get semi-serious in Hunter BR. I'll stick there for a bit, with a rebarrelled sleeved Remington I found used. I found a lightly used heavy 6mm-284 that I may work into, then rebarrel it for something more range-specific.
My point is that I'm not sure you need a new class. Instead, maybe offer an entry fee discount to anyone who is willing to let a newbie shadow them and ask silly questions.
guns_and_labs said:
You may be right. For 25+ years I was involved in a widely varied assortment of 2 and 4 wheeled motorsports, some quite obscure. I found that people that want to be involved will find some way to be out there. People that "sure would like to try that, but" will be saying "but" till the day they die.
Conversely, I also found that sometimes a new class or catagory often sparks the imagination and results in many new or returning entrants. The SCCA did this with the Improved Touring catagory and 2 & 4 wheeled vintage racing also has enticed out many newcomers.
Right now short range BR seems to be shrinking so it is better to try new tactics for attracting shooters rather than sitting on our thumbs.
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
Lynn
I think you have hit the sweet spot for existing or interested potential competitors at least. Prepping for a combination vacation/match tour, I had a devil of a time finding match schedules and locations. You regulars talk about your matches by their popular names but rarely ever give any location info and almost never links to "official" match info. Even the one that had a link to the hosting club's website was of little use to anybody that had never been there since the site had no map or location data other than a PO Box #,at a town 11 miles away)!
To all
We need some more ideas on how to get new blood into competition and particularly short range,100 & 200 yard) benchrest.
Here in Wisconsin we have plenty of shooters but very little interest in competition. At the club I belong to we have over 2400 members but the only rifle matches we have are low attendance CMP shoots and only about 8 of us compete elsewhere. Whenever I try to organize even simple club sporter or varmint rig matches, the low level of interest turns to no interest as even basic rules are discussed,particularly rules about allowable rifle and rest configurations).
Please, any helpfull ideas?
I think you have hit the sweet spot for existing or interested potential competitors at least. Prepping for a combination vacation/match tour, I had a devil of a time finding match schedules and locations. You regulars talk about your matches by their popular names but rarely ever give any location info and almost never links to "official" match info. Even the one that had a link to the hosting club's website was of little use to anybody that had never been there since the site had no map or location data other than a PO Box #,at a town 11 miles away)!
To all
We need some more ideas on how to get new blood into competition and particularly short range,100 & 200 yard) benchrest.
Here in Wisconsin we have plenty of shooters but very little interest in competition. At the club I belong to we have over 2400 members but the only rifle matches we have are low attendance CMP shoots and only about 8 of us compete elsewhere. Whenever I try to organize even simple club sporter or varmint rig matches, the low level of interest turns to no interest as even basic rules are discussed,particularly rules about allowable rifle and rest configurations).
Please, any helpfull ideas?
There is just no organized competitive marksmanship for young shooters anymore. An apartment room mate I had back in the early 70's was on his high school rifle team. The first time I heard him talk about this I was completely, totally flabbergasted. I had never heard of such a thing.
Turns out it was quite common up to the late 60's early 70's. My little suburban high school had ball sports and that was it. If schools even had air rifle teams nowadays it would lay the foundation for future generations of target shooters. Instead all we get is left wing indoctrination against firearms in general. This is just one of the prices we are paying for letting the libs take over the education system in this country.
Another issue is the general decline in numbers of people participating in hunting. I went to a DNR meeting about 3 yrs ago and one of the stats that stuck with me was the total number of hunting licenses sold the year before. In the state of Georgia there were only 330,000 hunting licenses sold. This included all hunters; small game, big game, migratory bird, turkey, etc. That is a fairly small number for such a populous state.
Of course there are quite a few shooters that don't hunt but in the general scheme of things I think the numbers are still very small in relation to the total population.
Turns out it was quite common up to the late 60's early 70's. My little suburban high school had ball sports and that was it. If schools even had air rifle teams nowadays it would lay the foundation for future generations of target shooters. Instead all we get is left wing indoctrination against firearms in general. This is just one of the prices we are paying for letting the libs take over the education system in this country.
Another issue is the general decline in numbers of people participating in hunting. I went to a DNR meeting about 3 yrs ago and one of the stats that stuck with me was the total number of hunting licenses sold the year before. In the state of Georgia there were only 330,000 hunting licenses sold. This included all hunters; small game, big game, migratory bird, turkey, etc. That is a fairly small number for such a populous state.
Of course there are quite a few shooters that don't hunt but in the general scheme of things I think the numbers are still very small in relation to the total population.
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
Al
I live in Neenah Wisconsin. That is about 40 miles South Southwest of Green Bay,as Green Bay Packers) on the west shore of lake Winnebago. The club mentioned is The Twin City Rod & Gun Club,http://www.twincityrodandgun.com/. The nearest club holding a registered rifle matches,NBRSA Hunter Rifle) is the Van Dyne Sportsmens Club,http://webpages.milwpc.com/vdsc/index.htm) about 18 miles from me - used to be member there also.
rayjay
You hit right. My first competitive event was indoor gallery shooting,50 ft 22 shorts) in 1951 at the Milwaukee Sport Show. Over 400 teams from around the state many sponsored by churches and 4H clubs and include young ladies also!
Hunting is alive and well here in the Badger state. 2006 deer season was the 3rd best in history here with over 490,000 deer taken by over 600,000 hunters and this does not include the bird, bear, or small game tags.
The last WDNR seminar on range protection I attend for the club had representatives from over 300 gun clubs in Wisconsin.
I live in Neenah Wisconsin. That is about 40 miles South Southwest of Green Bay,as Green Bay Packers) on the west shore of lake Winnebago. The club mentioned is The Twin City Rod & Gun Club,http://www.twincityrodandgun.com/. The nearest club holding a registered rifle matches,NBRSA Hunter Rifle) is the Van Dyne Sportsmens Club,http://webpages.milwpc.com/vdsc/index.htm) about 18 miles from me - used to be member there also.
rayjay
You hit right. My first competitive event was indoor gallery shooting,50 ft 22 shorts) in 1951 at the Milwaukee Sport Show. Over 400 teams from around the state many sponsored by churches and 4H clubs and include young ladies also!
Hunting is alive and well here in the Badger state. 2006 deer season was the 3rd best in history here with over 490,000 deer taken by over 600,000 hunters and this does not include the bird, bear, or small game tags.
The last WDNR seminar on range protection I attend for the club had representatives from over 300 gun clubs in Wisconsin.
http://www.international-benchrest.com/
The match schedule for IBS is easily accesible online. The NBRSA schedule is a bit harder to come by. Some matches are listed on the NBRSA website, some are not. The NBRSA newsletter includes the schedule, but you need to be a member to recieve it.
The match schedule for IBS is easily accesible online. The NBRSA schedule is a bit harder to come by. Some matches are listed on the NBRSA website, some are not. The NBRSA newsletter includes the schedule, but you need to be a member to recieve it.
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
tightneck
That is a somewhat helpful link. It would be far more newcomer helpful if the listings included a map link, GPS co-ordinates, contact phone number or email for the event director, or even a link to the sponsor club website,where one could find event details, map/directions, and maybe even help for finding lodging in the area). Also useful might be the popular name of the event where applicable.
I know Benchrest Central has a list of range GPS co-ordinates but it is incomplete and hasn't been updated since 2005.
Then again the NBRSA website doesn't even mention matches so let us give IBS a "C" and NBRSA an "Incomplete" for newcomer friendly.
That is a somewhat helpful link. It would be far more newcomer helpful if the listings included a map link, GPS co-ordinates, contact phone number or email for the event director, or even a link to the sponsor club website,where one could find event details, map/directions, and maybe even help for finding lodging in the area). Also useful might be the popular name of the event where applicable.
I know Benchrest Central has a list of range GPS co-ordinates but it is incomplete and hasn't been updated since 2005.
Then again the NBRSA website doesn't even mention matches so let us give IBS a "C" and NBRSA an "Incomplete" for newcomer friendly.
FredBohl said:
If you will dig a little further into the site you will find that all of what you are looking for is on the IBS site. The NBRSA site is a little lacking, but I think that Wilbur Harris is still running that site. He also runs benchrest.com as well as being the SE Region director of the NBRSA. His plate is kinda full.
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
Fred, this is from the IBS website. Just click on the 'ranges' tab and you can search by state or club name. The IBS has done a great job with their website as far as providing info. They provide you with contact phone numbers and email addresses, GPS coordinates, directions to the range and even the names of some decent motels and resturants within close distance to the range. Sounds like the IBS has provided all you wish for. I'd give 'em an 'A'.
About 3.5 hrs. West of you is the Holmen Rod and Gun club, which hosts resistered IBS Score shoots. The people at the Holmen club are some of the nicest you'll ever find and are very welcoming to newcomers. I shoot there several times a year. I look foward to meeting you there on May 20th. for the 100-200 Hunter tournament.
See you in Holmen on May 20th. -Al
Range info
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