Benchrest pistols

[Steel Mover]

Might as well show some. Taylor 4 oz triggers, The 6.5x08 with 120 SMKs and max load of H-414 got a request that I not bring it back. At 3,000 + it has a vicious muzzle blast. I built five 260 Rem rifles and found the secret was H-414 and 120s so used the same load in the 6.5x08 handgun, it is interesting, I carried it to a 12 state region 60 round silhouette match, no contest.

 

[SilhouetteShooter]

Here’s a few BR’s and a Rimfire BR
Top one is a heavy barreled 20 pounder built off a left hand Surgeon action.
Next we have a Christensen arms where I removed the 12” Creedmoor and replaced with a Bartlien 6BR.
Below that is a Proof carbon fiber, magnesium MDT chassis, Stiller action, and some “homemade” 4” front and grip bag riders. Coming in at 7-13oz, with the NIghtforce Comp.
Last is Bergara actioned, carbon fiber barreled 22LR. It sits in a Black Collar chassis. It’s a hoot to shoot

 

[Sechrist2015]

Here are a few I can post. #3 won me a national class championship in 2021 with a different barrel. Starting fresh this year after finally shooting the old one completely out.

1. Defiance Rebel in 30BR for cast lead
2. Kelbly Cub in 6PPC
3. Sleeved Xp100 30BR rail gun for cast lead

 

[NorCalMikie]

And they so easily beat the pants off the rifle shooters!!!
As a rifle shooter that just got beat by a pistol?? I think I would almost pack up and go home. (I said almost)
And as a pistol shooter using a Remington XP 100 in .221 Fireball, hitting steel out to 400 yards, it's pretty tough wiping that smile/grin off your face. With that, you're HOOKED!!!

Years back when I first got my XP, was getting set up and a Grandpa with his Grand Son (maybe 12/13 years old ) showed up. They watched me for a bit then I asked Grandpa if it would be OK for the "kid" to shoot it. Grandpa said sure.
Got the kid set up and showed him how to sight thru the LER scope and to "be aware" of it's hair trigger. You breath on it and it goes BANG!!
Set him up, put a round in the chamber and closed the bolt. You're on Kid!! BANG and the "ting" at the 100 yard target/gong. That had to be maybe 20/25 years ago and I bet that Kid STILL has a grin on his face and for I venture to guess he owns and shoots an XP 100 now.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Here are a few I can post. #3 won me a national class championship in 2021 with a different barrel. Starting fresh this year after finally shooting the old one completely out.

1. Defiance Rebel in 30BR for cast lead
2. Kelbly Cub in 6PPC
3. Sleeved Xp100 30BR rail gun for cast lead

Wow! Those are sweet. How many rounds does a 30br barrel last with cast bullets?

 

[Hal]

What a GREAT bunch of high tech hand guns.

Sure looks like a HUGE HUGE RABBIT HOLE .

Hal

 

[cabenchrest]

Here are a few I can post. #3 won me a national class championship in 2021 with a different barrel. Starting fresh this year after finally shooting the old one completely out.

1. Defiance Rebel in 30BR for cast lead
2. Kelbly Cub in 6PPC
3. Sleeved Xp100 30BR rail gun for cast lead

Can I get more details on #3
Dan

 

[Sechrist2015]

Wow! Those are sweet. How many rounds does a 30br barrel last with cast bullets?

We have one with over 10k down the tube an it's still winning if you do your part. Running around 2300fps.

Can I get more details on #3
Dan

I'm not sure who's chassis it is, but it's just a sleeved xp100, Jewell trigger, Hart 1-13" barrel, Harrell's double screw rings and a Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60 with the plain cross hair.
It gets fun shooting score, but I really enjoy it more than the regular br pistols

 

[cabenchrest]

I converted my Rail Gun to Rimfire
Hasecuster Rail with 2500X action. Shilen Barrel

 

[rickiesrevenge]

We have one with over 10k down the tube an it's still winning if you do your part. Running around 2300fps.

I'm not sure who's chassis it is, but it's just a sleeved xp100, Jewell trigger, Hart 1-13" barrel, Harrell's double screw rings and a Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60 with the plain cross hair.
It gets fun shooting score, but I really enjoy it more than the regular br pistols

That is awesome. Can you share any more detail about your cast bullets? I seem to remember a guy on here casting then staging bullets and getting amazing results.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I find them interesting. I like things that are a little different. Would be cool if the IBS had a pistol class for 600/1000yd. Id build one.

 

[Mulligan]

I find them interesting. I like things that are a little different. Would be cool if the IBS had a pistol class for 600/1000yd. Id build one.

I think I read that the 1000 yard range in GA has a pistol class?

We have a fellow who used to shoot silhouette matches with bolt and break action hand guns, now shooting our 600 yard benchrest matches with us...... he is competing against the rifles.
Additionally, I seen a match report from a range in OH where a fellow was shooting against the rifles with a single shot bolt hand gun.
There is interest out there for sure.

CW

 

[True Grit]

I'm really looking forward to the pistol match on Friday.
SHARPSHOOTER SHOWDOWN
2026
Location: Red White and Blue Gun Range
631 Avant Cemetery Rd
Tennille Ga 31089
Date February 6th-8th 2026 Tactical Gun on Friday the 7th
Time Safety Meeting at 7:45am and match starts at 8am each
day.
Prize Money $4,000.00 To win 22lb Class.
$1,000.00 To win Tactical Class
$1,000.00 To Win Pistol Class
Prize money will increase 2nd and 3rd Place after 40 entries in
22lb class.
Prize money in Tactical & Pistol Class will increase after 20 Entry Fees $275.00 22lb class $150.00 Tactical Class & Pistol
(Includes Lunch for 3 days and T shirt)
Rules: 22lb Class Must weigh rifle how it is used on bench. No one piece
rest. Must be shot single shot Mechanical rear rest allowed. (1 gun
unless unrepairable malfunction.)To be determined by match director.
Tactical Class Must have a working magazine can be shot off rest or
bipod. (1 Gun Unless Unrepairable malfunction) To be determined by
match director.
Both Classes nothing larger than .338 cal.
All targets will be 5 shots.
10 minutes for unlimited sighters and record rounds we will shoot 2
targets in 10 minutes at 600 at 1000 yards you will stay on the bench
and shoot the 2nd target then move for next relay 10 minutes per
target.
Bench Rotation will be move 6 benches between 600 and 1000 yard
change. We will also have relay swap after Sat.
We reserve the right to add and amend these rules prior to match if
needed.
Day 1: 4 600-yard targets and 4 1000-yard targets for Tactical & Pistol
Class Pus shoot offs at 600 and 1000.(Prepare for a total of 10 5 shot
targets)
Day 2: 4 600-yard targets, 2 1000 yard Targets.Day 3 2 1000 Yard
Targets/ Shoot off of top 14 at 600 yards(Group). 1000 yard shoot off
from 7 winners of 600 yard shoot off plus Agg winner from 600 and
1000 both classes.(Group) Top 15 will be decided from 8 target Group and Score Agg from 1000
and 600 yards.
600 yard shoot off bench assignments will be done by call out or chip
draw starting with 15 place shooter and going up. Top shooter of 6
target Agg automatically goes to 1000 yard shoot off.
Long Range Pistol
This is a class that we did last year
Same format as above for both 600 and 1000
Rules are simple
12 lb weight limit as fired
16 inch barrel
Off rest or bi pod
Pistol will shoot Friday with the Tactical Class

 

[Mulligan]

I'm really looking forward to the pistol match on Friday.
SHARPSHOOTER SHOWDOWN
2026
Location: Red White and Blue Gun Range
631 Avant Cemetery Rd
Tennille Ga 31089
Date February 6th-8th 2026 Tactical Gun on Friday the 7th
Time Safety Meeting at 7:45am and match starts at 8am each
day.
Prize Money $4,000.00 To win 22lb Class.
$1,000.00 To win Tactical Class
$1,000.00 To Win Pistol Class
Prize money will increase 2nd and 3rd Place after 40 entries in
22lb class.
Prize money in Tactical & Pistol Class will increase after 20 Entry Fees $275.00 22lb class $150.00 Tactical Class & Pistol
(Includes Lunch for 3 days and T shirt)
Rules: 22lb Class Must weigh rifle how it is used on bench. No one piece
rest. Must be shot single shot Mechanical rear rest allowed. (1 gun
unless unrepairable malfunction.)To be determined by match director.
Tactical Class Must have a working magazine can be shot off rest or
bipod. (1 Gun Unless Unrepairable malfunction) To be determined by
match director.
Both Classes nothing larger than .338 cal.
All targets will be 5 shots.
10 minutes for unlimited sighters and record rounds we will shoot 2
targets in 10 minutes at 600 at 1000 yards you will stay on the bench
and shoot the 2nd target then move for next relay 10 minutes per
target.
Bench Rotation will be move 6 benches between 600 and 1000 yard
change. We will also have relay swap after Sat.
We reserve the right to add and amend these rules prior to match if
needed.
Day 1: 4 600-yard targets and 4 1000-yard targets for Tactical & Pistol
Class Pus shoot offs at 600 and 1000.(Prepare for a total of 10 5 shot
targets)
Day 2: 4 600-yard targets, 2 1000 yard Targets.Day 3 2 1000 Yard
Targets/ Shoot off of top 14 at 600 yards(Group). 1000 yard shoot off
from 7 winners of 600 yard shoot off plus Agg winner from 600 and
1000 both classes.(Group) Top 15 will be decided from 8 target Group and Score Agg from 1000
and 600 yards.
600 yard shoot off bench assignments will be done by call out or chip
draw starting with 15 place shooter and going up. Top shooter of 6
target Agg automatically goes to 1000 yard shoot off.
Long Range Pistol
This is a class that we did last year
Same format as above for both 600 and 1000
Rules are simple
12 lb weight limit as fired
16 inch barrel
Off rest or bi pod
Pistol will shoot Friday with the Tactical Class

Thank you for posting this.
CW

 

[TGP]

Wife's heavy gun, XP 100, 6 Creedmoor, she lets me shoot it too

 

[Iowa Fox]

Good to see a post from you Glenn. Great looking XP and the wife can sure lay them in there.

 

[Sechrist2015]

That is awesome. Can you share any more detail about your cast bullets? I seem to remember a guy on here casting then staging bullets and getting amazing results.

The right hand side is as cast, the left hand side is after some swaging. Comes out between 178-182gr complete. Most of the 100yd record groups shot with cast bullets are well under .250", so accuracy is very good, but not jacketed record good. Just a different style challenge to chase.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Those 30 cal bullets look pretty close to the ones I am using in the 7 BR. Gas check, same lube groove but mine have just a little more point to the nose. What are you using for lube?

 

[rickiesrevenge]

The right hand side is as cast, the left hand side is after some swaging. Comes out between 178-182gr complete. Most of the 100yd record groups shot with cast bullets are well under .250", so accuracy is very good, but not jacketed record good. Just a different style challenge to chase.

Thats pretty amazing accuracy with a cast bullets. Is there a formal competition for that kinda rig shooting cast bullets

 

[rickiesrevenge]

I find them interesting. I like things that are a little different. Would be cool if the IBS had a pistol class for 600/1000yd. Id build one.

I wish there was a class for them too. Is there a rule that prohibits them?