Benchrest Popularity and Growth

[DShortt]

Have you ever been to a match?

Yes. Twice. Once too many times based on my personal experiences.

 

[DeerHunter82]

I shoot benchrest because it was passed down from my dad. His obsession became mine. Cost is definitely a limiting factor. My first benchrest gun I bought I actually saved 3k then couldn’t wait any longer so I asked the bank for a 2k loan. Didn’t make much money then so I paid it off to the bank $93 a month. But it got me shooting with a decent scope.

 

[dgeesaman]

I learned to shoot from a bench at a local club where a few SR BR guys practiced. Seeing them send bullet after bullet into the same six holes in the target backer day after day was amazing.

But they were serious competitors and they were honest that if I got into it I could get frustrated after spending $10k on a rifle a reloading gear and a couple barrels and a few thousand bullets, or I’d buy even more stuff, start swaging my own bullets, and spend another $15k. And maybe still only get mediocre results.

I was also very new and the idea of a rifle that can only be fired from one specific heavy rest with twenty minutes just to set up and take down a truck full of gear. The nearest matches were 2-4 hours away. it didn’t seem appealing for a guy who wasn’t retired, didn’t have $25k of truly disposable money, and doesn’t love driving long distances.

I ended up getting into a non comp precision centerfire, a little rfbr, and precision airgunning. I have flags, rests etc but most of it is not ideal for competition SRBR. If I end up living near a BR competition range I may try it. Its no knock on SRBR as a sport, but other shooting competitions are easier and cheaper for me.

 

[JFrank]

Yes. Twice. Once too many times based on my personal experiences.

Well it sounds like you made up your mind so I’ll not try and change it, just ask why even reply to a thread such as this other than to complain ?

 

[Leeinmichigan]

Yes. Twice. Once too many times based on my personal experiences.

Some individuals are not comfortable with competition, and the learning curve necessary to get to be “competitive”. SR Benchrest is not a sport for immediate gratification, which many people expect. You need to have realistic goals. When I first started I was happy to shoot 0.2xx groups. Then 0.28x aggs. Then placing in the top ten. It took me three years to win a yardage, and 5 years to win a 2-Gun.
Yes, sometimes there are bad apples at matches, but most competitive shooters are willing to help. What turns me off is someone who asks for some guidance, and then turns around and tells me I’m wrong (because someone else told him something different). When that happens to me, in my mind I say don’t ask me anymore questions. Additionally, seeking advice of a top shooter in middle of an aggregate isn’t very smart (he’s trying to win as much as you are trying to learn something). Before or after the match is the best time to seek advice.

My recommendation to ”new to the sport shooters“, is set realistic goals, celebrate the small accomplishments and have fun. Gain the experience necessary to win, and then you will be the guy new shooters come to for advice!

 

[Jud96]

I already brought up rests, but another point on equipment. Again, there’s a lot of good used stuff out there. You can find a good rifle for $2000-3000, it might be an older BAT or a Panda, but a good gunsmith can go through it and update or fix any issues if need be. You can get Leupold 45x for $800-900 or a Sightron or Weaver for $400-600. Reloading tools aren’t fancy, you don’t have to buy a $300 sizing die or an expensive press right off the bat. You need the basics and a lot of that you can find used for a fair price. You can do fine with a sub-$100 RCBS press for sizing and a used arbor press or seat bullets on your standard press, that’s what I do. You’d be surprised how many guys are still using “vintage” reloading tools and have only updated to a Chargemaster and still kick butt and do well.

I don’t shoot PRS or F-Class, but from the guys I know who do, their reloading equipment is more expensive and their rifles and optics are equal or more than short range BR. Again, I don’t think it’s the money. I think others are right when they say it just takes a certain type of person to enjoy it and stick with it. And that’s okay.

 

[Andy Work]

I honestly do not know what is wrong with my setup that is causing it not to track well. I have never used a good tracking rest. But I sure can tell that mine is not good.

Upgrading my rear bag solved my tracking issues. Also, take time to make sure the bags are square with the rifle during setup.

 

[DHuffman]

For 600 & 1000 yard BR all you really need to get started is a 17# gun plus a rest and rear bag . The light guns are competitive in both classes.
There's no need to spend 10-15 grand to get started, if a guy bought right off the classifieds it could be done for less than $4k to try the game out and if it's not for you resell the gear and get your money back

 

[Jud96]

I also wanted to add. This is my second year in SR BR, I didn’t know anyone personally at these matches before I went to my first match. I knew Ken Hottenstein from a couple brief conversations and I got some long range 6mm to try from him. However, the majority of shooters were very helpful to me and very friendly even though I was new and relatively young compared to the crowd. A few stick to themselves, but none of them have really been rude to me. I ask a LOT of questions, but even then they still put up with me and don’t give me a hard time. I can’t say anything bad about the people I shoot with.

As far as competitiveness, it’s a very difficult and challenging sport. However, I look at it more towards competing against myself and making incremental improvements on myself. My goal is always to finish middle of the pack or better, but there’s matches where I’m at the bottom and having problems. I understand I’m not going to become a consistent top 10 shooter overnight. Everyone has struggles, but I’m learning it’s about narrowing down the struggles and how bad they hurt your results. I’m working on improving my bench manors, making sure my rifle and equipment is as good as it can be, and learning how to tune the loads in the match to keep on top of things. Even then, I have problems pop up that kill my aggs, but again I’m working towards eliminating those problems and staying on top of them.

 

[DShortt]

Well it sounds like you made up your mind so I’ll not try and change it, just ask why even reply to a thread such as this other than to complain ?

Because the question was raised as to why the sport seems to be shrinking in popularity. Sorry you don't want to hear an honest answer.

 

[jelenko]

it just takes a certain type of person to enjoy it and stick with it.

Absolutely. If the enjoy part isn't there, there's no motivation to continue.

 

[JFrank]

Because the question was raised as to why the sport seems to be shrinking in popularity. Sorry you don't want to hear an honest answer.

No it isn’t , the thread is about popularity and growth not decline. Bring some positive input instead of the poor me crap.

 

[AlNyhus]

Some individuals are not comfortable with competition, and the learning curve necessary to get to be “competitive”. SR Benchrest is not a sport for immediate gratification, which many people expect. You need to have realistic goals. When I first started I was happy to shoot 0.2xx groups. Then 0.28x aggs. Then placing in the top ten. It took me three years to when a yardage, and 5 years to win a 2-Gun.
Yes, sometimes there are bad apples at matches, but most competitive shooters are willing to help. What turns me off is someone who asks for some guidance, and then turns around and tells me I’m wrong (because someone else told him something different). When that happens to me, in my mind I say don’t ask me anymore questions. Additionally, seeking advice of a top shooter in middle of an aggregate isn’t very smart (he’s trying to win as much as you are trying to learn something). Before or after the match is the best time to seek advice.

My recommendation to ”new to the sport shooters“, is set realistic goals, celebrate the small accomplishments and have fun. Gain the experience necessary to win, and then you will be the guy new shooters come to for advice!

Well said, Lee.

 

[J.J. Coe]

Yes. Twice. Once too many times based on my personal experiences.

It's to bad you had that experience. In the 9 years of shooting srbr I can't say I've had the same, actually the opposite. I'm not saying I haven't ran into a ass hole at a match because I have.......once, but that happens occasionally no mater where I'm at. To me it's just a good example of how not to be.

 

[AlNyhus]

Al, it might be a good time to show this, which is my Bench Set-up and Loading at the Range Set-up.

This is almost the Antithesis to the way most shooters approach, or are told to approach, Short Range Group and Score Benchrest.View attachment 1592898View attachment 1592899

Mine lacks the Gulf Coast patina of Jackie's but don't let that fool 'ya.

Don't notice the two 'o' rings that combine with the sloppy press to let the die do the work (what a novel concept). Don't let the high zoot Sharpie marker fool 'ya either...it acts like a double throw down click adjuster die lash up. No snide comments on the nasty shell holder that needs cleaning...it's the one I use to decap cases. Die is a plain vanilla Redding 6BR Body Die modified by Jim Carstensen to take a bushing and size all the way to the neck/shoulder junction, even though "...everybody says" that you have to leave a bit of the lower neck unsized. The die didn't cost $500 so I'll get points off for that.

Toss it in this case with a mounting plate, some die shims, some extra 'o' rings for the shell holder and it's off to the range.

I've sure been beaten by better shooters on any particular day over the years. But I've never been beaten by a front rest, loading press or die.

For what it's worth. -Al

 

[AlNyhus]

Just an aside about the quality of individuals in BR. @Jud96 and I did a swap recently on front rests. I had one he was looking for and visa versa. I boxed mine up and set it to him. He boxed his up and sent it to me. Done. Just a verbal handshake on the phone was fine for both of us. In my experience, that's how most competitors are.

 

[Jud96]

Just an aside about the quality of individuals in BR. @Jud96 and I did a swap recently on front rests. I had one he was looking for and visa versa. I boxed mine up and set it to him. He boxed his up and sent it to me. Done. Just a verbal handshake on the phone was fine for both of us. In my experience, that's how most competitors are.

Thanks Al! You’re a good guy!

 

[Evan]

Just an aside about the quality of individuals in BR. @Jud96 and I did a swap recently on front rests. I had one he was looking for and visa versa. I boxed mine up and set it to him. He boxed his up and sent it to me. Done. Just a verbal handshake on the phone was fine for both of us. In my experience, that's how most competitors are.

Now that is a “box” haha. Solid lumber, not even plywood!

 

[DeerHunter82]

I also wanted to add. This is my second year in SR BR, I didn’t know anyone personally at these matches before I went to my first match. I knew Ken Hottenstein from a couple brief conversations and I got some long range 6mm to try from him. However, the majority of shooters were very helpful to me and very friendly even though I was new and relatively young compared to the crowd. A few stick to themselves, but none of them have really been rude to me. I ask a LOT of questions, but even then they still put up with me and don’t give me a hard time. I can’t say anything bad about the people I shoot with.

As far as competitiveness, it’s a very difficult and challenging sport. However, I look at it more towards competing against myself and making incremental improvements on myself. My goal is always to finish middle of the pack or better, but there’s matches where I’m at the bottom and having problems. I understand I’m not going to become a consistent top 10 shooter overnight. Everyone has struggles, but I’m learning it’s about narrowing down the struggles and how bad they hurt your results. I’m working on improving my bench manors, making sure my rifle and equipment is as good as it can be, and learning how to tune the loads in the match to keep on top of things. Even then, I have problems pop up that kill my aggs, but again I’m working towards eliminating those problems and staying on top of them.

I second the notion of competing against oneself. I do the same. I can’t keep up with the guys who travel and shoot weekly and I’m fine with that. I just try to improve a little every time I shoot and learn something new, either from my own bench time or from the experienced guys on the range…. Usually both. It’s a humbling sport. I’ve seen some guys get about 15k deep in a set up only to get trounced at every shoot then get frustrated, never to be seen again.

 

[jelenko]

Some individuals are not comfortable with competition,

Interesting. In my 81 years I hadn't thought about that. Now that you mention it, some aren't, are they?

Do you know what does motivate them?