Benchrest Popularity and Growth

[Jefferson]

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 ?

maybe the fellow is attempting to save others from the grief and lack of enjoyment he thought benchrest might provide
benchrest is not for everybody and the cumbyah is not universal

I love it many do not

 

[JoeDuke]

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 shoots 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

Listen to Al. He knows what he speaks of. Except get two of those “hi dollar” presses. Set one up to size and one to seat. If you ever look at mine closely, the shellholder on the seating press is turned toward the back. That ram dont run straight to the die. But with the shell holder turned that way, the case can move in it to stay aligned.
Its not about spending money. Its about making things work.
Barrels and bullets might be a different story. There, buy the best you can find.

 

[c2a4r3l]

What if the weight limits on the rifles were changed ? To accommodate older SRBR rifles.
They are priced right but seem to be on the heavy side and hard to make weight at 10.5 with the newer scopes on the market. Unless the barrel is chopped all the way down to 18”. What does that give up on velocity over a 21” barrel ?

This is the reason I have not attended any nbrsa matches in the past year or so. I can’t make weight with the first rifle I could afford. A year 99 panda McMillan stock and NF42. Unless I go to a weaver 36x and 18” barrel. To only be classed as a HV. I wasn’t driving to a match not being able to compete in LV. But things for me have changed this year in the last two month. I was able to find a really good LV rifle from club member. I am planning on attending next year to a few matches that I can take off work for.

 

[rayporter]

i personally believe that sporter should have had the weight raised a pound when they relaxed the rules for sporter.

 

[JFrank]

maybe the fellow is attempting to save others from the grief and lack of enjoyment he thought benchrest might provide
benchrest is not for everybody and the cumbyah is not universal

I love it many do not

Point taken, but imo the negativity is non productive and a slap in the face of those guys and gals that work their butts off to put these matches together, not to mention all the work we put in to be competitive and freely share information to build the shooting community.
I may be wrong but today I’ll stand by my opinion.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Point taken, but imo the negativity is non productive and a slap in the face of those guys and gals that work their butts off to put these matches together, not to mention all the work we put in to be competitive and freely share information to build the shooting community.
I may be wrong but today I’ll stand by my opinion.

IBS score allows 10.5 and 13.5lb rifles. Most shoot a 13.5 and the 10.5s are still allowed and records are counted. Not sure why this can't be done in group too. Just let them shoot at the same time, side by side. Records wouldn't have to be addressed at all. Shoot a record w/ a 10.5lb gun...you still just set a record.

 

[drop_point]

If I could take an F-class rifle and compete within 100 miles I would. But I don’t know anybody that doesn’t and I don’t know enough about the sport to get started.

 

[Tim Singleton]

What if the weight limits on the rifles were changed ? To accommodate older SRBR rifles.
They are priced right but seem to be on the heavy side and hard to make weight at 10.5 with the newer scopes on the market. Unless the barrel is chopped all the way down to 18”. What does that give up on velocity over a 21” barrel ?

This is the reason I have not attended any nbrsa matches in the past year or so. I can’t make weight with the first rifle I could afford. A year 99 panda McMillan stock and NF42. Unless I go to a weaver 36x and 18” barrel. To only be classed as a HV. I wasn’t driving to a match not being able to compete in LV. But things for me have changed this year in the last two month. I was able to find a really good LV rifle from club member. I am planning on attending next year to a few matches that I can take off work for.

IBS score allows 10.5 and 13.5lb rifles. Most shoot a 13.5 and the 10.5s are still allowed and records are counted. Not sure why this can't be done in group too. Just let them shoot at the same time, side by side. Records wouldn't have to be addressed at all. Shoot a record w/ a 10.5lb gun...you still just set a record.

Having separate matches for LV and HV gives you 8 more targets to shoot over a two-day match.
Which most of us like. It is another reason to need to load at the range that is a lot of ammo to pre load

 

[urbanrifleman]

Does anyone even make 220 Russian brass anymore?

 

[Jud96]

Does anyone even make 220 Russian brass anymore?

Yes Lapua, and Alpha now makes 6PPC brass. Norma makes 6PPC and 22PPC as well.

 

[Bronsin]

What if the weight limits on the rifles were changed ? To accommodate older SRBR rifles.
They are priced right but seem to be on the heavy side and hard to make weight at 10.5 with the newer scopes on the market. Unless the barrel is chopped all the way down to 18”. What does that give up on velocity over a 21” barrel ?

This is the reason I have not attended any nbrsa matches in the past year or so. I can’t make weight with the first rifle I could afford. A year 99 panda McMillan stock and NF42. Unless I go to a weaver 36x and 18” barrel. To only be classed as a HV. I wasn’t driving to a match not being able to compete in LV. But things for me have changed this year in the last two month. I was able to find a really good LV rifle from club member. I am planning on attending next year to a few matches that I can take off work for.

We're shooting at Shelby County this weekend. Are you going?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Yes Lapua, and Alpha now makes 6PPC brass. Norma makes 6PPC and 22PPC as well.

I haven't seen 220 Russian Lapua brass in stock in years. I just figured they stopped making it.

 

[Jud96]

They did temporarily, but people have gotten by. The rules don't say you have to use Lapua 220 Russian, that's just what has been proven to work.

 

[AlNyhus]

I haven't seen 220 Russian Lapua brass in stock in years. I just figured they stopped making it.

In years?

I bought some in March of this year. Later on, I was able to help a couple pals out that needed some.

 

[AlNyhus]

Except get two of those “hi dollar” presses. Set one up to size and one to seat. If you ever look at mine closely, the shellholder on the seating press is turned toward the back. That ram dont run straight to the die. But with the shell holder turned that way, the case can move in it to stay aligned.
Its not about spending money. Its about making things work.
Barrels and bullets might be a different story. There, buy the best you can find.

Joe, I've got a second one. The '-.004' on the one is the pic is the difference in die settings from one to the other. Replacing the shell holder clip on them brought the neck run out way down. But honestly, I haven't seen any 'on target' improvement from .0025 to .0005 T.I.R., though. I believe that plenty-o neck tension/hard jam/aggressive powder compaction trumps (pun intended) a bit of extra T.I.R. on a good .30.

Hope all is well at the Duke Ranch, sir. -Al

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Having separate matches for LV and HV gives you 8 more targets to shoot over a two-day match.
Which most of us like. It is another reason to need to load at the range that is a lot of ammo to pre load

Can't disagree with more targets but doesn't that equate to another day as well? At least at some matches? That has always been part of my point regarding participation in sr br group vs score. It takes a lot longer to hold group matches vs score and they require a moving backer system. The prior makes it tough on clubs and on bringing in younger shooters with jobs and a family. The latter really only affects the clubs but is an added expense and takes time to move between yardages. But your point is valid, no doubt.

 

[danny]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but I wanted to start this thread to have a good, up to date discussion about this topic. The topic being, what is holding back benchrest growth, popularity, and how do we reach new shooters and get new members.

I shot my first match last April when Ken Hottenstein invited me to Holton to shoot his rifle and use his equipment. I was hooked instantly and dove down the rabbit hole. Previous to this, I had little interest in short range, but after my first match it’s all I have shot and really focused on since then. I’m 27 and the I’ve been the youngest guy at every match I’ve shot the past couple years. I would really like to see some younger guys get into this, and really any new people regardless of age. The sport needs growth.

Having said that, what’s holding people back? I know there’s hundreds if not thousands of people on this forum who have benchrest level rifles and skills that shoot groups and play around with it. Why not shoot a match? I know several people who shoot PRS and spend as much or more than we do in barrels, bullets, powder, optics, equipment, match fees, etc. I also have many more friends who spend thousands on trucks, cars, bikes, side by sides, boats, etc. Obviously they’re not shooters, but they have the time and money for it if they wanted to do it.

So, how do we get more shooters and get the match attendance back up? I’d really like to learn how to help people get started and what is holding them back. Thanks!

A bench and rest, for me, are only for testing loads, then I go out and actually shoot my rifle. I am then holding the rifle up by myself (Highpower Rifle).

Danny

 

[Tim Singleton]

Can't disagree with more targets but doesn't that equate to another day as well? At least at some matches? That has always been part of my point regarding participation in sr br group vs score. It takes a lot longer to hold group matches vs score and they require a moving backer system. The prior makes it tough on clubs and on bringing in younger shooters with jobs and a family. The latter really only affects the clubs but is an added expense and takes time to move between yardages. But your point is valid, no doubt.

Yes, SR group matches are two-day affairs and I am sure that is an issue for a lot of people.
I still work full time and can't go to as many as I would like. But the day is getting closer!
It is something a lot of folks enjoy. I know I enjoy two full days of competition

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I actually think short range BR is going quite strong. It may not have huge numbers but when you look at the travel requirements and dedication to be competitive its pretty amazing how many are doing it. And if you look at matches like the Super Shoot and Tack driver they are some of the best attended matches around. It might not be a huge group but it sure is a dedicated one.

 

[jimmymac]

A lot of this is what you have inside you. It is just like anything else. You either want to or not. If the desire is great enough you will figure out a way to be involved. No excuses.

When I was a kid I was going to do my best to beat you, whether it was baseball, street hockey, a card game or monopoly. I was always a competitive guy with some drive. If one of us was going to lose, I hoped it was you. That stuck with me throughout life. The added bonus is that I have met some great people along the way. I have encountered a number of duds too, but what crowd doesn’t have a few turds in the punch bowl? That is not going to stop me.

I agree with Alex on his perception of SR shooters. Bunch of super dedicated guys. Better have your big boy pants on when you shoot with that crowd. .

Thanks for the .220 Russian brass Al. I needed it.