Comments on Long Range Competition Formats

[Rust]

Well guys, I've been pondering over long range shooting for awhile. Not that I get the chance to compete much, to the contrary my schedule and geographic location pretty much insure that I compete very little.

I read the heavy gun article with interest and Bruce Baer correctly pointed out that growth in 1,000 yard benchrest is limited. Well, let's take a look at F and in particular F/TR. Good growth there. A decent out of the box .308 700 PSS with a good scope, a good handload and a good shooter can get to mid-pack. A simple bipod, rear bag and shooting mat round it out.

What I'm trying to point out there is no starter class. Look at motocross with the 60cc Peewee classes, the restricted go-kart classes, junior golf, junior tennis and any stable or growth sport.

You want growth? Have a starter class and keep the equipment race to a minimum. Let's see, limit the barrel to 26", the weight to around what F/TR is, keep the forends relatively narrow, AND limit it to a single chambering, .308 seems to be the most common suitable chambering. For this class do away with the DQ if a round is off paper as in one organization. Up the round count at the same time, for everybody.

I also liked Bruces comments about a multiple range match. We have something like that down in Alabama called the Hardrock, 600, 800, 900 and 1,000 shot off a bipod only, no sighters. Two classes, .308/.223 and everything else. Not a sanctioned event but the most fun I've ever had at any match anywhere anytime. Shoot an extra relay with the same gun, bring an extra gun shoot another relay. Only one relay per class counts for score though.

IMO, a starter/developmental class in conjuction with an increased round count would go a long way towards popularizing any competition.

Just a few ideas to get things rolling discussion wise.

By the way JB, when can we expect to see you make it sown to the Hardrock or Gunsight Hills? You too Paul.

It's like selling anything else, attract the attention of a lot of people. Not many will move up the classes to light or heavy but some will. If new shooters are not attracted ...

 

[Forum Boss]

Rust,

During my last chat with Bruce Baer, just before releasing the story, I told him I knew some of the points would be controversial, but he said "Run with it--this is stuff that needs to be talked about."

Heavy Gun has always been about technology, a development class. The good side of that is you get people playing with all sorts of ideas, such as the tension barrel system.

However, without a "starter class" as you say, competing in the 1000-yard game is just out of a lot of people's league. One solution to that is what the Montana class does with their 11-lb class. This lets guys put a fast-twist barrel on a regular short-range benchrest gun and be competitive for a lot less money.

I also think the nature of 1000-yard shooting, with the inability to see shot placement has maybe worked to the sport's detriment. With Palma and F-class, you get spotters. This necessarily slows down the process, forcing the shooters to adapt to changing conditions.

One thing I've discussed with many of the "experts" I've interviewed is the possibility of a one-design class. This is actually very popular and successful in Europe, particularly in Scandanavia, where tens of thousands of shooters use a Sauer STR 200 Target rifle. It's set up with user-installable barrels and other features that keep costs down.

Sauer Barrel Swap: http://www.mg-42.net/200bar.htm

Most people feel this won't work in the USA because shooters all want to "do their own thing". I think we could do something in the $1200-$1300 range with box-stock Tikka actions*, a one-design laminated stock and everyone agrees to shoot something like the 6BR, 6XC, or the new 6.5x47. Maybe shoot at 300, 600 and 800. We could even have matches where everyone shoots factory ammo! That would create a venue for guys who don't reload.

I'm not talking about 6mm Palma though. This would be benchrest with scopes.

I think there ARE points as to which there could be immediate agreement. Eliminating the one-errant-shot DQ is one. Going with one standard policy on muzzle brakes would be another.

---

* I suggest Tikka rather than Remington because it is smoother, the trigger can be adjusted pretty low, it has a dove-tail for the scope rings,one expense saved), and I think it will prove accurate enough without blue-printing.

 

[Asa_Yam]

I suggest Tikka rather than Remington because it is smoother, the trigger can be adjusted pretty low, it has a dove-tail for the scope rings,one expense saved), and I think it will prove accurate enough without blue-printing.

You might note that Beretta/Tikka discontinued the 595 action about two years ago. The T3 is the newer action. I haven't heard too many reports about the T3 in general, and none about its use in competition.

 

[Forum Boss]

Asa,

You're right. Based on conversations with Mac Tilton, it's the 595 I was thinking of. If it can't be sourced in sufficient quantities, then we'd have to look at something else.