Freedom Benchrest allow 40lb metal Rear Rest?

[quest450]

@tom

I'm all for innovation and shooting smaller whatever it takes as long as is within the rules of the sanctioning body as I pointed it out in post #2 in this thread replaying to the OP who seems to have an issue with heavy plates and mechanical rear rests, as Jim Bauer stated "Innovation, experimentation, progression and learning about shooting smaller groups is why Freedom Benchrest was started" and there's nothing that prohibits using such a devices if I'm reading the rules correctly
I'm gonna have to take a closer look at the Ransom setup this offseason, it's very interesting.

I do have a question for you though...is 5-6 minutes an ample time to set it all up correctly, that's the amount of time allowed for setup during most national events

 

[Rat Rifle]

@tom

I'm all for innovation and shooting smaller whatever it takes as long as is within the rules of the sanctioning body as I pointed it out in post #2 in this thread replaying to the OP who seems to have an issue with heavy plates and mechanical rear rests, as Jim Bauer stated "Innovation, experimentation, progression and learning about shooting smaller groups is why Freedom Benchrest was started" and there's nothing that prohibits using such a devices if I'm reading the rules correctly
I'm gonna have to take a closer look at the Ransom setup this offseason, it's very interesting.

I do have a question for you though...is 5-6 minutes an ample time to set it all up correctly, that's the amount of time allowed for setup during most national events

My “cardboard” mat is an attempt to minimize set up time, which I intend as a courtesy to the RSO and every shooter on the line. IMO, that is the only advantage that it offers. I understand, and do not disagree with Dave’s concerns with the rear rest. However, in My short 7 years at this game, I have not witnessed any one thing that offered an outright advantage over everyone else. We have all attended matches where a Light Gun beat all the Heavy Guns for Score and Group.

For what it’s worth … Jim Hoffman

 

[tom]

I do have a question for you though...is 5-6 minutes an ample time to set it all up correctly, that's the amount of time allowed for setup during most national events

Yes, that's about what it takes from the time the bench is cleared and ready.

Tom

 

[Canuckienns]

Mark. I watched that video when you posted. Yes, something like that will probably be used by many in the future. Affordable to most.

 

[Canuckienns]

Last Saturday was a 600 yard steel plate shoot. The second and third place winners used very heavy steel plate rear rests. They were mechanical, adjustable, absolutely no sand bags. The stocks used rear bag riders, one was nylon and the other aluminum that were held in place by solid pieces of a hard material covered by a slick tape, adjustable for windage and elevation. I would guess that the set ups weighed 25 to 50 lbs. This was not a Freedom bench rest event.

 

[JFrank]

Last Saturday was a 600 yard steel plate shoot. The second and third place winners used very heavy steel plate rear rests. They were mechanical, adjustable, absolutely no sand bags. The stocks used rear bag riders, one was nylon and the other aluminum that were held in place by solid pieces of a hard material covered by a slick tape, adjustable for windage and elevation. I would guess that the set ups weighed 25 to 50 lbs. This was not a Freedom bench rest event.

What type of set up are you using in heavy gun ?

 

[quest450]

Last Saturday was a 600 yard steel plate shoot. The second and third place winners used very heavy steel plate rear rests. They were mechanical, adjustable, absolutely no sand bags. The stocks used rear bag riders, one was nylon and the other aluminum that were held in place by solid pieces of a hard material covered by a slick tape, adjustable for windage and elevation. I would guess that the set ups weighed 25 to 50 lbs. This was not a Freedom bench rest event.

I really don't understand what your problem is Dave, you must be butthurt and somebody hurt your feelings this Saturday I guess.
It was a gong match, there are ZERO rules that I am aware of, it's just a fun shoot and your obsession with this new equipment is disturbing to say the least

 

[Canuckienns]

Mark I hope it disturbs you in the future. if you can read I said it was a steel match and not under Freedom rules. I was shooting an AR and not in the race. but next week it is a club shoot supposedly under freedom rules. Trumbling. Now read this.
AI Overview

In Freedom Benchrest shooting, the rear bag used in conjunction with a front rest must be a sandbag-type rest, typically conforming to conventional benchrest rules. It should support the rifle's rear, and may be combined with a vertical spacer, but neither the bag nor spacer can be mechanically attached to the bench, rifle, or each other.

Key Rules and Considerations:

• Sandbag Requirement: The rear rest must be a sandbag, or a combination of sandbags.
  
  
• Material: Sandbags can be made from leather, rubber, or synthetic fabric, and the size and thickness are not limited.
  
  
• Vertical Spacer: A vertical spacer may be used under the rear bag to adjust height, but it must not have any adjustments for windage or elevation and must not be mechanically attached to the bench or bag.
  
  
• Freedom from Attachment: The rear bag and any spacer must not be attached to the bench, rifle, or each other.
  
  
• No Mechanical Rear Rests: Freedom Benchrest generally does not allow mechanical rear rests, unlike some other benchrest disciplines.
  
  
• Tactical Class: In the Tactical class, conventional light gun rear bags are allowed.

 

[ricco1949]

Freedom Rules Page 7

 

[quest450]

I'm not sure where did you get those rules from but I just went to Freedoms website and copy and paste the rules pertaining to this matter

Rests, Front and Rear:

A Front Rest shall support the front/forearm part of the rifle. A Rear Rest shall support the
rear/buttstock of the rifle while in position on the bench. The Front and Rear Rests may not be
mechanically attached to the bench, rifle or to the other rest. A flexible mat or belt may be
placed and used between the bench and rests, to facilitate coordinated movement and
placement of both rests. Either rest, in our Heavy Gun, Light Gun and Tactical discipline, may be
mechanical, adjustable in all directions in its construction. A Bipod is also considered a front
rest. Sand Bags are required for the Front or Rear Rest System and must fully support the front,
sides and rear of the rifle while in the Rest system. Size and thickness of the sand bags are not
limited. Any sandbags contained within their rest system may be made from leather, rubber or
synthetic fabric.
Sandbags:

A Sandbag is described as a bag, with or without a platform or pedestal. Sandbags may be filled
with sand, heavy sand or any other granular material. The front and rear rest system must be
such that when lifting the rifle from its rest, the rest does not lose contact with the bench at
any point.

 

[quest450]

Thanks Ricco you beat me to it

 

[shoot4fun]

As age and health issues creep up on me I am heading away from days of handling things like the SEB MAX, 30 pound plus HG and mechanical rear rests.
I don't now, or ever, feel under equipped without having a mechanical rear rest or extra plates attached to my rests or bags.
In fact, at this point it would be hard to wipe the silly grin off my face if I could just go shoot a match somewhere.
Last time I checked there is nothing in the rulebook that says @Canuckienns is not allowed to have his bench equipment look the same as @quest450 or any other competitor . It's just a matter of how far down the rabbit hole a person wants to go.
I remember from my early days shooting NBRSA short range where we had matches with UL division. For those unfamiliar that is a rail gun (opinion: not really a rifle) and all targets were ten rounds. The guys who didn't want to buy a rail gun often shot their LV/HV rifles and grumbled the entire time about shooting out their best barrel and/or not being able to compete against the rail machines (I don't call them rifles).

 

[ricco1949]

As age and health issues creep up on me I am heading away from days of handling things like the SEB MAX, 30 pound plus HG and mechanical rear rests.
I don't now, or ever, feel under equipped without having a mechanical rear rest or extra plates attached to my rests or bags.
In fact, at this point it would be hard to wipe the silly grin off my face if I could just go shoot a match somewhere.
Last time I checked there is nothing in the rulebook that says @Canuckienns is not allowed to have his bench equipment look the same as @quest450 or any other competitor . It's just a matter of how far down the rabbit hole a person wants to go.
I remember from my early days shooting NBRSA short range where we had matches with UL division. For those unfamiliar that is a rail gun (opinion: not really a rifle) and all targets were ten rounds. The guys who didn't want to buy a rail gun often shot their LV/HV rifles and grumbled the entire time about shooting out their best barrel and/or not being able to compete against the rail machines (I don't call them rifles).

It would be interesting to see how UL rails in 6BR and derivatives would compete in 600 and 1000 BR....maybe a separate experimental division.

Then the LG's & HG's could enter and go toe-to- toe like in SR.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Won’t be long Till artificial intelligence will be pulling the trigger

 

[R L U]

Last Saturday was a 600 yard steel plate shoot. The second and third place winners used very heavy steel plate rear rests. They were mechanical, adjustable, absolutely no sand bags. The stocks used rear bag riders, one was nylon and the other aluminum that were held in place by solid pieces of a hard material covered by a slick tape, adjustable for windage and elevation. I would guess that the set ups weighed 25 to 50 lbs. This was not a Freedom bench rest event.

Enough said. When you stare a complaint you need to include all the facts. Not just an opinion. Thank for the clarification

 

[Canuckienns]

With some of the set ups, all you need is a wild monkey fro0m the zoo

 

[FNSafari]

i have been noticing the use of mechanically adjustable rear rests in Freedom Bench rest competitions. Not attached to the front rest. BUT some are using very heavy like 40 pound steel plates under an adjustable rest with hard sides only covered by a slick tape material. Rules talk about a rear sand bag, but where is this going to end.?? You are going to hear a lot more a bout this.
This will make the playing field not very equal for a lot of shooters.

Lack or rules ends up being an equipment race, usually won by the best shooters with the most money. Rules, imo, give us a level playing field where skill and wind doping tends to prevail. jmho.

 

[Canuckienns]

FN you really nailed it. A reasonably equal playing field. If not, just watch shooter participation drop.

 

[Rat Rifle]

When We read the Freedom rule concerning rests and sand bags, and apply a little creative interpretation, it “CAN” get very confusing.

More to follow, maybe, if I feel like going there

 

[ELR Harry]

I saw a mechanical adjustable rear rest setup being used recently and the guy who was using it took home pretty much all of the wood. Another factor in his success is because there is no weight limit in tactical and he had a barrel screwed on that must have weighed 15-16 lbs by itself. I really think Freedom needs a weight limit in tactical next year...22 lbs would align with other orgs and be a reasonable limit. Also clarifying the use of a mechanical rear rest would be wise...if its really allowed my friends and i along with everyone else would build one for the next match.