How Best to Get Started

[Phil3]

I am interested in what others think is the best way to "try out" benchrest shooting, very possibly some local club or maybe even a NBRSA match,don't know yet). I have two choices as I see it.

1) Buy something like the Savage Long Range Precision Varminter,LRPV) in 6mmBR, or even 223, and shoot it at the local 100 and 200 yard range in perhaps club competition. Maybe eventually NBRSA. The Savage may not even qualify for heavy varmint in NBRSA given it weighs 12 lbs without scope. Then I need a Weaver T36 scope,at the minimum), benchrest gear, reloading equipment, and ammo.

2) Have built, or buy used, a 6PPC rifle, plus all the equipment stated above. The investment in the gun is at least twice to three times what the Savage is,another $1000).

Excluding the rifle, what kind of investment does a good benchrest shooter need to invest for reloading equipment, bench rests, and other misc gear.

I am looking at 100 and 200 yard at this time, since the range is close, and I will need lots of practice. I have to drive 115 miles for to go longer distances, not practical to do on a regular basis.

Thanks,

- Phil

 

[tightneck]

The Savage will be a waste of money, it simply wont be competitive. A good used BR rifle will be competitive with a fresh tube, and will hold its resale value if you decide your not interested. They can be found for around $1500 here, and in the benchrest.com classifieds right now. Any shooter can get caught up in the equipment game, but what is really needed for reloading doesn't have to cost much. Actually, the very first thing you will need to invest in to shoot small groups is windflags. You can make your own, or there are many to choose from if you wish to buy them. You will need at least 4 for 100 yd shooting and 5 for 200. To truly learn the rifles capabilities, wind flags are not optional.

 

[Forum Boss]

Phil,

I note from your profile that you're in California. You might take a hard look at the various types of shooting matches that are offered within a reasonable radius of your home. In California there are actually very few clubs that run a full-fledged registered-type 100/200 BR match where you'll be competing against a field of PPCs.

If instead, the clubs near you have something like a monthly "open" match you can actually be competitive with a variety of equipment. At my club we have guys with re-stocked Savages who do well at 600 yards one weekend, then shoot at 100/200 the next weekend. Given the level of the competition a Savage 6BR with a custom barrel can be competitive,top 5 finish) in both events at these club "fun shoots". And these guys might take the same guns and shoot an F-Class or Tactical-style match in the next county 5-6 times a year.

Will that gun earn you Hall of Fame points? Certainly not. But it can be fun to shoot, and unless you plan to drive to Sacramento or Visalia, it may, potentially, be irrelevant that you don't have a gun that can compete head to head with a $2000 PPC.

Tightneck gave good advice, that if your intended purpose is to compete at 100/200 Registered Benchrest, pick up a used rifle for around $1500.00 and be prepared to re-barrel it.

I just know some guys who went that route, grew tired of driving 200 miles to a match, and now prefer to shoot a cheaper, more versatile rifle at local matches.

I've seen other guys go through this same process, pursuing rimfire BR for a couple of years, spending a ton of money on rests, tuners, exotic ammo, and having to drive long distances to find a match. They conclude they'd rather just stay close to home and shoot a $700.00 Anschutz with Wolf Target in a fun match.

It's your call one way or another. But being a Californian myself, I understand that the equipment/discipline you chose is sometimes dictated by the options that are within a comfortable drive.

If I have to fight bumper to bumper traffic for 3-4 hours returning on a Sunday afternoon from a match, that's a big enough negative to dissuade me from going in the first place.

 

[whiskeykilo]

My situation is similar. I've been an Service Rifle competitor for 7 years,M1A and AR15) with average results,expert). After a bad heart attack I'm not able to keep up that pace. In the meantime, my club has started a "Precision" 200 yd Match. Prone, any sight, < .30 cal. Mounting a cheap scope on the M1A and the AR,both match grade and tuned)resulted in me being the joke of the range. Plus, in my 52 years of shooting I've never used a scope. Dad said they were for sissies.

The bottom line is, I would like to buy a rifle,caliber TBD) and scope that I can take from the box, do some tweaking,even bedding) as well as some ammo calibration,I reload)and put myself in the middle of the pack during our matches. I'm looking to have fun at the matches without being tail-end charlie and looking like a fool. I'm not inclined to buy someone's experiment or pay big bucks for something that can't be used for varmints or hunting later. Figured you folks would have the best handle on this.

 

[ttuxedo]

Very good advise given so far.

I have, over the last 3 yrs, been down the same road as you two. I have finally quit fighting it and have decided to buy a used Bench Rest rifle with a custom action,no rebuilt 700 actions for me, don't need someone elses 'project').
I have tried Contenders, Savage factory 243,worked very well on PD's but barrel was to thin for consistency in competition). Have a Savage action being built for varmints in 6mmBR.
But having said all that, I went to a benchrest match yesterday, that was an eye opener. Figured out real quick that if I want to play in that game I have no choice but to get the right equipment, otherwise learn to like last place! The equipment and talent is at a very high level. I suspect the 300 to 600 yd bench and F-class sports are moving that way fast, where you can find them.
One saving grace is that the high quality equipment holds it value very well. Note my comment about what I am looking to buy and why. Hope to spend the money once, and recoup most of it should I decide I don't like it.

 

[Forum Boss]

My situation is similar. I've been an Service Rifle competitor for 7 years,M1A and AR15) with average results,expert). After a bad heart attack I'm not able to keep up that pace. In the meantime, my club has started a "Precision" 200 yd Match. Prone, any sight, < .30 cal. Mounting a cheap scope on the M1A and the AR,both match grade and tuned)resulted in me being the joke of the range. Plus, in my 52 years of shooting I've never used a scope. Dad said they were for sissies.

For a prone match at 200 yards, you could certainly go with a used PPC. However, you may have more fun with a heavier rifle. 17-lb overall. Something like a Tooley MBR stock,or wood version), Stiller Predator action, 6BR, Krieger 26-28" barrel. Personally, I'd go with an 8-twist. I'd shoot 80-grain FB bullets on the calm days and 105s on the windy days.

Many people will argue that the FB bullets/slow twist barrel is the ONLY way to go at 200. We've done some experiments lately indicating that the longer bullets can be surprisingly competitive at 200. Remember that the wind-drift at 200 is 4X that at 100 yards.

A rig like I've described could also be shot successfully at 600 yards, and in F-Class. If it's a score match, and you don't mind brass prep, consider a 30BR.

 

[RGraham]

Phil, I suggest you go to a BR shoot or two in your area. There are good shoots in Sacramento and Visalia. You can learn a lot about what you need just by showing up and watching what goes on. Also, I know guys at both these ranges that will be glad to help a new shooter. If you want I'll help get you in touch with them.

 

[ReedG]

Hi Phil. You are face-to-face with "the dilemma". Under no circumstances should you have a new gun built until you've attended and competed in some matches to gain a real understanding about what is happening and what is required.

My suggestion, like most of the others, is to buy a used rig with a shot-out barrel, in the $1,400-$1,800 range, with a Jewell trigger and a current custom action,Panda, Stiller, BAT, etc.). The basic package of action/trigger/stock will last you for many years and you can recover almost all your investment if you decide to sell.

If you are leaning toward NBRSA group shooting, a 6PPC or 6mm Beggs is your best bet. If IBS score is the game, nothing will touch the 30BR. A new barrel with custom chamber and usually a sizing die will go into the $400 range; money well spent because the true heart of BR is the barrel.

A Weaver 36X is the base scope. You should be set up and prepared to load at the range, at least for testing and development. The easiest way to do this is with an arbor press and Wilson-style dies. When you first get started, any of the commercial powder measures will throw accurate charges if you practice with them. Believe it or not, my Lee plastic "toy" will throw as good as my Harrel's -- it just doesn't look as impressive!

Competitive BR is not an inexpensive sport to get into when compared to other shooting sports, but I have friends with snowmobiles that cost more than all the BR equipment I own, including a brand-new rifle -- and their fuel, plugs, belts cost more than my shooting supplies, too. And lots of custom "elk rifles" cost more than a good BR gun.

Get a good used rifle, some reasonable reloading equipment, and go have some fun. If you catch the bug, you'll want to go on up the ladder, but start low and feel your way.