IBS Tactical Class

[james]

Was wondering if anyone has experience with the IBS Tactical class competition? I just purchased a Seekins Havak Bravo in 6.5CM equipped with a Sightron PLR scope to use in a balloon shoot this year (and some long-range plinking). I was just looking at some IBS match results and noticed they have a tactical class now - did not know this was available. Would appreciate any thoughts on these tactical 600 yard matches.

Thanks much!

 

[shoot4fun]

Was wondering if anyone has experience with the IBS Tactical class competition? I just purchased a Seekins Havak Bravo in 6.5CM equipped with a Sightron PLR scope to use in a balloon shoot this year (and some long-range plinking). I was just looking at some IBS match results and noticed they have a tactical class now - did not know this was available. Would appreciate any thoughts on these tactical 600 yard matches.

Thanks much!

I would think your Seekins would fit the new Factory Class rules as well.
The Tactical and Factory classes are a fun add-on to the regular matches and most of the participants are already there shooting their LG/HG rifles in those classes.
You can read all about it here:

The Rules

internationalbenchrest.com

 

[sdbob]

I have shot two weekends this year at 600 and seen a lot of sub 2 inch groups by the tac guys. Impressive.

 

[DaleTN]

For those who have shot this and for match directors, the rules state "Mechanical front rest will be allowed"

Does this mean a SEB max, sinclair rest, etc can be used to support the rifle?
Just an opinion but I feel that "tactical class" should be limited to bipods and sandbags. The used of SEB rests, etc may discourage some folks from entering the class.

Please feel free to direct me to other threads on this topic if any out there.

 

[JEFFPPC]

For those who have shot this and for match directors, the rules state "Mechanical front rest will be allowed"

Does this mean a SEB max, sinclair rest, etc can be used to support the rifle?
Just an opinion but I feel that "tactical class" should be limited to bipods and sandbags. The used of SEB rests, etc may discourage some folks from entering the class.

Please feel free to direct me to other threads on this topic if any out there.

See there you go. First rule....No common sense allowed....Clear?

 

[Mulligan]

For those who have shot this and for match directors, the rules state "Mechanical front rest will be allowed"

Does this mean a SEB max, sinclair rest, etc can be used to support the rifle?
Just an opinion but I feel that "tactical class" should be limited to bipods and sandbags. The used of SEB rests, etc may discourage some folks from entering the class.

Please feel free to direct me to other threads on this topic if any out there.

I am the 600 yard BR Match Director at WCRSC.
We have Tactical matches every month along with our BR matches.
Yes, the tactical shooters can use mechanical front rests. Some do and some do not.
Early last spring, we had a tactical shooter use a bipod, sand bags, rolled up coat, and SEB Neo, one on each target (4 targets). He was shooting a 22BR with 85.5gr Berger bullets on top of H4350. He won the match and said all were solid enough to shoot small at 600.
I think at some point soon, the Tactical shooters will start driving the bus and it will evolve a bit. Right now, it is a great way to have a ton of fun with your tactical rifle and see what benchrest is all about.

CW

 

[6bra1k]

this reminds me of the hunter factory class that disappeared in rules written by BENCHREST shooters.
you need to decide up front with a clear statement, what the class is. just another benchrest class or a new unique rifle class outside of generic br.
navy SEALS use all kinds of support for sniper rifles, but i have never seen a benchrest used, walls, bags, coats, bipods, tripods.
ps i do not see how a 22br is a tactical round

 

[shoot4fun]

For those who have shot this and for match directors, the rules state "Mechanical front rest will be allowed"

Does this mean a SEB max, sinclair rest, etc can be used to support the rifle?
Just an opinion but I feel that "tactical class" should be limited to bipods and sandbags. The used of SEB rests, etc may discourage some folks from entering the class.

Please feel free to direct me to other threads on this topic if any out there.

It did start out bipod only for Tactical but got changed when it was voted officially into the game.
IIRC, the rules allowed a mechanical rest and "accuracy asset" originally.
If the intent was to get PRS shooters to the game then it should have stayed bipod/rear bag but, in actuality, it has mostly become more shooting for those who have been supporting 600/1000 yard matches anyway.

 

[james]

Think I’ll give it it a go using my Atlas bipod.

 

[Mulligan]

this reminds me of the hunter factory class that disappeared in rules written by BENCHREST shooters.
you need to decide up front with a clear statement, what the class is. just another benchrest class or a new unique rifle class outside of generic br.
navy SEALS use all kinds of support for sniper rifles, but i have never seen a benchrest used, walls, bags, coats, bipods, tripods.
ps i do not see how a 22br is a tactical round

When the PRS game started, darn few folks were shooting 6mm's, now many are.
Who's to say what a tactical round is???? Let the tactical shooters have their day. In a couple of years with folks playing with this and that...... and...... wildcatters wildcatting.... who knows what sort of fun stuff will come from this?

CW

 

[shoot4fun]

When the PRS game started, darn few folks were shooting 6mm's, now many are.
Who's to say what a tactical round is???? Let the tactical shooters have their day. In a couple of years with folks playing with this and that...... and...... wildcatters wildcatting.... who knows what sort of fun stuff will come from this?

CW

I hear the PRS guys have invented a "wonder-cartridge".
They call it 6 Dasher.

 

[Joseph Jones ctsr]

I shoot tactical class at Thunder Valley Precision"s 1000yds and 1 mile. I prefer tactical class so I can run suppressed and see how the guns I use in steel matches measure up. I always run a bipod(atlas or accutac) with a rear bag, some guys use a rest which I have no problem with. Most of the time I am good for winning my relay or coming close, to me it shows how much precision I can get by seeing it on paper vs ringing steel. As of right now I am running a 6.5-284 and a 7-300prc which are the same as I use for steel with mil scopes set up for steel. I would probably not be shooting BR if it weren't for tactical class.

 

[DaleTN]

Agree. I have not shot Tac class, only LG/HG. One advantage I see for having this class is that guys just starting out can usually compete much quicker with something they might already have within these rules.

The forend rules generally prohibit larger than 2 1/2" stocks and sometimes a smaller part of the stock that is actually flat and has a radius of some sort. There is a performance difference compared to the flat 3" and wider stocks. Most of the time they also need to have a magazine attached.

For some of the "purists" I would remind them that this sport does not grow quickly, we are loosing too many good people every year, and it is expensive and time consuming. It is no less than one year, on average, to have a new LG or HG built and that is if you can find a Smith to do it. Yes they can buy something used by why should they possibly handicap themselves when investing so much in the first place?

We need to keep the ranks of shooters healthy. If they can bring their factory or PRS rigs in and compete with front rests, etc, then I say welcome.

I also know guys who started in Factory, then went to Tactical, and then LG.

I agree with most of this. My only thought is if it’s viewed as a class to attract new shooters (such as the rapid growth PRS shooters) shouldn’t eliminating a mechanical front rest be part of “tactical”.

It deters me from wanting to bring a tactical gun with bipod into a match full of repeaters with SEBs, JJs and joysticks to get handed small groups from a mechanical front rest. I’m betting several of the LG/HG guys could dish out some amazing groups with a repeater in a front rest. Many PRS guys pride themselves of the skill of accuracy from bipods, bags etc.

Btw…I’m not a PRS shooter and I’ve never shot a PRS match. I’m just thinking this tactical class has potential to grow a lot

 

[Mulligan]

I agree with most of this. My only thought is if it’s viewed as a class to attract new shooters (such as the rapid growth PRS shooters) shouldn’t eliminating a mechanical front rest be part of “tactical”.

It deters me from wanting to bring a tactical gun with bipod into a match full of repeaters with SEBs, JJs and joysticks to get handed small groups from a mechanical front rest. I’m betting several of the LG/HG guys could dish out some amazing groups with a repeater in a front rest. Many PRS guys pride themselves of the skill of accuracy from bipods, bags etc.

Btw…I’m not a PRS shooter and I’ve never shot a PRS match. I’m just thinking this tactical class has potential to grow a lot

Go try it and be the change you want to see

CW

 

[Danley]

Dale, don’t count a bipod out. I shot a couple of matches in 2020 (the trial year for the tactical class) with a bipod and a $15 Midway rear squeeze bag. I done this single feeding a Rem 700 repeater. I can honestly say that my agg’s with the bipod were on par with shooting off a mechanical rest, as I have done this year. I will admit that it takes some figuring out how to shoot consistently off of a bipod, but it can be done successfully enough for this class. I will also say, that I’ve watched a couple of you Tennessee & North Alabama guys shoot with us in B’ham and y’all would definitely be competitive with bipods in the tactical class. As the class evolves (agg & score wise), you could always change to a mechanical rest

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Anything to let the guys get the best from their tactical guns. Im sure most of them would like to see how they stack up, and in the end maybe theyll upgrade to a rest then to a br rifle

 

[Danley]

Out of curiosity this morning, I did more research. It appears that Curt Knitt now has the current Tactical record with a 2.133” agg, bettering Jerry Carter’s 2.360” that was shot back in May. Congratulations to both of these men!