NBRSA member ?

[jimmymac]

ttt

 

[BondJamesBond]

thought id chime in...got my first nbrsa card today

 

[mr45man]

I to have been a member for 25 years, and probably will be until it’s dirt nap time. I shoot VFS, Hunter and group. Do my best to run matches in my region. Matter of fact I was just thrown out of a club I was a member of for 15 years. I ran for President and I was accused by the Secretary/Treasurer of trying to take over the club for my own benefit, so I could Rent the range out to all the Benchrest Rest organizations! Bunch of Red Necks with little to no education.

Sorry for the clubs loss.

 

[Ahhnother8]

This commentary may stir up a hornets nest and push a few “buttons” here, but that is something at which I excel. I fired my first ever short-range benchrest match January 2nd and my first ever long-range benchrest match on January 24th, both in 2021. BUT, according to NBRSA rule, “1.3.11. All Competitors at every Registered Tournament shall be required to be a member of NBRSA (effective 1/1/98)…New Shooters may shoot their first match without being an NBRSA Member (beginning January 1, 2006).” Well, I am not an NBRSA member and after just two matches, am not yet ready to join. So by NBRSA rules, I am not welcome to shoot any more matches.

For short-range, I stumbled upon and purchased a great HV rifle several years ago and used that for the match. The next matches were combination HV/LV, so I skipped them. The next few months of matches are 4-gun. Don’t even know what that means, but am pretty certain my one and only HV rifle is not going to work. Fortunately, most matches here are not NBRSA registered or rule 1.3.11. from above would also apply and I would not be welcome to shoot.

For long-range, I used a prone rifle (very narrow and radiused forend on the stock) so I attached a bipod, which rested on the bench. Unfortunately, I later read that NBRSA rules state, “2.5.5. Bipods are not allowed”. So, that rifle is now out, along with all the other prone and F-TR rifles in the safe.

I could alternately bring out an F-Open rifle. It looks just like any other benchrest rifle, but weighs up to 22#, so it too is not welcome. And NO, shooting just the HG half of the match is not an option.

The match directors and competitors at the Sac Valley range have been VERY welcoming and accommodating. It would sure be nice to be able to attend more matches over the next year to be able to make a more informed decision about whether benchrest is worth the investment of $$$$$, without putting the local benchrest groups in an uncomfortable position in regards to NBRSA rules. And once again, NO, participating out-of-competition is not an option for those of us who are quite competitive in nature.

I am not necessarily advocating changing anything for me or others in a similar position. There are plenty of other shooting disciplines out there. I have however seen and heard a number of comments about benchrest being a dying sport. Well, there are simply far too many barriers to entry. I compete with a number of highly accomplished long-range shooters who would like to participate in benchrest, but it would be with equipment that they already own. Rifles that likely would not strictly meet current NBRSA rules. In most all cases, this equipment would put the shooter at a distinct disadvantage (ie. bipod, caliber, etc.). The only way to set the hook and reel us in is to get us out there a few times first. Or maybe the current trajectory of benchrest is perfectly acceptable.

 

[Tim Singleton]

This commentary may stir up a hornets nest and push a few “buttons” here, but that is something at which I excel. I fired my first ever short-range benchrest match January 2nd and my first ever long-range benchrest match on January 24th, both in 2021. BUT, according to NBRSA rule, “1.3.11. All Competitors at every Registered Tournament shall be required to be a member of NBRSA (effective 1/1/98)…New Shooters may shoot their first match without being an NBRSA Member (beginning January 1, 2006).” Well, I am not an NBRSA member and after just two matches, am not yet ready to join. So by NBRSA rules, I am not welcome to shoot any more matches.

For short-range, I stumbled upon and purchased a great HV rifle several years ago and used that for the match. The next matches were combination HV/LV, so I skipped them. The next few months of matches are 4-gun. Don’t even know what that means, but am pretty certain my one and only HV rifle is not going to work. Fortunately, most matches here are not NBRSA registered or rule 1.3.11. from above would also apply and I would not be welcome to shoot.

For long-range, I used a prone rifle (very narrow and radiused forend on the stock) so I attached a bipod, which rested on the bench. Unfortunately, I later read that NBRSA rules state, “2.5.5. Bipods are not allowed”. So, that rifle is now out, along with all the other prone and F-TR rifles in the safe.

I could alternately bring out an F-Open rifle. It looks just like any other benchrest rifle, but weighs up to 22#, so it too is not welcome. And NO, shooting just the HG half of the match is not an option.

The match directors and competitors at the Sac Valley range have been VERY welcoming and accommodating. It would sure be nice to be able to attend more matches over the next year to be able to make a more informed decision about whether benchrest is worth the investment of $$$$$, without putting the local benchrest groups in an uncomfortable position in regards to NBRSA rules. And once again, NO, participating out-of-competition is not an option for those of us who are quite competitive in nature.

I am not necessarily advocating changing anything for me or others in a similar position. There are plenty of other shooting disciplines out there. I have however seen and heard a number of comments about benchrest being a dying sport. Well, there are simply far too many barriers to entry. I compete with a number of highly accomplished long-range shooters who would like to participate in benchrest, but it would be with equipment that they already own. Rifles that likely would not strictly meet current NBRSA rules. In most all cases, this equipment would put the shooter at a distinct disadvantage (ie. bipod, caliber, etc.). The only way to set the hook and reel us in is to get us out there a few times first. Or maybe the current trajectory of benchrest is perfectly acceptable.

Well, I wish you could have read the rules or asked a few questions here before you bought your HV rifle
A good used LV rifle can be found pretty easily and you would be set.
Maybe sell the HV and buy a LV?
We would love to have you!

 

[jackieschmidt]

Both the IBS and NSBRA have declining membership compared to 15 years ago. Many factors involved. Neither addressed the caliber/ target issue that came with the 30BR. To me that is the big one. Younger folks with shooting interest due to a lot of recent military vets and shoot em up video games are going to tactical style shooting. Lots of club benchtest shoots be they called groundhogs shoots, egg shoots, whatever with good competition and within easy driving distance. Benchrest requires rifles capable of less then .25 for the bad groups. The other disciplines are fine at .5 or even larger and you can be competitive. Some just are unwilling to do the work involved.Lots of in fighting within the established national organizations. Lots of clubs have a driving force, when he can no longer do the work no one else is willing or maybe able due to age. Now one of the sad things I see is areas without clubs involved any longer with the above mentioned organizations that have local club shoots is I see long time benchtest shooters who sit at home rather than support the local shoots that are available. Why I wonder? Is it ego or fear of not winning at the local level or unwilling to change?. These experienced guys could really help by supporting local clubs and mentoring the few new shooters trying the sport rather then sitting at home dreaming about the old days. Just my opinions and observations as a long time competitor in several disciples including the above, both of which I am a past member of.

Not sure what you mean by “the caliber/target issue that came with the 30BR”.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Not sure what you mean by “the caliber/target issue that came with the 30BR”.

Who can compete today in 100, 200 yd Score matches with a 6mm . No one, I don't believe. The UBR has it correct except for adding the modified class as it's not needed. Either the IBS or NSBRA would be in better shape overall today, I believe, if they had adopted caliber specific targets when the 30BR came out. So if the caliber doesn't matter why is there a caliber limit in the rules? Been my idea since way back. I shoot a 30BR and enjoy it, but it should have been split from the 6mm when it came sbout.

 

[Ahhnother8]

Well, I wish you could have read the rules or asked a few questions here before you bought your HV rifle
A good used LV rifle can be found pretty easily and you would be set.
Maybe sell the HV and buy a LV?
We would love to have you!

Thank you. Have been shooting the non-NBRSA short and long range matches lately. The Sac BR group hosted a 1000 yard club match last weekend, with a "rulebook" that was all of one page.

1. Be safe.
2. Have fun.
3. Don't let Wally win again.
etc.

AND, it was all fired on e-targets, which was a new experience for many. The computer did the scoring and measured the groups and nobody had to go to the pits. Is it perfect? Nope. But almost everybody wants to do it again. And those that were reticent to come out for the beta testing will likely hear nothing but good things and fill up the firing line for the next one. The Sac group is working hard to grow the sport. They are accepting of new things and are "bending" the rules a bit in these non-NBRSA club matches. It was fun.

 

[Tim Singleton]

A lot of people start out with their local club fun matches.
I attend our monthly club matches too. A lot of fun for sure
There comes a time for some they just have to see how they stack up with the best
For this to happen there has to be a sanctioning body and a set of rules
the NBRSA, UBR or IBS arent perfect but they do a great job

 

[Ahhnother8]

Just heard rumor that SEB rests are not legal in NBRSA matches. Is the organization really trying to grow or is excluding a whole bunch of us in one fell swoop a strategic move of some sort? Or is the rumor false and we can legally use our SEB's?

 

[newbieshooter]

Just heard rumor that SEB rests are not legal in NBRSA matches. Is the organization really trying to grow or is excluding a whole bunch of us in one fell swoop a strategic move of some sort? Or is the rumor false and we can legally use our SEB's?

I see SEB's all the time at IBS/NBRSA LR matches, and short range matches.

 

[Mark Buettgen]

It was not the rest, it was the bag being used that did not meet the rules.
Mark

 

[Ahhnother8]

Was the "illegal" bag the one that came with the SEB rest? Was it a competitive advantage? Did the "illegal" bag user happen to win the match? If so, was the "illegal" bag the reason for the win? Is there a story behind all of this?

 

[J.J. Coe]

Was the "illegal" bag the one that came with the SEB rest? Was it a competitive advantage? Did the "illegal" bag user happen to win the match? If so, was the "illegal" bag the reason for the win? Is there a story behind all of this?

If you're a NBRSA member, which it sounds like you are, grab the July 2021 issue of Precision Rifleman and turn to page 16. Its under Gulf coast agenda items. It'll answer some of your questions.

 

[Ahhnother8]

J.J., thanks for the reference, but not an NBRSA member. Am using this site and the NBRSA site to read all about the association to make an informed decision on whether it is worth joining. I have fired my one "free" NBRSA short-range match and one "free" NBRSA long-range match, as well as a few club matches and am still undecided.

 

[snert]

Neither, don't compete, don't have that kind of cash. And I had IBS, but a job change and diet fixed it...

 

[tsyarnall]

Sounds like I need to join. Thanks for the information.
***Oh, Tim Singleton, congrats on winning Member of the Month!

Scott Y