New to Benchrest - Which Book is Better

[Dr.J]

Justs getting started shooting .22 rimfire bench-rest and looking for a book that will answer basic new shooter questions and get me started. The books I’m thinking about buying are Tony Boyer’s Book of Rifle Accuracy or the old Precision Shooting magazine’s Bench-rest Shooting Primer? Looking forward to your comments. Thanks, Tom

 

[searcher]

The Tony Boyer book is geared towards center fire, though there is much information that would benefit many people in respect to mounting and bedding scopes, reading wind flags, etc., etc.. If you intend on eventually reloading (if you don't already do so) and shooting center fire benchrest, I'd strongly recommend it. There might be other books that would better serve you for rimfire specifically - as the rests and shooting technique vary - as well as the differences in selecting lots of rimfire ammo versus reloading your own, etc.

 

[jpx2rk]

Find some matches in your area, whether ABRA or ARA, rules are similar, equipment is similar and you can see what your interest is, talk to the shooters and fondle/drool over the guns. Some/most will allow you to touch and look thru the scope, and probably allow you to shoot a few rounds.

 

[dgeesaman]

I own both of these books and I’m not sure that either one is very useful for rimfire BR.

They are excellent books but neither talking about rimfire, shooting for score, or one piece rests.

Wind reading and flags are vitally important and they are discussed. But I think there are better sources to learn for this.

Have you read the introductory info on rimfireaccuracy.com?

I agree to go to a match because folks are generally very open and you will learn about this exact discipline.

 

[tmwinds]

Take whatever equipment you have and attend some matches. You would be surprised at the number of shooters that would be eager to mentor you and they will take as much pride in your accomplishments as their own.

 

[StuRedman]

Late to the party here! This book is an oldy, but a goodie, and is focused entirely on rimfire. It has an excellent and detailed chapter on reading accuracy groups. If you do check it out, be sure to get the 1977 revised 3rd Edition. Interlibrary loan from your local library is a wonderful thing, and they will help you with a smile. Do be warned though, it is very, very British......

 

[butchlambert]

I have a lot of BR books including Tony's book, but I believe that Mike's book is head and shoulders above the rest.

"Extreme Rifle Accuracy" Book by Mike Ratigan​

 

[eal22]

Check these two posts at Rimfire accuracy. Guide to equipment.
How to get to the top

 

[Jefferson]

Check these two posts at Rimfire accuracy. Guide to equipment.
How to get to the top

yes, yes and yes

 

[Tim Slater]

Late to the party here! This book is an oldy, but a goodie, and is focused entirely on rimfire. It has an excellent and detailed chapter on reading accuracy groups. .. Do be warned though, it is very, very British......

View attachment 1661558

It's also very old! The first edition was published in 1963 I think, and the text was largely unchanged. The later revisions covered photos, and International Position shooting.

Fuller does explain quite simply how rifles work, but his concepts of bedding are very outdated. From a prone perspective, he's a bit scant in places, and proven wrong in others.

It is a good read! Just remember it was written more than 60 years ago, by a man educated a century ago.

 

[Websurfer]

I read frequently about benchrest shooting, including books, magazines, and stuff on the Internet, such as posts on this site. I really enjoy and frequently reference my books by Boyer, Newick, and Precision Shooting, in particular. Not everything in those books is applicable to rimfire benchrest, but there is a lot that you can still pick up.
Then, hit the range. Nothing educates like practice and like real matches. And, as has already been stated, find a mentor/buddy. I started in benchrest shooting with rimfire, and while I rarely take out the .22 any more (I'm a centerfire benchrest shooter nowadays), it's an enduring thrill to shoot well with that rig.
Good luck and have fun!