Poll for new 600 yard bench shooters only!!!

[Fred Bohl]

Lynn,

I believe that I remember a post somewhere that I think was by Mickey Coleman about needing "fire in the belly" to be a competitive shooter.

Then I had a bit of a wake up today re my first reply when I received an email from an old friend that he and his wife were coming to the EAA,Experimental Aviation Association) convention in Oshkosh,7/23 - 7/29). I had met them there as we are all members several years ago and we get together while they are there,about 10 miles away from me).

How does that relate to my first reply and "fire in the belly"? This couple are both in their early seventies and fly their home built here for the convention to meet with and see the work of other builders. While this alone is not unusual, they fly here in their single engine home built from Auckland New Zealand,about 21,000 air miles and 28 days each way). They only come about every third year since the round trip costs about $40,000 US. I think that qualifies as "fire in the belly" for their sport.

 

[Cheechako]

I'm not a new 600 yard BR shooter and should be posting over on the other thread but no-one seems to be reading it, so here goes.

One thing that no one has yet mentioned regarding BR shooting is the age factor. I have been competitive shooting my entire adult life and have had to give up most of the disciplines over the years simply because I can no longer physically do what most of them require. Everyone ages differently and I have friends my age, and older, who can still run marathons, play softball, and shoot Highpower. But I can't. So I have to make a choice. Either I quit shooting competitively or I shoot Benchrest. It's an easy choice to make.

Ray

 

[Ahhnother8]

Not attending is a function of: cost of equipment, amount of equipment needed, few shots fired, limited time, other shooting disciplines, need to join sanctioning organization, etc.

May have to come out and try it some time, but would have to rely on some heavy winds to help equalize the difference between my Palma rifle and a benchrest rifle.

I know of about half a dozen rifle clubs withing 90 minutes of Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. And I also know that the matches held there are NOT publicized at the Lincoln Rifle Club, with almost 1000 members. Might be a place to start?????

Lane

 

[sewwhat89]

Like WalkerTXRanger, I used to live in Houston, but I just moved back a little north in East TX. I now am 3 hours closer to my home range, but it only has a 500m range. Well, actually it was surveyed a couple years back and is actually 494m. The range has 10 target boards, but only 5 of them are visible from the two rickety wooden shooting tables. Now that I am about 15 minutes from the range, I will be shooting much much more than my usual 50-60 shots per year at that range.

That being said, the only organized matches available to me within a reasonable,read hour or two drive) is 50m 22 Rimfire BR, IPSC, IDPA and Bulls-eye matches. There are NO centerfire rifle matches available in my area. The range I am a member at used to host CMP matches or something like that 10-15 years ago. The latest push is going toward purchasing some dozen or so Savage 22 target rifles for the local Boy Scouts and 4H clubs to use.

I am quite proud to have a off-the-shelf 300 RSAUM Sendero that will hold its own against most, but that most is my brothers and dad. I have shot a 1.44" group at 494m, and several more under 2.3". I would love to have a group of 10-20 shooters come out with their rifles and shoot for score and group, but I am the only one that cares about that. I use this rifle for hunting where the ranges go out to about 325 yards with pockets visible out to maybe 450 yards. That is my driving force to shoot LR of any kind. Off a benchrest, I can hold sub 2" groups at 494m 5 out of 10 days irrespective of the weather. From a bipod, that drops to maybe 2 or 3 out of 10 trips keeping the groups under 2.5". For me, it is ethics. If I can't keep my bullets in the spot I want them for deer hunting, I will not shoot that far, PERIOD! That has cost me the biggest buck I have ever seen because I could not get closer than about 500 yards from him. When I can shoot all of my bullets into a 3" group or less,my preferred target is the heart and lungs, both not either) at 500-600 yards, then I will take most any shot afforded me while hunting. That means for me, I am range limited to 350 yards for hunting and 494m for targets because of the shooting range I shoot at.

IF there was a shooting match that I could shoot in with my rifle and actually hope to compete with my limitations,scope - 4.5-14X) I would be there to get my piece of humble pie. If I had a scope with enough adjustment to get me to 1K, I would consider taking a 'vacation' to go to a 1K match and shoot for giggles. I don't have that right now. Gas is also a huge issue when you drive a Tahoe without AC too.

 

[Twud]

I've got to agree with the others, shooting at the closest 600 yard range would be an all day affair. I don't even know where the closest 1000 yard range is, and I'd need to build a gun just for that distance.
My home range goes to 300 yds, which is where I shoot for dial ins and load development, only 30 minutes away.
I'd like to shoot 600 and would probably invest in the gun if things were just closer.
And yes, the more I read the board the more intimidated I become.
Was always pretty happy with my .500 groups at 100 yds. until I read that some have accomplished this at 600 yds.
Mark

 

[Twud]

Think I'll save my trusty old 1/2" group Ruger for the local groundhog population. Not knowing the distance is a little bit more challenging.

 

[USAPatriot]

First off if you are already a competitor please don't respond.I would like to hear only from people not currently competing at 600 yards.

Why are you not attending matches? Any and all responses from non-competitors are much appreciated.
Lynn

I'm disabled, Lynn and have been for 8 years. Up until about 3 years ago I was still shooting weekly, rain or snow. Things have gone downhill though and I just don't have the energy or money for it anymore. In fact I'm selling my 6BR...were it not for all of that, I'd definitely go for it. -Rod-

 

[theduck]

HOUSTON SHOOTERS..
Why do you say we have no 600,1000 yard ranges within a close distance?
I live in Katy and i shoot 300,600 yards at American shooting center @Hwy6/westheimer parkway.
1000 yards at bayou rifles just of the 288 and Beltway8 this range also supports 300/600/1000 f class shootouts.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

HOUSTON SHOOTERS..
Why do you say we have no 600,1000 yard ranges within a close distance?
I live in Katy and i shoot 300,600 yards at American shooting center @Hwy6/westheimer parkway.
1000 yards at bayou rifles just of the 288 and Beltway8 this range also supports 300/600/1000 f class shootouts.

We didn't say there were not ranges, we said there are no Benchrest ranges within a reasonable distance.

300 at ASC is the furthest in the area, and I shoot there all the time. Probably know ya!!

The OP was talking about 600 yard Benchrest, not prone...

 

[theduck]

Yep you are correct my bad...
i shoot a black/red marble 6br usually at the 300-600 yard range you know the english dude

 

[jarhead1104]

I would very much like to attend some matches and get more involved in this style of shooting. However, for me the shoots are just too far away. To my knowledge, the closest one to me is 3-4 hours away, which is doable. Beyond that, the matches get progressively further. Also, my wife and I are expecting the arrival of our son in August.

 

[Twud]

As a non-competitive shooter, I would find an article that lays out the events of a typical day of shooting very encouraging. Like, how do you register?, how do you know when it's your turn to shoot?, how do the relays work?, how do I know my gun makes factory class?, how do you move your gear around?, is there proper etiquette to follow on the line?, how do you know it's your target being scored?
These may sound like silly questions to a seasoned shooter, to me they are things to know before I'd show up at a match.
I also like the idea of a true factory class but without the factory ammo claus.
Mark

 

[Wolfdawg]

My issues are as follows:

1) Bullets $36/100
2) Brass $80/100
3) Primers $32/1000
4) powder $135/8 lb
5) Time in the day in conflict with family time every weekend.
6) Bullets $36/100
7) Brass $80/100
8) Primers $32/1000
9) powder $135/8 lb

10) $3.00/gallon!!!!

Wolfdawg

 

[Aussie_bob]

I have been a centerfire benchrest shooter here in Australia now for 3 years started with a Sako .222 these matches were all 100 or 200 Yard Matches. I did shoot Rimfire for 4 years before stepping up. Then i got my 30BR Still only shooting 100 & 200 Yards till last year when on my second attempt at 500m i shot in a state comp and took out Smallest group 1.75" Highest score for LG and High score on a single target 58.2 out of possible 60.The closest Range to me to shoot 600 yard Benchrest is 500 miles i have shot 600 yards once just a club match and got small group on the day 2.58".
Fuel here is $1.25 a Litre so $5 a Gallon I have a spinal problem so cannot shoot prone so Benchrest is really the only way, and to shoot the long ranges i share with a mate and camp at the range when we go. So $60 fuel each.$50 projectiles $20 Powder + Primers so for 150 Dollars not a bad weekend.
We use the short rage benchrest as practice as i believe the only difference once you have an accurate rifle is reading conditions and a fair cut of luck.

 

[gambleone]

I have been shooting a 22-250 at a local sportsmans club, but they don't have any matches. I just bought a 6br. The closest range I think is Williamsport, PA. That's about three hours from me. Anyone know of any closer, please pm me. I'm from New Castle, PA.
Happy shooting, Greg

 

[Flybuster]

I would love to be a regular 600-1000 yard benchrest shooter. I would probably be at every match I could, I'm practically obsessed with it. But, Like you said your matches are on SUNDAY'S. Thats when alot of people go to church. I have begged and pleaded with our match directors but I am only one person they aren't going to change their schedules for me.

F-class on the other hand, much more opprotunities for me to shoot on Saturdays. You get to shoot 600 yards, 800 yards, 900 yards and a 1000 yards in one day! You get to fire alot more bullets, test your wind reading skills.

It just seems like most of the matches are on a Sunday around here, whether its pointblank BR or LR BR. It would be just as easy to make them on a Saturday, yet they don't. Please keep that in mind, if your planning matches.

 

[ultramagbrion]

I intend to attend Nashua NH as soon as I finnish my rifle.
Unfortunately Ive had problems over the past year with my old employer and the $$ promised.......well it just never seemed to ever appear.
So as of 2008 I start another job with what appears to be a much better company,and a 25% pay raise to boot) and should be back on my feet in a few months.
My work takes me accross the country so atteneding with any regularity will be out of the question.....very unpredictable.

But I need to compete in something............anything to do with shooting!! I have a void to fill in my life I guess.

 

[ballistic64]

I hope to make it to the IBS 600s this spring at the VHA's range.Its only about a 3 hour drive from my home.The biggest conflict is that the matches are usually held during week days so it all depends on the weeks job schedule.

 

[Flybuster]

Lynn, Thanks for posting. I can say I am really dissapointed about not being able to shoot more matches. I haven't missed a day in church since I was around 7 years old. Plus, I have certain responisbilities there. So just skipping church isn't right. I just wanted to let you know that there are some shooters that don't show up at matches because they need to go to church.

I don't understand why you would lose more shooters if you hosted the matches on Saturday's rather than Sundays. It seems it would be the opposite, from my perspective.

By the way I live in Oregon, so I probably won't be shooting at your events anyhow. Just thought I would share my view on this subject. Thanks.

 

[Flybuster]

Good to know, thanks for that Info on those matches. Tanner