Rifle classifications?

[GerryinPa]

Good morning everyone,
I have a question for you all about something bothering me. I asked a respected builder a question about tuning and ammo. His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles?(FYI, he knows my rig) I was a little confused because the tuner, ammo, target etc. Has no idea what "class " the bullet came from?

I had a similar experience with a competitor at the last match I attended. I was in the unlimited ARA class with my basically stock b14r. He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14. Yes I know I got very lucky, and a have an unusually accurate basically stock b14r, but why the attitude towards sub-$3000 rigs? I mean it's belly up and shoot right?

Do you all look at rifles from a cost stand point, or by performance regardless of it lineage or the name on the side? Or is this just how it is in the bench world? I Apologize if this is somewhat of a whiny belly aching rant, but it's been bothering me, and you all are the best judge.
Thanks for your input,
Gerry

 

[DngBat7]

I had a similar experience with a competitor at the last match I attended. I was in the unlimited ARA class with my basically stock b14r. He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14. Yes I know I got very lucky

I hope you beat the moron that made that comment.

 

[gkgeiger]

Just curious why you were in the UL class?

 

[jelenko]

Good morning everyone,
I have a question for you all about something bothering me. I asked a respected builder a question about tuning and ammo. His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles?(FYI, he knows my rig) I was a little confused because the tuner, ammo, target etc. Has no idea what "class " the bullet came from?

I had a similar experience with a competitor at the last match I attended. I was in the unlimited ARA class with my basically stock b14r. He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14. Yes I know I got very lucky, and a have an unusually accurate basically stock b14r, but why the attitude towards sub-$3000 rigs? I mean it's belly up and shoot right?

Do you all look at rifles from a cost stand point, or by performance regardless of it lineage or the name on the side? Or is this just how it is in the bench world? I Apologize if this is somewhat of a whiny belly aching rant, but it's been bothering me, and you all are the best judge.
Thanks for your input,
Gerry

From the tone of his voice, is it possible he was just trying to help? I.e., you'd do much better in the production class?

But, congrats on third place in the unlimited group!

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Good morning everyone,
I have a question for you all about something bothering me. I asked a respected builder a question about tuning and ammo. His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles?(FYI, he knows my rig) I was a little confused because the tuner, ammo, target etc. Has no idea what "class " the bullet came from?

I had a similar experience with a competitor at the last match I attended. I was in the unlimited ARA class with my basically stock b14r. He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14. Yes I know I got very lucky, and a have an unusually accurate basically stock b14r, but why the attitude towards sub-$3000 rigs? I mean it's belly up and shoot right?

Do you all look at rifles from a cost stand point, or by performance regardless of it lineage or the name on the side? Or is this just how it is in the bench world? I Apologize if this is somewhat of a whiny belly aching rant, but it's been bothering me, and you all are the best judge.
Thanks for your input,
Gerry

Gerry, you will run into shooters who think it is all about the gear and not about the skill. you proved it to them by finishing 3rd. I shoot a 58-year-old Anschutz with a 7-year-old benchmark barrel. I have about $1200-1500 total in the rifle, yet it has beaten rifles that are more than double the cost some have scopes that cost more than my rifle alone.
just remember unless you have the skill nobody can buy a win, just enjoy and have fun doing what you are doing just try not to rub it in their nose too much on how much your rifle cost.

Lee

 

[GerryinPa]

Thanks for the response guys. I shoot unlimited because I polished and re-shaped the lead on the ramps on my bolt. That and I see the factory class as a way for new shooters to get into the sport. There's no reason for me to shoot there if I can compete with the unlimited guys imo. I purchased the Bergara b14r to shoot while I collect the parts for my unlimited build. Now I am a little hesitant if I can build a better shooter then what I have? Thanks again for the input!
G.

 

[jelenko]

Now I am a little hesitant if I can build a better shooter then what I have?

Sounds like a good problem to have!

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Thanks for the response guys. I shoot unlimited because I polished and re-shaped the lead on the ramps on my bolt. That and I see the factory class as a way for new shooters to get into the sport. There's no reason for me to shoot there if I can compete with the unlimited guys imo. I purchased the Bergara b14r to shoot while I collect the parts for my unlimited build. Now I am a little hesitant if I can build a better shooter then what I have? Thanks again for the input!
G.

Don't be hesitant on building a UL rifle approach it with the thought of what you did with the current rifle and what you can do with the new one!

Lee

 

[GerryinPa]

Sounds like a good problem to have!

It is, and please don't take any of this as boasting, but it's tough to say..... Oh hey I have an awesome shooter.... Without sounding like a goober!

 

[GerryinPa]

Don't be hesitant on building a UL rifle approach it with the thought of what you did with the current rifle and what you can do with the new one!

Lee

I think you right Lee! Actually what I should do since I have a shooter for his season is take the money for the new build, and put it into my lathe. It needs a dro, maintenance, and a new tool post! Then when I build the new Unlimited, the accuracy of machining can only be better. Thanks,
Gerry

 

[USMCDOC]

I think you right Lee! Actually what I should do since I have a shooter for his season is take the money for the new build, and put it into my lathe. It needs a dro, maintenance, and a new tool post! Then when I build the new Unlimited, the accuracy of machining can only be better. Thanks,
Gerry

I am getting ready to sell my Emco Super 11, only cuz i feel that i need a bigger lathe

 

[grauhanen]

I asked a respected builder a question about tuning and ammo. His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles?

I don't know if it still applies, but there was a time when small bore rifles were classified by some shooters as "Class A," Class B," and "Class C."

In his 1938 book Handbook on Small Bore Rifle Shooting, Townsend Whelan describes the general differences between them.

Class A rifles are rifles that are designed and equipped for match target shooting at serious levels of competition. Among the examples he gave were the heavy and standard barreled Winchester 52 rifles and the Remington 37 Rangemaster.

Class B rifles are similar but generally lighter in weight and less expensive. Examples include the Winchester 75 Target Rifle and the Remington 513TR.

Class C rifles were lower in price than Class B models and were suitable for beginners and those wanting to shoot target at low cost.

 

[MrG52D]

Good morning everyone,
I have a question for you all about something bothering me. I asked a respected builder a question about tuning and ammo. His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles?(FYI, he knows my rig) I was a little confused because the tuner, ammo, target etc. Has no idea what "class " the bullet came from?

I had a similar experience with a competitor at the last match I attended. I was in the unlimited ARA class with my basically stock b14r. He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14. Yes I know I got very lucky, and a have an unusually accurate basically stock b14r, but why the attitude towards sub-$3000 rigs? I mean it's belly up and shoot right?

Do you all look at rifles from a cost stand point, or by performance regardless of it lineage or the name on the side? Or is this just how it is in the bench world? I Apologize if this is somewhat of a whiny belly aching rant, but it's been bothering me, and you all are the best judge.
Thanks for your input,
Gerry

"His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles"
I think I also know the respected smith your referring to. His idea of a Class A rifle, is limited to just type action. I guess in his mind, he thinks there can be only one.

"He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14."
They will do that until you do well on a regular basis, just roll with the punches and do your own thing. I found that people that make comments like that, are just nervous about getting beat by it. I started with a factory Winchester 52D, did okay with it, moved to a custom action, did okay with it, but not really any better than the 52D did. Sold the custom rifle, now I am back to the 52D and having fun again.

Now, I will not try to talk you out of going to a custom, some of them are killer accurate. It really boils down to just how serious you want to get. Me, I am not all that serious, I just like to shoot and make people nervous.

George

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

"His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles"
I think I also know the respected smith your referring to. His idea of a Class A rifle, is limited to just type action. I guess in his mind, he thinks there can be only one.

"He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14."
They will do that until you do well on a regular basis, just roll with the punches and do your own thing. I found that people that make comments like that, are just nervous about getting beat by it. I started with a factory Winchester 52D, did okay with it, moved to a custom action, did okay with it, but not really any better than the 52D did. Sold the custom rifle, now I am back to the 52D and having fun again.

Now, I will not try to talk you out of going to a custom, some of them are killer accurate. It really boils down to just how serious you want to get. Me, I am not all that serious, I just like to shoot and make people nervous.

George

George, you are the reason for the saying beware the shooter with one gun in your case it would be the one with a bipod 52D!

Lee

 

[GerryinPa]

I am getting ready to sell my Emco Super 11, only cuz i feel that i need a bigger lathe

Excellent lathes Doc! I wish I had Super11 $$$.
G.

 

[GerryinPa]

"His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles"
I think I also know the respected smith your referring to. His idea of a Class A rifle, is limited to just type action. I guess in his mind, he thinks there can be only one.

"He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14."
They will do that until you do well on a regular basis, just roll with the punches and do your own thing. I found that people that make comments like that, are just nervous about getting beat by it. I started with a factory Winchester 52D, did okay with it, moved to a custom action, did okay with it, but not really any better than the 52D did. Sold the custom rifle, now I am back to the 52D and having fun again.

Now, I will not try to talk you out of going to a custom, some of them are killer accurate. It really boils down to just how serious you want to get. Me, I am not all that serious, I just like to shoot and make people nervous.

George

"His response, he said, was only referring to "class A " bench rifles"
I think I also know the respected smith your referring to. His idea of a Class A rifle, is limited to just type action. I guess in his mind, he thinks there can be only one.

"He made a backhanded comment about there being a factory class and I was just taking up a bench spot. I finished 3rd of 14."
They will do that until you do well on a regular basis, just roll with the punches and do your own thing. I found that people that make comments like that, are just nervous about getting beat by it. I started with a factory Winchester 52D, did okay with it, moved to a custom action, did okay with it, but not really any better than the 52D did. Sold the custom rifle, now I am back to the 52D and having fun again.

Now, I will not try to talk you out of going to a custom, some of them are killer accurate. It really boils down to just how serious you want to get. Me, I am not all that serious, I just like to shoot and make people nervous.

George

I hear you George. I won't use names out of respect and he has always been nice to me.

I expect the new kid in school treatment, it's fine. Funny part is I made tuners and sorting tools for 2 of the guys there that day. Plus, I like nothing more then performing above expected with a "sleeper " rig. By the third card I actually had a spectator! Have a great day!
G.

 

[Downhill]

I've seen this in all disciiplines from Benchrest to Shotgun. Guess it might be hard for some to admit they spent too much money. Watched a Jerk with a Perrazi at a clay shoot "look" down his nose a young man with an old Rem 870 with fixed full choke. At the end that kid and the beat up 870 finished second and the Pirrazi was in 18th place. $200 versus $3500.