Tactical Class Bench Rest Question

[TheNimble1]

With interest in progressing from non-sanctioned club matches, I’ve been reading guidelines on tactical class BR. As I understand it, SEB-style rests are allowed, and the action, while having to be capable of feeding from a mag, must actually be single fed during the match.

So I guess I don’t really see the point. Seems like running a bipod and mag feeding would allow much more differentiation between classes and encourage more folks to branch out into a new discipline. Instead, these rules could have the opposite effect. The inherent competitive disadvantage would naturally disincentive potential new shooters.

I don’t mean to sound negative. Just curious if I’m missing something. Thoughts??

 

[JFrank]

@Mulligan

 

[Mulligan]

With interest in progressing from non-sanctioned club matches, I’ve been reading guidelines on tactical class BR. As I understand it, SEB-style rests are allowed, and the action, while having to be capable of feeding from a mag, must actually be single fed during the match.

So I guess I don’t really see the point. Seems like running a bipod and mag feeding would allow much more differentiation between classes and encourage more folks to branch out into a new discipline. Instead, these rules could have the opposite effect. The inherent competitive disadvantage would naturally disincentive potential new shooters.

I don’t mean to sound negative. Just curious if I’m missing something. Thoughts??

They can run out of the mag or single feed.
Bipod, front rest, towel roll, most anything under the front of the rifle is good to go.

I cannot speak for other ranges, but for us at Western Colorado we had some PRS shooters who were interested in shooting Benchrest. We did what we could to make sure we had a class for them to compete in that they could use their existing equipment in and not compete against the bench rigs.
CW

 

[TheNimble1]

@Mulligan - thank you! I am not sure where I got the idea that single shot was required. My mistake on that.

Do the bipod and towel roll guys feel disadvantaged when learning that they have to compete against a SEB? I personally like the challenge, but was just curious about what’s actually happening out there.

Love the approach your range is taking with regard to the PRS guys. I think that’s definately the right move. Golf has a “grow the game” mantra. If shooting doesn’t take the same approach I fear some of these disciplines may die out.

Thanks again for the clarification re. mag feeding.

 

[Mulligan]

@Mulligan - thank you! I am not sure where I got the idea that single shot was required. My mistake on that.

Do the bipod and towel roll guys feel disadvantaged when learning that they have to compete against a SEB? I personally like the challenge, but was just curious about what’s actually happening out there.

Love the approach your range is taking with regard to the PRS guys. I think that’s definately the right move. Golf has a “grow the game” mantra. If shooting doesn’t take the same approach I fear some of these disciplines may die out.

Thanks again for the clarification re. mag feeding.

Well, here is the truth.

We likely screwed up allowing mechanical front rests in the Tac class when the rules were written a few years ago, but, that ship has sailed. I would not even try to change it now. Too many good dudes built nice rifles according to the rules and it is what it is. We have a guy that shoots a regular bipod, he’s practiced, and FAST. He shoots a 6.5X47 on a Remmy action, wins his share.

I may at some point propose another class that involves scopes that have real tactical adjustments ( not 1/8) and must mag feed, and bipods (not the 7 foot wide f-class jot stick thingies). Basically, just get some real tactical shooters to help write the rules for a class that meets the spirit of the term tactical.
CW

 

[jackieschmidt]

I would think the first order of business would be the definition of exactly what makes a firearm a “Tactical Rifle”.

This, from McMillans web site, shows these.

Tactical

By saying Tactical Class Benchrest, I assume the purpose is to find out how well a shooter can do at shorter ranges in an attempt to ascertain the ultimate accuracy potential of the rifle.

A true Benchrest Rifle is designed to shoot off of a fully adjustable front rest. A true Tactical Rifle is designed to shoot from a bi-pod or perhaps a bag.
At Tomball, our Modified Class covers this pretty well. However, participation is low.

http://www.tgcwebsite.com/pdfs/match_scores/VFS/VFS_Rules.pdf

 

[drop_point]

I don't shoot benchrest, but I had taken PRS rigs to shoot non-sanctioned F-class matches at one time. Obviously, a Harris bipod, rear squeeze-bag, magazine-fed rifle with a lower magnification scope was at a disadvantage to regular "open shooters" A person could still be competitive, however. And the more competitive one wants to be, the more it will be gamed.

Other sports changes rules all the time to keep the playing field competitive and keep people interested.

If you're a "tactical class shooter" and you can use a mechanical rest, rear bag, etc, what is the actual difference? Simply the ability to be able to accept a magazine? That doesn't sound like a "tactical" rifle to me. May as well call it "magazine class" and "single-shot class".

 

[marchx]

It is a good way to allow shooters who do not have a benchrest rifle to get the flavour of benchrest rules. I hope tactical class will gain in popularity.

 

[Sandstorm]

Anytime you can bring in new shooters its a win-win all around.

 

[davidjoe]

I’m still hoping for a division to come into existence for targets at least 1,000 yards away, on the ring scoring targets, with no rules. Unlimited.

I tend to think of tactical rifles as not really needing to be protected by rules, along the lines that they are already supposed to be the fittest in versatility. The way that these traits “get paid”, is that the shooter has to change targets in the course of fire to the extent of breaking position, a number of times.

 

[David Milisock]

I’m still hoping for a division to come into existence for targets at least 1,000 yards away, on the ring scoring targets, with no rules. Unlimited.

I tend to think of tactical rifles as not really needing to be protected by rules, along the lines that they are already supposed to be the fittest in versatility. The way that these traits “get paid”, is that the shooter has to change targets in the course of fire to the extent of breaking position, a number of times.

Shoot, redeploy, shoot, redeploy, kind of like the real world.

 

[davidjoe]

Shoot, redeploy, shoot, redeploy, kind of like the real world.

Right, put them in the kind of course of fire that a guy using Fclass gear and high power scopes with a dot or cross-hairs is welcome to try, but can’t finish without getting very winded, if at all.

 

[David Milisock]

Right, put them in the kind of course of fire that a guy using Fclass gear and high power scopes with a dot or cross-hairs is welcome to try, but can’t finish without getting very winded, if at all.

There's all kinds of shooting sports and I respect them all. However becoming a rifleman is a much more physical experience.

Designing a course of fire that challenges the rifle, cartridge and the rifleman would be very interesting. I'd start with a 30 pound pack, a backup CQB rifle and ammunition, side arm and ammunition. Then your primary weapon, shoot and redeploy at various unknowns ranges, in a timed event, range finders allowed, 1 hit at each position.

This concept is why I like the modern AR chamberings, you can have a light capable self loading primary weapon and an even lighter CQB backup for up close and personal.

 

[drop_point]

Back in the infancy of PRS, there were some matches with stages like you describe. I remember one match in particular, you had to carry all range gear you brought with you, you had a pistol and had to run a course with a pistol, unsling your precision rifle, and engage from multiple positions. I think having room, safety concerns, and becoming more a "game" changed that.

I saw one dude fall apart with his Walther PPK trying to run the course. The match description required a pistol and the tiny CCW gun was all he had.

 

[Clancy]

I’d like to see a real Varmint or hunting rifle class.

Harris or Atlas bipods, 13.5 pound limit, 25X max, 2” max stock width, mag fed, etc.

That way, people could shoot BR without waiting years for a stock and then more years for a BR quality smith. You could also shoot without having a rifle dedicated to nothing but BR, which is a huge expense.

 

[Mulligan]

I’d like to see a real Varmint or hunting rifle class.

Harris or Atlas bipods, 13.5 pound limit, 25X max, 2” max stock width, mag fed, etc.

That way, people could shoot BR without waiting years for a stock and then more years for a BR quality smith. You could also shoot without having a rifle dedicated to nothing but BR, which is a huge expense.

Some ranges host a Factory Class, I believe it is still a sanctioned event?
This may attract some shooters in some areas of the country??? At Western Colorado, we hosted three or four matches, each attracting 0-2 shooters. I still have the second and third place awards in a box.

We are still looking for the right answer.

CW