I developed my benchrest rifle to shoot 600 to 1000 yds and have used bullets intended for precision shooting at these distances. However, the 1000 yd range near me closed and there are no other 1000 yd ranges within reasonable distance. The only other ranges near me are 100 to 200 yds and only one of them has regularly scheduled matches for precision benchrest shooting at these 100 to 200 yd distances. My benchrest rifle is 6.5 x 47 Lapua, barrel is Krieger 26" with 8.5" twist and I usually have shot Berger 130-140gr HPBT bullets in Lapua 6.5 cases for the 600 - 1000 yd distances. However, now that I will be shooting 100 to 200 yd matches and many of the shooters shoot <0.25 MOA, which caliber, barrel twist, bullet design and weight should I change to to compete? All comments are welcome.
Which caliber, bullets and barrel twist to use for 100 yd precision Benchrest matches
- Thread starter Cassidy
- Start date
Group shooting or score shooting?
6Shotsor5: they score shoot. I am also interested in the group shooting matches at 100-200yds at ranges somewhat more distant from where I am.
MikeCR: a number of the shooters at the 100 yd matches shoot 30BR because the larger caliber gives them a small advantage (largerbullet hole diameter on the target) over the smaller calibers in the score matches. I havn't seen 6PPC used in the 100 yd matches (shooting for score).
MikeCR: a number of the shooters at the 100 yd matches shoot 30BR because the larger caliber gives them a small advantage (largerbullet hole diameter on the target) over the smaller calibers in the score matches. I havn't seen 6PPC used in the 100 yd matches (shooting for score).
30BR would be the better option for score shoots. Plus your bolt face will work if you’re trying to repurpose your current setup. Weight is 13.5 lb though so that might be an issue. 17 or 18 twist is typical because the bullets are light for caliber. I use a 117 grain custom bullet and a 17 twist Kreiger barrel. Most of the other guys are using the same or a 30 dasher.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
I’ve bought a few used guns that came with a 30 br barrel and a 6ppc barrel. Seems other guys were doing both score and group with the same gun and just switching barrels. Pretty good way to go, economically speaking. I had a Hall set up that way. The previous owner had rebated the rims on the 30br brass to fit better in the ppc bolt face.
Lots of great info for 6PPC and 30BR available on cartridge pages off the main page for this site. Main page:
6PPC page:
30BR page:
6PPC page:
30BR page:
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Get yourself a used 6ppc light varmint (10.5lbs) and very importantly get one with a currently produced action that wins. Then get an actual benchrest gunsmith to put on a mainstream 13.5 twist barrel and get some 65-68gr bullets and some n133 powder. You can go win a score match or a group match anywhere you want to go.
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
You haven't told us about your rifle. As well as weight restrictions there are stock dimension requirements for registered matches.
JEFFPPC
Gold $$ Contributor
That is a good point, if he is shoot ing registered matches. There are far more club style matches than registered matches.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
With todays components, it is fairly easy to assemble a rifle that falls within the regulations contained within the IBS/NBRSA rules If your principle aim is to compete in 100/200/300 yard Benchrest style competitions,
The vast majority of “Club Matches” follow the same format as a Registered Match, ie, time limits, safety considerations, even the level of competition. The Rifles used are as a consequence just about the same as what you would find at any event.
At our “Club Matches”, shooters shoot Benchrest Rifles. That not only includes the Rifle, but the bullets, the cases, the bench equipment, and all of the techniques required in compelling one bullet to take the exact same path as the one before, or in the Score format, hit that darned dot.
We do have a Factory and a Modified Class, but the participation is scarce. Most want to compete against the best.
Build a 6PPC or a 30BR. That wheel has been invented, and it rolls pretty darned straight.
The vast majority of “Club Matches” follow the same format as a Registered Match, ie, time limits, safety considerations, even the level of competition. The Rifles used are as a consequence just about the same as what you would find at any event.
At our “Club Matches”, shooters shoot Benchrest Rifles. That not only includes the Rifle, but the bullets, the cases, the bench equipment, and all of the techniques required in compelling one bullet to take the exact same path as the one before, or in the Score format, hit that darned dot.
We do have a Factory and a Modified Class, but the participation is scarce. Most want to compete against the best.
Build a 6PPC or a 30BR. That wheel has been invented, and it rolls pretty darned straight.
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Then there's me and @Fuj.
I had to follow my own thing and go different than what everyone else is shooting.
Myself, i chose the 250 Savage for my bench rest build.
Fuj is going pure wildcat on a modified 284 case.
Not saying there's a darn thing wrong with the cartridges already listed!
But we don't all drive the same make/model of car either.
And while yes, i'm doing a bench rest build, i do enjoy shooting factory class.
Mind you i shoot local only, and have ZERO aspirations of shooting at a national level.
I had to follow my own thing and go different than what everyone else is shooting.
Myself, i chose the 250 Savage for my bench rest build.
Fuj is going pure wildcat on a modified 284 case.
Not saying there's a darn thing wrong with the cartridges already listed!
But we don't all drive the same make/model of car either.
And while yes, i'm doing a bench rest build, i do enjoy shooting factory class.
Mind you i shoot local only, and have ZERO aspirations of shooting at a national level.
Just to dip my toes in the short range BR waters I picked up a gently used rifle from Bob White on the Shooters Corner site. He always has some nice rifles to choose from. Like Std7mag I have no delusions of ever shooting at a national level and the rifle I acquired is fine for club level competition
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