why benchrest shooters have there scope mounted so high?

[Performance Shooting]

I'm new to benchrest and it seems everyone runs there scope super high off the barrel, why is that? and I'm looking for lower rings and I see Kebly's only offer's one very high option, so is there anyone out there offering a lower rings for the dovetail BR guns?

 

[Falfan2017]

They don’t like to bend their necks over to see the scope.

 

[Terry]

Clearance for the front of the scope.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its keeps your head up higher in a more comfortable position, it gets your cheek off the gun, you pick up less barrel heat migarge in the scope, and you have more room to run the bolt.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Comfort. Plus it gives you a better look at your windflags with the least amount of movement.

 

[CaptainMal]

Good question as even a different touch from your face on that stock can alter the vibration pattern of the entire rifle/barrel combination. Best you keep away from the rifle or make sure all contact points are identical for each shot.

That BS about "cheek weld" is a mistake for BR accuracy levels.

 

[Ranger188]

It's a little different for each BR shooter but, some put no pressure on the rifle except for trigger press.
So the higher rings gives them a better chance at not touching the rifle and disturbing the sight picture.
Some put some pressure at where they are comfortable. The more you influence the rifle with your input
the more chances of you pulling a shot.
Try a few things and see what works for you.

 

[boltman13]

Most benchrest shooters shoot free recoil and do not want their rifle touched by their cheek. Paralax at 100 and 200 yds can be a problem but once you learn to always place your eye in the correct place it really makes small groups smaller, at least for me.

 

[drano38]

On my long range rifle, the only way I'm going to have consistent contact with the rifle, is to have only the contact I need - trigger, and gentle butt stock on my shoulder. So the scope is up high to keep my cheek off the stock.

 

[Ron IA]

I do it to be able see better in the prescription of my glasses

 

[PatMiles]

Shooting free recoil, no hand, no cheek, only the middle of the first finger pad pressing gently straight back on the trigger blade.

 

[JMayo]

I have medium 2 screws harrell rings on one & medium 1single screws on another.

 

[kzin]

On my long range rifle, the only way I'm going to have consistent contact with the rifle, is to have only the contact I need - trigger, and gentle buttock on my shoulder. So the scope is up high to keep my cheek off the stock.

If I had more gentle buttocks to play with I'd never go shooting!

 

[Link]

If you use earmuffs they hit the stock.

Don

 

[R.Morehouse]

For SR BR I use high rings that are off-set as well. Easier to keep my fat face off the stock and I think once anyone would try the off-sets in SR BR you won't go back......

Regards
Rick

 

[drano38]

If I had more gentle buttocks to play with I'd never go shooting!

dang, spellcheck bit me on that one! How about butt stock?????

 

[Bill Norris]

dang, spellcheck bit me on that one! How about butt stock?????

LOL

 

[rardoin]

I'm new to benchrest and it seems everyone runs there scope super high off the barrel, why is that?

....because they don't want to possibly ever be confused with being a prone shooter....keeps their head held high...


signed: anonymous low life prone shooter

 

[Nature Boy]

dang, spellcheck bit me on that one! How about butt stock?????

I liked it better the other way. Change it back please

 

[ebb]

Alex hit the most important thing in his good list. "Keeps your cheek off the gun." Ive heard this many times from my benchrest guys, any thing that touches the gun can disrupt the gun and if your cheek is not touching the gun it can move unmolested in the bags and make a perfect shot. This is very important when shooting free recoil.