new guy want to start shooting benchrest

T

twally

Guest
Hello,
I am new to precision shooting, and very interested and have lots of questions but don't know where to even begin or who to ask so I hoped to get a few answers here.

I really don't have a lot of experience shooting rifles, and only own a few, but would like to start bench rest shooting.

The next thing is, can I get started with one of the stock out of box guns I own with out having to put lots of money into it right away? I would think that any shooting will be good practice. and then if all goes good up grade to better equip.

And where and who can I contact to stop by a range or an event to see and talk to people involved in the sport?

I live in northern Ill near Rockford, ILL

Thank you Todd W.
 
varmint for score shoot this weekend in ST.Louis,,us Illinois boys from mid state will be there...:)

you can bring your factory gun out to play this game..
come on over..
 
Twally,
Being a relative newbie I can tell you that once you get going in this sport it is a slippery slope with no end to ups and downs and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. There is a piece of advice that you have already touched on in your post that is more valuable than anything...when you find the nearest range that offers BR tournaments go to it and just tell anyone there that you are here for your first match. My guess is that you'll be inundated with information and probably offered to shoot a spare gun (I always bring an extra set-up for just such an occasion).
As far as using an "out-of -the-box" gun for learning there really is no substitute for the real thing. You can purchase a used bench gun and if things don't seem to fit for you you'll be able to sell it for nearly what you paid for it. There are always some great deals in the classifieds section here or at shooterscorner.com. If you aren't able to go that route a good factory gun will get you in the match and let you get a taste of what the format is like, but you'll always wonder if it was you or the gun that popped that shot out high and right!
Have you had experience with reloading centerfire rifles before? You'll need to have some experience with it or get a good mentor (number two best piece of advice...find someone who has done this before and listen to them) to learn the nuances of the reloading process.
There are some great books available to help blunt the learning curve a little bit: Mike Ratigan, Tony Boyer, Precision shooting reloading manual, and get yourself a few popular reloading manuals (sierra, hornady, speer, etc...). The first two references are directly related to benchrest shooting. I have read and reread these books and each range session I come back and read about a problem I had and try to make fewer mistakes each time I go out.

There is a lot of good information right on this site as well, and if you do a search for a topic of interest there is probably a good thread or two that will fill the bill.
Hope you can make it out to a match and enjoy your time there.

Good luck to you and have fun!
Mike
 
Before you make a major investment in a rig and equipment I would check on ranges first. Since I used to live in Illinois I have seen more ranges close than open. I think benchrest has dried up in Ill. and you would need to travel to Michigan or other neighboring states. Check on the NBSRA and IBS websites for participating clubs closet to you.
 
KEITH MYERS said:
Before you make a major investment in a rig and equipment I would check on ranges first. Since I used to live in Illinois I have seen more ranges close than open. I think benchrest has dried up in Ill. and you would need to travel to Michigan or other neighboring states. Check on the NBSRA and IBS websites for participating clubs closet to you.
Click to expand...

Keith where'd you get your avatar?

I think I have that pic on a shirt

al
 
I have a Brownells "Gunsmith kinks" book from the early '70's that has that picture in it. If I can find the book, perhaps I can see the originol Artist name.

Every "Gunsmith Kinks" edition had cartoons featuring that same art work with different themes.

As to the originol posters questions, I am beginning to advise shooters that if you know very little about Benchrest, the best thing to do is get to a Match and see for yourself how all of this comes together, and why we do what we do. It is a case where a picture is worth a thousand words.

Even if you have to drive a distance, or even fly, it will be worth your while in saved time and money in the long run.........jackie
 
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St. Louis, MO and Holton, MI are both around 5.5 hrs from where you are at, evansville, indiana is just shy of 7hrs and WWCCA in Michigan is around 6.5hrs. Hook up with Jim (JHart) and Skeetlee on here, they will give you solid advice. The most important thing I can tell you, is to listen to those who do. It will save you money in the long run if you decide to enjoy this sport. If you don't reload, I would start with a factory rifle shooting score. Then decide from there what you want to do. Just remember, when in doubt, keep it simple.

Hovis
 
Al, My avatar was scanned from the Bob Pease collection. I was wondering where that picture actually originated from.
 
Todd.
I think the nearest club to you that holds short range center fire benchrest is just a few miles southwest of the
Quad Cities. Address is:
Oak Hills Gun Club
12364 Coon Hunters Rd.
Blue Grass, IowA 52726

Cecil Peterson is the contact person.
email: peterson1@mchsi.com
 
Todd
Welcome to benchrest
At Oak Hill Gun club we shoot group matches the 3rd Sunday of the month starting this year in April 17
We shoot factory guns or traditional BR guns your choice.
Call or contact me and I'll send you a schedule of matches
Call me if you have any questions
Cecil Peterson
Davenport, Iowa
563-359-1988
e-mail==peterson1@mchsi.com
 
Less than 2 hours away

I live in northern Ill near Rockford, ILL

Todd
Looks like your 75 miles from our range (as the crow flies)--Interstate all the way
Like for you come and shoot with us or if you prefere just come and watch.
Havent heard from you and thought I would re-contact you and tell you are welcome.
!st match is April 17, 2011
Cecil Peterson
 
And where and who can I contact to stop by a range or an event to see and talk to people involved in the sport?

I live in northern Ill near Rockford, ILL

Thank you Todd W.[/QUOTE]

I think the nearest club to you that holds short range center fire benchrest is just a few miles southwest of the
Quad Cities. Address is:
Oak Hills Gun Club
12364 Coon Hunters Rd.
Blue Grass, IowA 52726
There are a number of ranges in the area that would welcome you with open arms. Oak Hills is your closest and Doc Peterson runs a real stand up operation.

And the next closest range to you is Van Dyne, WI which is not even in my region, but I shoot Hunter Bench Rest there every chance I get to. FYI, Illinois is in the Mississippi Valley Region of the NBRSA. The only 2 ranges that are holding matches in MV are Van Dyne and St. Louis BR Club. The St Louis range is about 6 hours from Downtown Rockford.

All that said, give me a call as well. I am the North Central region director for the NBRSA and can give you a lot of contacts beyond what has been here so far. My cell is 515-556-5833. Welcome to the insanity.

David
 
As Mike Suhie points out, it can become a very slippery slope indeed, but a very enjoyable one none the less. If you're looking for some very reliable information as well as some very entertaining reading, I would suggest you pick up a copy of Warren Page's book, The Accurate Rifle.

Ford42
 
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