Recently retired and looking to get into the benchrest game

Wilbur said:
You mentioned in your post - "until my skill improves enough". Well, that's what folks think to begin with but it's the rifle that holds all the skill. If the rifle is not capable of winning you simply can't. Yes, two rifles having the same capability....one will beat the other based on the shooter's choice of when to pull the trigger but it's really, really difficult to beat a better rifle regardless of the shooter.

You may have the better rifle! I'm just saying that if you don't place well it's not you but rather the rifle. Never give up trying to improve your rifle. Buy in for the long term and never think that it's you because it ain't. It could be but not likely....



Wilbur, Has given the best advice and as much as most people will not or do not believe it. It is true you will not shoot a .15xx agg. with a .22xx capable gun and no Tony will not shot a 15xx agg. with a gun that is only giving you .25xx aggs. equipment, equipment, equipment as they used to say in my younger days when into sprint cars horsepowers costs how fast would do you want to go....
Click to expand...
 
Well, I'm just saying a.267 agg won it and i think they were shooting their best guns,----or maybe I read that wrong.
 
I appreciate all your comments...

and agree that I should not hesitate to field the very best equipment that I can. I've followed that philosophy my entire shooting career and have done very well. However, now that I'm financially constrained I have to change my approach just a bit. Here is how I look at it:
a. I've never tried benchrest shooting, and while I'm more than familiar with the basics (shooting extensively from the bench when developing match ammo for my Cross the Course and Prone guns), I know from my own research and from this and other benchrest forums that there is really no comparison.
b. That said I'm not willing at this time to sink a large sum of money into new and better equipment unless and until I decide to get into benchrest in a serious manner.
c. I'm forced therefore to "run what I brung" and that means guns that I'm familiar with and I know shoot well.
d. That's also why I'm going to shoot for score and not group, and at 600 yards to start. My intent is to also shoot F Class at that distance, using the same guns and much of the same equipment.

After this year, having had the opportunity to shoot in a few matches (bench and F Class both), I'll be in a better position to decide what direction I want to go. I leave myself open to shifting to shooting for group and buying what new equipment I need to do so, but the expenditure will be based on what guns I sell and how much I then have to spend.

I'm here to listen, to learn and to get involved in that order so please keep the comments coming.

Keith
 
Ok, to simplicicate benchrest as we generally discuss on this site;

There is rimfire and centerfire:

In rimfire there are three major sanctions IR 50/50. ARA and PSL.
-all use the same equipment but slightly different targets and slightly different rules.
-generally the same ammo, 22 rf match quality.
-7#, 10.5# and Unlimited.

In centerfire, short range and long range;
-In short range there is group and score and ranges common are 100, 200, and 300 yards.
-Common chamberings for group is the 6PPC. for score the 6PPC and a couple of short 30 cals.
-weight classes 10.5#, 13.5# and the railgun of unlimited weight.

In long range:
-the 600 yard game and the 1,000 yard game, both scored as group and score on the same target.
=weight classes of 17# and over 17#.
-common chamberings 6BR, 6 Dasher and whatever you brung!!

IMO, none of what you already have will fit unless the Hall/McMillan in 13.5 and 17# depending on the barrel weight and length.

Go to some shoots and see what is used and think about trading the barrel blanks you have for 6MM 14 twist for short range or 8, 9, or 10 for 600 yard and 1,000 yard. Trade your 30 cal for a 30 cal 18 twist for short range score or 8 or 9 twist for VLD bullets for 600 or 1,000 yards.

Again, IMO, since you have shot a lot of competition you expect to win some or place well. Start in one of the above games with the gear that will give you a chance.

As to reloading, forget all you knew other than where the primer goes and where the bullet goes. IDPA. IPSC, CXC, all are crude compared to what it takes to win in benchrest. For example, in most benchrest games just moving the bullet in or out 0.005" can make or kill a tune!
 
Last edited:
geo.ulrich said:
Charlie, What that says is the .15xx guns where given a .267 conditions....
Click to expand...

My .15 gun shot a .5 on the first LV100 target holding on the mothball. It shot a .145 on the next target holding on the black square, then between mirage and wind it all went to hell/ My very last target, LV200 #5 I had a .255 in 4 then the 5th went out to make it a .8. Me did that? The wind did that? It went directly downwind!!
 
Retirees

We got two retirees taking the plunge,in the same week. We may be looking for new blood in all the wrong places.

We may need to contact AARP and ask to borrow their mailing list.:D



Glenn
 
Chism G said:
We got two retirees taking the plunge,in the same week. We may be looking for new blood in all the wrong places.

We may need to contact AARP and ask to borrow their mailing list.:D



Glenn
Click to expand...

Glenn, we may be. Part of the issue for getting new shooters in our game is centerfire benchrest is too time consuming and too expensive for young folks trying to raise a family. Just the expenses this last week for me, gas $350, shooting fee $200, camping $60. This does not include bullets-$280/box, primers-$60/carton, gun and scope-about $3500 and my food. Oh, and powder $180/jug. (and a donation to the NRA to fight off the gun grabbers who own the US GOP Congress now!!)
 
JerrySharrett said:
Glenn, we may be. Part of the issue for getting new shooters in our game is centerfire benchrest is too time consuming and too expensive for young folks trying to raise a family. Just the expenses this last week for me, gas $350, shooting fee $200, camping $60. This does not include bullets-$280/box, primers-$60/carton, gun and scope-about $3500 and my food. Oh, and powder $180/jug. (and a donation to the NRA to fight off the gun grabbers who own the US GOP Congress now!!)
Click to expand...


Yes Jerry...and the return on this investment is???..Friends and Fun. The season just kicked off. "There are many miles to go and more money to spend before you sleep" Don't you just love it?




Glenn
 
Chism G said:
Yes Jerry...and the return on this investment is???..Friends and Fun. The season just kicked off. "There are many miles to go and more money to spend before you sleep" Don't you just love it?




Glenn
Click to expand...

I shot registered ATA Trap for about 12 years and won some money. It was not uncommon to come back from the Grand American with a few thousand in winnings? Benchrest, "come get your money", a couple of hundred if you are lucky!!

I had a trap gun and a shoulder bag for the gloves, glasses, ammo, etc. and that was it. It took Jeff and I over an hour just to put the stuff up we had outside under the awning and pack up the wind flags and poles!!

But yes Glenn, I do love it!!
 
Update

I've decided to have Dale Woolum barrel my Hall B with a .284" Schneider barrel and chamber it in 284 Winchester. Until that happens I'm using a rifle I recently picked up. I recently bought a used Remington 40XB KS in 7.62 NATO. Built in 1991, the owner shot it a total of 604 rounds before putting it away in his safe for almost 25 years before selling it to me a few months ago. While he shot only reloads, I'm shooting only match ball. So far I've tried Federal XM118LR which the gun seems to like the best, but I've also tried M852 Match and M118 Match, both with 168 grain Sierra Match King bullets at a nominal 2550fps velocity. Here is the rifle:




I'm using a Weaver 24X target scope with 1/8MOA adjustments and a 1/8MOA dot.

These are groups I shot a few weeks ago.



And those I shot yesterday.



Groups were shot from a Caldwell pedestal mount and a rabbit ear rear bag with a hard hold, not allowing the gun to free recoil.

The first shot was from a cold clean barrel at 100 yards. The group below it are the first 5 shots and measures .292". The group at the top measures .568" with four going into .260". The last shot was pushed right when I was not paying enough attention to my cheek pressure.

I've been practicing about one or two times a week for the last month and really see the progress.

Keith
 
Keith
The last 4 groups you posted (discounting the one 1st shot) scream to me you must not be using wind flags. They show almost total horizontal dispersion. Considering you are shooting factory loads the rifle looks like it might be a reasonable shooter. Some Surveyors tape and some coat hangers will make some starter flags for around $5.
Dick
 
Yes that is very good for factory ammo but does show how the wind picking up shoves the bullets to the side. Good shooting tho and very nice gun
 
Took the 40XB to the range today

Made it to the range today and got in three groups of 5 shots each using Federal Gold Medal Match (FGMM) with the 168 grain Sierra Match King (SMK) and two groups of 5 shots each with Federal XM118LR with the Sierra 175 grain SMK. Conditions were hot, muggy, bright, calm - overall perfect.

The range at Rivanna Rod and Gun Club, Charlottesville, VA


Group 1: Cold clean bore shot shown.


Group 2


Group 3


Group 4


Group 5 - It was obviously time to pack it in


I see definite improvement in that my fliers are fewer in number and less extreme in terms of distance from the center of the group.
 
Dusty Stevens said:
Keep having fun and itll get even better!
Click to expand...

Dusty,
I had that very thought in mind last week when I shot this group.



The first three went into the same hole at upper left. After the third shot, I said to myself "I got this". Then shots 4 and 5 decided to do their own thing. I'm quickly coming to understand that this crazy game you guys have sucked me into is a LOT more challenging than I ever believed. Interestingly, what I'm learning is making my other rifle shooting better as well.

Keith
 
Good shooting. But, and there always seems to be a but, you're not causing those shots to go "out". It's the rifle. Sure, every now and then a rifle will scare you like that but a couple more shots and you're back in reality. It does seem to be a pretty good rifle given the cartridge it shoots! Pretty good indeed...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top