I'm hoping that like me others here are interested to hear the journey of others from how you got involved in rimfire bench rest and the twists and turns that got you to your involvement today.
It can be brief but preferably a detailed account of what rifles you've shot and your gear including changes over time and where you got too and your achievements.
I'm a knock about club shooter that started with a short term activity related to an award scheme though school which involved me taking up an outside school activity.
So I went to the local small bore rifle club which shot 20m prone in those days.
I participated for about 3 months learning and shooting completing the School requirements related to the award criteria but for whatever reason I never continued on with it even though I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Just young and stupid I guess
Having been interested in rabbit shooting with my Dad back then being about 13 years of age despite not having my own rifle I couldn't get enough of it. I loved shooting and hunting which has been my passion all my life.
Later in life I had 3 daughters of my own, who when they were in their early teens I took them to the same local range to familiarize them with handling and shooting a rifle.
They were popular personalities there and the range by then shot bench rest as well. We all shot bench and we all enjoyed it together and improved our skills. Many times both my girls outshot me.
With so many activities for the young ones they drifted to other interests in life but I was hooked good and proper and 15 years down the track I'm still at it and more passionate than ever.
Originally I shot the club rifles and occasionally got the use of a fellow club members rifle to shoot.
Mostly at our local club but we did compete every couple of months with 2 other clubs in the district shooting at distances of 20m, 50m and 90m in a three way club comp.
After couple years involvement I purchase a fellow club members rifle being at the time a 48 year old Walther KKM that he had used for prone.
I modified it with a flat 3inch fore-end plate and a cheap 10-40 Zos scope similar to the club scopes and had the barrel re- crowned. It shot exceptionally well for such a older rifle.
As a combination they worker really well considering the dollars outlaid.
I periodically upgraded to my own second hand Caldwell rest that eventually got it freshen up with a Greenlaw windage top which again I found my shooting improving on paper.
Later came a new Weaver T36 scope and at a club level by this time I was reasonably competitive and had entered a couple of annual State Postal Pennant competitions which our club competed in.
These usually involved about 180 shooters across the State clubs shooting 10 cards of 20 shots each at 20m.
I managed about 50th place which I considered acceptable at the time.
Over time my passion and competitiveness drove me towards even more expense. Having always been thrifty with my dollars I pursued value in the purchase of used over new which had served me well right through life.
I was terrified of buying my next rifle in case I was only to find it didn't shoot better than my ageing Walther but eventually I bit the bullet and bought a used virtually new Anschutz 2013BR50 at what was a good price against new.
Fortunately it shot very well and assisted me in being a better shot and even more driven to be competitive.
About 12 months after that rifle purchase I bought the original owners March scope, a 36-55 which was again as new not having been mounted and at a ripper price. It was another step up and a big improvement for my shooting.
By now, say 7-8 years involvement in bench rest I hadn't been shooting outside the local club environment other than the State Postal comps but had got considerably closer to the pointy end.
Driving me though this period was a couple of others club members that were very keen, very good shots and very competitive shooters who had also improved their gear but considerably quicker and more costly than the way I had gone.
These guys were always helpful. supportive and sharing in their advise and technical knowledge which has been a huge help which I have been most appreciative of.
Its been a terrific culture within the club which continues to this day and an inspiration.
In the last couple of years I upgraded the front rest to a Randolph rest, a barrel tuner and top end Ammunition as well as becoming more batch picky with the Lapua I was shooting.
2 years ago I made another rifle purchase and again being a near newish second hand Anschutz, this time a 54.30. More of an test purchase than out of need but hoping it was more accurate than the 2013BR50 which was a shooter.
Fortunately it turned out to be just that bit more accurate and again my shooting improved.
I should have mentioned that I was always able to sell my old equipment at a good price that helped fund the fun.
I had been going to comps by this time and placing in B grade events and the odd win while becoming more competitive in general. It was a slow process but I had a lot of enjoyment and loved the people involved in the sport.
More recently I made it to A grade in both 20m and 50m bench rest winning a couple of State Postals but
I'm yet to win at the bigger comps but I think I'm giving a few a scare.
In the last 12 months I ordered a custom build comprising of a 2500x action, Lilja barrel, Flarvio trigger a Harrel's tuner.
6 weeks ago I had it at the range and boy what a treasure. In that time I have shot 2 PB's and been very competitive in 2 bigger coms.
The journey's not over and hopping there's lots more fun to be had
It can be brief but preferably a detailed account of what rifles you've shot and your gear including changes over time and where you got too and your achievements.
I'm a knock about club shooter that started with a short term activity related to an award scheme though school which involved me taking up an outside school activity.
So I went to the local small bore rifle club which shot 20m prone in those days.
I participated for about 3 months learning and shooting completing the School requirements related to the award criteria but for whatever reason I never continued on with it even though I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Just young and stupid I guess
Having been interested in rabbit shooting with my Dad back then being about 13 years of age despite not having my own rifle I couldn't get enough of it. I loved shooting and hunting which has been my passion all my life.
Later in life I had 3 daughters of my own, who when they were in their early teens I took them to the same local range to familiarize them with handling and shooting a rifle.
They were popular personalities there and the range by then shot bench rest as well. We all shot bench and we all enjoyed it together and improved our skills. Many times both my girls outshot me.
With so many activities for the young ones they drifted to other interests in life but I was hooked good and proper and 15 years down the track I'm still at it and more passionate than ever.
Originally I shot the club rifles and occasionally got the use of a fellow club members rifle to shoot.
Mostly at our local club but we did compete every couple of months with 2 other clubs in the district shooting at distances of 20m, 50m and 90m in a three way club comp.
After couple years involvement I purchase a fellow club members rifle being at the time a 48 year old Walther KKM that he had used for prone.
I modified it with a flat 3inch fore-end plate and a cheap 10-40 Zos scope similar to the club scopes and had the barrel re- crowned. It shot exceptionally well for such a older rifle.
As a combination they worker really well considering the dollars outlaid.
I periodically upgraded to my own second hand Caldwell rest that eventually got it freshen up with a Greenlaw windage top which again I found my shooting improving on paper.
Later came a new Weaver T36 scope and at a club level by this time I was reasonably competitive and had entered a couple of annual State Postal Pennant competitions which our club competed in.
These usually involved about 180 shooters across the State clubs shooting 10 cards of 20 shots each at 20m.
I managed about 50th place which I considered acceptable at the time.
Over time my passion and competitiveness drove me towards even more expense. Having always been thrifty with my dollars I pursued value in the purchase of used over new which had served me well right through life.
I was terrified of buying my next rifle in case I was only to find it didn't shoot better than my ageing Walther but eventually I bit the bullet and bought a used virtually new Anschutz 2013BR50 at what was a good price against new.
Fortunately it shot very well and assisted me in being a better shot and even more driven to be competitive.
About 12 months after that rifle purchase I bought the original owners March scope, a 36-55 which was again as new not having been mounted and at a ripper price. It was another step up and a big improvement for my shooting.
By now, say 7-8 years involvement in bench rest I hadn't been shooting outside the local club environment other than the State Postal comps but had got considerably closer to the pointy end.
Driving me though this period was a couple of others club members that were very keen, very good shots and very competitive shooters who had also improved their gear but considerably quicker and more costly than the way I had gone.
These guys were always helpful. supportive and sharing in their advise and technical knowledge which has been a huge help which I have been most appreciative of.
Its been a terrific culture within the club which continues to this day and an inspiration.
In the last couple of years I upgraded the front rest to a Randolph rest, a barrel tuner and top end Ammunition as well as becoming more batch picky with the Lapua I was shooting.
2 years ago I made another rifle purchase and again being a near newish second hand Anschutz, this time a 54.30. More of an test purchase than out of need but hoping it was more accurate than the 2013BR50 which was a shooter.
Fortunately it turned out to be just that bit more accurate and again my shooting improved.
I should have mentioned that I was always able to sell my old equipment at a good price that helped fund the fun.
I had been going to comps by this time and placing in B grade events and the odd win while becoming more competitive in general. It was a slow process but I had a lot of enjoyment and loved the people involved in the sport.
More recently I made it to A grade in both 20m and 50m bench rest winning a couple of State Postals but
I'm yet to win at the bigger comps but I think I'm giving a few a scare.
In the last 12 months I ordered a custom build comprising of a 2500x action, Lilja barrel, Flarvio trigger a Harrel's tuner.
6 weeks ago I had it at the range and boy what a treasure. In that time I have shot 2 PB's and been very competitive in 2 bigger coms.
The journey's not over and hopping there's lots more fun to be had
Last edited: