Beginners take on Benchrest

CYanchycki

CYanchycki

Club Coordinator
Well here is my take from a beginners perspective.

There is all this talk about tuners, moisture, flippers, etc. etc. It is all interesting and some of it WAY above my education levels. I read it but realize that I should not. I am new to the sport and have a lot more to learn with just a rifle than all these possible tuning problems.

What advice is there out there for the beginner who starts reading all this info and starts to get brain overload? I understand attend a match. I will be attending my first the end of this month. In other words I am looking for some KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID advice.


Calvin
 
Practice as much as possible, over the same flags that you will be using at a match. Keep a notebook of your observations during practice, so that you will not forget the lessons learned, or load data, including the temperature and humidity. Between matches, you can practice your powder measure technique with a scale to check your results. If you have a problem and are looking for some advice on this board, give complete information as to your setup and situation, and you will get a lot of good help. Good luck, and have fun.
Boyd
 
Calvin

You should keep in mind that a lot of the stuff you read on this Forum is posted by people who do not even shoot Competitive Benchrest. So, you be the judge.
Here is my best advice, from someone who DOES shoot Competitve Benchrest.
Get you a mentor, that is able to make two bullets touch on a regular basis. Then, find out exactly what he is shooting, and copy it. Right down to every detail. You know the combination will work, so you are miles ahead, leaving your efforts to learning all of the other things that make a successful Competitor,such as bench technique, wind reading, etc. You will have plenty of time in the future to start experimenting, and getting confused.
You want to keep it simple?? Avoid the gimik of the moment. I shoot the same thing, all of the time, Same brand of barrel, same powder, same charge,(+- a few tenths), same bullet, same seating depth, same neck tension. I have a Combination that seems to agg on a fairly consistant basis over a wide range of conditions, and I avoid the temptation to mess with it just because I shoot a bad group. My favorite Rifle is built on a late 1996 vintage Farley. Heck, it doesn't even eject.
Of course, I also have that tuner, of my own design, on the end of that barrel. But that is a different subject.
Keep it simple?? It doesn't get much more simple than that.
And, I have been known to make two bullets touch, on occasion........jackie
 
Boyd, you are assuming a lot. I would expect a true beginner to come with preloaded ammo, probably a Caldwell rest and mushy rear bag, a factory actioned rifle with a rounded forend, no flags, and no idea where he wants to hold on the target.

That was me in March of 07. The hardest thing I had to overcome that day was the feeling of total isolation. Didn't know a soul although everyone was friendly. I felt like a guy with a Formula Vee showing up at an F1 race. I mostly observed the experienced shooters. It was a real educational experience.

At the second event the feeling of isolation was just about gone and I had added a BR stock and scope to my Savage and actually shot a 50-5x [ we alternate between score and group ].

The main thing is to GO and SHOOT. Expect to finish last. Expect to feel conspicuous which is normal the first time you do anything new. Observe what the experienced shooters are doing and feel free to ask questions. Tell them you are new and make sure they give you a little safety and format talk before the match begins.

Nobody is born knowing this stuff so realize you have a lot to learn. Having a lot to learn is something I look forward to in a new endeavour.

Good luck
 
Calvin, just like you, I am a beginner in BR shooting.
I would take all of the Jackie's advise, such as avoid the "gimmick" of the moment, shoot the same thing all of the time, right down to every detail etc, and has a good mentor or some.
By the time, I am sure you would also know which ones give you right/make sense inputs, and which ones don't. All of he said..I find all true.
Just one thing frrom my very LITTLE experience: buy the right (or top of the line) equipments! They are always good investment. (instead you can make good stuffs by yourself and like to tinker with things, that's another matter).

Oh, another thing, just like crb said above...you might be better to expect finish at about the bottom of the list. It is much much better than expecting too high but found you're about the bottom. Done that, been there before, lol.

seb.
(the most unexperienced & the dumbest shooter in the SS 2008).:D
 
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jackie schmidt said:
You should keep in mind that a lot of the stuff you read on this Forum is posted by people who do not even shoot Competitive Benchrest. So, you be the judge.
Click to expand...

And there is a bunch more posted by people, like myself, who shoot competitive benchrest but not competitively. ;)
 
Jackie's got it right as usual....

When I first started shooting BR, I showed up at my first supershoot completely lost. Knew no one, brand new unfired BR rig. One of the first people I met was Ed Watson and he spent most of that supershoot explaining things to me. I had no idea who he was and I must have been the only one there who didn't. The first thing Ed told me was "don't overcomplicate". BR is very simplistic and easy if you understand that it's not rocket science. There is no holy grail of BR. Listen to what Jackie said, most new shooters I try to introduce to BR think that you have to be a Doctor, lawyer or sometype of PHD to understand the techiques and rifles used because they shoot so darn accurately but that is not the case. My ten year old daughter has been doing most of my loading for me for the last three years. I can tell no difference between my loads and hers. I just tell her what to do and I inspect prior to seating. Her and my son (who's two years older), loaded ALL my ammo at the supershoot a few years ago when I finished 6th in HV 100 and 9th in HV grand. They also do most of my cleaning and gun prep (disassymbly & cleaning of bolt, lube locking lugs,etc.). This is a very simple game. The hardest part to learn (other than flag reading) is to recognize when you have an equipment or bench technique problem. One thing I found to be helpful was to video record myself while at the range and then view myself. You would be suprised to see why some of your shots don't go in the group !!!

Hovis
 
I am new as well and I recommend getting a book called The Benchrest Shooting Primer from Sinclair Intl. It covers every subject you could ever have a question on, from set up of the rest, reading wind and mirage, developing loads, and the equipment you really need to get started. It opened up a whole new world to me when I discovered that my shots werent going into the group because I was aiming at the wrong spot. :eek:
 
Thanks guys.

I just think I needed reassurance to not get caught up in all the hype, gizmo's and gadgets.

I think I have a good start on quality equipment it is just all this talk that gets overwhelming.

Bat action and rings, Weaver scope, SG&Y stock, Jewell trigger. Sinclair rest with a new Shadetree top that I should have in a couple weeks. Cordura front bag, Protektor rear bag. Timer, humidity/temp gauge. Harrell powder dispenser that I have practiced lots of powder dumps on. Wilson bullet seater with mic top. K&M arbor press. RCBS partner press for sizing die. Wilson case trimmer. The required measuring gadgets. etc. etc.

I have the Benchrest Primer and Ratigans book.

VV133 powder, Lapua brass, great Cdn made bullets whose mentor is a bullet maker in the NW USA.

Corplast windflags that I made myself with delrin posts and Steel pointed pivot pins. Snuffy tails. etc. etc

Just need to spend more time behind the gun instead of saying I should go out but...........

Oh yah, then there is my 10 year old daughter who requires more attention right now than shooting ever will. In time I will have more timefor shooting. Now I have to make sure she gets into this world on the right track.

Calvin
 
Calvin ...

Join a club with benchrest matches if possible. Compete just for the fun of it. Shoot to beat your "own scores or groups." Little by little you will improve if you invest some time. Find some good shooters and a mentor if you can and ask lots of questions. Read the threads here. Don't set any deadlines for yourself. Things will evolve naturally. You'll learn through osmosis. Most of all have fun! Art
 
CYanchycki said:
I just think I needed reassurance to not get caught up in all the hype, gizmo's and gadgets.

I think I have a good start on quality equipment it is just all this talk that gets overwhelming.

Bat action and rings, Weaver scope, SG&Y stock, Jewell trigger. Sinclair rest with a new Shadetree top that I should have in a couple weeks. Cordura front bag, Protektor rear bag. Timer, humidity/temp gauge. Harrell powder dispenser that I have practiced lots of powder dumps on. Wilson bullet seater with mic top. K&M arbor press. RCBS partner press for sizing die. Wilson case trimmer. The required measuring gadgets. etc. etc.

I have the Benchrest Primer and Ratigans book.

VV133 powder, Lapua brass, great Cdn made bullets whose mentor is a bullet maker in the NW USA.

Corplast windflags that I made myself with delrin posts and Steel pointed pivot pins. Snuffy tails. etc. etc

Just need to spend more time behind the gun instead of saying I should go out but...........

Oh yah, then there is my 10 year old daughter who requires more attention right now than shooting ever will. In time I will have more timefor shooting. Now I have to make sure she gets into this world on the right track.

Calvin
Click to expand...

If I recall correctly, Dominique Savage was 9 or 10 when this picture was taken. http://sgbenchrest.com/page6.html And she won a relay!! Start your daughter young, but be aware she'll probably woop your butt.

Small ones.

Mike
 
Calvin

I too am a beginner, working on my second year.

I echo the advice to find a mentor, they can save your a fortune in unneeded equipment and help you on the learning curve.

I am very fortunate to live in Midland, TX, we have a core of good shooters who really want to help bring people into the sport. In my case, I actually have 5 mentors, one with his very own tunnel. These fine folks are the reason I keep plugging along.

Practice over the flags, develop your tuning skills and most importantly ask questions.

This site has some really good advice but there is quite a bit of stuff that really adds to the confusion. My advice, ignore it and trust the folks you shoot with. Lately I visit this board more for a chuckle since I have no idea about half the stuff discussed.

Last thing, try another powder. I know N133 is shot by a lot of the top shooters, but it can be a bear to keep in tune, especially if you live in a place with little humidity. I started with it, but recently traded it for something that is easier to stay on top of. Currently I am playing with 322x and have found it is very stable over a wide variety of conditions. 4198 works well for me and I am going to test benchmark soon.

Just the .02 of another rookie

John

p.s. If you are able I highly recommend seeing if you can get together with Gene Beggs for a few days. I met him at a match last year and he invited me to his facility. I was able to use different types of rests and bags and he quickly taught me how to prepare brass, find a tune and refine bench skills. Gene is a natural teacher, loves to share and will save you a fortune in time and money. His facility is breathtaking and you will leave with confidence in your rifle and much tighter aggs.
 
Go to matches a day.....

or two early...Ask questions and watch the shooters. You will be surprised how many top BR shooters will be willing to get you "infected". There are many ideas and methods out there, just ask yourself what will work for me ? I know living in Canada, away from some matches may be tough, so listen a LOT and don't buy "gimmicks" yet. When taking advice the mental question to remember is: From one of my mentors "Does he win"

"Snuffy"
 
Calvin, one thing that I have heard from several good shooters is to keep it as simple as possible. Practice in every kind of weather and conditions possible. This is a game of constant learning and fun.
 
First of all, you certainly have it right by wanting to keep it simple. The main things to focus on are tuning,keeping it tune, and wind reading. Those are the 2 biggest things to focus on as they are the downfall of EVERY benchrest competitor at some point. Keep your focus on those 2 things, and you'll be just fine. Have good equipment, and a couple barrels, and shoot, shoot, shoot!!!! lol.

Matthew S Keller

Also, read Glenn Newick's "Ultimate in Rifle Accuracy" and Precision Shooting's "Benchrest Shooting Primer". Both are great sources of information.
 
You hit

H."Snuffy"Smith said:
There are many ideas and methods out there, just ask yourself what will work for me ? I know living in Canada, away from some matches may be tough, so listen a LOT and don't buy "gimmicks" yet. When taking advice the mental question to remember is: From one of my mentors "Does he win"

"Snuffy"
Click to expand...

the nail on the head Snuffy. Living in Canada is the biggest downfall of Benchrest shooting as I see it especially Manitoba. We have GREAT fishing and hunting though.

Finding someone as a mentor that is very active in the sport is the hardest thing to do living in Manitoba. We are few and the shooters in the western part of Canada are FAR from Manitoba. I understand there are a few shooters in Manitoba but have never met them. Hope 2 in about 3 weeks at my first shoot. I feel as if my learning at the present time is relagated to long distance learning via the internet and e-mailing some of the shooters in Alberta. My correspondence with the shooters in the west has been very helpful. I just hope they are not overly annoyed with my constant questions.

I just may have to plan a vacation around attending one of the benchrest schools in the US. I would really welcome and enjoy the experience. Maybe a trip to the south and a winter vacation for a few days at the Beggs tunnel is in order???????

Thanks again fellows,
Calvin
 
calvin has some good equipment

and should finish middle of the pack at the western canadians

(if he keeps his head down and watches his flags and talks to no one about how they are doing, and does not look at the results as there will be those who shoot a good one and those who shoot a bad one)

just keep calm, breathe deeply, wait for 30 seconds before starting your group and you will be fine.

I will arrive late, wanted to be there a few days beforehand but no such luck.

load away from the mouthy ones and just try to shoot reasonable groups and clavin may be surprised.

Happens to all of us, our interest takes over when experience does not.

Jeff
 
I have traded

FBecigneul said:
Take a trip to London, Ontario and meet Bill Gammon. As Canadians go, he's as good as you'll find, or organize a match in Manitoba and "he will come".
Bill makes many or most of the big American shoots and has been a frequent or constant member of the Canada World Team. There are a lot of good Canadian shooters in the London area and I'm betting they owe their success to Bill Gammon. Before you Canadians jump on my back, the part of Bill being good, "as Canadians go", is not a jab. Don't fall for his "I don't know nuthin bout that" line. He knows.
Click to expand...

a few e-mails with him and he has told me it straight about separating the BS from the non BS.
 
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