Bench Rest vs Field Target rifles

[.375@50]

Recently viewed World postal results for October, just wondering why Walther, FWB, and Anschutz have the glory when it comes to shooting BR inside. Where as Steyrs have dominated the Field Target arena outside. What is it about the Steyrs that they don't lend themselves to success in BR and the above mentioned three haven't been successful outside. Don't figure!

 

[Brian_K]

Recently viewed World postal results for October, just wondering why Walther, FWB, and Anschutz have the glory when it comes to shooting BR inside. Where as Steyrs have dominated the Field Target arena outside. What is it about the Steyrs that they don't lend themselves to success in BR and the above mentioned three haven't been successful outside. Don't figure!

Hi and Welcome,

The October BIPM postals are just a snapshot, so may be a little misleading with regards equipment performance. At the European Championships/World Cup earlier this year it was generally felt (no equipment lists published) that the Walther rifles (LG300/400 + Anschuz 9003) were the most dominant (both events shot outside).

Steyrs used to do well in air rifle benchrest, but of late seem to have fallen behind (there are of course the odd exceptions). Field Target is a different game, whereby the “ultimate accuracy” is not necessarily the top priority, comfort/fit of the rifle and scope choice/range finding ability probably been given higher importance.

Eventually I think we will see more of the pure target rifles making a greater showing in world benchrest competitions, but as you can buy two FT rifles for the cost of one LG400 (for example) it may take a while.

Please understand this is just my view of the game, others will certainly have theirs.

Brian

 

[DanB]

Howdy Dave, good to see you posting here. I use to think that as long as the velocity was consistent that it was just a matter of the barrel and pellet combination that determined accuracy. Results of late have me considering the action as a bigger player.
Dan

Recently viewed World postal results for October, just wondering why Walther, FWB, and Anschutz have the glory when it comes to shooting BR inside. Where as Steyrs have dominated the Field Target arena outside. What is it about the Steyrs that they don't lend themselves to success in BR and the above mentioned three haven't been successful outside. Don't figure!

 

[Brian_K]

I use to think that as long as the velocity was consistent that it was just a matter of the barrel and pellet combination that determined accuracy. Results of late have me considering the action as a bigger player.
Dan

+1

Dedicated target rifles (Walther, Anschutz, FWB etc) once modified to the desired power level, seem to be performing very well.

The common factor between these rifles is they have some inbuilt vibration damping system and the air is supplied direct to the rear of the pellet.

Brian

 

[Pete Wass]

From my experience

with CF and RF rifles, I believe actions aren't a a big player in the accuracy picture. I wonder about bedding but I evaluated a RF rifle this summer that had no bedding and it would shoot 250's. An old gunsmith told me a long time ago "once the gate is locked, it's locked", meaning once the bolt is closed, it's up to other things other than the action. I have seen a few un-bedded Annies , etc that were competitive with Bench Guns so I keep leaning to the barrel and it's tune as the most important thing. Perhaps the PRX will make a big difference in our thinking about a number of things

 

[sgeorge]

Pete,

Bedding does not appear to be as critical in air rifles as it is in rimfire and centerfire. Shooters have actions bolted down into aluminum stocks with nothing in between and accuracy is excellent and consistent.

Now, for the action, might be more important to air rifles. With rimfire and centerfire, the propellant is in the case, so when the bolt closes, the action is out of it. With air rifles, air is what we use and the action has some influence on the delivery to the back of the pellet.

As for Steyrs, nothing to add. When we see one that is competitive in benchrest, outdoors or indoors, things may change. For now, Ev2s are very popular in Light Varmint.

 

[Pete Wass]

Time will tell

Pete,

Bedding does not appear to be as critical in air rifles as it is in rimfire and centerfire. Shooters have actions bolted down into aluminum stocks with nothing in between and accuracy is excellent and consistent.

Now, for the action, might be more important to air rifles. With rimfire and centerfire, the propellant is in the case, so when the bolt closes, the action is out of it. With air rifles, air is what we use and the action has some influence on the delivery to the back of the pellet.

As for Steyrs, nothing to add. When we see one that is competitive in benchrest, outdoors or indoors, things may change. For now, Ev2s are very popular in Light Varmint.

But ain't it fun, so far? .