Benchrest shooting around the world

K

KingSnake

Guest
Gentlemen, I am truly humbled when looking at the amount of air rifle shooting around the world that has been going on for years. This adventure of returning to air rifle benchrest shooting here in the USA has been a rewarding endeavor for me. I can not begin to tell you guys how much fun it has been nor the number of folks I have talked to across the country, in Austrailia and Europe. Now certainly I realize that one of the reasons other countries have been shooting air rifle has been the restrictive gun laws in so many countries. The accomplishments of these shooter is amazing. I have found guys that shoot out to 100 yards without a rest and could not imgine the holding ability of field target shooters.

For the past couple weeks I have been involved with some shooters in Finland that shoot 5-shot group matches at 50 meters. Their rules are a little different than the group matches conducted here in the USA in that they don't have a time limit for shooting the groups but require you to shoot three(3) 5-shot groups without any sighters once you start shooting for record. They have been shooting for quite a while. I was asked to take my best rifle and shoot some groups at 50 meters and see how shooters in the USA compared with others around the world at 50 meters. Well to say the least I did not expect to place very well in the standings since we have been shooting mostly at 25 yards. Last week while Ron W and I were practicing for the Kettlefoot match I shot my record targets and sent them to Juhal in Finland. My groups sizes were 0.308", 0.376" and 0.489" which resulted in an agg group size of 0.391". To my surprise today, I find that these scores were good enough to take the lead in the unlimited standings. I feel sure that as we continue to shoot here in the US that these groups will quickly improve.
I was shooting my black Air Arms 100 at 875fps using extra heavy Barracudas.

While at Kettlefoot Sunday, I had the pleasure of holding and photographing the best looking Benchrest Air rifle that I have ever seen. It was built by Alan Z using a Theoben Rapid and was stocked by Gary Lemmons. I have to say, " Gary you are truly talented, your rifle is on fire" Had no idea that the 22RF rifle that Mark S has been wearing me out with was your creation also.

I hope to get permission to publish the rifle pictures soon o you guys can see an amazing rifle.
 
Ron,

Sounds like everything we have ever spoke of or heard about the accuracy of these little air guns was shown by your AA 100 the other day. Congratulations on shooting so well, and once I get my new stock from Gary I too may want to jump in and give that a try.

Can't wait to see those pictures!

Dave Shattuck
 
Ron,
I feel a lot better shooting in the wind now. At PM in N.H. I used the pellets that grouped the best indoors. CPH was the smallest group, JSB Extra Heavy, and Beeman Kodiak Extra Heavy still one hole but BIG hole. First card at the match I used CPH and had to hold off 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches and only shot 230 1X, Next card with switchy wind and 10-25 MPH I used JSB Extra Heavy and shot a 244 4X. I didn't have to hold past the 9 ring! What a differance.
The last card I was going to shoot Beeman Kodiak extra Heavy. Todd Banks was shooting my .177 and not doing too well so I asked if on the last card he wanted to shoot the .22 and I would shoot the .177. Todd used the Beeman's and didn't have to hold off of the 9 ring also. Todd's not to good and my not to good are not the same! He won the match.
Paul
 
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