Here's a hypothetical question

[rfhall11]

Lets say I wanted to get a little more serious about airgunning and was thinking about a benchrest competition Without spending thousands, what would be the entry level layout as far as the rifle, scope, rests etc. I sometimes shoot an informal Barnyard Benchrest with rimfire stuff, and there is a certain combo a person needs to even run with the pack. Such as a decent rifle like a Savage or CZ bolt action with an after market trigger in the Sporter class and a Hart or Sinclair windage front rest, a Protektor or Edgewood rear bag, Weaver T36, SK ammo etc. Would a lot of this stuff carry over to air rifle competitions, or would I be replacing it with equipment more suited to to airgunning?

I have several air rifles. None are suited for competition I'm sure, but I have a Benjamin Marauder that is an absolute tack driver at 10 yards,and I sure get more of an opportunity to practice with this gun indoors than I do my powder burners at the range. I'd like to think I could be competitive, but I would need to practice with the stuff that the winners are using. So...I guess this was a long winded way of asking what are the winners using. If I went to a match and walked down the line would there be dominate makes and models that most guys were using? Mind you, this is benchrest only. Everybody has to start somewhere right. Thanks

 

[cris]

In LV, the EV-2 is clearly the most dominate air rifle.

In HV, there is no clear choice as Rapids, P70s and the new customs have all shared the spotlight.

The other classes have not had enough time and participation to show any trends.

The USA Scoreline results will show what scores are being shot with the different air rifles.

The Hart or Sinclair front rest, a good rear bag and a Weaver T36 is a great start. Wind flags you are familiar with and pellets that make your barrel happy completes the list.

 

[Pete Wass]

Lets say I wanted to get a little more serious about airgunning and was thinking about a benchrest competition Without spending thousands, what would be the entry level layout as far as the rifle, scope, rests etc. I sometimes shoot an informal Barnyard Benchrest with rimfire stuff, and there is a certain combo a person needs to even run with the pack. Such as a decent rifle like a Savage or CZ bolt action with an after market trigger in the Sporter class and a Hart or Sinclair windage front rest, a Protektor or Edgewood rear bag, Weaver T36, SK ammo etc. Would a lot of this stuff carry over to air rifle competitions, or would I be replacing it with equipment more suited to to airgunning?


From my limited experience, the CZ 200C is an excelent buy and shoots pretty well for the money. I have one of them and it shoots not bad. I took the front tank-barrel support off and affixed a 3" x 3" x 1/4" aluminum plate using the hole the support was held on by. It's trigger is adjustable down to a pound or so I am guessing.

Just to try the sport, I would suggest, perhaps, use anything you can find or make easily to support the rifle and shoot a few target cards to see if you might like it. Better yet, find someone who is involved and try out their equipment. This should give you an indication as to rather or not you are thrilled by the prospect of shooting a 250-25 someday.

Personally, I have found the mechanical component of fooling with the mechanics of the rifle and the actual competition together keeps me interested in Benchrest. I don't find the actual shooting of the rifles to be exciting. I see people at the ranges I go to sit and shoot hundreds of rounds to simply shoot, as far as I can tell. That holds absolutely no itnterest for me. I either want to shoot for a purpose or would as soon go to the Driving Range, both mean about the same to me in terms of satisfaction.

 

[rfhall11]

Thanks Cris. The "other" classes are prolly what I'm interested in. Now I just have to find out what they are, and where, and when, and do I need to bring a lunch. There is very nice facility, not far from my home here in Missouri named Benchrest Rifle Club. I should see if any kind of airgun match is coming around.

 

[shadowalker]

Pete, what is the car next to your name? looks interesting. Would like to see more.

As for what gun to get. Depends upon where and how high you EVER plan on going. Chris has given you very good advise. The stats should dictate your choice. You can buy a good one up front or buy 6 more trying to get up there..................hell it's just money and the adventure and advise is priceless.

Frank

 

[cris]

The "other" classes are outlined at usairriflebenchrest.com.

USA Production fits your Marauder but does not allow mechanical front rests.

USA Open is for up to 35 FPE air rifles.

USA Unlimited is unlimited power and is for those tinkerers/experimenters and those who believe that .25 caliber is the next nirvana.

 

[Pete Wass]

Pete, what is the car next to your name? looks interesting. Would like to see more.

As for what gun to get. Depends upon where and how high you EVER plan on going. Chris has given you very good advise. The stats should dictate your choice. You can buy a good one up front or buy 6 more trying to get up there..................hell it's just money and the adventure and advise is priceless.

Frank

Frank,

The car is a 49 Chevy custom cruiser I once saw in Thurmont, Maryland in a restaurant parking lot. It is one of the nicest custom cruisers I have ever seen. Perhaps it's the color but I like the lines and its simplicity. Wish It was mine. I went to the Mecum Auction in Kissimmee yesterday for a few hours. That was interesting.