Is front rest not approved?

[Steelringer]

Hello,
I shot at a club benchrest shoot yesterday. I was told today that my rest was really not not approved and not to use again. I was using a Stoney Point Marksman's Benchrest bag for the front and a standard leather bunny rear bag. I was shooting an Annie 1710 Sporter competing against Annie 2013's and MS's as well. etc. I shot 496x20 ( 25bull IBS target 50yds) for third place; lost to first by 1 point! Now I ask you, are they right? Does this type of rest break the rules, really? The stock is just sitting in the rest.

I would like to hear back from some of you shooters who have attended serious benchrest shoots and let me know, please. Thanks.
S.

 

[mr. nobody]

what class and rules? we might need more info on this?

 

[Steelringer]

typo

The shoot was an open one with a variety of rifles ranging from Anschutz sporting rifles to Anschutz BR50's, etc. the shoot was open class. The Annie BR50's are the most serious level of rifles. No customs; pretty well all factory stock types. The IBS 25 bulls target was used, so it would be IBS rules?
Hope this helps.

 

[cadman1275]

I am not familiar with IBS, but assuming the IBS you are talking about is the same one that is found on the home page (link), I went their website and looked at their rules for rests and this is what it says:

H. Rests:
1) A Front Rest shall support the front part of a rifle: a rear rest shall support the rear part of a rifle; neither rest may be attached to the bench, the rifle, or to the other (exception - Heavy Bench rests may be one piece for front and rear)
2) Unrestricted Rests may incorporate guiding means, and adjustments for elevation and windage in either or both components. Unrestricted rests may be of one-piece construction for front and rear
3) The rear sandbag shall be a bag, or combination of bags containing sand only. The bag must be able to be deflected horizontally at least ¼” with finger pressure at any point, except for the bottom 1 inch of the bag, which may be hard. A vertical spacer under the rear bag will be allowed as long as it incorporates no adjustments for windage or elevation. The vertical spacer shall not contain any protrusions, which can be inserted into the bench top or the sandbag. The rear sandbag shall not be contained in any manner. No metallic materials may be used in the construction of the sandbag. The rear sandbag cannot in any way attach to the front rest.
4) The Front Bag must be such that the rifle can be easily removed in the vertical direction without any front sand bag adjustment. It must also be designed to maintain a 100% contact with the bottom of the fore-end when in its shooting position. The cover and filling of the front bag shall meet the requirements described in paragraph (3) concerning the rear bags. The front bag shall also be a minimum of one half inch thick in the vertical direction within the width of the fore-end

Now, maybe your shoot over the weekend was an informal fun shoot with their own rules, or they were giving you hard time for almost winning the whole things with that style of front rest.

Just my thoughts,
Bill

 

[Steelringer]

Thanks for the info, Bill. Appreciate the info. We just happened to be using the ISB target; not really a formal shoot. Although not conventional by benchrest standards, the rest bag I used did not vice grip the rifle; was a loose fit. I think your last comment spoke volumes. Looks like I will have to go back to my Sinclair rest and Kimber SVT w. 36X scope.