Low turnouts in airgun benchrest games

L

ldurham

Guest
In my opinion, a big reason airgun benchrest is in the doldrums, or waning from a slow start to begin with, is the scores are too close to the top!

Yes, I know folks like high scores, but when a new game starts up and the players are all mostly shooting within a few points of the max, it really IS a turnoff for new guys to enter the arena.

Yes, I know even if you get 250/250 there is still the "x" count, but when it begins to mostly boil down to x's, its not inviting.

There is a small group of new benchrest shooters coming over to my place once a month, but we just shoot for fun, and have been experimenting with the games we shoot in order to find a really challenging, yet fun benchrest game for our airguns. We also don't want one thats too demanding with respect to scoring, but that does allow us to easily see our progress from match to match.

I'm not saying I have the answers, because I don't, but I'm not ready to quit.

We are shooting on the third Sundays of the month, barring disruptions, and WILL be shooting on the 17th of this month.

This month, we are shooting at regulation NRA 50 foot rimfire targets from fifty yards outdoors, and plan to shoot three shots at each scoring bull for score, pus unlimited sighters. If a ring is cut the score is counted, with the same consideration given to .177 or .22 cal. We shot for aggregate group size last time, but measuring the groups was pretty tedious, so this time we'll just add the scoring ring hits.
 
Change is Good

I can only echo what Larry has pointed out. If the target is too easy, things can become boring, quickly. VFS matches using the 30BR can be nothing but a X count decision. Someone will always continue to be the first with a 250-25X score but there can only be one to be the first. Smallbore shooting with 1600 scores becoming commonplace are falling on tough times. Then what.

I am not an expert, however, it is clear, something needs to change.
 
Although the target is not what led to the demise of my matches, I do agree that the AGBR target is too easy. A big miss is still a 9. I also think the time allowed is too long.
 
air gun benchrest

If you will remember that in the beginning Don Matzeder said that 25yds was to close to set the targets and I've come to the conclusion that he is right. Maybe we should think about moving the target to 35 or 40 or maybe 50 yds for the match and the unlimited classes and see what does to the scores. We could leave the springer at 25yds.
I enjoy the air gun matches as much as I do the ARA matches that I shoot.
Larry Burchfield
 
25 yds is fine for the match class rifles. My CRX at app 850 fps eats up an AGBR target at 25. On the other hand, 50 is a LONG way if the wind is blowing at all.
 
for the standard AGBR target,

fifty yds might be too far, ESP is the sighters need to be actually on the target.

Even the B36 target i'm using at 50yds is best used turned 90 degrees to give more room for errant sighters when the wind is really up at my place.
 
IMO I don't believe the target or the distance in AGBR in it's first year was the problem. Show me how many 250's were actually shot, indoors and outdoors. The problem lies in the Sanctioned body as of last year, with the time and effort put forth to create the site, rules, targets etc. and not following through, we especially myself lost interest. We have had some great matches here, scores were close with x count breaking the tie and personally I like it that way. As of now is there really a organized body for AGBR? This was the reason why we joined, payed our fees, and see how we as shooters stack up against other sanctioned clubs. There is always room for growth and change.

We will continue to have fun matches up to 50 yards for the unlimited and stay at 25 yards for the match and spring rifles. We will have fun trying different targets.



Joe
 
Targets

I just threw that tidbit out there. I'm happy with the 25 yards myself as I'm not a good wind reader. I've only got 3 or 4 shooters that are interested in airgun benchrest at my club and maybe 2 outsiders. I'm trying to get some of the members to bring their children and grand children to shoot is the springer matches.
Joe do you still have the USFT? I have a person that might be interested.
Larry Burchfield
 
Usft

Joe
Those don't stay around long. I went to a air gun expo in Benton Ar. last friday. Lots of interesting things but no usfts.
Good Luck
Larry
 
Too many choices

I have been watching, but not joining in the matches for the following reasons:

There are too many variables::confused:
a. .177 or .22 or .25
b. match, springer, or unlimited ( and there are a bunch of choices in this class)
c. Rests that can be used vary depending on type of rifle:springer, match, etc.
d. Co2 or air - what velocity?
e. No one that i'm aware of is selling a BR rifles, so they all become custom built affair. The trouble is with all of the different choices - which configuration is "best" - will survive the test of time. Whenever any new product has multiple standards, generally only one standard is adapted in the long run.

It just seems wise to wait until things get sorted out and there are more clearly defined standards. That's when factories and small shops will begin to market their BR guns. ;)

Lets simplify what can be shot at an AG BR match... Please :D
 
Dave, as to choices

I think only the unlimited guns are custom built. i wouldnt recommend an unlimited gun unless you like to tinker.

Anybody can get a decent used 10M match rifle and a plain, simple rest (some have won using a padded auto scissors jack) and go out and shoot.

IF you shoot the match class, there is really not much difference between co2 or compressed air scores unless its real cold. If you use a match springer, cocking between shots disturbs your benchrest aim with ALL of em so so far as I know, so they are pretty equal.

Nobody shoots .25 caliber, so you choice is really between .22 and .177. If money is AT ALL and object, use .177, the pellets are cheaper and, in general better.
 
Right now I think it would be foolish to buy a match class rifle, go with an unlimited. There is not enough shooters showing up yet to guarantee that there will even be a match class at any given event.

Also the unlimiteds are much easier to shoot once the wind picks up. With my CRX the only way to not shoot a 9 or a 10 is to put the pellet in backwards :(. Then you get a zero [ too harsh a penalty imo ]. With my Steyr Match 91 10's are a lot harder to come by if the wind is blowing and 8's or even 7's are a definite possibility.

Dave, this thought is for you. Support the local events NOW or there may not be any once you figure out what the 'best' rifle is.

Also, unlike, powder burners I don't think there is going to be a dominant gunsmith or manufacturer. Many of the current rifles are capable of the necessary accuracy without any substantial work being required. A 3" glide plate attached to a forend rail is really all you need to properly utilize a BR quality front rest. There basically is no recoil so stock configuration is not much of an issue like it is for the powderburners. The metal stock I made for my CRX is more to give me the access to the trigger guard similar to my centerfire BR rifles.
 
Dang! How come it's always somebody else who gets the rifle that won't shoot less than a "9"? Count your blessings crb and savor the moments.;)
 
low turn outs

Looks like it's time to break out the old BR-50 targets and see just how good you realy are . out side maybe huh? can't wait for the next match ?!!
 
Bring it

We need to see some of these crackshots over here in the wine country.
 
I was referring to post #15.

quote> With my CRX the only way to not shoot a 9 or a 10 is to put the pellet in backwards. <end quote

But I was just pullin' yer leg, so don't pay it no nevermind. :)
 
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