New To BR Shooting -- Need Advice

J

Jim Hodgson

Guest
Hi all,

I'm brand new to the forum (registered today) and almost as new to bench rest shooting (really gave it my first thorough try over the weekend). I normally shoot an Olympic-style match rifle offhand at various distances with open sights. I showed up to my local range over the weekend to learn that there would be no more standing and shooting allowed. (It's an indoor range... Too many holes in their ceiling?!?) Anyway, I groused about it a little while the range officer got me a loaner front rest. Well, I couldn't believe the results -- along with how much fun I had and how relaxing it was. (Whatever else it is, holding a 15-20 lb. target rifle on your shoulder for a couple hours isn't always "relaxing.") I've never felt so focused and "zoned in." Ten shots, one (admittedly kinda big :)) ragged hole at any distance up to about 50 yards. (I can't see beyond that very well without a scope!) I just stare at these targets coming back from downrange and feel myself getting completely hooked!

So, what to do? (My 1950s Hammerli match rifle, precise though it is, really isn't at home lying down -- and I'm absolutely not going to scope it. And none of my other rifles is really a contender to be turned into a BR gun.) I'm really at a loss. I'm sure this question has been asked and answered a thousand times, but I don't find what I'm looking for in older posts: how to get started. I already know the "practice" part of the equation, but the equipment??? I can't tell you whether I'll become competitive or whether I'll just keep this as a totally fun and relaxing hobby. Either way, I've never been wary of paying for quality -- although I don't want to feel like I'm just "buying success" either. I see a lot of 40X actions with new stock, trigger and barrel. Would that plus a high-powered scope put me where I want to be as a beginner who has high aspirations???

Thanks for any input.

Best to all, Jim
 
Jim, you are going to have a lot of fun! I'm an old shooter who just became interested in 22 RF bench rest this past July. The very best thing is to find out where there is a match and go see what people are shooting, and the equipment that dominates. I'm lucky in that I live approx one hour from Killoughs Shooting Sports(one of our sponsors) and Dan made sure that I didn't waste $$ buying the wrong equipment and having to replace it. Also within easy driving distance from me are some active clubs full of friendly knowledgeable folks who will go out of their way to help those of us new to the sport. Regards
My BR
40X based unlimited rifle
Weaver 36X scope
Pappas rest
Flags
 
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Welcome Jim

My advise is get off this site, do not go to any matches and sit down at a bench with a custom rifle using a top notch rest with quailty ammo over windflags. Just kidding :D It's getting near the end of the season in most areas so that could play into getting out and seeing 22 LR benchrest at it's best soon, but those on this site are more than happy to provide any advise we can. First off where do you live? This can play into your access to what's going on locally plus who knows you may live close to some of those who can take the time to show you their setups and possibly shoot them. Some of these characters here even have ranges at their homes and/or close access near by.

Les
 
hi2utoo said:
My advise is get off this site, do not go to any matches and sit down at a bench with a custom rifle using a top notch rest with quailty ammo over windflags. Just kidding :D It's getting near the end of the season in most areas so that could play into getting out and seeing 22 LR benchrest at it's best soon, but those on this site are more than happy to provide any advise we can. First off where do you live? This can play into your access to what's going on locally plus who knows you may live close to some of those who can take the time to show you their setups and possibly shoot them. Some of these characters here even have ranges at their homes and/or close access near by.

Les
Click to expand...

LOL! Thanks -- seems like sound advice. I live between New York City (not a lot of shooting here -- at least not legitimate :D) and Orange County, NY (where I do most of my shooting.) There's a very nice, completely automated, 100-yard indoor range within a 1/2 hour of my cabin on Greenwood Lake. (Speaking of "home shooting," I also have a 10-meter air rifle range set up in my garage. Nice for a quick hour's shoot.) So, anyone in Orange, Rockland, or Westchester -- even Long Island?
 
Jim,
There are several ranges in Ulster County that shoot RFBR. Wawarsing and Wallkill shoot sanctioned IR50/50 matches along with non-sanctioned IBS matches and there are a couple of other ranges that shoot the non-sanctioned IBS matches, too. I'm pretty sure between them there is a match shot almost every weekend from April to Sept. I got my feet wet shooting shooting RFBR at those clubs and would highly recommend that you visit them early next season. The Wawarsing and Wallkill schedules will probably show up on the IR50/50 website(link is on the home page here at BRC) sometime late winter, early spring. Great bunch of guys to shoot with and some very good shooting guns to check out, too.
Todd
 
You have sanctioned matches in the Catskills and guys from down your way, even LI that regularly attend. Season is over now but you should look into it for springtime.
 
any one wanting winter shooting

we have indoor 25 yards all winter every tues at chemung club (elmira ny) and just west of there we host 50 yard shoots every friday at elkland pa (your bench is inside a wood heated buildin and your target is 59 yards away in what ever weather we are having great guys at both places and only 5 bucks
 
Hi Jim , There are two out door 50 and 100 yard ranges on Staten Island. I live on the island and belong to Richmond Boro Gun Club. The club is not open to the public, But once your a member you get your own keys. I do shoot rimfire benchrest upstate and Pa. The three clubs are about 1 1/2 to 2 hours drive from the island. But I too also have a home upstate just past Liberty N.Y. Here is my phone number if you want to talk 718-967-8536.


Joe T
 
Hi Jim,
Regarding the question about what gun to buy in order to be competitive...most agree on the Anschutz 54. Which 54 to buy is up to you. I am partial to the earlier models as they were built to a higher standard. Look on GunBroker and see what you can find. Buy a "Super Match" if you can find one that you like. I would suggest that you scope it with a Weaver 36T. Also, if price is no option, call Dan Stith and have him make a stock for you. I gave him free reign on mine and it really is a thing of lasting beauty.
I also have a fantastic benchrest gunsmith who can put everything together for you. Get yourself a rig like this and you will have no excuses.
Best, tim
 
Go to the home page for this forum and click the icon for each of the shooting competitions, ie., IR 50/50, RBA, ARA, etc. Locate the ranges that are within what you consider a reasonable driving distance of your home. The competition you shoot will have some influence on how you select/build the rifle of your choice. In ARA you don't have to worry about how heavy the rifle weighs which is a consideration in the other competitions. You won't be able to use a rifle over 13.5 lbs in most of the other games except in the unlimited class they have. That disallows it's use in the 10.5 and 13.5 lb classes and limits your opportunities to shoot and compete. As far as the rifle, Anschutz, Rem 40X, Turbo, Hall, and the rest are all good choices. Just build it to the specifications of the competition that will allow you maximum trigger time.
 
Hi Jim, Got your PM, Shot with Roger this Sat. And he told me where you live ,not that far from me. When your ready call me and I will have you as my guest at the club on Staten Island. From Staten Island to Factoryville is about 130 miles, to Wawarsing is about the same, Wallkill about 1/2 hour closer. I've shoot at all three clubs. If you want to try benchrest .22 I will lone you the equipment. I gave you my number call me. The match season is now over in the area, but I do go too the club just about every weekend I am on the island. Hope to here from you soon .D:D


Joe T.
 
So Davis's range makes you sit down now eh? Unless they have upgraded their "benches", the ones they have are not real stable. I did some winter indoor testing there. Wait to see what you can do with a real solid bench and some top equipment.

I live in northern Orange Co and shoot at the Wawarsing, Wallkill and Factoryville (although my schedule didn't allow me to make a shoot up there this year -hopefully next year) ranges. Once you get into it there are also ranges in the Albany area that Todd (aka Renagade) runs and ranges in the Syracuse area that hold matched.

As for equipment, the NY clubs run IR50/50 matches and the Factoryville PA club runs ARA matches. If you build a nice 10.5 lb. rifle you will be set-up to shoot all but the IR50/50 sporter matches. Good rifles can and are being built with lots of different components. My advice: find a good gunsmith and listen to what they have to say. We're lucky to have a top flight rimfire BR gunsmith in our area. Give Gordon Eck a call at (845) 985-0001. He is building rifles that are winning at the National Level of competition and nobody in the country builds a finer sporter. At the recent IR50/50 Nationals he built the winning rifles used to win the 6 gun Championship and in the Sporter Nationals - one of his rifles won and 4 of the top 5 placing sporters were smithed by Gordon. I really perfer using a local gunsmith and, fortunately for us, Gordon is one of the best.
 
Elhland and Chemung Sporter Rules

These two clubs shoot a IR50/50 target, the guns are 8.5# any scope.....
stick a light barrel on a 10.50 gun and shoot.
 
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