Please help a new shooter

[Muleskinner]

Guys, I really need some advice here. I wish to get started in “factory” or “production” class 100 and 200 yard benchrest shooting. My budget is limited, so I must buy the correct rifle and equipment the first time and not waste any money. I am hoping a few of you guys can help me.

First I need advice on the rifle. As I said, I wish to use this rifle for 100 and 200 yard benchrest competition, but I also wish to sometimes use the same rifle to shoot “F” class if I can. That being said, and from the articles I have read online I believe whichever rifle I choose it should be in 6mmBR Norma.
These are the two rifles I am looking at:

Savage Model 12 benchrest

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12 BENCH REST

Savage Model 12 “F” Class

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/12 F CLASS

Both of these rifles are available in 6mm Norma BR. The question is, which of these rifles is the one for me?, 95% of all my shooting will be from the bench and at 200 yards or less but I really want to shoot 600 yards as well. I have wanted to get into “Production” benchrest competition for many years, and really the only one stopping me from doing it is Me. Please give me your best advice on what I should do.

Thank you for your time
Muleskinner

 

[caroby]

the 6BR savage benchrest is as good as you can do in factory class.

Yes... But won't make 10.5lb in any way shape or form... Depending on the scope and mounts, making 13.5 could be a tough go even...

The model 12 "benchrest" from Savage is a pretty solid platform for what your wanting to do... I've seen two in 6BR ... Both capable of 1/2moa right out of the box and a stress free solid bedding / 50+ rounds in the barrel / good load developed, took one of them to an honest .250 moa gun.

IMO.... For the 100/200 "B"enchrest game, stay inside 90gr bullets... 90gr or heavyer for the longer shoots... The heavy VLD just act wierd on the short range of things... >>Shoot the custom 65-68gr Benchrest pills in these fast twist barrels at <300yds I believe you'll SEE the difference<<


>>>Wind flags<<<

good luck,

cale

 

[Russ Rosene]

Bang for the buck

I may be going the wrong way with this, if so, disregard.

I would recommend taking a look at used bench rifles with custom actions or at least a trued 700 before you buy anything. My only observation on going the Savage route is at some point you will hit the hard wall of what the rifle is capable of at the short ranges. Also the lack of customizing options to be competitive.

If you KNOW you want in this game, I believe you will be better served to start with a platform that will support your learning without getting in the way or [like I did] buy several guns on the way to a benchrest rifle. I regret the time lost more than the money invested.

One more thing, when contemplating a multi use gun I recommend looking at where most of the rounds will be shot and build/buy the rifle for that purpose. I have yet to see a 'one gun does it all well at any distance' gun. Compromises do not win competitions. This is a consistency game.

I spoke to a gentleman last week who shot 1000 yard benchrest and his day job was coyote control. He wanted to reduce his recoil. His 300WSM had a carbon fiber barrel on it to reduce weight. A great hunting gun and a challenging rifle to be consistent in competition.

I want to make it easy on myself and have fun.

Russ

 

[Steelhead1]

Muleskinner
I think you need to be a bit more definitive about what you want to shoot. If you are going to shoot in IBS or NBRSA registered shoots for 100 & 200 yds then your going to have to rethink your gear. The Savage won't make weightin these types of shoots,however if you have a local club that doesn't shoot registered matches you can probably get by with the Savage. That siad there is no factory class in short range benchrest except that clubs affiliated with either of the two mentioned organizations, that shoot Hunter Benchrest can award trophys for a factory class, likewise if it is just your club shooting an informal match. I will profess I have not shot "F" class and I don't know what would work for that type of shooting. In short range benchrest the 6mmPPC is king, if your shooting Hunter benchrest then you have several popular choices 30br, 30X47,30X44. I shoot the 30X47 and if I decide to rebarrel my hunter gun I will definately go with a 30br. I think where you will wind up when you finally settle on what you want to shoot is a switch barrel gun and possbly 2 bolts. Please understand that this is just my opinion and I am sure you will get others that will counter my statements but in the end it is your dollars that will be the determining factor in what you wind up with. I would suggest you go to the shooters corner website, Bob White always has a ton of rifles and 1 of them may be what your looking for.
Good Luck in your quest and welcome to the wonderful world of benchrest shooting.
P.S. if you go to the homepage of BR-Central in the left column click on complete rifles and look for Shooters Corner in the list that pops up.