2012's first Rimfire Benchrest match of the year was shot under mostly sunny skies. The temperature started out a slightly chilly 50 degrees but warmed up into the 60's by the end of the match. The wind on the other hand increased in velocity the whole day with the last relay [ Unlimited BR class ] shot under switchy strong winds with gusts over 20 mph. There were long periods of unshootable winds and even the periods of relatively light breezes usually had the flags pointing in all different directions. There were also lots of times that flags at one end of range would be showing very light winds but the other end would have 15 + mph winds making the props a blur. Not succumbing to frustration was nearly impossible but the shooters that did make maximum use of the 30 minutes time allowed did take the top spots.
This match featured the first appearance of a 17HMR that is now legal under the new rules and and by winninng the Production Category shooter Wayne Hunt showed that the 17's should be highly competitive throughout the year. It will take several more matches to determine if the extreme wind conditions of this match gave the 17 an advantage over the 22's. The 17 actually lead the way overall at 100 yds but the Unlimited BR class 22's showed their mettle at 50yds. Should make for a very interesting year.
No shooters came out to take advantage of the 2 new BiPod classes. The BiPod category allows any 17 or 22 caliber rimfire cartridge and any action including semi-autos. This would be an ideal way to try out a tricked out autoloader or a rimfire tactical trainer under match conditions. A tackdriving semi-auto would have definitely been an advantage with today's winds !
We started out shooting the two 100 yard targets at the beginning of the day and ended the day with the single 50 yard target and the scores below are listed in that order [ 100 yds-----100 yds-----50 yds---------Grand Aggregate---------Rifle/Ammo ]
Production -
1- Wayne Hunt------------243-1X-----245-3X-----229-4X----------717-8X--------Anschutz 17HMR
2- David Sisk--------------238-1X-----239-2X-----214-2X----------691-5X--------Kimber 82G 22LR
3- Jack Talley------------225-0X-----228-0X-----217-2X----------670-2X--------H&R M12 22LR -- New Shooter
Unlimited-
1- Ray Brooks---------240-2X-----240-2X-----237-6X----------717-10X---------Hall action-Benchmark Bbl- Lapua Center X
2- John Underwood -238-1X-----240-2X-----235-8X----------713-11X---------40X action-Hart Bbl- Eley Match EPS
This match featured the first appearance of a 17HMR that is now legal under the new rules and and by winninng the Production Category shooter Wayne Hunt showed that the 17's should be highly competitive throughout the year. It will take several more matches to determine if the extreme wind conditions of this match gave the 17 an advantage over the 22's. The 17 actually lead the way overall at 100 yds but the Unlimited BR class 22's showed their mettle at 50yds. Should make for a very interesting year.
No shooters came out to take advantage of the 2 new BiPod classes. The BiPod category allows any 17 or 22 caliber rimfire cartridge and any action including semi-autos. This would be an ideal way to try out a tricked out autoloader or a rimfire tactical trainer under match conditions. A tackdriving semi-auto would have definitely been an advantage with today's winds !
We started out shooting the two 100 yard targets at the beginning of the day and ended the day with the single 50 yard target and the scores below are listed in that order [ 100 yds-----100 yds-----50 yds---------Grand Aggregate---------Rifle/Ammo ]
Production -
1- Wayne Hunt------------243-1X-----245-3X-----229-4X----------717-8X--------Anschutz 17HMR
2- David Sisk--------------238-1X-----239-2X-----214-2X----------691-5X--------Kimber 82G 22LR
3- Jack Talley------------225-0X-----228-0X-----217-2X----------670-2X--------H&R M12 22LR -- New Shooter
Unlimited-
1- Ray Brooks---------240-2X-----240-2X-----237-6X----------717-10X---------Hall action-Benchmark Bbl- Lapua Center X
2- John Underwood -238-1X-----240-2X-----235-8X----------713-11X---------40X action-Hart Bbl- Eley Match EPS