Thought this BR shooting was going to be easy?

L

Lager

Guest
Been competing in action pistol and rifle matches for the past 30 plus years.
Body is getting kind of old for all the running and jumping and my local club has 50 yard bench rest comps using rimfire rifles so I decided to give it a try.
Cant be too hard, Ive a bench, some sand bags and a scope.
Little did I realize how hard it was going to be to hit a little dot on a piece of paper.
But, Im getting better tho.
My Savage sporter class rifle is better then I am.
 
Shooting benchrest IS easy. Doing well consistently is NOT. At our club matches we shoot one 100 yard target and normally two 50 yard targets. We also allow 17's to shoot in their own class. There is a married couple with a Savage MkII that regularly score in the mid 230's at 50 on the RBA target with Wolf ammo. Pretty good imo. I have shot that score to often with guns and ammo that will shoot high 240's if not for me behind the butt :mad:


I was just up in Salisbury for a wedding and thought about bringing my junk but there is the whole luggage issue :)
 
Benchrest should be easy. You're sitting down, rifle is in a windage adjustable rest, sandbags front and rear, 36 or 40 power scope, target is only 50 yards away. I mean, how hard can it be?

Ken Henderson
 
Ive shot a regular rifle (that wasnt an AR) one time before my first match and it was with this gun.
I had one day of practice to zero in a 12 power scope I had laying around and some different ammo to see what shot the best. Turned out, the Savage liked the Wolf a whole lot better then Eley Black box which everyone else shoots. Lucky me, its cheaper.
My local club uses these 50 yard targets. 25 per card. 10 ring measures 1/2 inch with a dot in the center that they call an x. The 9 ring is 1 inch.
First time, you shoot 2 cards, second relay another 2 cards. Total points is 1000.
My first match I scored 963 useing plain sand bags, junk scope and a Savage out of the box.
I placed 5th out of 5.
The winner in sporter class shot a 998.
Needed a better rest, cant afford the high dollar, but I upgraded a little.
Better 24 power scope, yeah ! Now I can see the center.
In practice, now Im up to a 980.
Finding out I need just the right amount of downward pressure by my right hand on top of the stock to stabilize the rifle to hit the 10 ring. A Little less or more throws me into the 9.
Think I also need to reduce this trigger pull also, thinking the high pull weight is effecting the rifle as it releases.
Your thoughts?
 
All of the Savages that have shot in my matches have been inconsistent. 235 one target and a 219 the next. I don't know if it's the gun or lower quality ammo.
 
Benchrest! It is hard to explain

Shooting 22 benchrest is so simple, you don't even have to reload your bullets. I have a friend who shoots with me who always says, "This is a stupid game, I don't know why we do iI." He shows up every match with the same story and has as much fun as anyone.

We shoot for the ultimate accuracy with the best equipment and ammo that we can afford. We have all kinds of wind flags and we watch the wind for every tiny change. We try to hold the rifle the exact same way each and every shot. We do the very best we can.

Now here are a few secrets that they don't tell you about. You are only competing with yourself. You try to shoot your personal best each time and if you win the match or a target that is just a plus. You are shooting with friends who share your interests and you are happy for them when they shoot well. You are making friends with people who work some place different from you. You make good friends and have fun. That is what it is all about.

I have a very good rifle and rest and some very good ammo that I have selected for it. I believe there are good shooters who could use my stuff and I could use their stuff and they would still beat me. There is a lot more than equipment to this game of rimfire benchrest. This is a past time that we who shoot it love it. It is hard to explain.

Concho Bill
 
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CRB,I hear you about the Savage Rifle. Sometimes I have some wild shots and I wonder where that came from.Then I realized that I didnt hold the rifle just right, my trigger pull wasnt just right. Cause, if I really concentrate, do everything just right? I can tag the 10 ring.
Still dont think its the gun, think its me.
Bill, you are completely right. Im competing against the guy next to me, not the target. I need to change my mind set. But as an action shooter, that what Im used to.
As far as your comment about "shooting with friends"? Not really, competition here is pretty fierce and they dont care for a new guy so im pretty much having to learn anything new from here.
Really appreciate your comments.
 
close but no cigar

You are competing against yourself .

The rest of the people shooting are not relevant .


rel·e·vant


adjective
bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark.

Glenn;)
 
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Lager,

You're shooting at the wrong place if they don't appreciate a new guy. I've found that real rimfire benchrest shooters are the friendliest most helpful shooters out there. I have shot up and down the east coast from Maine to Florida and 99.99 precent of the people I've come in contact with could not have been nicer of more helpful if they had tried.

Ken Henderson
 
TangoTwo said:
Lager,

You're shooting at the wrong place if they don't appreciate a new guy. I've found that real rimfire benchrest shooters are the friendliest most helpful shooters out there. I have shot up and down the east coast from Maine to Florida and 99.99 precent of the people I've come in contact with could not have been nicer of more helpful if they had tried.

Ken Henderson
Click to expand...

That's been my experience also. At our first match of the year we had father/daughter, father/son and husband/wife pairs shooting. The grandmother that usually shoots with us was off seeing the grandkids in Kali.

We also have 17 BiPod class and a 22 BiPod class that is great for newbies or those on a budget.

I would like to add that in defense of the club's shooters the OP is dealing with is that for serious shooters trying to help someone with a low cost rifle and low end ammo is like banging your head against the wall. It's hard to suggest improvements when the gun AND the ammo is inconsistent. It's hard to improve your scores when really bad shots are going to happen regularly no matter who is behind the gun.

Or they might be jerks :) As many as we get on all the RF BR forums there has to some participating in matches although I've never come across any jerks at a match. Only super nice guys.
 
Considering the guys I compete with, I wouldnt call them jerks. In fact, most are really friendly once you get to know them.
Lets call them reserved ?To these guys, this is serious business. Comp day is intense to them.
They have been shooting together for years and as we know, there are not a lot of new people getting into BR competitions these days.
If I can catch one there at the range on an off day, they are pretty friendly. But most of them shoot in the match class using very high dollar guns.
There are very few Sporter shooters in our club and there is only so much advise you can give to someone. Im not blaming these guys at all.
CRB, yes I agree with you. I do have a low cost gun, but I dont think its junk compared to my other sporter shooters. I spent some cash on trying to find the right ammo that works best and found the Wolf match to work best.This gun really does not like Eley Black, I might as well be shooting Remington bulk.
My bad shots are all because of me, I think?
 
I understand all the principals on whats needed to shoot correctly, so Ive been giving this some thought.
Think my fatigue is caused by a very unnatural shooting position.
Our benches are very low, combine this with a low front and rear rest that I have? Its a very uncomfortable position for me shoot in.My right hand goes numb after 25 shots, my eyesight starts to blur cause Im hunched over the rifle.
I need to elevate both my front and rear rests about 6 inches in the front and 4 inches in the rear.
Thinking about building a wooden platform to mount the rests on to bring the rifle up to a comfortable level.
If I remember correctly, our top shooters are sitting naturally. The rest of us are hunched over in almost prone position trying see thru the scope.
Thinking about building a box out of wood that I can place onto the concrete shooting table, just wide enough to place the the adjustable front rest on and a smaller place to put the rear bag on.
If this is incorrect, what do you use?
 
Im useing the stools the place provides and they might be ok IF you are a bout 5 foot tall.
Unfortunately Im a little over 6 foot. My knees are already well above my hips. Ive got an adjustable stool I can bring with me.
Was really wanting to bring the rifle rest up some more. This would eliminate the chicken wing position my arms are in now.This will eliminate some of the stress on my right wrist and hopefully eliminate the numbness Im getting.
My rear bag is only 2 inches tall. If I can jack the rear up, match it up with the front, Im thinking I can be seated a lot more comfortably then I am right now.
Unfortunately,I cant remember what the other guys were using to bring their mounts up.
So, If I want to be ready for next months match, Im going to have to wing it/design something thats stable enough.
 
Good example of what I want.
Look in the earlier posts on this thread,
Look for Bill Wynne post.
See his picture?
Thats how I want to sit, Now, whats the best way to get there?
 
Lager said:
Good example of what I want.
Look in the earlier posts on this thread,
Look for Bill Wynne post.
See his picture?
Thats how I want to sit, Now, whats the best way to get there?
Click to expand...

One of the best investments you can make is buying your own stool. Look up "drum thrones". That's what you want. The Roc-n-soc is the cadillac and priced like it. It's around $150 or so.

I bought a much less expensive one at Guitar Center that was about $60 and it made a HUGE difference. It's plenty sturdy, comfortable and adjustable.

At various ranges some benches are too high and some are too low. Having your own stool allows you to adjust to it. You're finding out what an impact your comfort makes.
 
Lager said:
Ive shot a regular rifle (that wasnt an AR) one time before my first match and it was with this gun.
I had one day of practice to zero in a 12 power scope I had laying around and some different ammo to see what shot the best. Turned out, the Savage liked the Wolf a whole lot better then Eley Black box which everyone else shoots. Lucky me, its cheaper.
My local club uses these 50 yard targets. 25 per card. 10 ring measures 1/2 inch with a dot in the center that they call an x. The 9 ring is 1 inch.
First time, you shoot 2 cards, second relay another 2 cards. Total points is 1000.
My first match I scored 963 useing plain sand bags, junk scope and a Savage out of the box.
I placed 5th out of 5.
The winner in sporter class shot a 998.
Needed a better rest, cant afford the high dollar, but I upgraded a little.
Better 24 power scope, yeah ! Now I can see the center.
In practice, now Im up to a 980.
Finding out I need just the right amount of downward pressure by my right hand on top of the stock to stabilize the rifle to hit the 10 ring. A Little less or more throws me into the 9.
Think I also need to reduce this trigger pull also, thinking the high pull weight is effecting the rifle as it releases.
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Throw andother $1000 at it and you will JUMP up to 988 or if lucky 989..

What target is that?? IR50/50??

How many shooters show for a match, on average?

Ive read a few more posts now and will add-

The shooters are as noted -reserved.

I showed up at my first match w/ my HS grad present-Mossberg bolt and a 12x Leupold shooting bulk box Dynapoints, back when they were quite good. Had a good time. The target was USBR at 25 yards or 50 if you wanted to. Joe Haller, now coaching in heaven, found that MANY shooters shot once when they shot 50 yards and then they were never seen again. That target (and the others too) are I think the word is INTIMIDATING , esp at 50 yrds.

If your club is shooting at 50, try it at 25.

Since the first season I have upgraded the equip and ammo. Tomorrow is The Haller Memorial Match, 6th such, I believe. Joe will be watching and encourging as he always did.

I recall when I first started shooting I always tried to X the center bull, center on center row and bull. I called it a 'ringer'. If I didnt I kinda felt bad. Now I get a few more. Personal best was 19 (at 25 yrds), twice, in a match as I was trying to beat another shooter and he had 19, also.

Gotta go dry patch the rifle and get some "stuff" ready for the match.

PS: Joedid me a wonderful thing back summer 11 and early 12. He sold me over a case of ammo-at what today is 1/2 price.. Thank you Joe!!
 
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Built me a bag stand, something made from wood that allows me elevate both the front mount and the rear into something thats comfortable for me sit behind( with my own adjustable stool) and what a difference !.
I just got back from the range and shot a personal best of a 994 19 x.
Dont think thats too bad out of Savage Mk 2 using Lapua ammo.
I do realize a score like that is not enough to win the Sporter class, but Im not going to get last place again and I do know why I threw away two of those shots into the 9 ring.
Im very pleased with this score.
This rifle can do better, its still me holding it back.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
 
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