Benchrest History Thread

[Lee Martin]

If Wilbur doesn't mind, I thought I'd start a thread highlighting benchrest's history (old photos, ads, articles, etc). I have a lot material, as I'm sure others do. For the guys that lived through those years it'll bring back memories. For newcomers like myself it'll connect us to the sport's foundation.

Incidentally, this post was just going to be "40 years with the PPC". But I thought perhaps we could expand it:
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40 years ago this past summer the PPC was announced. I thought some of you may enjoy seeing the original PS article again. This is from the July 1975 issue:











And here's Ferris' ad in the August 1975 edition of Precision Shooting:



The first ad Ferris and Lou ran for Sako PPC brass. This was from late 1976:



-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Lee Martin]

1962 Tulsa Nationals Top 20



Back row (left to right) – Henry Barton, Bob Hart, Bill Coleman, Dempsey Frost, Ed Shilen, Barbara Shellert, Ralph Stolle

Middle row (left to right) – Horace Powers, George Hendrick, Clyde Yockey, Bruno Borosewski, George McMullen, Omer Rinehart, Robert Smith

Front row (left to right) – Rick Hornbeck, Robert Stultz, Homer Culver, George Kelbly, Paul Gottschall, William Schellert

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[r44astro]

WOW Thanks.. Back in 1970 I thought my Rem 788 22-250 was the most accurate. I suppose it was right out of the box.
Bill

[Chism G]

Thanks Lee, That is some good stuff. I think Ed Shilen,in the back row in that photo, may still be shooting benchrest. incredible.

"When a Sport stops teaching its heritage,it loses its identity."




Glenn

[dogdude]

Very nice, thank you Lee !

[Bill Gammon]

keep it up Lee, I got pictures like you would not believe.
Bill

[Wilbur]

Bill. send me your email address please Sir.

oldhat30@gmail.com

[Lee Martin]

An early Kelbly's ad from 1983. This one was shortly after Ralph Stolle passed away.



-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Lee Martin]

J-4 ad from early 1974 celebrating Mac McMillan's 0.009" record:



I have Neal Knox's article on the group from that same year. I'll try to get it posted in a day or two.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Wilbur]

Files attached:

[r44astro]

Thanks Wilbur!
Bill Greene

[Lee Martin]

Pretty neat Wilbur. The 1970-USA sheet illustrates the popularity of the 6 x 47. I guess it had its day from the late 60's until the PPC came on the scene. Never worked with one myself but I heard they were tricky to tune. But once you got 'em shooting....

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[scott mims]

would love it if everyone with pictures and info of "the past" would post on here. all the past results of nationals, super shoots, ect....... heck even regional matches that took place. also equipment list from each one, thats what i like seeing most of all. i have a list of every match results (except maybe 1 or 2) that i have been too (dating back to 1999).
anyway thanks for the posts so far, real interesting.

scott

[Wilbur]

I had a Remington, 40XBR, 6X47. Didn't compete with it and ended up trading it for some pistols. It would shoot good enough to win one day and lousy the next. I never shot competition with it but rather looking back at the group measurements, it was a pretty good rifle. I think that was the general consensus all said and done - shoot good one day and miserable the next. I found 300 Malsby (I think it was) bullets at a hardware store. Didn't know at the time what they were and they shot lights out. Pretty sure those bullets and that rifle were the ultimately the cause of this forum.

Sadly, I drove 75 miles to Knoxville with that 6X47 and some worn out cases to shoot the nationals. Don't remember what else I had in the trunk but it wasn't NEARLY enough to shoot. The range gate was locked and they had some heavy equipment that was tearing everything up. I walked up to a couple of guys there and asked where the nationals were and they said...not here! OK - so much for the info in PS magazine! I looked all over Knoxville that same day for Jef Fowler and finally found him in a new looking building on a road under heavy construction. Jef treated me like I had two heads but sold me some Watson bullets...500 68gr and 500 70gr. I think that's all he had in the whole place but maybe didn't see something that was hidden behind an invisible wall. I finally forgave him for the 70gr bullets but maybe I just forgot rather than forgave. I've often wondered....why did Ed Watson make those 70gr bullets???

And...who was that fellow that brought Benchrest shooting back to Knoxville for a couple of years. Was a really nice fellow that had a jealous wife (and rightfully so)! Doug something...I think...maybe not...

[Lee Martin]

also equipment list from each one, thats what i like seeing most of all.

Wapwallopen 1972, heavy bench results. By the early 70's that class was losing ground quick to the varmint ranks.



The equipment lists weren't as detailed back then. Common cartridges, in both heavy bench and varmint, included the 222, 222 1/2, 23-40 (223 Rem 40 deg), 22-,35, 40 &, 45 (222 Rem Mag, 35, 40, or 45 deg), 6 x 47, and even a few .308s and Wasps.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com