Bench rest shoots
- Thread starter Axis II
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
Good question. I been wondering too. I would like to try some shoots with my axis in .223.
I’ve got a heavy barrel 22lr that stacks them at 50yards but the stock sucks. 3 local clubs do 22 bench shoots from 50-100yards starting around April. Didn’t want to change out the stock and be classified as custom.
Varminterror
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Most sanctioning bodies have their respective rules spelled out very well in their respective rulebooks. I’m not certain ANY organization would allow a stock change to a non-factory option without kicking you into Open/Unlimited type classes, and in that case, the $1500 guns aren’t going to be your problem - it’s the guys with $1500 ACTIONS which are going to slaughter all of you.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Does the MFG of your 22 offer different stocks with their factory productions? Like Savage A22 line for example. Mine came with a Boyd's thumb-hole stock.
As a friend of mine says........Go for broke, or go for the beers lol.
I believe so. It’s a savage mark II FV.
JFrank
Member
I have been to local non sanctioned matches the have classes that fit most competitors, a few that come to mind.
Factory/sporter class typically 10x scope maximum and .650 muzzle diameter.
Tactical class- AR or chassis guns etc.
Varmint class no mods stock trigger no flat forearms butt stocks
Custom class/Benchrest class everything goes.
IBS and NBRSA both short range and longer range have sanctioned matches and strick light gun weight class rules also Heavy gun rules that are on the web site
Factory/sporter class typically 10x scope maximum and .650 muzzle diameter.
Tactical class- AR or chassis guns etc.
Varmint class no mods stock trigger no flat forearms butt stocks
Custom class/Benchrest class everything goes.
IBS and NBRSA both short range and longer range have sanctioned matches and strick light gun weight class rules also Heavy gun rules that are on the web site
There is a fly shoot at my club every week; there are participants with basic .22 Rugers all the way up to extremely expensive German FWB’s and Anschutz Olympic style rifles and matching glass. The exact same people prevail every week and guess who they are - the one’s with the financial means for the German equipment - the Ruger type shooters get slaughtered but to their credit, they continue to return. To the point, make sure that the competition has similar equipment or a shoot becomes laughable. In turn, understand that expensive/ consistent .22 ammo is an absolute must for competition in any category - very expensive German equipment still (usually) shoots cheap fodder badly.
True registered Benchrest matches? You’ll get “slaughtered “ as @Varminterror posted.
A local fun match may be different, but you’ll spend way to much money trying to make a factory rifle truly complete in “Benchrest”, or local matches with serious competition, you’d be better off buying a true Benchrest rifle if you’re serious.
Put a true match barrel on your rifle, get some true match bullets, maybe even custom bullets, and see how it shoots. Those two items are the biggest/easiest way to increase accuracy the most for the dollars spent
A local fun match may be different, but you’ll spend way to much money trying to make a factory rifle truly complete in “Benchrest”, or local matches with serious competition, you’d be better off buying a true Benchrest rifle if you’re serious.
Put a true match barrel on your rifle, get some true match bullets, maybe even custom bullets, and see how it shoots. Those two items are the biggest/easiest way to increase accuracy the most for the dollars spent
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Our club does 200 yard 22lr shoots. They are just informal matches, I did zero the A22 for them. Never got around to doing one. I was at one the day i joined the club. I watched them shoot. No one had any fancy rifles. They did use match ammo though. Eley was one the caught my eye. The one guys wife won that day. He said ''she wasn't even using a target rifle.''
I watched some video and saw pictures of some of the matches as well as the score sheets and it appears they put the expensive stuff in its own class, hunter class and custom class. Just wasn't sure what classifies as custom and hunter class. I planned on getting some Ely ammo to try. Most the targets I see in the custom and hunter group the tightest group is around an inch. On a good day with a good lot of ammo I can do that or better at 50yards.
Poper
Member
All of this is very true. However, do not let it make the decision of whether to compete or not. Competing will make you a much better shooter. Win or lose, you will have fun and (typically) the best shooters like to help the beginners learn to shoot better. At least this was what I discovered when I first began shooting Rifle Silhouette matches. I am very glad I did as it has made me a much, MUCH better offhand shooter. I just wish I hadn't waited until I was 58 years old before I got started.
BTW, when it comes to .22 rf competition, the #1 best thing you can do to improve your score is using a quality ammunition on the level of Lapua Midas+, Eley Tenex or something very similar. Testing ammo on non-match days at the range can be half the fun, too!
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