498:", which are rifle barrels and mechanisms built into a machine, or return-to-battery (RTB) rest. With rifles such as these, some initially argued that no shooting skill was involved and was simply a test of the gunsmith's craft. However, shooting an RTB rifle requires a set of skills different than conventional marksmanship. What is removed with the return-to-battery rifle is the need to physically aim the rifle for each shot, and evaluation of how any mirage will affect the shot. Judging the wind is as difficult and important with RTB rifles as with the other rifles. Given their mechanisms, it is arguably harder to compensate for ever-changing wind conditions when using a machine rest; the usual technique is to wait for what seems to be an identical condition rather than holding for the wind. Holding for the wind is quite common with the Light and Heavy Varmint rifles, and does offer certain advantages.
448:, the highest precision equipment is required if a shooter is to be competitive. The rifle is the most obvious cost; the most accurate guns are custom-built and can cost thousands of dollars. Handloading equipment is also essential for centerfire shooters (rimfire rounds are generally not handloaded) to allow tuning the ammunition to the rifle. In order to achieve extreme accuracy, the guns must be fired from a stable platform called a bench, which is a heavy, solid table usually anchored into the ground. Benches made of cinder block with a poured concrete top are commonly used in competition. Wooden benches are still used on some ranges. For most rifles, rests are required to provide a stable shooting surface, and most shooters use some method of judging the direction and/or velocity of the wind on the range.
330:(there are no ten-shot competitions at 600 yards), while 180 metres (200 yd) ten-shot groups are around 5.1 millimetres (0.2 in) (28 μRad), and 91 metres (100 yd) 10-shot groups are around 2.5 millimetres (0.1 in) (27 μRad). Five-shot groups are significantly smaller. Groups are measured from center-to-center, thus negating the variations of different calibers. To accomplish this, the group is measured across its overall widest dispersion, then the diameter of the bullet is subtracted for the result. For example, a group measuring 9.5 millimetres (0.375 in) is scored 3.4 millimetres (0.132 in) (.375"-.243") for a 6 mm (.243") bullet. Matches are shot from 46 metres (50 yd) with rimfire rifles, up to 910 metres (1,000 yd) for centerfire rifles.
491:, where the shooters would aim for highly accurate rifles, using mostly .22 caliber cartridges. Initially, competitors could use just about any gun they wished. Eventually, classes of guns were created to enhance the sport's competitiveness. For example, the two long-range classes are a 7.7 kilograms (17 lb) maximum Light Gun and an unlimited weight Heavy Gun. Short range (91 to 274 m (100 to 300 yd)) centerfire group shooting encompasses the "Light Varmint" (maximum 4.8 kilograms (10.5 lb) overall), "Heavy Varmint" (6.1 kilograms (13.5 lb) overall), "Sporter" (4.8 kilograms (10.5 lb), and 6.2 millimetres (0.243 in) or greater), and "Unlimited" classes.
787:
lower-recoiling long-range rifles, many competitors shoot "free recoil," where the rifle is not touched at all, save for the finger on the trigger. The sandbags provide all the support. By allowing the rifle to move freely backward, the shooter hopes that the movement under recoil will be as consistent as possible. A few short-range rifles and long-range rifles with heavy recoil must be firmly held, even though the aiming is still done with the positioning of the rests.
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542:) are most commonly used. Scope models with 0.025 mil and 0.05 mil adjustments are also becoming more available. Lower adjustment values make it possible to more finely adjust the sight towards the center of the target, but at the cost of more adjustments to keep track of. Some also participate with sights intended for hunting or practical long-range shooting (i.e.
770:, powders and bullets must be of the highest quality available if they are to achieve the shot-to-shot consistency necessary for competitive performances. Most short-range benchrest shooters use precision target-grade bullets made by custom bullet makers. Long-range shooters split about evenly between factory-manufactured and custom-manufactured bullets. Initially,
31:
323:, and The Original Pennsylvania 1,000 Yard Benchrest Club), the competitor's target is scored for both group size and score. A competitor may only win in one category. If, for example, a single competitor has the smallest group and highest score, they will be awarded only a win for the smallest group, the next highest score will be awarded the score win.
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In competitive group shooting at 91–274 metres (100–300 yd), shots often land very close together making only one ragged hole in the target, therefore a method for verifying the required number of shots (five or ten) is used. This consists of a motorized single roll of paper stretched across and
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There are two major types of competition. The goal of the original benchrest shooting was to shoot five or ten bullets into the smallest group possible (all in one hole). Winning placement in competition is determined by how well each competitor achieves this goal or in other words, how closely the
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to indicate wind direction, and a cloth (or plastic) streamer and/or propeller to indicate wind speed (the higher the wind, the greater the angle of the streamer or speed of the propeller). Multiple flags are usually used, and they are placed at intervals along the path of the bullet from rifle to
782:
Unlimited class rail guns are just barreled actions (the top) that ride directly on a machine rest (the base), no additional rests are needed. The base of the railgun provides adjustable feet to provide a stable position on the bench, and the rifle is aimed with horizontal and vertical adjustments
329:
Benchrest shooters attempt to achieve the ultimate in rifle precision; records for single 910 metres (1,000 yd), ten-shot groups are as small as 76 millimetres (3 in) (84 μRad), the 550 metres (600 yd) record for a single five-shot group is 17.8 millimetres (0.699 in) (32 μRad)
786:
All other rifle types have recognizable stocks, and are fired from dual sandbags; a front bag on an adjustable mechanical platform (some costing half as much as the rifle) and a special rear bag. The stocks of benchrest rifles are designed to rest on the sandbags. With short-range rifles and the
501:
Benchrest matches involve careful reading of wind conditions to compensate for bullet drift, and the rifles and ammunition must be of the highest possible quality. However, claims of the superior position of machining over marksmanship skills in RTB rifle shooting are bolstered by the fact that
190:
device called shooting rest (which may be one- or two-piece depending on competition rules), so that the gun can remain stably pointing at the target without needing to be held by someone. When shooting, the shooter simply sits/stands comfortably behind the table/bench, operates the
474:
Benchrest shooting with a Mauser rifle. This is an example of the non-competitive use of benchrest techniques. Neither the rifle, the rest, nor the bench shown would be found in formal competition. They show, rather, adaptations of benchrest ideas for the more common hunting
265:(WBSF) is the main international governing body for benchrest shooting, and encompass both fullbore and smallbore competitions. World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation (WRABF) is a smaller international governing body focusing on smallbore competitions. The
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Wind flags are placed on the range between the shooter and the target, and allow a skilled shooter to judge the amount of correction that needs to be made to place each shot precisely on the target. Flags can be home-built or purchased. They generally consist of a
199:, without needing to worry about carrying any weight of the gun. This is in contrast to other shooting disciplines, where the shooter has to bear at least part of the gun's weight while holding it steady to aim, even when using support devices such as bipods,
825:
The World
Benchrest Championship is hosted in a different country every two years. On June 27, 2009, a world record was set there at 270 metres (300 yd) with a 1.191 centimetres (0.469 in) five-shot group measured center-to-center.
765:
Except where extremely rare competition rules stipulate factory-assembled ammunition, benchrest shooting relies exclusively on hand-loaded ammunition, which is user-assembled, round by round, with painstaking precision. Benchrest shooters'
774:(VLD) bullets were preferred for long range, but both the difficulties in consistent manufacture and fussiness in consistent loading of VLD bullets have led to some compromise designs that have the promise of more consistent performance.
237:
Benchrest shooters are notoriously detail-oriented and constantly trying to further the accuracy potential of the rifle through experimentation. Nearly all benchrest rifles are custom-made and many shooters do their own
817:. Approximately 360 shooters from around the world will gather to see who can shoot the smallest average of Light Varmint (5 groups each at 91 and 183 metres (100 and 200 yd)) and Heavy Varmint (5 groups/100/200).
483:
in mind. Shooters might use heavy stainless steel barrels, scopes with high power magnification, and handmade stocks of graphite, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Triggers are usually set to a pull of only a few ounces.
726:
Only the most consistent and efficient cartridges can provide the necessary accuracy for benchrest shooting. Initially, many chamberings were tried, with the .219 Donaldson Wasp probably being the most common. The
311:
The other is a more recent development, "score shooting". The difference is that the traditional bullseye-type target with scoring rings is used. Winning placement is determined by each shooter's score results.
746:), took over as the most accurate cartridge. In today's benchrest competitions, short-range group is mainly shot with the 6 mm PPC, while short-range score sees more rifles chambered in the
758:, are currently the most common chamberings. There is no dominant chambering in 910-metre (1,000 yd) competition; choices range from the 6 mm BR and Dasher through the
522:
of 24×, 36×, or higher are common when allowed. Generally, scopes will have turret adjustments to allow the scope to be easily adjusted for various shooting conditions.
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It wouldn't be hard to argue that benchrest shooters are compulsive. The lengths these folks go to in case preparation is really quite remarkable.
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Additionally, there is growing interest in both rimfire and airgun benchrest. Currently, both of these competitions are of the score format only.
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their ammunition in order to tune it perfectly to their rifle. In contrast, handloading ammunition is strictly prohibited by the rules for
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The
Unlimited class comes very close to living up to its name—just about any single-shot rifle qualifies, up to and including "
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901:"Benchrest loading techniques: Handloading Editor Petty offers a quick overview of advanced handloading tools and techniques"
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This organisation aims to promote the sport of Air rifle and
Rimfire Benchrest shooting in the UK and throughout the world.
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546:). Sights intended for practical long-range typically have a reticle in the first focal plane (FFP) and coarser
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269:(IBS) and Global Benchrest Association (GBA) are two organizations which are only active in the United States.
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competitors build their own rifles, and nearly all handload their ammunition to tune it to the rifle.
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For benchrest shooting, scopes with a second focal plane (SFP) reticle and click adjustments of
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moving behind the targets which will record the number of bullets passing through each target.
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rimfire competitions, riding on an adjustable machine rest at the front and a saddled
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dominated the benchrest world from the mid-1950s until around 1975, when the
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Shooting guns from stable benchrests may also provide a stable platform for
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1105:"SUPER SHOOT -- Pantheon of PPCs Top Guns Reveal How to Win the Big One"
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era "double rest" rifles were one early form of "benchrest" rifles. The
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However, in 550 and 910 metres (600 and 1,000 yd) competitions (
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in the middle are common benchrest cartridges, here compared to a
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case (which is in turn a boxer-primed derivative of the military
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Precision sights are also a requirement. High-quality aperture
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http://internationalbenchrest.com/records/long_range/index.php
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National Bench Rest
Shooters Association, Inc. (June 2008).
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Table of adjustment and subtensions at different distances
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Since benchrest is a sport requiring the highest possible
186:(front/rear) combination, and/or a specially designed
518:. High magnification scopes are generally preferred;
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could be used, but nearly all benchrest events allow
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shots are grouped. This is termed "Group
Shooting".
372:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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809:The Supershoot is usually held the week before
174:of such a rifle are usually fully supported by
1172:"Official Rule Book and By-Laws, revision 37"
466:A BCM Europearms single shot benchrest rifle.
8:
750:. In 550-metre (600 yd) benchrest, the
479:Rifles are usually custom-made with extreme
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214:less specialized firearms, including even
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432:Learn how and when to remove this message
1189:International Benchrest Shooters website
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166:, hence the name "benchrest". Both the
1131:"Marksman's aim right on world record"
7:
850:. MagTech Ammunition. Archived from
370:adding citations to reliable sources
263:World Benchrest Shooting Federation
63:World Benchrest Shooting Federation
25:
1199:www.eurobenchrestnews.com website
873:Gottfredson, Jacob (March 2009).
875:"Winning budget Benchrest rifle"
346:
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267:International Benchrest Shooters
899:Petty, Charles E (April 2002).
754:and a wildcat based on it, the
357:needs additional citations for
300:High precision but low accuracy
288:High accuracy but low precision
226:, as it eliminates most of the
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1159:Benchrest UK Website For All
487:Benchrest shooting grew from
132:An unlimited class "railgun".
985:"NBRSA Short Range Records"
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1204:www.pa1000yard.com website
538:(approximately 0.036
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1194:www.benchrest.com website
1083:Official Rule Book, p. 26
954:http://www.pa1000yard.com
929:"NBRSA 1000 yard records"
242:. Nearly all shooters in
234:the sighting-in process.
1093:Quick and Easy Wind Flag
1060:"IBS long range records"
254:benchrest competitions.
1165:Benchrest Forum website
722:cartridge to the right.
556: mil adjustments.
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1219:Rifle shooting sports
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381:"Benchrest shooting"
366:improve this article
273:Types of competition
143:discipline in which
38:rifle used for BR50
1035:"IBS score records"
1010:"IBS group records"
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108:World Championships
58:governing body
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971:2010-06-06 at the
854:on 14 October 2017
848:Hunting University
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852:the original
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813:in northern
811:Memorial Day
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34:A benchrest
756:6 mm Dasher
692:50 mm
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683:20 mm
680:10 mm
663:50 mm
660:25 mm
657:20 mm
654:15 mm
651:10 mm
608:25 mm
602:10 mm
512:iron sights
240:gunsmithing
212:sighting in
1070:2010-06-16
1045:2010-06-16
1020:2010-06-16
995:2009-04-09
939:2009-04-09
858:13 October
830:References
791:Wind flags
760:.338 Lapua
716:6mm Dasher
702:Ammunition
677: mil
648:5 mm
622: moa
596:5 mm
567:Justering
392:newspapers
244:centerfire
118:Paralympic
1140:27 August
1114:27 August
1109:6mmBR.com
910:27 August
884:27 August
798:wind vane
744:7.62×39mm
496:rail guns
338:Equipment
259:Civil War
257:The post-
230:that can
176:bean bags
172:buttstock
82:Equipment
18:Benchrest
1213:Category
969:Archived
801:target.
736:6 mm PPC
481:accuracy
248:handload
232:confound
220:shotguns
216:handguns
92:Presence
56:Highest
44:bean bag
768:primers
733:wildcat
672:⁄
617:⁄
585:1000 m
551:⁄
530:⁄
406:scholar
252:rimfire
201:tripods
197:trigger
188:fixture
184:monopod
168:forearm
98:Olympic
74:Contact
748:.30 BR
712:6mm BR
582:500 m
579:400 m
576:300 m
573:200 m
570:100 m
506:Sights
475:rifle.
452:Rifles
408:
401:
394:
387:
379:
193:action
148:rifles
40:.22 LR
1182:(PDF)
1175:(PDF)
778:Rests
413:JSTOR
399:books
321:NBRSA
180:bipod
160:paper
156:bench
152:table
139:is a
86:Rifle
1142:2010
1116:2010
912:2010
886:2010
860:2017
815:Ohio
710:The
385:news
222:and
178:, a
170:and
544:PRS
540:mil
536:moa
368:by
317:IBS
203:or
162:or
154:or
112:Yes
1215::
1133:.
1107:.
914:.
903:.
877:.
846:.
674:10
553:10
319:,
218:,
207:.
122:No
102:No
77:No
1144:.
1118:.
1073:.
1048:.
1023:.
998:.
942:.
888:.
862:.
670:1
619:8
615:1
549:1
532:8
528:1
435:)
429:(
424:)
420:(
410:·
403:·
396:·
389:·
362:.
182:/
20:)
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