There seems to be something of a trend in the last few years toward bench-rest competitions employing reactionary targets; and in some cases, away from mechanical shooting aids. That being the case, 'Reactionary Bench-Rest' might be an appropriate term for these new bench-rest competitions on multiple levels-
1) The use of reactionary targets, 2) traditional bench-rest shooters might consider the bastardization of their game 'reactionary', and 3) which it certainly is, considering at least some of the shooters attracted to the new games may be 'reacting' to what they might consider a bastardization of traditional shooting skills by over-mechanization and over-accessorization that removes the intimate, sensory connection between the shooter and his gun and makes traditional Bench-Rest competitions as much an equipment race as a shooting (skills) competition.
Speaking from personal experience, I feel I can shoot with anyone from a sand-bagged bench-rest. So naturally I jumped right into Airgun Bench-Rest competition with excellent early success. However as the local game 'matured' it became obvious there was no way to remain competitive at the same (high) level without also remaining competitive in the EQUIPMENT race. So I lost interest pretty quickly.
But when I heard of various Bench-Rest SILHOUETTE competitions popping up around the country, some of which severely restrict shooting aids, my interest was again duly piqued. And when a buddy announced he was starting a rimfire Bench-Rest Silhouette competition program at our local gun club, my ears perked up immediately. Upon describing parameters of the new BRS competition, I was ALL IN!
No mechanical shooting aids would be allowed other than a simple sand-bag under the fore-end (not even a second bag under the butt). Silhouettes would be 1/10 scale, same as NRA-regulation for Airgun Silhouette competitions. Ranges would be 50, 66, 75 and 100 yards for the TINY chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams (respectively). Of course being The Manic Compressive (emphasis on MANIC), I asked if he'd mind including an AIRGUN class; to which he replied, "You realize we're shooting from 50 to 100 yards, right?" But of course!
As the Rimfire class shooters approached perfect 40/40 scores with Airgun scores just 10% lower, the Match Director decided to increase the ranges to 60, 75, 90 and 100 yards; surely the kiss of death for airgunners. NOPE!
While the goal of preventing perfect scores was achieved, current club records now stand at 37/40 in Rimfire class and 33/40 in Airgun; the airgun scores still only about 10% lower than the rimfire scores! Mind you this is in challenging, gusty outdoor wind conditions, the 60 yard chicken targets about the size of a PENNY, and the NINETY yard turkeys about the size of a QUARTER!
Challenging, certainly. But when one of those 90 yard turkeys goes A-FLYIN' from a well-placed pellet hit, FUN proportionate to the challenge! Suffice to say much, MUCH more-so than a hole appearing in paper.
I've heard of several variations of Bench-Rest Silhouette competitions around the U.S.; part of the beauty and attraction being the rules, targets, distances, and allowable equipment and aids being unique to each BRS competition. For instance, one BRS competition way up north uses life-sized varmint silhouettes (like prairie dogs, crows ground-hogs and coyotes) at proportionately long ranges (like out to 1000 yards). Apparently that particular BRS competition consistently attracts HUNDREDS of competitors to every match!
Point is, I foresee Bench-Rest Silhouette competitions increasing in popularity at an exponential rate as shooters attracted to (either or both) bench-rest shooting and/or reactionary targets discover the joys of Bench-Rest Silhouette competition(s). Googling "bench-rest silhouette" will probably shed more light on the subject.
"Try it; you might like it." ?
Benchrest has gotten just like skeet shooting, in skeet, if you can't shoot 99 out of hundred, you suck and should try something else.
Benchrest is the same, if you can't shoot at least 743, you suck and need to either quit or buy very expensive equipment. Would love to try BR
In skeet, if you can't shoot at least 98 out of 100, you suck and have wasted your $40 entry fee for that gauge. And lots of competitions have all 4 gauges, that is $160, gone, you idiot.
Benchrest has gotten the same, if you can't should at least 743, you suck and should find something else or buy some very expensive equipment, isn't that right Cold King. Field Target doesn't have those very high scores, except for some prima donnas in open and WFTF. But I digress. BR Silhouette would be lots more fun, jeez, I think I just felt a tingle you know where, oh oh oh, wheee. Any way , does sound like fun, fun is what we should have, and would like to get a .22 or .25 for that.
As I recall Billy, you're quite the traveler. Our BRS matches (just west of Waco) are held the first Saturday of each month. And like all competitions, we love bringing new shooters into the fold. There are only 2 classes- Airgun and Rimfire.
But to your point about EXPENSIVE equipment dominating many shooting games, our Rimfire record is co-held by an expensive target rifle and a RUGER 10/22! The Airgun Class record is co-held by a .25 Kalibrgun Cricket (expensive, yes) and a .22 Eun Jin Sumatra (definitely not expensive by airgun standards). Point being that in this particular competition, high-dollar equipment is not necessary to compete... or even prevail (yet, anyway).
Consider this an invite Billy (and anyone else interested). By the way, if it helps entice you, I live 11 miles from the club and we have a nice guest bedroom and bathroom that doesn't get enough use. That way it wouldn't have to be a day-trip; rather a week-end getaway.
Regards,
Ron
I am located in Houston Texas. Air gunner since early 90's We will try the benchrest air rifle sihouette on spinners to test. The Club has a full set (two banks of reset-able.
Would need help (not available now) to set these frames.
I have a sister in Waco and my drive up soon. Please send me all info. Phone number
directions and rules. I have old NJR, EV2, Thomas and Guantlet
I had a buddy that used to brag about his 10/22 getting 1/4" groups at 50 yards, leaving me jealous because my 10/22 custom does no better than 1/2" at 50 (average). Many times I considered replacing my after-market barrel with a tighter-chambered barrel. That is, until a conversation with the same buddy when he confessed to having replaced his barrel because he'd grown tired of cleaning it so often, to have some semblance of reliable feeding!
So now I content myself with .55" five-shot groups at 50 yards with match ammos, and .75" with Mini Mag H.P.s; and consequently am no longer tempted to overwhelm the aesthetics of the lovely 10/22 custom with a monster scope!
Another now-deceased buddy built me this 10/22 custom for a Christmas gift after I'd given him a longbow I built for him the previous Christmas. Lee did an excellent job building the Osage (Bois D'Arc) stock with Bavarian-style cheekpiece, Schnabel fore-end, skip-line hand checkering, and skeletonized blue-steel butt-plate and grip-cap. I did the trigger-job, that came out near match-grade.
Rest in peace, Lee Etier. I miss you, Bud!
Nothing new... I was running several games I created to use our NRA/IHMSA air pistol and NRA air rifle targets in 2011-2012 and continue today by Patrick Radler at the Diablo Rod and Gun Club in California after my move to Oregon in 2012.
If you really want a challenge... shoot the targets as originally intended, from the standing/offhand position... no more perfect score ties.
Four airgun games I created to use air pistol and air rifle silhouette targets in addition to NRA Air Rifle and NRA/IHMSA Air Pistol. I want to make shooting fun for people that are intimidated by NRA Airgun Silhouette while providing a challenge for excellent shooters. The Varmint and Long-Range Pistol games provide variety and better use of our rifle targets. Short-Range Air Rifle Silhouette is fun... I plan to add more games like this in the future with half size air pistol and air rifle targets (1/20th scale)... We need something challenging for shoot-offs when two or more SAR shooters have perfect scores and when Master Class shooters get bored with 1/10th scale targets.
DR&G Long-Range Air Pistol (LAP) & Varmint Air Pistol (VAP):
Any air pistol weighing no more than 8 Ibs. with scope and mounts. Length of barrel from chamber to end of muzzle must not exceed 15" excluding muzzle brake/air stripper. Length of barrel and action measured from the rear of the metal action or air chamber to the end of the muzzle, including any extension, must not exceed 24". Air pistols may utilize any self-contained or externally-charged compressed spring, air, or inert gas system, but such system must be completely self-contained at time of firing and not exceed 20 fpe.
Diablo Rod & Gun Club Varmint Air Rifle (VAR) & Varmint Air Pistol (VAP) Silhouette:
Varmint Air Rifle and Varmint Air Pistol targets are 1/10th scale metallic silhouettes of a chicken, pig, turkey and ram placed at 20, 30, 36 and 45 yards, respectively. NRA Target Air Rifles, Sporter Air Rifles, Open Air Rifles and DR&G Long-Range and Varmint Air Pistols shoot Varmint Silhouette off the benches or from any safe, supported freestyle shooting position including prone and the field target sitting (pretzel) or Hunter positions (buckets and sticks). If 3 or more shooters shoot in any class we split the groups into separate categories. Use of scopes or iron sights, including diopter sights is allowed. (20 fpe power limit) A good game for Rifle Silhouette and Field Target shooters to verify equipment settings, dope wind, and practice shooting skills at known distances.
Diablo Rod & Gun Club Long-Range Air Pistol Silhouette (LAP):
Long-Range Air Pistol targets are 1/10th scale metallic silhouettes of a chicken, pig, turkey and ram placed at 20, 30, 36 and 45 yards, respectively. A match consists of 40, 60, 80 or 120 rounds fired from the unsupported STANDING position. Shooters compete with shooters of like ability using our DR&G shooter classification system. If 3 or more shooters shoot in any class we split the groups into separate categories. Use of scopes or iron sights, including diopter sights is allowed. (20 fpe power limit.) Want a real challenge? LAP is a great way to sharpen pistol hunting/PFT offhand shooting skills.
Diablo Rod & Gun Club Short-Range Air Rifle Silhouette (SAR):
Target Air Rifles (Precharged, Piston, CO2, or SSP) and Sporter Air Rifles (Piston or CO2) are used to shoot 1/10th scale metallic silhouettes of a chicken, pig, turkey and ram placed at 10, 12.5, 15, and 18 yards, respectively. Targets are shot from the STANDING or OFFHAND position. Shooters compete with shooters of like ability using our DR&G shooter classification system. If 3 or more shooters shoot in any class we split the groups into separate categories. Use of scopes or iron sights, including diopter sights is allowed. (9 fpe power limit.) Short-Range Air Rifle Silhouette is an excellent game for anyone with a 10 meter rifle, R7, R8, Bronco, IZH60/61 class rifle, CO2 rifle etc. that wants to have a great time learning the silhouette game without a major investment in equipment. It's very easy to get decent SAR scores that inspire confidence and the desire to learn the skills necessary to achieve perfect scores.
NRA (DR&G) Category Classifications:
NRA Air Pistol Standing and Freestyle: (DR&G VAP, VAR)
Master ………………. 36 to 40
AAA …………………. 30 to 35
AA …………………… 22 to 29
A ……………………... 15 to 21
B ………………………. 0 to 14
NRA Open Air Rifle: (DR&G LAP, SAR)
Master ...................... 34 to 40
AAA …………………. 28 to 33
AA ..........................,.. 21 to 27
A ............................... 15 to 20
B …………………….… 0 to 14
NRA Target Air Rifle: (DR&G SAR)
Master ........................32 to 40
AAA ............................26 to 31
AA ..............................20 to 25
A ................................13 to 19
B ..................................0 to 12
NRA Sporter Air Rifle: (DR&G SAR)
Master ...................... 29 to 40
AAA .......................... 23 to 28
AA ............................ 17 to 22
A ............................... 11 to 16
B ................................. 0 to 10
We weren't trying to get in or out of the equipment game... we wanted to put all of the equipment regardless of intended use to work while having fun; adding benchrest to the games made it possible for everyone to compete with less intimidation.
Mike Aber
