Been meaning to do one of these posts for the past many years and, of necessity, will keep the descriptions brief. We leave tomorrow morning for a week long family reunion in Carmel, California. Still have to pack and get the car serviced and the official match report off to the competitors so this will be a quick post with grab photos.

For twenty-four years the wife and I spent considerable time traveling in a trailer around the U.S. where I participated in Bench Rest Rifle Competition. About ten years ago I retired from shooting and became the official scorer and goffer for the tournaments held at the above range. Long days at the range since last Thursday...set-up is Thursday and Friday, competition shooting is Saturday and Sunday where I do the actual scoring and recording. Tear down and cleanup is Sunday evening and Monday.

This weekend was the first stage of the Utah State Championship where the Sporter and Unlimited (rail gun) Classes were shot. The object is to get all five record shots in one hole for the Sporter Class during the seven minute course of fire and 10 shots in ten minutes for the rail gun class. Shooters use wind flags to "read" the wind direction and velocity and the course of fire is 100 and 200 yards. There were two relays of shooters and five matches at each yardage. The majority of shooters use 6mm and .22 caliber "single shot" custom actioned rifles with custom barrels and competition rifle scopes. No repeating or automatic actioned rifles are permitted. After shooting a match, shooters are given thirty minutes to reload while the next relay shoots their match. There are five matches shot at each yardage and then a winner is determined, a break for lunch, then the next yardage commences. And so the day goes...it is a lot of fun, good natured ribbing and comradery!

Really great explanation. While I have never competed in bench rest, I have used a modified rest to test my handloads for my Winchester Model 70 30-06 with a Lyman 4 power scope. I did get a number of approximately 1" groups with various Sierra bullets. I made Expert with the Garand when I was in Basic Training back in 1953. I shot on our post pistol team in 1954 and 1955 including at the National Mid-Winter Championships in Tampa, FL. At my current age I no longer shoot with a gun but still shoot with a camera.
Bud

Been meaning to do one of these posts for the past many years and, of necessity, will keep the descriptions brief. We leave tomorrow morning for a week long family reunion in Carmel, California. Still have to pack and get the car serviced and the official match report off to the competitors so this will be a quick post with grab photos.

For twenty-four years the wife and I spent considerable time traveling in a trailer around the U.S. where I participated in Bench Rest Rifle Competition. About ten years ago I retired from shooting and became the official scorer and goffer for the tournaments held at the above range. Long days at the range since last Thursday...set-up is Thursday and Friday, competition shooting is Saturday and Sunday where I do the actual scoring and recording. Tear down and cleanup is Sunday evening and Monday.

This weekend was the first stage of the Utah State Championship where the Sporter and Unlimited (rail gun) Classes were shot. The object is to get all five record shots in one hole for the Sporter Class during the seven minute course of fire and 10 shots in ten minutes for the rail gun class. Shooters use wind flags to "read" the wind direction and velocity and the course of fire is 100 and 200 yards. There were two relays of shooters and five matches at each yardage. The majority of shooters use 6mm and .22 caliber "single shot" custom actioned rifles with custom barrels and competition rifle scopes. No repeating or automatic actioned rifles are permitted. After shooting a match, shooters are given thirty minutes to reload while the next relay shoots their match. There are five matches shot at each yardage and then a winner is determined, a break for lunch, then the next yardage commences. And so the day goes...it is a lot of fun, good natured ribbing and comradery!

Been meaning to do one of these posts for the past many years and, of necessity, will keep the descriptions brief. We leave tomorrow morning for a week long family reunion in Carmel, California. Still have to pack and get the car serviced and the official match report off to the competitors so this will be a quick post with grab photos.

For twenty-four years the wife and I spent considerable time traveling in a trailer around the U.S. where I participated in Bench Rest Rifle Competition. About ten years ago I retired from shooting and became the official scorer and goffer for the tournaments held at the above range. Long days at the range since last Thursday...set-up is Thursday and Friday, competition shooting is Saturday and Sunday where I do the actual scoring and recording. Tear down and cleanup is Sunday evening and Monday.

This weekend was the first stage of the Utah State Championship where the Sporter and Unlimited (rail gun) Classes were shot. The object is to get all five record shots in one hole for the Sporter Class during the seven minute course of fire and 10 shots in ten minutes for the rail gun class. Shooters use wind flags to "read" the wind direction and velocity and the course of fire is 100 and 200 yards. There were two relays of shooters and five matches at each yardage. The majority of shooters use 6mm and .22 caliber "single shot" custom actioned rifles with custom barrels and competition rifle scopes. No repeating or automatic actioned rifles are permitted. After shooting a match, shooters are given thirty minutes to reload while the next relay shoots their match. There are five matches shot at each yardage and then a winner is determined, a break for lunch, then the next yardage commences. And so the day goes...it is a lot of fun, good natured ribbing and comradery!