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Bench Rest Rifle Competition, Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah
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May 4, 2021 11:34:44   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
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!

1. The covered firing line
1.  The covered firing line...
(Download)

2. A course of fire about to commence, the woman sitting to the left center is the range officer who announces shooter instructions during a match
2.  A course of fire about to commence, the woman ...
(Download)

3. Sporter Class rifles
3.  Sporter Class rifles...
(Download)

4. Unlimited Class (rail) gun
4.  Unlimited Class (rail) gun...
(Download)

5. The reloading barn
5.  The reloading barn...
(Download)

6. Typical competitor reloading bench
6.  Typical competitor reloading bench...
(Download)

7. Trailer where I do the scoring
7.  Trailer where I do the scoring...
(Download)

8. Score sheet...and the winner is...
8. Score sheet...and the winner is......
(Download)

9. this fella from Wyoming!
9.  this fella from Wyoming!...
(Download)

10. The road up our side of the canyon ends here at the range
10.  The road up our side of the canyon ends here ...
(Download)

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May 4, 2021 11:39:03   #
Quixdraw Loc: x
 
Interesting, thanks!

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May 4, 2021 11:45:19   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
jederick wrote:
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... (show quote)



Very nice.

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May 4, 2021 12:17:51   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Cool. I didn’t realize railguns had progressed to the point of being used in actual competitions. We were working with the Navy on the first concept/prototypes many decades ago.

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May 4, 2021 12:21:26   #
Quixdraw Loc: x
 
TriX wrote:
Cool. I didn’t realize railguns had progressed to the point of being used in actual competitions. We were working with the Navy on the first concept/prototypes many decades ago.


These are still traditional firearms in a bench format using smokeless powder - rail guns are electromagnetic linear accelerators.

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May 4, 2021 12:28:03   #
Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida
 
Wow, that looks like a serious sport. Your shots are sharp and clear and provide a good overview of the operation. It is something I know nothing about so I really enjoyed following your narrative and studying the photos.

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May 4, 2021 12:30:50   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
Nice set. Have fun, jederick.

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May 4, 2021 12:42:25   #
Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.
 
Nice photos. Fancy weapons.

RA11413200 - Silver (Expert) 400 yrds, prone, M1 Garand.

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May 4, 2021 12:47:30   #
joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ
 
Great set. In the early 1970’s, I participated in NRA 2700 pistol matches. It was a lot of fun. Many of the us reloaded our .45 caliber ammo but it was done at home before the matches. I found it interesting that the rifle shooters set up a reloading station at the match. Thanks for sharing the set.

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May 4, 2021 12:56:30   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
quixdraw wrote:
These are still traditional firearms in a bench format using smokeless powder - rail guns are electromagnetic linear accelerators.


When he said railguns, I thought he was referring to electromagnetic accelerators. Amateurs do actually build them - not that hard actually.

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May 4, 2021 13:12:38   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
[quote=quixdraw]Interesting, thanks![

You're welcome, QD...thanks for stopping by!!

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May 4, 2021 13:13:16   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
Architect1776 wrote:

Very nice.


Many thanks, Architect!!

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May 4, 2021 13:15:09   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
TriX wrote:
Cool. I didn’t realize railguns had progressed to the point of being used in actual competitions. We were working with the Navy on the first concept/prototypes many decades ago.


These are a little different then what you were working on, TriX and most are one of a kind built to individuals specs depending on desired configuration!!

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May 4, 2021 13:17:02   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
Cwilson341 wrote:
Wow, that looks like a serious sport. Your shots are sharp and clear and provide a good overview of the operation. It is something I know nothing about so I really enjoyed following your narrative and studying the photos.


Well thank you, Carol...good to see you enjoyed following along with this rather unknown rifle sport!!

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May 4, 2021 13:18:56   #
jederick Loc: Northern Utah
 
kpmac wrote:
Nice set. Have fun, jederick.


Many thanks, Ken. Main purpose of this trip is to visit a sister in a memory care center...she is not doing well and our family is gathering there for Mother's Day.

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