My daughter attended her first competition today. She did far better than I had expeceted, especially considering the fact that the shooters laid their rifles over strange contraptions, propped them up with sandbags and patted themselves on the back for shooting "well".
Is this the norm in .22 rifle shooting? What happened to the marksman who could lift a .22 to his shoulder unaided, while standing unsupported? This kind of shooting is akin to sticking a rifle in a vise. All that is proven is the accuracy of the rifle. What interests me is (by means of competition) to determine the most proficient with his rifle. Am I correct in assuming then that there are no true marksmen left?
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What's the name of the event? How many yards?
Doesn't sound like an actual competition to me
This was a competition hosted by the Middle Tennessee Shooters Club, and was a .22 rifle competition. It was broken up into categories like: open sight (25 yds); 4X scope and lower (50 yds); 9X & lower (50 yds); 18X & lower (50 yds); open (50 yds).
It was unofficial, and was aimed at generating a few bucks for the MidTen shooters. What worries me is that this may be the way people compete in real competitions. Tell me I'm just paranoid. Please!
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hounddawg - Many clubs do this, holding matches for Juniors shooting .22 Cal rimfire, with various sights, shooting from a supported position (not too different than "Bench Rest" Shooting). Part of the reason, is that the shooters the matches are intended to draw, are usually inexperienced, and to be able to keep their interest long enough to get them interested in shooting as a sport or hobby, they want the new shooters to get the highest score they can get. The only people this really makes a lot of sense to, are those of us who work with the new shooters.
Besides the shooters getting higher scores than they would by shooting unsupported, they can learn breath control, trigger squeeze, sight alignment and sight picture. The basics are easier to teach if the new shooter can see at least some change in their scores. If they are shooting unsupported, then it is difficult to see changes when the target looks as though it was shot with a shotgun.
After they get the shooting bug, then unsupported position shooting is offered up, because they then really can understand what is happening, and want to become a real shooter. Since they presumably already know how to apply breath control, trigger squeeze, get the best sight alignment, and sight picture, all they need to focus on, is their position shooting, and practice the positions over and over.
The physical conditioning I usually recommend for shooters looking to improve their scores, is to do the following:
For the Standing (Offhand) Position (since the longest time a shooter could be in this position is 10 minutes) Practice by putting up a sighting target in a room or your garage, and sighting on it for a 10 minute time period. Then practice doing sets of 10 minutes sighting, and 5 minutes resting, begin with a set of at least 5 cycles of 10 minute sighting, and 5 minutes resting. This will build the muscles up that are used when shooting from the Standing (Offhand) position, ands assist you in building your score.
Each of the positions I recommend doing the same. Practice the sitting position, by going from a standing position to sitting, then holding the sitting position for 10 minutes, get up and rest for 5 minutes, and repeat . . .
For the prone (lying down position), do the same by lying prone with the rifle brought up to the shooting position, sighting for 10 minutes, then get up and rest for 5 minutes, and repeat . . .
Of course it goes without saying that the position you assume will be done according to NRA/CMP Rules, and/or the position as recommended by your rifle coach.
Thank you for the info Gyrene. The "inexperienced" shooters, were (apart from my kid) men ranging in age between 35 and 70. I am all the more proud of my daughter, upon being offered a bench, when she replied: "Isn't that cheating?" She shot with only her elbows supported on the table and produced a 45 out of a possible 50. The chap next to her was shooting an Anshutz from a bench against her little Marlin. She tried again and produced a 47.
The other shooters had to use gauges to determine winners. Yep, they had some accurate rifles.
The kid is 15 now. In a couple of years she will shoot rings around them, benches or no.
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good going for your daughter! reminds of the M1A guys at our range that I keep talking about. Never get off the bench. What's the point in spending tons of cash on accessorizing your weapon when all you are going to do is stick it onto a stand I keep bringing these cheap old battle rifles to the range to make them laugh at me.
let them laugh. At the 50 yd butt I put 6 shots from my Schmidt Rubin in a 3 1/2" group from the shoulder. These "Benchers" put tight little one-hole groups in a piece of paper, but I'm sure if they had to shoot from the fist, they would not be able to hit a cow in the arse with a banjo.
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I guess with bench shooting it is the opposite of timberlord's signature line: It's the pipes, laddie. Not the piper.
Once you have established the accuracy characteristics and functionality of a firearm, I do not see the point of continuing bench shooting. It would be like forever driving your sports car on a dyno and never the track.
Are there any benchers here who will stand up for their sport? I do not mean to down bench shooting; I just enjoy testing my ability as part of the equation.
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bench rest shooting is a specialized sport, and it is largely about the equipment but dont assume that the shooter doesnt play an important part of the equation. also just because someone chooses to compete in benchrest that does not mean they cannot shoot well without a rest. i wouldnt criticize a mans choice of his sport unless you can beat the top shooters doing it.
Well each to his own, I suppose. I still think that the only way to shoot is when standing on my hind legs, but it may be because I'm just too lazy to sit, shoot, get back up, reload the muzzleloader, sit down again....
On this issue, I'm with Shoomac. The best way to test the proficiency of the marksman is from the fist. I saw a fellow "pinching" the trigger of his rifle by puttind his thumb on the guard, and his finger on the trigger! He wasn't even really holding the rifle.
If I'm testing reloads or sighting a rifle, I can see good use for a bench, however, as I have mentioned, I'm a lazy soul. All I want to carry is a rifle, 5 rounds and some water when I go to turn Bambi into venison. The bench would be too much.
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you are correct, to each his own. i wont criticize you for needing a rifle and 5 rnds to kill bambi either. some of us can do it with a pistol and 1 round though.
There is a story behind the 5 rounds, Lefty. Advice given to me by a professional hunter when I was a mere lad. He said: " When you hunt, you will need one shot, and possibly two. When you go out take what you need, double up, and add one." If he ever told me why, I have forgotten, but for many years now, when I go hunting, I take what I need, double up, and add one. Part of the ritual. Sorta like putting on the socks before the boots.
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yes that is a comp. In fact i got a comp. to go to this sat! using a sand bag is used for helping aim and controling. why do you thing snipers use it? so they have a good steady holding locking aim so they won't miss you. actually your not allowed to lean on any tables or anything has to be yourself supporting. using only what they tell you, you can use for each stage. . and good shooting.
Practice makes perfect, well ive been and still not good yet. takes a long time and a lot of practice to get good. lol and some people just suck!
Hey, I'm proud of your daughter and her scores. Keep shooting and don't forget to have fun. Target shooting is for enjoyment. I am delighted to see young people get out and shoot.
Our club shoots usually have both bench & standing. Bench rest shooting is more likely to become an equipment race. I am currently planning a .22 fun shoot for January that will have off arm at 25 yd, bench & off arm at 50 yds, off arm at 75 & 100 yds. Targets will be paper & steel. Variety makes for more fun and keeps the young people interested.
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i shoot both.
in b.r. i use a "newfangled vise contraption".
in metallic silhouette it is standing.
benchrest is a LOT harder than just standing there and shooting.
any of you folks ever tried to get 25 out of 25 bullseyes at ANY distance?
try it sometime it will change your outlook about (it's just the rifle} shooting.
hell just try the black death target.
a squirrel is about 500 times the size of a b.r. bullseye
and you are correct .
b.r. is an arms race .
most champs. are retired guys with lots of time and disposable income.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hounddawg
let them laugh. At the 50 yd butt I put 6 shots from my Schmidt Rubin in a 3 1/2" group from the shoulder. These "Benchers" put tight little one-hole groups in a piece of paper, but I'm sure if they had to shoot from the fist, they would not be able to hit a cow in the arse with a banjo.
lets see the target deadeye!
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Last edited by billy; 12-21-2007 at 08:24 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Billy:They just dont understand. .0001 can loose a match.In their comp,an1.0" might lose.Either one is very demanding.I shot mostly iron sight all position and some scope and the comp.was tough, but just loved to watch what looked like magic the br,s were doing. sam.
me too billy. well that and the fact that i know the guys who badmouth BR shooting cant beat me at it- and there are lots of better shooters than me out there. i dont do bad standing up either.
I keep bringing these cheap old battle rifles to the range to make them laugh at me.
. and good shooting. 
