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What Do I Need To Get Started In Benchrest?

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DrPutz

Member
Mar 18, 2017
242
31
Ohio, United States
So, I signed up for the the Benchrest at the Pyramyd Cup (essentially free with the FT and gunslingers), but know next to nothing about it. Any helpful pointers and equipment ideas? All I have are lower powered FT and some hunting equipment that won't do the 100 yard event. Should I start with 25 cal? I have a couple of older Brocock Bantams in 22, but I am not sure that they will be able to do high power. I am not thinking that I will be competitive, just don't want to fall on my face - lower middleish, just not last. BTW I shoot mostly springer class. 

Thanks !

Dan Putz 
 
NMshooter,

You must be confusing last year's Pyramyd Air Cup with a different shoot somewhere, as there was no benchrest competition in all of the past Pyramyd Air Cups. Or, you might be confusing benchrest with the Gunslinger competition, which allows you to rest the gun on a bench, whilst one tries to knock air rifle silhouettes up to 60 yards. With this competition there is a Springer class.

According to Pyramyd, at the moment, there will be 2 qualifying rounds at 100 yds, followed by a final at 100 yds. I believe that they can go up to .35 caliber. If you have any Field Target gun, even at 20 ft lbs, you will be at a huge disadvantage over the "big boys", so to speak. Unless they make or create another class using Field Target guns and power levels, for me personally, I'm not going to bother. I would love to try benchrest, but being handicapped by using a WFTF PCP limited to 12 ft Lbs, it's competitive suicide.

Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech 
 
Upvote 0
NMshooter,

You must be confusing last year's Pyramyd Air Cup with a different shoot somewhere, as there was no benchrest competition in all of the past Pyramyd Air Cups. Or, you might be confusing benchrest with the Gunslinger competition, which allows you to rest the gun on a bench, whilst one tries to knock air rifle silhouettes up to 60 yards. With this competition there is a Springer class.

According to Pyramyd, at the moment, there will be 2 qualifying rounds at 100 yds, followed by a final at 100 yds. I believe that they can go up to .35 caliber. If you have any Field Target gun, even at 20 ft lbs, you will be at a huge disadvantage over the "big boys", so to speak. Unless they make or create another class using Field Target guns and power levels, for me personally, I'm not going to bother. I would love to try benchrest, but being handicapped by using a WFTF PCP limited to 12 ft Lbs, it's competitive suicide.

Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech
Click to expand...

Stand corrected it was EBR in Arizona
 
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NMshooter,

No problem, I figured that. We, (who are addicted to the sport) sometimes loose track when we go to so many different types of events over the years.....I know I do! I do hope they might consider modifying some of the competitions for the Pyramyd Air Cup in the benchrest realm, I would 100% do it, if I could compete with my Field Target guns, against other Field Target guns.

Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech 
 
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If you intend to shoot 100 yards, I recommend a good .25 caliber rifle. For 25 and 50, a 20 foot pound .177 rifle will work fine. I, personally, feel that the .177 will outshoot a .22 at closer distances. For springer class, find a good used (they are all used) FWB 300S rifle. Of course you can purchase a front mechanical rest, but for the moment, you can use a bipod or a good sandbag. Bullsbag is my favorite.
 
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My Benchrest Lessons So Far (hopefully will help others):



1) Buy the best gun you can afford with the BEST TRIGGER. The trigger makes or breaks your benchrest performance LITERALLY. {Buy a RAW...} I bought a new Brocock Sniper Magnum. I fell in love with the setup and look of the gun. I do know how these guns work inside and out, so I should have known better - then again, I fell in love with the look of it. The Brococks have only a single stage trigger and you can't get them too light, otherwise they will self fire and blow the oring. Folks might want to argue here, but the so called first stage is really just trigger creep. It does not move the sear to the breaking point for the second stage - just takes up loose slack. Anyway, the RAW has the best trigger of the higher power class of guns, hands down. Fx is ok, much better than the Brocock. I have some plans for the Brocock trigger in the works that may help this issue. 



2) Go with the largest caliber allowed. I am starting with a 25 cal, but the event allows 35 cal. My choice was for economy, noise and practice time. I will be at a disadvantage, if the winds are blowing. The Brocock, fortunately was well setup for JSB Kings Heavy and shoots the MK1 at 864 consistently out of box - codos for this setup.



3) Large Bore Has Recoil - you need a heavy setup to avoid muzzle flip. Again enter the RAWS for their starting weight. The Brocock is just too light and compact, so I am experiencing a problem with muzzle flip. Fortunately, some weight can be added to the picatinny rail. That coupled with a moderator should combat this problem. Even with springers in HFT, I did not expect this level of recoil.



4) Get a scope that can easily see 25 cal holes at 100 yds and has a fine reticle. I am still working on this one. The sightron s-tac I got was a bust. I also got a Athlon Argos 10-40x56 that is not too impressive either - very dim at 24x upward. The Vector Sentinel 10-40x50 MK2 was blurry above 20x and was returned. I am still working on this issue at the moment. I am not sure what power is optimal for 100yds yet.



Just some lessons learned so far. I do regret not getting one of the more expensive used RAWs, but I will have to see how how these things work out with the Brocock. 


 
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