We know that most of our readers have not participated in a benchrest match at short range (100/200 yards). It’s understandable, as moving backers are needed for registered 100/200 yard benchrest matches (for groups), but only a small number of ranges have this equipment. You can watch this video by “Taofledermaus” if you’re curious to see the “point-blank benchrest game”. You can find more interesting shooting videos on his YouTube channel, including slow-motion clips of target impacts. This video shows the LV, HV, flags, gun-handling and reloading setups as well as the tiny groups on the targets.
Registered 100/200 Benchrest Match
Commentary from the video:
“There’s more to this game that just pulling the trigger. The record targets are 5 shot groups, averaged for an aggregate. The winning Agg for 25 shots at a distance of 100 yards is usually under.250”. Rifles for the LV class weigh 10.5 pounds. You can get used rifles for around $1500. Add another $1000 to cover rests, bags, loading tool, bullets, and powder, as well as windflags.
Benchrest shooting is a kind of ‘academy for shooting’. Handloading with great attention to detail, lots of academic thinking and measurements. It’s more about thinking than doing. Most of these people made their own tools. There are a lot of seniors, because it requires patience. Sure, a teenager won’t bother it.” — THP
“I was surprised that they did all the hand loading on the spot. You’ve got it. It’s an extremely precise sport. It’s expensive, slow, and requires a lot travel, so it is well suited for retired people. It’s gotta beat golfing!” — Tao
“I used 6mm PPC in a BR Rifle. I spent so much of my time at the reloading table that I gave up and switched to 22-rimfire gallery matches. I saved a lot of sanity by switching to 22 rimfire gallery matches.
