August 17th, 2021
IBS 2021 1000-Yd Benchrest National Championships in MontanaPhoto by Forum member Dave Way.
National IBS 1000-Yard Championship
The IBS 1000-Yard Benchrest National Championship was held this past weekend at the picturesque Deep Creek Shooting Range near Missoula, Montana. The Match attracted 66 shooters from the Light Gun (LG), and 62 from the Heavy Gun (HG) divisions. Although the venue was beautiful, it was also challenging at times. One shooter commented that the wind was strong during the last relay. Many shooters were DQ’d. *
Despite the difficult conditions, there were some impressive performances. Jason Walker won the Overall title based on combined LG/HG standings. Jason Walker, aka “LRPV” as it is known in our Shooters Forum, was a good shooter in both classes. He finished 3rd in LG (and 6th in HG). Jason’s LG group size Agg was a remarkable 4.357? Nick Howlett finished second overall. Steve Simons won in the LG division, while James Bradley was the winner of the HG field.
IBS 2021 1000-Yard National Championship Two-Gun Overall Results
IBS 2021 1000-Yard National Light Gun Championship Overall Results
IBS 2021 1000-Yard National Championship Heavy Gun Overall Results**
Top Five Two-Gun Overall
Jason Walker
Nick Howlett
James Bradley
Richard Jette
Dave Way
Top Five LG Overall
Steve Simons
David Torgerson
Jason Walker
Todd Zaun
Richard Jette
Top Five HG Overall
James Bradley
Jason Walker
Nick Howlett
Jason Peterson
Tom Mousel
Photo of the Winners courtesy Jason Walker, 2021 IBS 1000YARD Two-Gun Champion.
Alex Wheeler, a gunsmith, was the one who built many top-finishing rifles. He said: “Congratulations, winners, you pulled through in some very difficult conditions. It was great to see all of them again and also to meet some for the first time.
Equipment used by Heavy Gun and Light Gun Competitors
Both the equipment lists for Light Gun and Heavy Gun were heavily dominated in part by Krieger barrels. Both the Overall Winner and both LG- and HG class winners used Krieger barrels. Bartlein barrels were also used, as well as Lilja barrels. Surprisingly, equipment lists showed only 5 Brux barrels for Light Gun and 3 Brux bars for Heavy Gun. The most common actions in both divisions were BAT and Borden.
IBS 1000-Yd Light Gun Equipment List | IBS 1000-Yd Heavy Gun Equipment List
A majority of shooters used a 6mm cartridge in both the Light Gun and Heavy Gun divisions. These shooters used 6mm Dashers and 6 BRAs. The 6 BRA, also known as 6mmBR Ackley Improved, has a 40-degree shoulder similar to the Dasher but has a longer neck. There were a few 7mm RSAUMs and a few.300 WSMs in the Heavy Gun division, but the 6 BRAs and the Dashers dominated the field, even in HG.
Jason Walker was the overall winner shooting two 6mm Dasher rifles. Both guns were equipped with Nightforce scopes, Nightforce scopes, and BAT actions. Jason’s Heavy Gun was equipped with a Maxi-Tracker stock, while his Light Gun had an PR&T LowBoy. He used a 6mm Dasher loaded by Vapor Trail bullets and pushed by Hodgdon Varget powder. Jay Cutright was responsible for the barrel while Gordy Gritters worked on the PR&T Stock. (NOTE: Jason switched to the LowBoy stock when the LG equipment list was submitted.
Light Gun Overall winner Steve Simons ran a 6 BRA Light Gun. Alex Wheeler smithed Steve’s LG. It had a BAT, Krieger barrel and Wheeler LRB stock. Vortex scope was also included. He loaded 6 BRA cases with Vapor Trail bullets and Hodgdon H4895 powder.
James Bradley, Heavy Gun Overall winner, also ran a 6 BRA Heavy Gun. This rig also had a BAT Action and Krieger barrel. It also had a Wheeler LRB stock and Vortex scope. North Ridge Rifles smithed the rig. James used Vapor Trail bullets and H4895 powder. Federal 205M primers were also used.
Looking back at the firing line, from the target berm.
Deep Creek Range
One of the most beautiful places to shoot in the Intermountain West is the Deep Creek Range in Missoula. It is located in the mountains, just a few minutes from Missoula. There is also camping available. Record breaking happens at Deep Creek when the conditions are favorable. To learn more about shooting at Deep Creek, contact Jamey Williams at jameydan[at]gmail.com.
* One match shooter reported that the “Last HV gun relay of Match produced 11 DQs from 13 competitors.” Although we haven’t confirmed this, it is disappointing for the HG competitors that there were only a few DQs.
** This is the Heavy Gun Overall, as indicated on the right. The columns are incorrectly titled “Light Gun”. You will be able to see the difference between the linked results pages.
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Tags: 1000-Yard Nationals, Borden Action, Deep Creek Range, Heavy Gun, IBS, Jason Walker, Krieger Barrels, Light Gun
