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7/15/01 Benchrest Match

I attended my third IBS registered benchrest match yesterday and had a great time. This is the second match that I have shot with my BR gun, which is pictured below with my father in the drivers seat (this is the only picture that I have of the gun right now).

Details of gun:

Stolle Panda Action RBLP
Shilen Barrel
McMillan Fiberglass stock.
Caliber: 6mm PPC
Scope: Leupold 36x BR with Fine Cross Hairs
Load:
Bullet: 65 grain Gentner Flat Base
Powder: Vihtavouri n133 (2000 year)
Charge weight: 52 clicks on Harrells measure 28.3 grains

The match was held in York, PA and was a 100 yard match for score. The weather was fantastic with a high temperature of 86 degrees and 5-10 mph variable wind. When we first arrived at the range (around 8:45 am), the conditions for shooting were ideal with zero wind. During the open range, the wind was not much of an issue and I was mainly concentrating on getting my zero close to the point of aim. I made only a minor correction with a single click of elevation and a single click of windage. The reason that I was concerned with getting my scope close is so that if the conditions picked up one way or another, I wouldnt have to hold off past the 10-ring or further. I feel more comfortable with as little hold-off as possible.

During the warm-up match, I only managed to shoot a 50 1x. I was struggling with the condition, and had a hard time shooting xs. I went to the sighter a few times and shot the center out of the target with the first 2 before I went to the record targets. After shooting my record targets, I went back to the sighter target to shoot 3 more into the group. I was so pleased with myself for drilling the x-ring with the first 2 that I figured I would see what I could do with a 5-shot group. Below is the sighter target and the 5-shot group that measures a tidy .157. If you notice, I had the first 4 shots into a very small group and the 5^th one crept a little high on me. This is my smallest 5-shot group to date.

Below are my targets from the 5 rounds. The results are as follows:

50-3x, 50-3x, 50-4x, 50-4x, 50-3x, for a total of 250-17x.

I was consistent all day and felt good about my results. I finished in the middle of the pack in 9^th place. Places 7-9 all had 17xs, but I got 9^th place due to my poor start of 3x, 3x on the first two targets. My friends Bill Barwick and Craig Kostyshyn got 3^rd and 4^th places with 19xs each. Bill actually got 3^rd as a result of his strong start. Congratulations to Bill and Craig on their fine performance I have plenty to learn from both of these guys.

I really enjoy shooting competitively and have found that benchrest shooters as a whole are good people. The matches that I have attended have been run very well and everybody that I have spoken with has been a big help. I am looking forward to attending the Benchrest School held by the NBRSA in September and will make sure that I take the digital camera and do a full report on it.