UK Association of Rimfire Benchrest Shooting
To explain what we are about let
me put some facts in front of you.
The Target we use has a ten ring
that measures 6.5mm in diameter. Inside that it has a 10X
ring of 1mm diameter which to score means it has to be
obliterated. Each scoring target, 25 in all, has a scoring
zone from 10 to 5, the overall size being 39mm, these are
set within a 52mm by 52mm box, any shot outside those
constraints scores zero. This is all shot at 50 metres where
the shooter has to take into account, wind, altitude,
humidity, temperature and a time limit of 30 minutes
including sighters, all of which have a drastic effect on
accuracy. The projectile is .22 rimfire with max 1100 f/s
straight out of the box.
The rifles used range from the
10/22, CZ to Anschutz and Sako Finfire in the Sporter and
10.5lb Class with mainly Target Anschutz's in the Unlimited
Class but there are a few Martini Internationals. All you
need is a front adjustable pedestal with sandbag and a rear
sand bag with a solid bench and stool. Scopes are restricted
in the Sporter Classes from either 12X or 6.5X, the 10.5lb
and Unlimited Classes have no restrictions, with 36X or 40X
scopes being the norm.
The maximum score possible is 250
with 25 10X's, the closest the UKBenchrest22 Members have
come to that is 249 with eleven 10X's at 50M. There are
various Classes from Sporter, Hunter, International Sporter,
10.5lb through to Unlimited; we also have a separate section
for 25 yard / M Benchrest for Clubs that do not have 50
metre facilities, using different Targets. Recent enquiries
and much interest opened up a separate Airgun Section which
will start in the Winter Season on 1st October.
This is not a new sport, in the
USA there are nearly 5000 shooters and on average 150 to 200
per match each weekend. For Europe, Italy alone has over 400
shooters, and Rimfire Benchrest is also big in Australia and
Japan. The sport is growing rapidly in Ireland with on
average 45 shooters travelling to each match. It may not be
big in this country but we hope it will some day. It is very
addictive once tried; we have 120+ Members so far that think
that way. All our matches are Postal so there is no
travelling expense, you use your own Club facilities.
Please visit UK Association of Rimfire Benchrest Shooting