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Bench Rest Shooting.
There are various versions of bench rest shooting around
the world.
The
governing body for the discipline shot at Buxted indoor
range, is the worldwide UKBR22 as they have indoor and
outdoor classes. Many schemes are outdoors only.
There are three distinct classes in the airgun
discipline and similarly in rim fire. Each class
stipulates limitations on the type of weapon permitted
for use and there are conditions relating to the rest
equipment that may be used.
The
individual shooter elects which classes either he or she
wishes to compete, individually, as part of a team, or
both.
A3
sized targets containing 25 smaller targets, are shot
across a fixed distance of 25 yards and are inwardly
scoring to the centre.
However, the critical scoring area at the heart of each
target is only 2mm in diameter. Shooting a 4.5mm, lead
projectile over a distance of 75 feet at an object only
2mm in diameter, rather puts things in perspective.
In
addition to the scales involved, there are also external
variables to contend with, such as breathing,
which can influence the point of impact and therein lays
the bench shooters craft.
What visually appears to be a reasonably simple
exercise, actually involves an intimate knowledge of
munitions, equipment, power curves, ballistics,
trajectories, technique, and necessitates a disciplined
routine that is almost obsessive.
When all appears perfect, one random variable crops up
that no earthly allowance can eliminate, the dreaded
‘flier’
An earthquake would have less impact on a bench shooters
world.
The
club’s airgun bench-rest team have excelled in UKBR22
World Postal Championship events. Achieving reigning
World Champion status in all three airgun postal
classes in one season, with member’s also achieving top
rank individual success.
Buxted bench shooters have represented the UK at
international level, holding future aspirations to
compete in the outdoor and rim fire arenas as well.
The
bench rest section is actively involved in the
development of specialist weapons and equipment to
maintain their edge over the competition. However, some
prefer to believe they are simply better shots and no
amount of technology is going to improve on that |
