Dartmoor.
On Saturday 9th March Dartmoor held the first benchrest match of the season, this will be our fifth full year of BR competition, discounting 2020 when covid severely restricted access to the club. Our inaugural match took place in March 2018, and the weather conditions were the very worst we’ve ever encountered – featuring gale force winds and heavy rain. Only three of us completed the match that day, and the combination of horrendous weather together with our inexperience resulted in a dismal top score of just 670:4x. However, by round 5 of that same year Gary Shuttlewood had produced a magnificent score of 732:18x, suggesting that we were beginning to get the hang of it.The weather encountered during this year’s opening match was not quite so extreme, but the relentless strengthening wind, accompanied by frequent heavy rain showers, ensured that the resulting scores weren’t going to break any records. The wonderfully consistent Dave Taylor gained top honours with 718:14x, and Alistair Teague, who has recently replaced his 9015 with a benchrest stocked XTi50, achieved second place with a 714:10x, third place going to Mark Whiteway who scored 712:12x using his TM1000 with a beautifully figured Turkish walnut benchrest stock – this rifle was originally owned by Neil MacKinnon, who may soon be regretting the sale!I occasionally have a look at the 25 metre results from Doncaster indoor airgun range, where the monthly benchrest competition attracts a healthy number of regular competitors. This month for example listed 50 scores, and of these no less than 31 participants had scored a 250 – the final placing being determined by the ‘X’ count. Some people might infer from this that BR shooting is too easy. What it actually does tell us is that there is a very high level of technical skill being displayed, and that all of the competitors have invested a great deal of time and trouble in getting the absolute best performance from their chosen equipment.But by placing those same targets outdoors, and introducing the unpredictable element of wind, variable temperature, and thermal air currents, it really does takes the game to a whole different level. Nobody who has actually tried outdoor benchrest shooting could possibly describe it as ‘easy’. FT or HFT competitors too can benefit enormously from adding BR to their repertoire, the discipline reminds us, in no uncertain terms, that the wind is totally in control, and it very largely determines the outcome of all forms of outdoor shooting competition. But we can all gain a better understanding of it’s characteristics, and it’s effect, through observing those little pellets punching holes in a 25 metre benchrest card – while simultaneously monitoring the wind flags together with any natural indicators that may be present on the range – such as grass, leaves, and sounds.
Paul.S.
West Devon Results
Purbeck
Purbeck FTC Benchrest competition.
I have just read through what Paul Salmon has written about benchrest shooting at Dartmoor and just wanted to echo how difficult it can be most of the time. But I would like to add that on the days when you have managed to work out the wind and your aim point is spot on with the wind carrying the pellet gracefully into the x, it is the most amazing thing.
For me, I find that the more I practice the more experience I have to draw upon when the wind is difficult. It’s not about copying what everyone else is doing but working it all out for yourself.
And so we begin another SWEFTA benchrest competition. Purbeck now has a nice mix of experienced benchrest shooters and some new and very keen ones coming to shoot too. I wish them and all of you the very best of luck this year and hope to see you in October.
Martin Hubbard
Purbeck FTC
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