What power scope?

[ISUSteve]

I have a Rem 700 243 that has a 9x scope on it. I can shoot 3/4" groups with it, but I think I can get that down with a more powerful scope. I've heard that a lot of benchrest shooters use a 10x. What do you guys use?

[MONTEGOD7SS]

I love the Burris 4.5-14 on my Rem. 700 SPS stainless .30-06 and it was only like $350 with a nice spotting scope. Spending BIG money optics would be nice, but I got the rifle for $485 OTD so I didn't want to get crazy on glass.

[killarbb]

when i set up my last rifle(i got rid of it too) i put an 8x-32x scope on it......this was going to be a bench gun only. it did help. if i were going to do any hunting with the rifle i would try to stay like 4-16x maybe 6-24x(if it is hunting/shooting prarie dogs)....


9x is awful small for a dedicated bench gun, and 10x isnt much better at all

[ISUSteve]

I saw a 40x the other day, but my range is only 100yrds. Sounds like overkill to me.

[killarbb]

the best advice i can give you.......spend as much as you can towards GOOD glass

busnell elite 3200 or 4200 series
leupold
i have heard some of the burris stuff is really good



you might not notice much difference at 100yards, but if you get together with yammer there are some 200 yard BR matches fairly local. and the targets are tiny, Zoom helps............but the glass must be clear

[ISUSteve]

Where are the longer ranges? I know the Ames Ikes is 200 and I believe the club out by Norwalk has a 1000yard.

[killarbb]

closest place for you to shoot 1000 is probably pella, and if memory serves me right, it is difficult to get in down there.

there is a free dnr range located at bays branch. it would be just southe east of Yale, IA. they have 100, 200 and 300 yard benches........BUT i strongly suggest you having someone with you. all the benches use the same backstop it is not the best set up and having a buddy there helps to keep someone from walking out infront of one of your shots.

[ISUSteve]

I'll have to take a look at Yale. I've been wanting to try my hand at 200 yards. What kind of range is Pella?

[pastprime]

36x - 40x pretty much minimum for competetive BR shooting....once the gun's on the bags, you spend the rest of the time watching wind flags... when conditions look right you just pull the trigger....

Course if its really windy, you have to watch the flags and make small adjustments either with the knobs or by changing your point of aim....

Since your not really holding the gun and probably have a 2 - 3 oz trigger, you virtually eliminate any cross hair movement...its just that damn WIND !!!!!

[AdamN]

Pastprimes got it. 36X-40X is the popular setup. At a Benchrest match 99% of the guns shoot tiny groups. Its all about reading the wind and making the adjustments. Some guys will adjust by holding off a certain ammount, some guys will adjust the turret on the scope. Its the ability of a shooter to hold off or adjust 1/8 inch one way or another that can determine if you win a match or not.

[yammerschooner]

Allright Steve. You should do one of the 200 yard shoots in knoxville with us this summer. Maybe bb hasn't gotten rid of all of his rifles that are worth a ****, but I doubt it.:prrr:

BB hit the nail on the head. Don't ever skimp on the glass. It is one of those things that you truly get what you pay for.

[yammerschooner]

I'll have to take a look at Yale. I've been wanting to try my hand at 200 yards. What kind of range is Pella?


200 and 300 yards at yale will make you a little nervous when you start to consider that anyone not paying attention to what is going on may walk out from behind the trees at the 100 yard line.

The times I've been up there shooting past 100 there were a couple of us and we strategically placed cars so folks would get the point.

[yammerschooner]

I've been told Van Meter has 600, but I haven't shot there.

[killarbb]

hrmmmm.......rifle wise i think i have the middy ar, and uhhhhh 10/22. nope i wont be shooting any 200 yard bench matches.

now when you boys wannt shoot 3 gun, lemme know

:sifone:

[ISUSteve]

I've been told Van Meter has 600, but I haven't shot there.

I've heard from guys that I thought were stuck up A-holes, that "only stuck up A-holes" shoot at Van Meter.


I would love to join you on a long distance range. I'm tired of the 100 yard range.

I've always heard about 3 gun, but I don't much about it. How many guns do you need? Sorry. Whats it all about?

[yammerschooner]

edited to be nice to bb.

[yammerschooner]

edited out the a-hole remarks designed to incite bb.

pistol
rifle
shotgun

[pastprime]

this is very general but in most matches 3 gun means:

1 - factory gun - everything from bone stock (which most aren't but nobody checks) to close to stock with various modifications allowed, barrel changes, trigger changes, trigger pull limits, scope power limits, but usually with an overall weight limit...about 7 1/2 lbs with a scope...in reality most guns in the "factory" class have the original action and stock but little else.

2 - Light gun - this is a full blown, tack driving, one hole, 2 oz trigger, custom action, short, heavy barreled, fiberglass custom painted stocked rifle...usually with a weight limit of 10 - 10 1/2 lbs....these are the $3000 - $6000 rifles with scopes that can double as observatory lenses that shoot record groups and scores....

3 - Heavy gun - same as the light gun usually but not always with a weight limit....seems that most records are shot with light guns for some reason...

You can shoot the lighter gun in the next class up and lots of people just use a light gun in the Light and Heavy class...

As I said earlier this is pretty general...every competition has various rules but I hope it gives you a general idea of the term "3 gun".

[yammerschooner]

Thanks pastprime. I just realized this is the benchrest forum. I was thinking about the event they run up north of us (Ames) once a year.

Steve, the classes for the Marion County shoot (200 yards) are on page 2 of the following link.

http://www.mcsportsman.com/MCSC_Varmint.pdf

Here's what the range looks like.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/yammerschooner/ozzyshootingar.jpg

[pastprime]

can see an example of how varied the guns allowed can be by following yammerschooners link.....good info.....

There is a site called Benchrest Central that also has some good info on the benchrest game in general....and some of the different matches...http://www.benchrest.com/

[lcarreau]

I was sat by a guy on a bus that needed more scope.

[ISUSteve]

I was sat by a guy on a bus that needed more scope.

I had Jimmy Johns today with some powerful onions...I might have been that guy.


3 gun looks cool. I'm buying an AR kit right now for my dad that I could borrow for it. All my guns are over at his house anyways. I do have a Garand, would I look too ridiculous with a Garand?

[yammerschooner]

At Marion if you have a brass catcher no one will complain. They will eye you a bit though.

[yammerschooner]

If you are talking about the 3 gun in Ames, they will actually appreciate that Garand. The match definitely isn't a precision rifle shoot though.

BB brought up the Ames type 3 gun because he knows he will get his ass handed to him if playing precision rifle.

I will get my ass handed to me if I have to move.

I am not worth a **** at precision rifle though- BB is just much less focused on the area.

[ISUSteve]

I'll have to check that out now that its warming up. I also wanted to do some IDPA up in Ames and Boone.

[Steel Talon]

I have a Rem 700 243 that has a 9x scope on it. I can shoot 3/4" groups with it, but I think I can get that down with a more powerful scope. I've heard that a lot of benchrest shooters use a 10x. What do you guys use?

What type of scope is on it now?

Peace
Steel Talon:coolgleamA:

[yammerschooner]

I'll have to check that out now that its warming up. I also wanted to do some IDPA up in Ames and Boone.

If that is your aim, you need to sign up for the yahoo group.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/CentralIowaIDPA/

[yammerschooner]

I've heard from guys that I thought were stuck up A-holes, that "only stuck up A-holes" shoot at Van Meter.

I thought two negatives made a positive?


I would love to join you on a long distance range. I'm tired of the 100 yard range.



How about a short one in the nearer future? It will only require a drive to Baxter. Some of the guys at arfcom are getting together for it, but ARs will be in the minority of rifles in use.

http://www.smackthesmiley.com/index.htm

Here's the link you will want to watch. Michael is a hell of a host.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=42&t=303010