United Kingdom Benchrest Shooting

If you've browsed through this website and like what you see, maybe you would like to try benchrest.

Like all activities, it's one thing reading about it but it's quite another thing to get out there and actually do it! If you are already the owner of a centrefire rifle fitted with a scope, you are 95% there. It's just a matter of loading up some ammunition and coming along to one of our shoots. It's that simple. 

You will sit comfortably at a solid concrete bench, under cover. You will shoot all day and expend about 50 rounds. We do our best to keep costs to a minimum so expect to pay only £10

A factory rifle and simple rest are all you need. Believe me - you'll never know how good your rifle will shoot until you shoot benchrest!

We will do everything possible to make you welcome and guide you through your first competition - which will certainly be a whole new experience - but hopefully an enjoyable and rewarding one. Basic equipment like rests and bags can be borrowed from the UKBRA.

What can we expect in our first 100 yard comp.? 

First, you will shoot the Warm-up. This Match doesn't count towards the overall result so it gives you a chance to set up your rifle, adjust your scope and centre the group on the target. 

We shoot in relays so you might wait half an hour before your next Match so plenty of time to clean your rifle or simply chat to your fellow shooters. 

You can still fire sighter-shots before each match - as many as you like - before you shoot your 5-shot group on the record target. 

In all you will shoot five Matches - plus the warm-up. That's 30 rounds plus sighters so best to bring 40 to 50 rounds.

We start about 10.00am and usually finish around 4.00pm when the targets will be measured and the results announced. The average of your five groups will give your final score or 'agg'. A good Factory Sporter rifle will agg. around half an inch but initially, your aim will be to agg. under an inch. You can look at group sizes under our 'results' section.

Awards are also given for smallest group in each class. It's a great feeling to win one of our coveted small-group patches.    

Yes, you will shoot alongside competitors with expensive custom rifles, high-mag. scopes and all sorts of fancy equipment. But, we all had to start at the bottom as very few people come into benchrest with a full set of cutting-edge kit. In fact, it's probably best to learn the craft with a factory rifle then, when you finally make the investment in a full-house bench-gun, you will at least know how to get the best out of it.

Young and old can enjoy benchrest

We always have a few shooters with 'factory sporter' rifles, which is why we run a class for standard rifles - so that you will shoot against competitors with similar equipment. Most newcomers will spend a season or two in Factory Sporter class before moving up. Don't forget, a 'factory' rifle must be absolutely standard to qualify for this class.

This guy makes his Sako factory rifle shoot like a bench-gun! Benchrest helps you get the very best out of your equipment.

Group-shooting is a bit different to the more usual form of rifle competition, where the object is to hit the centre of the target. Believe me, it is a great feeling to shoot a super-small group. Whereas you might get the odd 'bull' by chance, there is no element of chance when you put five-shots down the same hole - it's down to your skill.

You loaded the perfect round, fired the perfect shot and read the wind to perfection - five times!

Small groups are addictive!

Maybe 600 yard or even 1000 yard benchrest has more appeal? It's very similar to the 100 yard stuff - same concrete bench, same rests, same scope and, if you are shooting Factory Sporter, it could be the same rifle! A decent .308 rifle is the ideal starter gun for 600/1000 yard BR. You will learn to hone your reloading and wind-reading skills and how to shoot from a concrete bench. Oh, and because we have a longer day in 1000 yard BR, we start a bit earlier - try and be at the Range for 9.00am please. 

But we are still talking about benchrest and not actually doing it!

Look at our calendar on this website. Get yourself over to Diggle Ranges and come and shoot. This range is probably the best in the country, with good safe parking close to the firing point, a proper range house with toilets and catering facilities and fabulous scenery. There are plenty of guest houses and pubs in the area if you wish to stay over or, we can offer basic 'bunkhouse' accomodation on range at very modest cost. 

If you prefer to come for a look in the first instance, that's fine but you will probably regret not bringing your rifle!

If you've any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me on vinceb@6ppc.fsnet.co.uk

See you on the benches - soon?