How to Shoot Your Best from a Benchrest
Many shooting disciplines, styles and skill sets are within the shooting domain. But what is benchrest shooting? Our expert guidance has been crafted to keep you up-to-date with everything benchrest, from the best equipment to setting up procedures and practical advice.
With the very best ammo and kit available, you can be sure to give your best benchrest performance with Killough Shooting Sports!
Table of Contents
• What is benchrest shooting?
• Benchrest equipment
• How to set up benchrest
• How to hold a rifle steady
What is benchrest shooting?
As the title suggests, benchrest shooting is a shooting style that requires you to aim for the target from behind a bench with a rifle. The main focus is consistently achieving precision and accuracy to the nearest millimetre once your skill set advances.
Benchrest shooting involves shooting five to ten rounds at paper steel targets from various ranges in the smallest possible group. While the highest shot determines the overall score, any shot bullets that hit the outside of the target rings award shooters three points.
Scoring is based on the distance between your rifle and the target, with a maximum of ten points per target:
Distance (m) x 10 = Maximum Score
• 25 x 10 = 250 points
However, if you manage to shoot at the center of the target, you will qualify for 10 points, but this will also be classed as an X, which will benefit your score further. The number of Xs you achieve across ten targets will then be added to your score, yet this is particularly difficult to achieve.
Benchrest equipment
Like all shooting disciplines, a purposeful kit is associated with benchrest to ensure you get the most out of every experience.
Rifle
It is only right to start with the most integral element of benchrest shooting: your rifle. While every shooter will have a different idea of the best rifle for benchrest, our tips will help you decide yours.
First, you must establish whether you want to use a bolt-action single-shot or high-quality air rifle. While the former enhances your chances of shooting accurately, an air rifle allows you to compete without acquiring a firearms license.
.22LR rifles are the most common amongst competitors due to their minimal recoil and high accuracy. Alternatively, some shooters opt for other firearms to match their skillset and enhance their results.
Ammo
Choosing the right ammo for your rifle is important, ensuring it is compatible with specific modifications. Our .22LR benchrest ammo range is crafted entirely of ELEY products, granting you confidence that accuracy and quality will always be at the heart of your performance.
A sturdy surface
A bench within benchrest shooting? Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? However, the sturdiness of your bench is crucial, as this will help you to perform securely and accurately. Whether new to the shooting world or at your best, a strong surface should be the starting point for all shooters. The most robust benches are usually a mix of concrete and steel.
Stool
Although benchrest shooting can occur either by sitting down or standing up, a shooting stool is a vital addition to your shooting gear to achieve accuracy and stay comfortable.
Rifle rest
Benchrest shooting requires your rifle to sit securely in place during every shoot. Our range of adjustable rifle rests is crafted to optimize accuracy and comfort while adapting to windage and elevation.
You should also match your rest with a back bag to optimize stability. However, competitions have different equipment rules, so check any restrictions before partaking.
The best rifle rest for benchrest shooting is always down to opinion. Our five-star rated PQP Rear Mechanical Rest is known to be a supreme piece of benchrest equipment!
Benchrest scope
A benchrest scope is the perfect addition to your gear when shooting in difficult conditions. Many of our products feature built-in adjustment systems to support windage and elevation, helping you stay on target every time.
With superior light transmission, our bench rest scopes provide a clear picture of your target, increasing accuracy regardless of the shooting range.
Wind flags
Gauging the wind is essential to ensure you shoot accurately without the weather conditions affecting your performance. Our benchrest competition wind flags are the perfect pieces of equipment to indicate the direction and speed of the wind, allowing you to adapt your setup to minimize the effects of the breeze.
The amount of flags you place on the range is up to you and can be based on ability or preference. Adding tails to your flags is also a good idea, as these will equip you with further insight into the windage.
How to set up benchrest
There is no right or wrong way to set up your benchrest. The main rule is that you have to shoot from the bench, although you can gauge the best positioning for you. When it comes to flags, the ARA states you can use as many as necessary. However, it is important to avoid overuse as your shooting area could become overwhelmed with too many. Be careful not to position your flags so they affect other shooters concerning proximity and their performance.
Step 1: Position your seat
• Although you can position yourself the best way you see fit, a lower seat will keep your back straight, preventing pain from building up during particularly long shoots. You do not need to be right up to your rifle, so sitting in a way that avoids slouching or tensing yourself forward is best.
Step 2: Set up your bench
• Set up your bench and ensure it is level; repeat this step for your target.
• Move the rest as far front and left as possible.
• Choose where you would like to position yourself. You may want to sit directly behind the bench and look straight through the scope. However, you can alter this setup to suit your preferred comfort.
• Place padding on the bench to accommodate your elbow. Longer shooting sessions may irritate your elbow if it is in constant contact with the bench.
• Position a handrest on the bench for your hand when you are not shooting. Ensure your handrest is lightweight, as you don’t want to place too much pressure on the bench.
• Have your ammo somewhere in a shooting range case on the bench where it is easy to access when you require more.
Step 3: Position your flags
• Depending on your shooting capabilities, you may alter where you place your flags and how many you use.
• For newer shooters, three to four wind flags and stands are best.
• Flags have a propeller and light tails and will react first to the wind. While light tails are flexible and react best to all wind pressure, sail tails are heavier and appear straight to indicate angles concerning wind velocity.
• While experienced shooters can customize their quantities, we recommend using five wind flags and two wind probes.
• Use a wind probe on the second and fourth flags to help judge the velocity of the wind.
• Tightly secure a piece of string around the front left leg (if facing the target) and attach the other end near the target. Once your flags are placed, the string will ensure they’re at a suitable height without being in the bullet path.
• Place the first flag five paces from the bench, as this condition affects the bullet path most. The following flags should be positioned every eight paces. Ensure your flags directly touch the string, as this will perfectly line them.
• When you look down the range and scope, you will notice an illusion that your flags are stacked and your wind probes are positioned to the left. The first flag will appear to sit the lowest, while the fifth will look the highest and centered, helping you achieve maximum accuracy.
Step 4: Prepare yourself and your rifle
• Ensure your front rest and rear bag are placed on the bench
• Load your rifle and have your ammo case within reach of where you will be positioned.
• Gauge the best place for you to sit or stand when shooting in relation to your point of aim. You must feel comfortable. Don’t continue with your prep until you are sure of your position.
• Sit your rifle into your rest. Ensure no objects or other equipment are obscuring the target or surrounding areas of your firearm.
• Focus your scope and keep checking that the image is crisp and clear.
• Foul your gun 5-10 shots before working with the target. Keep the rifle secure in the rest to avoid looseness and inaccuracies.
• Your trigger press should be smooth. Opt to squeeze the trigger rather than pull it.
• Once you have set the crosshairs on the target, they should not move. If movement does occur, continue dry-firing until they remain in place.
How to hold a rifle steady
Getting to grips with your rifle takes time and practice. Throughout your shooting journey, your skills and agility will naturally enhance. You can take several steps to strengthen your confidence to hold your rifle steadily.
Always use a rifle rest
You will be familiar with this equipment now; there is a good reason for this. A rest will do much of the work for you when your rifle is positioned on it. While it will take some weight, your rifle will remain in place so that you can perform with unfailing precision.
Perfect your stance
A confident stance goes hand in hand with your interaction with a rifle. A strong and assured position and posture will develop your confidence. Remember, you can choose whether you want to sit or stand during benchrest shooting, so take the time to consider how you feel most comfortable.
Breath control
Shooting is not about pace but rather control. There is no rush when perfecting your skills. Take as much time as you need to master your aim and technique, staying aware of your breathing throughout the process. This added awareness will help you to remain focused and avoid feeling hesitant or overwhelmed.
Stay fit
This one takes a bit more commitment than the rest. But regular weightlifting and strength-based fitness will help you take control of your rifle with ease. We don’t expect a workout daily, just something here and there so you can easily combat heavy shooting equipment.
Shop your favorite benchrest products at RangeCraft!
Take your benchrest shooting skills to the next level with RangeCraft. Whether you’re new to benchrest or looking to revamp your shooting gear, our benchrest accessories, targets, and shooting clothing have everything you need, regardless of your ability.
Purchase your favorite shooting equipment from RangeCraft today and have your order dispatched on the same day when placed before 2pm!
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