SSAA NSW

NSW Shooter Quarterly Review June 2017

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10 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. SSAA NSW Benchrest Discipline Benchrest, which derives its name from the shooting position, originated in the United States in around 1947, first appearing in Australia during the 1950s. During firing the shooter is seated at a bench or table with the rifle supported at the barrel while the butt rests on a sandbag. The aim is to fire five or ten shots at a paper target at 50, 100 or even 200 or 300 metres. Competitions are shot for scores on a target comprising either three cards (one-day event) or six cards (two-day event) of 25 rondels with a tiny central 1 millimetre X dot. Accuracy is measured from the central X to the two widest shots. Classes Benchrest caters for both centrefire and rimfire events and includes both group and score categories. Classes are designated by rifle weight and calibre. The classes are: • Experimental/Unlimited is shot over five targets of 10 shots each at both 100 and 200 yards (100 shots). • Sporter Benchrest is limited to a combined weight of rifle and scope not exceeding 9 pounds (4.082 kilograms). • Light Benchrest is limited to 10 pounds 8 ounces (4.763kg). • Heavy Benchrest is limited to 13 pounds 8 ounces (6.123kg). The Sporter, Light and Heavy Benchrest classes are usually shot over five targets of five-shot groups, each at both 100 and 200 yards (50 shots). All classes also include 300 yard matches. Light Benchrest and Heavy Benchrest also usually score events over the same course of fire and distances. Rimfire classes also include group and score categories. All rimfire events utilise commercially available lead projectile type 22LR ammunition. Most competitors hand-load their ammunition in custom made dies. • Light Rimfire Benchrest is limited to a combined weight of rifle and scope not exceeding 8 pounds 8oz (3.855kg). • Heavy Rimfire Benchrest is limited to 14 pounds (6.350kg), over the same course of fire as centrefire events but at distances of 50 metres and 100 yards. • International Rimfire Benchrest (IRB) is limited to 14 pounds (6.350kg). Benchrest is acknowledged as an innovator in shooting sports, providing the genesis of many improvements to rifles, telescopic sights, barrels and reloading components. As Benchrest is shot seated it is an ideal discipline for all ages, sexes or differing physical abilities, and matches are contested without segregation. Competitions The first National Championships (postal) in Australia were held in 1965 under the auspices of SSAA and the first shoulder to shoulder event was held in 1966, making Benchrest the oldest competition discipline in our organisation. Australian Titles are held annually and SSAA members participate in international events. The World Benchrest Shooting Federation is the international coordinating body, and SSAA is the sole Australian affiliate and a founding member. WBSF invites SSAA to nominate teams to compete in the Pacific Regional and World Championships in both centrefire (Light and Heavy Benchrest classes for group) and rimfire (IRB). SSAA has endorsed the Australian teams attending every international match since inauguration in 1991 and in 1995 hosted the Centrefire World Titles in Brisbane and again in Sydney in 2013. Want to find out more? Contact National and NSW Benchrest Discipline Chairman David Billinghurst on 0418 478 160 or visit www.ssaansw.org.au/index.php.disciplines/benchrest

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