Long range shooting question

[Erik(310)]

How is it fun shooting from a bench with the rifle in a gun rest as opposed to shooting from a bipod or actually holding the rifle?

Isn't it kind of like a machine is doing all the work? Seems to me that gratification and bragging rights would be from the person actually holding the rifle and hitting a target hundreds of yards out imo.

*A lot of my question may seem dumb but im new to the shooting world*



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[Experimentalist]

The challenges of long range shooting are manifold, starting with accurate assessment of weather conditions and the effect those will have on bullet trajectory.

The most immediate weather effect is of course the wind. If you're shooting off-hand then instability in your shooting position likely would swamp out wind effects out to a fair distance. Accurately assessing wind direction, speed, and the trends that exhibit over time are key to accurate shooting at distance.

Of course there are other factors at play, not least of which are ammunition quality. Tuning your own loads to your rifle comes to most who take an interest in long range shooting.

It may be implied.... But *some* of those who take an interest in long range shooting, and are successful at it, tend to be analytical sorts who take particular care over every detail and who find enjoyment in small groups. At 100 yards from a rest I can make groups in the neighborhood of 0.3 inches. Something not likely to happen from unsupported positions.

[steelholder]

How is it fun shooting from a bench with the rifle in a gun rest as opposed to shooting from a bipod or actually holding the rifle?

Isn't it kind of like a machine is doing all the work? Seems to me that gratification and bragging rights would be from the person actually holding the rifle and hitting a target hundreds of yards out imo.

*A lot of my question may seem dumb but im new to the shooting world*



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Its the performance of rifle that is being tested not necessarily the shooter themselves. Human error hinders precision so tools like rests and bags are used.

[colt11]

Shooting freestyle vs. supported requires different skills; but an excellent rifleman blends the skills based on strengths and weaknesses to make the shot. Shooting a humanoid target up to 250 yards should be practiced using different freestyle techniques, standing, kneeling, seated & prone. Testing equipment, sighting in a scope, hitting milk jugs at 1000 yards, are accomplished using supported techniques.

FYI: I don't see much of a difference between benchrest vs. bipod, both supported shooting.

[Switchbarrel]

How is it fun shooting from a bench with the rifle in a gun rest as opposed to shooting from a bipod or actually holding the rifle?

Isn't it kind of like a machine is doing all the work? Seems to me that gratification and bragging rights would be from the person actually holding the rifle and hitting a target hundreds of yards out imo.

*A lot of my question may seem dumb but im new to the shooting world*

[hambam105]

When I shoot from the bench I'm being lazy or the bench is being used for convenience purpose.
But if & when you get old or injured or both then a bench makes activities of all kinds easier.

When shooting rifle competition...Shooting jacket 1st.
Shooting mat 2nd.

[Erik(310)]

I just got my M&P10 off a 10 day hold and the guy shooting in this video shot at like 700 yards. I guess this kind of shooting seemed to be a bit more fun.....to me at least. I appreciate the input

https://youtu.be/-JPnPFp2G44

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[sigstroker]

I just got my M&P10 off a 10 day hold and the guy shooting in this video shot at like 700 yards. I guess this kind of shooting seemed to be a bit more fun.....to me at least. I appreciate the input

https://youtu.be/-JPnPFp2G44

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One of the few things you can still do in California wrt shooting is choose how you want to shoot. So go shoot the way you want.

[audiophil2]

Depending on the type of shooting and weight class, some of these rifles can run into the 80-100 pound range so you won't get very far trying to hold one without support. Many different disciplines with various rules so pick the one you feel gives you the most gratification and bragging rights. Unless you are getting a paycheck from shooting, the only person you need to impress and improve on is yourself. Basically, the better shooters can do a lot more with junk equipment than a novice/beginner can do with the best equipment. Most fledgling LR/ELR shooters give up when they realize that simply purchasing good equipment does not directly relate to hits at 1,250 yards and it actually takes a great deal of time, money, and dedication to be routinely proficient at extended ranges. When you are throwing what may equate to a five dollar bill down the range with each pull of the trigger, you look for any advantage/assistance that you are allowed in order to make that effort count.

I have under $1000 into my long range gun and routinely shoot out to 1200-1250 yards. I have shot as far as 1 mile but that is lot more difficult. Ammo is factory hornady at $1.25 each.

Some cheap guns are fine but will have limits like overheated barrels and weak stocks. Not the end of the world.

[Prepped and ready]

Long range shooting is fun and challenging in the beginning, but it just depends on how much time your willing to invest learning and if you are spending money on factory ammo or reloading or having some one reload for you.

Have fun learning. Sight in at 100yds, move to 300yds then 600yds and go from there. That worked for me.

I have gotten tired of non moving targets, so Im off to the skeet and clay world.

Most of the people here are more then willing to give advice and help out. Maybe even meet up and give a few pointers.

Good luck and enjoy.

[inyocountymark]

long range shooting for me is rewarding, rolling my own ammo, making the bell ring at 600y, etc, I don't use lead sleds or anything to rest the rifle on other than sandbags,
(1 lb kitty litter bags wrapped in duct tape) and a pair of leupold 10x50 binoculars, my rifle is a Rem700 in 7.62x51, bedded and all the good stuff to make a good shooter and glassed with a Leupold 4.5x14x50 gold ring, there are places here to shoot 1k or longer, but usually require 3 people minimum to watch out for vehicles and hikers, we post warning signs before we shoot , we seldom encounter others but we always remain cognizant of possible visitors,

when we shoot at 600y, we have access to the Ridgecrest Gun Range, rifle range is 50y to 600y and there is also a pistol range, metal targets are installed, or you can bring your own metal or paper, just as long as you have a berm backdrop which there are plenty of.

The annual cost is $25.00 per year or $5.00 per day per person as my guest, there are benchrests, a concrete walkway which is covered by a sturdy aluminum covering, and a portable outhouse, the location is south of Inyokern Ca. on Brown Rd

If anyone is interested in shooting here as my guest pm me, I am retired so am pretty much on free time, you do not have to worry about being checked by L. E. as they have their own range a couple of miles to the southwest. The range is open from can see to can't see and overnight camping is allowed, camping is primitive however.

[sigstroker]

I have under $1000 into my long range gun and routinely shoot out to 1200-1250 yards. I have shot as far as 1 mile but that is lot more difficult. Ammo is factory hornady at $1.25 each.

Some cheap guns are fine but will have limits like overheated barrels and weak stocks. Not the end of the world.

Speaking of which, I'm on the lookout for something small and lightweight like a Predator. How is the cheek weld on that?

[USMCM16A2]

OP,


It is or can be, a very challenging. I have a Remington 700 Long Range in 30-06. It is topped with a Vortex Strike Eagle 3x18x44.
For me it is the fun of watching a 6 inch silhouette dance at 600 yards. A 175gr BTHP traveling at 2670fps. A round that I put together. The technical aspects of long range shooting are part of the fun.
The ammo, the wind, temperature all play a part in delivering that bullet to its destination. Powders, bullet choice, brass all play roles that have to be figured into. Of course, the rifle, scope combo are critical.
The Remington 700 Long Range is one of the best budget rifles for this purpose. $682, and the scope was $449. I like the rifle so much I have another on order. I chose 30-06 for versatility, wide range of powders, bullet choices are numerous. Brass is readily available and cheap, who needs belted magnums, I won’t be shooting passed 1200 yards. The 30-06 is supersonic out to 1300 yards. So there is a lot to Long Range shooting. A2

[audiophil2]

Speaking of which, I'm on the lookout for something small and lightweight like a Predator. How is the cheek weld on that?

no one that shot it had issues. a guy on amazon makes a riser for it but im just too cheap to buy it.

[ar15barrels]

Seems to me that gratification and bragging rights would be from the person actually holding the rifle and hitting a target hundreds of yards out imo.

It would seem that you are the type of person that would prefer highpower across the course or palma shooting instead of F class.