KRC
Active Member
What the Heck is “Tactical Benchrest”???
(besides a whole lot LOT of fun!) Long Post
Tactical benchrest is a 22LR based shooting discipline that gives new (and experienced) shooters an introduction to rimfire PRS (precision rifle shooting) type competition, WITHOUT all the moving around on different “props”.
Typical NRL22/PRS/MARS matches involve shooting a series of stages (usually 5-10) where each stage has a “prop” which shooters shoot FROM, and a target or set of targets that are shot AT. These props often consist of tank traps, barricades, spools, buckets, ladders and other stationary or non-stationary items that rifles are placed on, up to including suspended and swinging platforms shooters must climb onto to shoot. Within each stage there is almost always a requirement of the shooter to move or change positions on the prop. (For example, shooting from four different rungs of a ladder, or moving from shooting from an upside down bucket to a sawhorse.) All stages are timed, with the different sanctioning organizations using different stage timing, typically 90 to 120 seconds.
The targets are usually steel plates of various sizes and shapes placed at different distances. Some stages have targets at a single distance only, but stages usually require the shooter to shoot at targets at two to five different distances, with defined shooting sequences (for example: nearest targets to furthest target in order). Shooters must know how to change their aiming point for the varying target distances (this is called knowing your “dope”), and changing the aiming point is by either using the scopes reticle to hold high or low or by adjusting the scopes elevation settings.
Challenging? Yup. Fun? Loads!
Tactical Benchrest is a new twist on the typical NRL22/PRS/MARS stage format in which the targets and shooting sequences are exactly the same, but instead of shooting from props and/or requiring a lot of movement during a stage, shooters shoot all stages from a bench! For each stage the rifle is set on a benchtop with a bipod and a rear bag, and the shooter is seated. This eliminates the challenge of setting up and steadying the rifle on a weird prop, and then having to move several times during a stage and necessitating re-steadying the rifle and re-acquiring the targets. This allows new shooters to concentrate on the shooting part, learning how to adjust their aiming point using scope and dope, from a single steady shooting position. An intro to PRS shooting, without all the jumping around! What a GREAT idea!
Where and when can you try this?
There are at least two Match Directors that are now including “Tactical Benchrest” along with their regular PRS type rimfire matches. The PRS(MARS) type matches held at the Bridgeville Delaware (BRPC) range will include the Tactical BR format. The other “Tactical BR” matches are being held at the Quinton, NJ range, again, alongside their PRS(MARS) type matches. This is a great way for new shooters, and for older shooters who don’t move so fast, to try out PRS style shooting.
What you need to start shooting Tactical Benchrest?
- a scoped 22LR rifle with a detachable magazine
(rifles with tubular magazines are not allowed)
(you could use a single shot rifle, but you would need to reload quickly!)
- rifle/scope sighted in at 50 yards
(first focal plane scopes are much preferred over second focal plane scopes)
- rifle equipped with a front bipod
(front bag A-OK instead)
(no BR type front rests)
- a rear bag
- some idea of how to adjust aiming point for different distances, from ~25 to 200 yards
(LOTS of help will be available at the match to assist with this)
- about 100-150 rounds of ammo (standard or subsonic velocity highly recommended)
- match fee in cash (Match Directors prefer exact change)
As always, sign up for matches at www.practiscore.com
(Setting up a Practiscore account is FREE)
To register for the upcoming Jan.7, 2023 Tactical Benchrest match at Bridgeville DE:
https://practiscore.com/bridgeville-rimfire-tactical-benchrest-match-january-2023/register
To register for the upcoming Jan. 28, 2023 Tactical Benchrest match at Quinton, NJ:
https://practiscore.com/quinton-tactical-benchrest-january-2023/register
To register for the regular January 2023 PRS/MARS type matches at Bridgeville, DE or Quinton, NJ:
https://practiscore.com/bridgeville-mars-precision-rimfire-january-2023/register
https://practiscore.com/quinton-mars-january-2023/register
For more information, contact:
Steve Jesatko
bridgevillenrl22@gmail.com
443.791.8967
(besides a whole lot LOT of fun!) Long Post
Tactical benchrest is a 22LR based shooting discipline that gives new (and experienced) shooters an introduction to rimfire PRS (precision rifle shooting) type competition, WITHOUT all the moving around on different “props”.
Typical NRL22/PRS/MARS matches involve shooting a series of stages (usually 5-10) where each stage has a “prop” which shooters shoot FROM, and a target or set of targets that are shot AT. These props often consist of tank traps, barricades, spools, buckets, ladders and other stationary or non-stationary items that rifles are placed on, up to including suspended and swinging platforms shooters must climb onto to shoot. Within each stage there is almost always a requirement of the shooter to move or change positions on the prop. (For example, shooting from four different rungs of a ladder, or moving from shooting from an upside down bucket to a sawhorse.) All stages are timed, with the different sanctioning organizations using different stage timing, typically 90 to 120 seconds.
The targets are usually steel plates of various sizes and shapes placed at different distances. Some stages have targets at a single distance only, but stages usually require the shooter to shoot at targets at two to five different distances, with defined shooting sequences (for example: nearest targets to furthest target in order). Shooters must know how to change their aiming point for the varying target distances (this is called knowing your “dope”), and changing the aiming point is by either using the scopes reticle to hold high or low or by adjusting the scopes elevation settings.
Challenging? Yup. Fun? Loads!
Tactical Benchrest is a new twist on the typical NRL22/PRS/MARS stage format in which the targets and shooting sequences are exactly the same, but instead of shooting from props and/or requiring a lot of movement during a stage, shooters shoot all stages from a bench! For each stage the rifle is set on a benchtop with a bipod and a rear bag, and the shooter is seated. This eliminates the challenge of setting up and steadying the rifle on a weird prop, and then having to move several times during a stage and necessitating re-steadying the rifle and re-acquiring the targets. This allows new shooters to concentrate on the shooting part, learning how to adjust their aiming point using scope and dope, from a single steady shooting position. An intro to PRS shooting, without all the jumping around! What a GREAT idea!
Where and when can you try this?
There are at least two Match Directors that are now including “Tactical Benchrest” along with their regular PRS type rimfire matches. The PRS(MARS) type matches held at the Bridgeville Delaware (BRPC) range will include the Tactical BR format. The other “Tactical BR” matches are being held at the Quinton, NJ range, again, alongside their PRS(MARS) type matches. This is a great way for new shooters, and for older shooters who don’t move so fast, to try out PRS style shooting.
What you need to start shooting Tactical Benchrest?
- a scoped 22LR rifle with a detachable magazine
(rifles with tubular magazines are not allowed)
(you could use a single shot rifle, but you would need to reload quickly!)
- rifle/scope sighted in at 50 yards
(first focal plane scopes are much preferred over second focal plane scopes)
- rifle equipped with a front bipod
(front bag A-OK instead)
(no BR type front rests)
- a rear bag
- some idea of how to adjust aiming point for different distances, from ~25 to 200 yards
(LOTS of help will be available at the match to assist with this)
- about 100-150 rounds of ammo (standard or subsonic velocity highly recommended)
- match fee in cash (Match Directors prefer exact change)
As always, sign up for matches at www.practiscore.com
(Setting up a Practiscore account is FREE)
To register for the upcoming Jan.7, 2023 Tactical Benchrest match at Bridgeville DE:
https://practiscore.com/bridgeville-rimfire-tactical-benchrest-match-january-2023/register
To register for the upcoming Jan. 28, 2023 Tactical Benchrest match at Quinton, NJ:
https://practiscore.com/quinton-tactical-benchrest-january-2023/register
To register for the regular January 2023 PRS/MARS type matches at Bridgeville, DE or Quinton, NJ:
https://practiscore.com/bridgeville-mars-precision-rimfire-january-2023/register
https://practiscore.com/quinton-mars-january-2023/register
For more information, contact:
Steve Jesatko
bridgevillenrl22@gmail.com
443.791.8967
Though I do have washboard abs.. From CrossFit. 
