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Benchrest scope

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Crusher

Crusher

Member
Mar 6, 2018
1,420
65
Irving Texas, United States
I wanted to try to shoot "benchrest" targets in my back yard. I know I can order some that are exactly right, but close for practice would be good enough for now. However, I saw in one of Ken's videos (for the NOTA rest I think) that his scope had no mil dots and a single tiny dot for the x hair. Anyone know what scope that is??

Ken, ??

Is there a limit to scope power or anything like that?

Thanks

Crusher

ps. if the targets printed out correctly, the 10x should be 2mm, right?
 
Most bench rest scopes are fixed power scopes that range from 36x - 45x. They don't have mil dots because they aren't needed. There are either fine cross hairs of fine cross hairs with a small dot where the cross hairs meet. Weaver, Sightron and Leupold are the brands most folks use. 

No limit to scope power and, yes, the bull on the target is 2mm. 

Bench rest is great fun. Enjoy shooting in your back yard. 
 
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"chasdicapua"Most bench rest scopes are fixed power scopes that range from 36x - 45x. They don't have mil dots because they aren't needed. There are either fine cross hairs of fine cross hairs with a small dot where the cross hairs meet. Weaver, Sightron and Leupold are the brands most folks use. 

No limit to scope power and, yes, the bull on the target is 2mm. 

Bench rest is great fun. Enjoy shooting in your back yard.
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Thanks for the info. I want to practice a little and see if I'm shooting consistently enough to get into a couple of matches. I found a club about 10 miles away that has 25 and 50 meter matches a couple of times a month. I shot one of the targets today and if my scoring is correct, I shot a 237. Not so bad for my first try. Especially since I was just shooting from the tin. Problem is that the + on my scope covers the dot in the center and makes it a little tougher to aim. And I think I was shooting at 33 yards. Isn't 25 meters = to 27 yards ?

Crusher


 
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"Centercut"With the .177 Marauder? Very good score. 25M is 27.5 yards.
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Actually I shot that with the Wildcat 25. I'm working on learning to shoot it because it is my most difficult gun. I say that because it is different than everything else. But I can't help it. I just love the feel of that gun for some reason. :) But that does give me an idea. I think tomorrow I'll get the .177 Marauder out and give it a try. That thing is super accurate. And for $450, it is my favorite pesting gun. Shoots the 10.5 at about 920 fps. I'll have to learn the trigger again though. My newly adjusted Wildcat trigger has me spoiled. 

Crusher
 
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Yes, the Weavers are a relatively inexpensive bench rest scope. Just be sure your eyes are good. The cross hairs on them are very fine. 

Centercut, you are correct. .22 is the highest caliber allowed in benchrest competition. There are three categories that are defined by both maximum FPE and total rifle weight. Light Varmint Class is 12 fpe max, Heavy Varmint Class is 20 fpe max and Open Class is 35 fpe max. 

Crusher, 237 is not bad at all for a first card. Nice going. If you haven't already, you'll need to find out what head size your barrel likes and sort for that head size. Those are the ones you'll want to use in competition. 
You're lucky to have a club near by. BTW, indoor matches are 25 yards and outdoor matches are 25 meters and 50 meters. Keep us posted on your progress!

Chas
 
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FWIW, the cream of the cream is , Made in the USA - https://www.leupold.com/product-series/competition-rifle-scope

Magnification X35: https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/competition-series-35x45mm
Magnification X40: https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/competition-series-40x45mm
Magnification X45: https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/competition-series-45x45mm

...available at around NEW $1099.99 > by shopping around & Googling ... 

or, going up to $1400 for variable magnification > http://www.nightforceoptics.com/benchrest/12-42x56


 
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If you're planning to shoot at the USARB distance (25M):

1. I find the fine cross-hairs with 1/8mil center dot to work well. Without the dot it can be hard to locate the center, especially if you're in a rush with changing conditions or distracted (90% of the time).

2. I like 36X better than 45X (or 24X which wasn't enough IMO). After finishing a card, at 36X one can very quickly scan up/down the score area to make sure no bulls were skipped (it happens!). At higher power (eg Leupold 45), the field is smaller and it takes more time to scan the score area.

3. Shooting with both eyes (one on the cross hair and the other on flags) is pretty easy at 36X. I found it harder to do at higher power.

4. I use a Sightron 36X but Weaver and others should be fine too. It's important that the scope setting turrets lock and remain stable.

Kim
 
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Thanks Kim.. Good info. I appreciate everyone's input.

So frustrated. Pulled out that old dead accurate 177 of mine to give it the test on my printed target. That thing shot all over the paper. I THINK what happened is that I haven't shot it in 3 or 4 weeks and the lead in the barrel may have oxidized a little. I tried just putting about 50 shots downrange and see if it would clear. But it didn't. So I'm going to pull it apart and scrub the snot out of it and see if I can't get back on track with it. So weird that it was so accurate and now so far off. I feel like I could just throw a couple of handfuls of pellets at the target and do about as well. ugh........ (you know that feeling when you gun is performing like it should)

Crusher
 
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"chasdicapua"I have the Leupold 45x and really like it. Nice small dot on the cross hairs. Easily fits inside the bull ring. Really clear as well. With the Light Varmint class some scopes may be too heave to make weight. Not sure this 45x would be light enough for LV. I use it on my HV rifle.
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The 45X does keep me in Light Varmint, The Sightron SIII not so much........
 
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"Kim"If you're planning to shoot at the USARB distance (25M):

1. I find the fine cross-hairs with 1/8mil center dot to work well. Without the dot it can be hard to locate the center, especially if you're in a rush with changing conditions or distracted (90% of the time).

2. I like 36X better than 45X (or 24X which wasn't enough IMO). After finishing a card, at 36X one can very quickly scan up/down the score area to make sure no bulls were skipped (it happens!). At higher power (eg Leupold 45), the field is smaller and it takes more time to scan the score area.

3. Shooting with both eyes (one on the cross hair and the other on flags) is pretty easy at 36X. I found it harder to do at higher power.

4. I use a Sightron 36X but Weaver and others should be fine too. It's important that the scope setting turrets lock and remain stable.

Kim
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Kim if your skipping bulls at high power, sounds like you need a front rest that can scan the whole target with a quik stick ;)
 
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