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Benchrest Rifle

The ultimate test of accuracy

About Benchrest Shooting

Benchrest is all about one thing: accuracy. Shooting from a solid bench with the rifle fully supported, benchrest eliminates as many variables as possible to achieve the smallest groups imaginable. It’s a discipline where fractions of an inch make the difference between winning and losing.

Benchrest shooting photo to be added

The Discipline

Key Characteristics

  • Position: Seated at a bench, rifle fully supported
  • Distance: 20-100 yards (indoor and outdoor)
  • Rifle Types: .22LR rimfire or air rifles
  • Support: Front and rear rests or bipod
  • Sights: High-power telescopic sights
  • Goal: Smallest possible group size

Our Facilities

Pinhoe TSC has dedicated benchrest facilities both indoors and outdoors:

Pinnbrook Right Range

Indoor 25 yard/metre benchrest range with 5 firing points. Climate-controlled for consistent conditions.

DJB 50m Outdoor Range

4-point outdoor range for long-distance benchrest shooting in all weather conditions.

What Makes Benchrest Special

Pursuit of Perfection

In benchrest shooting, the goal is simple but incredibly challenging: put multiple shots through the same hole. Top benchrest shooters regularly achieve groups smaller than a centimeter at 50 metres - that’s less than the diameter of a pencil!

This extreme accuracy requires:

  • Precisely tuned equipment
  • Perfect ammunition selection and testing
  • Reading wind conditions
  • Consistent shooting technique
  • Attention to minute details

Why Try Benchrest?

Technical Challenge

Benchrest is fascinating for technically-minded shooters. There’s always something to tweak, test, or improve - from ammunition selection to equipment setup.

Accessible Accuracy

The supported position makes benchrest accessible to many shooters. Physical limitations that might affect other disciplines are minimized.

Equipment Enthusiasts

Love tinkering with equipment? Benchrest offers endless opportunities to experiment with rifles, scopes, rests, and ammunition.

Weather Reading

Outdoor benchrest requires reading wind and weather conditions - a skill that translates to all outdoor shooting disciplines.

Equipment

Getting Started

The club has benchrest equipment available for new members to try. You don’t need specialised equipment to start - a standard .22 rifle and scope will let you experience benchrest shooting.

Start Simple

Many successful benchrest shooters started with basic equipment. You can learn the fundamentals and decide if you want to invest in specialised gear as you develop your interest.

Competitive Equipment

As you progress, you may want to invest in dedicated benchrest equipment:

  • Rifle: Purpose-built benchrest rifle or high-accuracy .22LR
  • Scope: High-magnification scope (24x-36x typical)
  • Front Rest: Adjustable front support for the rifle
  • Rear Bag: Sandbag or specialised rear support
  • Ammunition: Match-grade ammunition tested for your rifle
  • Wind Flags: For outdoor shooting

Skills Developed

Benchrest shooting teaches valuable skills:

  • Consistency: Repeating exactly the same process every shot
  • Equipment Knowledge: Understanding how equipment affects accuracy
  • Wind Reading: Interpreting environmental conditions
  • Data Analysis: Tracking results to identify improvements
  • Patience: Taking time to get every detail right
  • Precision Mindset: Attention to minute details

Competitions

We host and participate in various benchrest competitions:

  • The Big Shoot: Our annual benchrest open in June (.22LR and air rifle categories)
  • Pinhoe Rose Bowl: Annual club benchrest championship
  • Club Competitions: Regular internal events for members
  • NSRA Competitions: Regional and national events
  • Postal Leagues: Shoot at home, submit scores online

Competition Formats

Benchrest competitions typically involve:

  • Multiple targets (usually 5-10)
  • Set number of shots per target (often 5 or 10)
  • Group size measurement (smallest wins)
  • Separate classes for different equipment
  • Indoor and outdoor categories

Indoor vs Outdoor

Indoor Benchrest

Our 25-yard indoor range offers:

  • Controlled environment (no wind)
  • Consistent lighting and temperature
  • Year-round availability
  • Ideal for learning and equipment testing

Outdoor Benchrest

Our 50m outdoor range adds the challenge of:

  • Wind reading and compensation
  • Varying light conditions
  • Longer distance increases difficulty
  • More similar to competition conditions

Training & Instruction

We offer benchrest training and coaching:

  • Introduction to benchrest fundamentals
  • Equipment setup and tuning advice
  • Wind reading instruction (outdoor)
  • Competition preparation
  • NSRA Benchrest Instructor course (run periodically)

Experienced Help

Our experienced benchrest shooters are always happy to help newcomers. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about equipment, technique, or ammunition selection.

Try Benchrest Shooting

Experience the precision of benchrest rifle shooting at Pinhoe TSC.

Get Started