New 1000-Yard Benchrest Range Opens in Scotland
Bench Barrels for Sound Attenuation
There’s something unusual about this range. Competitors are required to shoot through hoops. Vince Bottomley explains: “Competitors have to shoot with the rifle barrel inside a foam-lined plastic barrel, in an attempt to cut down on noise. This was a condition imposed by the local police but in practice, you don’t notice it as you are looking through a scope.” That looks pretty strange to us. Hopefully we won’t see these kind of restrictions imposed in the USA.
Here’s good news to report from the United Kingdom. The UK’s second 1000-yard benchrest facility just opened up in Scotland, near the town of Castle Douglas in the south of Scotland. Until now, Diggle was the only range running 1000-yard benchrest matches in all of the UK. With interest in long-range benchrest competition growing in the UK, it’s good to see a new 1K venue opening for business.
The new Ingleston Range in Castle Douglas is operated by the Galloway Small Arms Club. This club is affiliated with the United Kingdom Bench Rest Association (UKBRA), so any records established will be recognized by the UK governing body for benchrest shooting. Light Gun and Heavy Gun Classes are run according to American IBS rules. And, per UKBRA standards, there is also a third, Factory Rifle Class. Vince Bottomley reports: “The Range is located on a working farm and the GSAC members have worked tremendously hard to create a 1000-yard range from what is basically open countryside.”
Here’s the view looking downrange. What a beautiful place to shoot…
Similar Posts:
- Scottish Shooter Sets UK 1000-Yard Records with Factory Savage
- Precision Front Rests — Vince Talks About the Equipment
- Choosing and Using Pedestal Front Rests
- Vince Does Vegas — A Brit’s View of SHOT Show
- Modulo Masterpiece — Ultimate Portable Press?
Tags: 1000 Yards, Diggle, England, Ingleston Range, Scotland, Target Shooter Magazine, UKBRA, Vince Bottomley
I hear suppressers to the same thing, no doubt Australia will pick up on it, and make it mandatory, considering the new round of ridiculous laws they just passed in SA.
From what I recall cartridge gun suppressors are pretty well banned in the UK but an obvious case why they shouldn’t be. I am actually amazed a new range has opened at all, they are getting pretty strict over there, Scotland now requiring licenses for any airgun. As far as Queensland Australia goes, silencers/moderators are Category R licensing, same as an as a rocket launcher. In fact a strict interpretation of the QLD law, -” a silencer or other device or contrivance made or used, or capable of being used, or intended to be used, for reducing the sound caused by discharging a firearm;” may also exclude use of the barrel as used in Scotland!
In the picture it looks like the left bench/shooter is forward of the other two.
Moderators are licensed the same as firerms in Enngland Wales and I believe Scotland. It is actually quite easy to get one and it costs no extra ie no taxes. Most licensing teams accept that they are beneficial to the shooter, the community and can aid accuracy.
Moderators are not however allowed in certain target competitions hence the barrels to assist with dampening the noise.
Eric B – no, there is no problem with a suppressor or moderator in the UK but, few comp. rifles use them – mainly used for hunting.
Terry – no, just a photographic illusion – the benches are all in line but angled.
Yeah, it looks like those barrels are to prevent the shooter to the left from having their brains scrambled from the concussive effect of a muzzle blast. It looks like the shooting line is at an angle to the target with shooters sitting at the end of each other muzzles.
It looks like the same person that designed the layout of the range was behind the logo design. I wonder how crooked the crosshairs are in his scope.
My memory let me down on UK rules then. Thanks for the info Vince and Dave. As each country appears to have its own version of target rules anyway a minor mod to allow moderators would seem to be in order, easy enough to remove for other shooting ranges and internationals. From other articles here on accurateshooter they may even give an accuracy benefit. No idea how useful they are with supersonic ammo though.
The firing line is as straight as the logo. It looks poorly thought out in both cases.