Jerry Tierney was the big winner this weekend at the NBRSA Long-Range Nationals. On Friday, shooting his .284 Win F-Open rig from the bench, Jerry won the “F-Bench” match with a 393-16X score (200-7X + 193-9X). Jerry followed Friday’s win with a dominant performance in the Sloughhouse 1000, posting the best combined Two-Gun Aggregate to win the two-day 1000-Yard Championship event. There was a good turn-out for these events, with about 40 shooters in the F-Bench match and a half-dozen more for the 1000-Yard Nationals.
On Friday, Jerry shot his 21.5-lb F-Open rifle. On Saturday and Sunday he used that F-Class rig in Heavy Gun, and shot a converted Palma rifle with a .284 barrel in Light Gun. Jerry was loading H4831sc with Berger “orange box” 180gr hunting bullets in both guns. Jerry’s 21.5-pounder has a really long throat allowing Jerry to “hang the bullets way out there” and load more powder. That gives him higher velocity, about 90-100 FPS more than his shorter-throated .284 Light Gun. Jerry tells us: “The long throat is working really well. You’d be surprised at how little shank I’m running in the necks, but the accuracy is there, and you can get a lot more velocity when you adjust the load for the increased boiler room”. Jerry has also long-throated a .308 Win rifle for shooting the 185s and he is getting “really good velocities for that bullet in a .308 Win”.
Jerry Tierney with Awards from 2013 NBRSA Long-Range Nationals. Jerry, now a gentleman wine-maker, presented some of his Tierney-bottled “Sin & Zin” Zinfandel as prizes in the match.
In winning the F-Bench Match and SloughHouse 1000, Jerry racked up another five NBRSA Hall-of-Fame points. He is now the leading NBRSA HOF’er with 20 points. When asked for his successful match strategy, Jerry replied: “watch the flags and keep ‘em in the middle”. Perhaps the 600-yard competitors are lucky that Jerry had Jury Duty earlier in the week so he could not participate in the NBRSA 600-yard Nationals, won by Richard Schatz. Jerry was certainly “on his game” Friday through Sunday.
Jerry says the winds were unusually light (for Sacramento), on the weekend: “There was never any real bad wind — we had plus/minus 1 MOA most of the time, never more than three minutes of windage”. However, the winds were tricky. Jerry says: “It seems like every time we’d finish our sighters, the wind would flip to another direction. That caught many shooters by surprise.”
Editor’s Note: We will augment this story with full match results as soon as they are available. If any readers have a copy of the final results, or photos from the match, please send them to us. Our email address is: mailbox [at] 6mmbr.com.
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The NBRSA has wrapped up its 600-yard National Championship, with the 1000-yard National Championship taking place today and tomorrow at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. Richard Schatz, one of the greatest 600-yard shooters of all time, topped over 40 talented shooters to win the two-gun overall title. Richard, we’re told, also won the Light Gun Division. Forum member Terry Balding (aka “Terry”) won the Heavy Gun Class. Terry drove all the way from Wisconsin to compete in the match. We’ll publish more details as they become available. If any of our readers have more photos from the match, or a list of final results, please send them along. Here’s Richard receiving his trophy from match director Craig St. Claire:
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The NBRSA Long-Range Nationals are underway right now at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center Range in Sloughhouse, CA. The NBRSA LR Nationals involves three separate events (over five days), starting with the 2-day 600-yard Nationals, followed by an F-Class Benchrest Match, and concluding with the 1000-yard Nationals on Saturday and Sunday.
The 600-yard Nationals (aka Sloughhouse 600), calendared April 24-25, concludes today. Guys are probably finishing up their final 600-yard relay as this story goes to press. On Friday, April 26, the NBRSA will hold a 1000-Yard “F-Bench” match. This is a popular new discipline which allows guys with F-Class rifles (up to 22 lbs.) to shoot off the bench. It’s a good idea that encourages participation from shooters who might not otherwise come to the Nationals.
After Friday’s F-Bench Match, the NBRSA 1000-yard National Championships (aka the 6th Annual Sloughhouse 1000) will be held April 27-28 (Saturday and Sunday). NOTE: It’s not too late to sign up for the 1000-yard match this weekend. Long Range National Fees are $50 a day, Late fee applies. For more information, visit www.NBRSA.org and www.SacValley.org. Below are Match Application Forms, in MS Word format (right click and “save as”).
The NBRSA is updating its Official Rulebook and By-Laws. The newly revised Rulebook (version 38) is in the process of being printed. However, the NRBRSA has uploaded a PDF file you can now preview the the latest (version 38) of the Official Rulebook.
The National Bench Rest Shooters Association (NBRSA) now has its own eZine, Precision Rifleman, which covers NBRSA events and provides notices to members. The editors do a good job providing follow-up reports on popular matches with profiles of notable NBRSA members.
Along with match reports, you’ll find a list of upcoming events plus a handy directory of NBRSA-affiliated clubs across the country, complete with full contact information.
While Precision Rifleman is funded in part through NBRSA member dues, you can read the digital version online for free — you do not have to be a paying NBRSA member. (A print version goes out to NBRSA members).
After concluding its 2012 Board Meeting, the NBRSA has issued some announcements for its membership. The Fee structure has changed, and Match Directors are requested to submit info on upcoming 2013 Matches. In addition, the NBRSA noted that Long Range Rule Books are now on sale for $5.00. Call (307) 655-7415 to order these Rule Books.
NBRSA Fee Schedule for 2013
Dues and match fees will change beginning January 1, 2013. The new fee structure is designed “to be equitable to everyone”, with adjustments reflecting shipping costs. Normal match fees change to $3 per shooter per day. Annual Fees will be:
USA Domestic Annual Members & Clubs: $60
CANADIAN Annual Members: $60 + $25 shipping — Total US $85
INTERNATIONAL Annual Members: $60 + $60 shipping — Total US $120
2013 Match Schedules and Forms
The NBRSA requests that match directors send in their 2013 match schedules to Regional Directors as soon as possible. This will allow the NBRSA to post schedules online and in Precision Rifleman magazine. Match Directors who require Forms should click the links below.
The official results for the NBRSA 1000-yard Nationals have been released, along with final results for the F-Class Bench and 600-Yard Nationals. Congratulations to Bill Johnston, the new NBRSA 1000-yard Champion. Bill finished first with 18 rank points, edging runner-up Richard Schatz (19 pts) by one point. Terry Balding (who won the 600-yard NBRSA Nationals) finished third with 29 points, ahead of Greg Wilson (30, 4th place) and Robert Hoppe (34 5th Place).
LIGHT GUN GROUP — RICHARD SCHATZ 4.801″
LIGHT GUN SCORE — ROBERT HOPPE 288-6X
HEAVY GUN GROUP — BILL JOHNSTON 7.759
HEAVY GUN SCORE — BILL JOHNSTON 552-4X
TWO GUN GROUP — RICHARD SCHATZ 6.585″
TWO GUN SCORE — BILL JOHNSTON 817-6X
NEW 1000-Yard NATIONAL RECORDS
RICK DUNCAN — LIGHT GUN 3 TARGET SCORE 149-4X
ROBERT HOPPE — LIGHT GUN 6 TARGET SCORE 288-6X
RICK DUNCAN — LIGHT GUN 6 TARGET SCORE 283-6X
Jim O’Connell tells us tha several new records were set at both of the National Champonships (1000-yard and 600-yard). Check out the attachments for all the groups and scores as well as the many winners in separate divisions and target categories (LG/HG, Group/Score, Single Target/3-Target/6-Target). We congratulate all the shooters who attended the NBRSA Long-Range Nationals this week. The match directors thank you for your participation and hope to see you next year.
As part of the NBRSA Long-Range Nationals conducted this week in Sacramento, an F-Class Benchrest match was held Friday, April 20th, with great success. Why have a benchrest match for F-Classers you might ask? Well, this provides a new activity for F-Class shooters whose 22-lb F-Open and 18.15-lb F-TR rifles would not otherwise qualify under the NBRSA 17-lb Light Gun limits. Having more opportunities for more folks to shoot is always a good thing, we believe. With the success of this event, it looks like “F-Bench” matches will become more commonplace in the future. Jerry Tierney, our “field correspondent” in Sacramento, tells us that the NBRSA plans to approve F-Class Benchrest competition as a regular discipline. This will formalize the rules, targets, and course of fire.
At Friday’s F-Class Bench match, the shooting was all done at 1000 yards, from the covered shooting line at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. The event consisted of two, 1000-yard matches with a time limit of 30 minutes each and unlimited sighters. Shooters were divided into three relays: one firing, one scoring, and one in the pits. That division of labor kept everyone active throughout the day. All three relays in the first match shot in VERY mild conditions. At the start of match two, the wind came up from the left.
Hoppe Wins F-Class Bench Match
The winner was a familar face, Robert Hoppe, racking up 387-11X with his 6mm Dasher. Runner-up, just one point behind, was Gary Noble (386-11X). In third place was Shawn Greene (383-13X). Robert is a heck of a shooter. He still holds the NBRSA record for the smallest 5-shot group ever shot in a 600-yard NBRSA benchrest match. Robert drilled an amazing 0.5823″ group in 2007 to set the NBRSA Light Gun record. Five years later, he’s still on his game.
The NBRSA Long-Range National Championships continue today and tomorrow with the Sloughhouse 1000 two-day match.
Match results and photos by Jerry Tierney, who shot the match and finished 6th with 383-8X.
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The NBRSA 600-Yard Nationals were held April 18-19, 2012 at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center in Sloughhouse, CA. Among the nearly 40 com-petitors, Forum Member Terry Balding (aka Terry) was the big winner, taking home the Overall Two-Gun Title with strong performances in both Light Gun and Heavy Gun divisions. In both classes, Terry shot his 6mm Dasher Light Gun. Terry finished with 19 rank points, and former NBRSA 600-yard Champion Richard Schatz was not far behind with 24 rank points.
Richard, as you’d expect, also shot a Dasher in both classes. Schatz apparently was at no disadvantage using his Dasher Light Gun in the Heavy Gun phase — Richard set a new NBRSA 10-shot Heavy Gun Record with a 1.769″ ten-shot group, and Schatz also posted HG single-target high score for the match, a 99-8X. Both Terry and Richard plan to shoot their Dasher Light Guns in both LG and HG classes at the NBRSA 1000-yard Nationals which continue this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in Sacramento.
We’re delighted to see Terry Balding win this major Championship. He has worked very hard on his game and has steadily climbed the ranks. He’s a deserving new Champion. Along with his overall win, Terry posted the best 6-target LG score: a 284-5X (plus tie-breaker group). When confirmed this will be a new NBRSA 6-target LG record. Terry told us he shot fast to stay in the non-dominant left to right condition. In both LG and HG relays, Balding waited for the L to R to appear, then he shot fast. Terry’s 6mm Dasher, smithed by Lester Bruno, features a multi-flat BAT dual-port action, March 10-60x52mm scope with PECA Amber filter, McMillan MBR stock, and 28″ Krieger 1:8″ twist, 0.237″-land barrel. Terry told us this barrel shot great “right from the start”, and his Dasher has performed very well in the last five matches, so he wasn’t surprised it did so well in Sacramento.
Berger 105gr Hybrids, Varget, and Brass Annealed After Every Firing
Terry’s match-winning load consisted of Berger 105gr Hybrids “pointed slightly with a Whidden Pointer”, pushed by Varget powder and CCI 450 primers at 3030 fps. Terry seats his 105s very slightly into the lands. As is becoming the fashion with many top shooters, Terry anneals his brass (with a Ken Light annealer) after every firing. Terry believes this helps him maintain “very consistent neck tension”.
Terry wanted to give credit to his friend Richard Schatz, who “has been a great help for a number of years”. Terry, who hails from Wisconsin, also wanted to mention that his home club, the Columbus Sportsmans Association, is constructing a new 600-yard benchrest range in Columbus Wisconsin. Terry invites his fellow shooters to visit the new range when it is complete, hopefully by August of this year.
Schatz Sets New Heavy Gun Group Record While Finishing Second Overall
Our friend Richard Schatz performed well, shooting his trusty 6mm Dasher. There was a bit of a change this time around — Richard was pushing his 2006-vintage 107gr SMKs with Varget powder, rather than Reloder 15, which he has used in the past. Richard explained that his lastest barrel seems to prefer the Hodgdon Varget. Richard joked: “After so many years using RL15, I felt like I was taking a new girl to the Prom”. Like his friend Terry Balding, Richard shot fast to stay in a condition: “I was running pretty much as fast as I could. By the time of the Heavy Gun relay, the gun had settled well into the bags, so it was returning to battery really well.” Richard definitely had his Dasher running well during the Heavy Gun phase, as he ended up setting a new NBRSA 10-shot Heavy Gun single target record. Shown below is Richard’s record target.
Two Gun Overall Rankings
1. Terry Balding (National Champion) – 19
2. Richard Schatz – 24
3. Frank Vance – 30
4. Bill Johnston – 33
5. Rick Duncan – 36
6. Dan Robertson – 36
7. Peter White – 40
8. Dick Colyar – 48
9. Larry Kahle -53
10. Don Nielson – 56
Two Gun Score
1. Frank Vance — 822-12X
2. Terry Balding — 809-8X
3. Bill Johnston — 809-5X
4. Dan Robertson — 808-10X
5. Rick Duncan — 805-7X
Two Gun Group
1. Bill Johnston — 3.276
2. Richard Schatz — 3.517
3. Terry Balding — 3.586
4. Dick Colyar — 3.572
5. John Crawford – 3.764
Best Targets
Light Gun High Score: Terry Balding – 50-3X, 1.77″
Light Gun Small Group: Bob Dorton – 0.851, 46-0X
Heavy Gun High Score: Richard Schatz – 99-4X, 2.222
Heavy Gun Small Group: Richard Schatz – 1.759″ (10 shots), 88-0X (New NBRSA Record)
Thanks to Jerry Tierney for providing 600-yard match photos. Jerry will be shooting in the F-Class Benchrest match held April 20th in Sloughhouse.
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The NBRSA Long-Range Nationals will be held this upcoming week, April 18-22, 2012 at the Sacramento Shooting Center in Sloughhouse, California. This five-day program encompasses three separate events, starting with the 2-day 600-yard Nationals, followed by an F-Class Benchrest Match, and concluding with the 1000-yard Nationals on Saturday and Sunday. Entry/information forms are now available for the NBRSA 600-yard Nationals (Sloughhouse 600: April 18-19), 1000-Yard F-Class Bench Match (April 20), and 1000-Yard Nationals (Sloughhouse 1000: April 21-22, 2011). All three events will be held at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center, located outside Sacramento, California.
There will be hot dogs for purchase April 18, 19, 20 and 22. The organizers have arranged a catered lunch on Saturday, April 21st. (April 23rd, Monday is reserved as a “make-up” day in the event of bad weather). Match Fees for the two Nationals Events are $50.00 per class (Light Gun and Heavy Gun), while the fee for the F-Class Bench Match (22-lb class) is $30.00. Make checks payable to: FOLSOM GUN CLUB. Mail to Craig St Claire, 10607 Sacramento Road, Galt, CA 95632. Click the links below for more information or visit the NBRSA website.
Get Some ‘Tax Relief’ by Joining the Fun at Sloughhouse this Week
The 2012 Tax Deadline for tax returns to be filed (unless you get an extension) is April 17th. So this provides some added incentive to get those returns done and then go have some fun in Sacramento. You can compete at 600 yards, or 1000 yards, or both, and F-Class shooters can try their hand at long-range shooting from the bench.
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This past weekend we reported that the NBRSA approved the use of the Gonzales cartridge feeder in registered benchrest matches. This device, supported by an arm attached to the front rest, holds 6PPC cartridges close to the loading port on the left side of the action. Using a remote (red) cable activated by the left hand, the cartridge feeder drops one cartridge at a time directly into the action. Now, thanks to Rick Pollock of Benchrest.ca, we can show you close-up photos of the device, so you can see how it is positioned and supported. Note that the Gonzales device does not touch the gun.
Watch Video to See Speed-Feeder in Action
The cases are gravity-fed, but the shooter has positive control over feeding. A cable with a push-button control runs from the magazine down to the rear foot of the pedestal rest. You just push the button to drop one cartridge from the magazine. Watch the video below to see how it works:
Photos courtesy Rick Pollock, Benchrest.ca.
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Get ready for a major new technology that could change the benchrest game. Carlos (Carlito) Gonzales, a benchrest shooter (and Professor of Engineering) from Argentina, has perfected a horizontal, external “floating” cartridge loader that can reliably feed PPC cartridges as fast as you can work the bolt.
We have received a report that Gonzales’s fast-feeding device has been approved by the NBRSA for use in benchrest matches. Pascal Fischbach told us: “I had an email September 17th from Gene Bukys, [stating] that the board of directors of the NBRSA approved the use of the ‘[Gonzales] manual cartridge feeder’ for use in NBRSA competitions.” [Editor’s note: We don’t yet know if the device is approved for all NBRSA benchrest matches, or just short-range matches.] Pascal added: “The device was presented at the delegates meeting of the WBC11 in France and approved for use during the World Championships. The next step for Carlito will be to market it. He is also willing to license the concept, plans, and methods to a machinist capable of manufacturing it in the USA.” See Discussion Thread.
External Horizontal Cartridge-Feeder
The Gonzales loading device is an open-ended, covered metal tray situated on the left side of the action (but it does not touch the gun — it is supported by an arm attached to the front rest). This feeds into the left-side loading port. The cases are gravity-fed, but the shooter has positive control over feeding. A cable with a push-button control runs from the magazine down to the rear foot of the pedestal rest. You just push the button to drop one cartridge from the magazine. We don’t know exactly how the cartridge is released in the magazine itself, but in the video below you can see how the push-button works.
You push the button as soon as a spent cartridge ejects (watch Carlito’s left hand in the video above). It is a clever set-up that works very, very fast. The video shows Carlos running five cartridges through his action in just 9 seconds (time marker 00:31 – 00:40). That’s fast! On a repeat viewing focus on Carlito’s left hand to see how he works the push-button cartridge dispensing control.
Credit to Pascale Fischbach for sourcing this story and video link.
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The NBRSA 100/200 yard Nationals will be conducted September 19-24, 2011 at the Midlands Shooters Assn. Range, located at 3212 E. County Road 136, Midland, TX 79706. There are still places available for the Nationals. Fees are: $190 for 3-gun (SP,LV,HV), $250 for 4-Gun, and Juniors shoot for half-price. There is a $40 late fee for registrations received after August, 20, 2011.
NBRSA Membership Meeting on August 22, 2011
The NBRSA’s Annual General Membership Meeting will also be held in Midlands, Texas, in conjunction with the Nationals. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 2011, will be held after the day’s shoot and before the Awards ceremony. All active NBRSA Full Members are welcome to attend, whether they compete in the match or not.
Story Tip by EdLongrange. We welcome user submissions.
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The NBRSA Long-Range Nationals are underway right now at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center Range in Sloughhouse, CA. The NBRSA LR Nationals involves three separate events (over five days), starting with the 2-day 600-yard Nationals, followed by an F-Class Benchrest Match, and concluding with the 1000-yard Nationals on Saturday and Sunday.
The National Bench Rest Shooters Association (NBRSA) now has its own eZine, 
After concluding its 2012 Board Meeting, the NBRSA has issued some announcements for its membership. The Fee structure has changed, and Match Directors are requested to submit info on upcoming 2013 Matches. In addition, the NBRSA noted that Long Range Rule Books are now on sale for $5.00. Call (307) 655-7415 to order these Rule Books.
Hoppe Wins F-Class Bench Match
The NBRSA 600-Yard Nationals were held April 18-19, 2012 at the 
Get Some ‘Tax Relief’ by Joining the Fun at Sloughhouse this Week
The 
