" Broken Sights ": Metallic Silhouette and BR50 International Sporter Training

Last Saturday, October 16th, 2010, I went to the Carregueira shooting range to "sight in" and train for Metallic Silhouette and Benchrest 50 International Sporter class.

For mettalic silhouette ( IMSSU ) I took my "old" and trusty .22 LR Ruger 10/22 Target (with an extensive array of Valquartsen kits on it) mounted on a Bell & Carlson composite stock (model "Anschutz" - Sportsmen Team Challenge/Silhouette) with a Hakko 8-32x scope over Sportsmatch UK reach forward 2 piece high mounts - a "special" version with extra height on the back - so that I can gain extra elevation "click space" - since for the 40 (Chicken), 60 (Pig), 77 (Turkey) and 100 (Ram) meters targets I sure will need all extra elevation I can on the top turret .

Ruger 10/22 Target on a Bell & Carlson composite stock
with a Hakko 8x32 scope

Groups from a bechrest support at 40 meters

... the top elevation adjustable turret
- please note the tiny "allen" screw
that allows to "reset" the zero markings

Using Federal Champhion Target ammo I proceeded with approx. 50 shoots for sight in with the new Sportsmatch UK mounts (the previous lacked the extra back elevation of this particular model). Afterwards using paper printed silhouettes I proceeded with approx. 60 shots precision training from a benchrest position. Very happy with the results - next match will be coming next Sunday, October 24th, 2010.

Two consecutive impacts on the "Chicken" target at 40 meters
Impacts were made from a benchrest support while sighting in
Target is *very* small - approx. 4 x 3 cm
(match shooting position is standing!)

I then proceeded to sight in and training with my new setup for the "light" class of .22 LR Benchrest 50 shooting (the "International Sporter" class, with a max. overall weight of 8 1/2 lbs, approx. 3.856 grams) - a J. G. Anschütz 1416 rifle with a "custom shop" Leupold Competition Hunter 6x42mm "extra thin reticle" on top using Sportsmatch UK mounts. Supported by a Caldweel "The Rock" shooting rest with leather Protektor front and rear bags, I managed to get very nice results with my trusty Lapua Center-X .22 LR ammo. Approx. 40 shots were spent on scope sight in and another 60 shots went to training - with some impressive grouping and, on a match simulation, with some "full house" X scored to keep as "souvenir".