Kentucky Sandbag Benchrest Association.
The KSBA was formed by a few weekend plinkers who found that benchrest shooting was fun, but too expensive. We wanted to reintroduce a bit of human skill, but keep the characteristics of benchrest that we liked - high accuracy and being able to sit down while competing.
So we decided to formalize what we had been doing all along - driving to the back of John's farm, putting a sandbag on the rear rack of his ATV, sitting on a log stool that we leave lying on the ground at the range site, and popping off all afternoon. Shoot whut ya brung is the spirit we live by.
By using a non mechanical sandbag as a rest, we reintroduce a bit of human element into shooting. The sandbag helps, but you still have to aim and shoot the rifle. Call us sentimental, but we find that when you shoot a single ragged hole by KSBA rules, it's far more satisfying that adjusting a few thumbwheels on the normal benchrest.
Formal competition:
At this time, only one formal competition is scheduled, the Nationals. As it was last year, the Nationals will be held in August, exact date still to be determined.
Equipment specifications
Firearm: Must be .22LR, must be a relatively conventional stock that does not specifically fit the rack on an ATV. (KSBA will be the final judge of allowable stock designs) Note: KSBA is considering adding a 17HMR division to the competition, largely because two KSBA officials have recently purchased 17HMR rifles, and think they're really cool.
Sights. A single telescopic sight may be used. Variable power scopes are allowed, but they must be fixed at the same power throughout the competition. That includes the final 3P competition.
Distance: 50 yards, as paced off by KSBA officials. The distance may vary slightly across competitions. Some of us have longer legs than others. We may set up a 100 yard range for the possible addition of 17HMR, but we aren't sure that we have an official willing to pace off 100 yards.
Sandbag: The standard 4 bag sandbag rest as sold by many gun stores. 12" long, four bags, 2" diameter on each bag. The bags must be filled with sand - no lead shot allowed. During competition, the rifle MUST be supported primarily by the sandbag, although rifles with pistol/thumbhole grips can let the bottom of the stock touch the ATV's rack.
Rest: Any ATV that has a rack mounted on it. The rack must be stock, as sold by the manufacturer. A single flat plate with no mechanical adjustments may be placed on top of the rack to give a more stable platform for the sandbag. The ATV can be modified, but must rest on it's wheels during competition. No micro adjustments on the suspension, either.
Target: Standard NRA 50 foot rifle target with 16 bullseyes.
Shooter's chair: Solid wood log, no more than 18" high, straight chain saw cut. The top and bottom must remain flat, although the sides of the log may be engraved if the individual so wishes. A pad can NOT be fitted - you sit on the hard wood.
Competition: Shooters operate in pairs, shooting at individual targets. Each round consists of five shots into each bullseye on a 16 bull target. All shots must be within the individual bullseye, or that round is invalidated. Scoring is by pattern, as measured by KSBA officials. At the end of each round, all pattern sizes are added up. Lowest score wins.
The shootoff continues until only two shooters are left.
For the final round, we add in a single round of 3 position shooting. 5 shots standing, 5 shots kneeling, and 5 shots prone. In order to score, a shot must hit a 1 foot diameter bullseye at 50 yards. Beyond that, there is no scoring for the 3P round. This round is designed to discourage the use of custom designed stocks, and scopes over 15x - ever try to shoot a 32x scope while standing?
Good luck, and we'll see you at the 2005 Nationals.