~ The Future ~
I received the following in an Email from Rod Collins in 2006.
Besides giving a little background on Rimfire Benchrest in the US he is pointing out that if there is any hope for this sport to grow we need to start thing globally and put some of our personal differences aside. I do not necessarily agree that NRA or an International Organization like ISSF is the way to go. They usually have their own agendas that in the end would not support Rimfire Benchrest.
But I do agree that something needs to be done! Doug
The Future of Rimfire Benchrest
by Rod Collins
Ever since Larry Brown started BR50 back in the late 1980's, we have been
on a slow but steady growth. The sport of Benchrest Rimfire needs a shot in
the arm to get it to the next level. We need to get our house in order, set
goals for the coming years, and find way to get new shooters in the game. I
have a few ideas that would address some of the problems and may get things
moving on a new path to getting our sport some of the recognition Rimfire
Benchrest deserves.
BR50 was, in its day, "The Rimfire Game", but Larry in his infinite wisdom
decided on September 3, 1998, the 22 rimfire was not accurate enough to be
called Precision. With that announcement the world of rimfire shattered
into different factions. IR 50 and ARA started up, giving the shooter a
choice in what they wanted. IR50 went the 3 gun route. Milt and Helen Cook
controlled every aspect of their "baby" and did a great job. IR50 set up
the 3 gun, with a sporter a 7.5# gun and 6 power scope, 10.5# class, and
the 13.5# class. The target was scored best edge with a possible of 250 25X
and the shooter has a protest period. The winner of the match won a pin and
the pins meant something to all involved in the sport. On the downside of
IR50 would be the rules, and rules and more rules. We had some trouble at
the Nationals when they were held in Charlotte and RBA was formed. RBA took
the best from IR50 (the scoring and the 3-gun) and changed a few things
(the target had sighters on the sides) and is run by the shooters for the
shooters. That is where ARA came in, the shooter could compete with one
gun and there are just a few rules. "If you can bring it to the line you
can shoot it" made a lot of people try the target. The target is scored
worst edge by 3 scorers and there is no protest. The score is on a 100
point system, with a perfect score of 2500. The news letter is a book of
who's who of benchrest and Polly Hillert does a wonderful job with it. One
of the highlights of the ARA NEWS is articles by Bill Calfee. The downside
of ARA is you need a calculator to figure your score and the A-line and
G-line are way to complicated.
Today we have no less than eight rimfire games, all of them
excelling in one of more aspects of the game. But we don't have one voice
to carry the word of Rimfire Benchrest. We can shoot matches and the scores
may or may not be posted. The Web-sights are not kept up to date. The news
letters are few and far between. What rim fire needs is the NRA. With the
NRA backing we could have national sponsors, a public relations department,
coverage on a national bases and a monthly magazine. I can not think of a
better marriage than the NRA and Rimfire Benchrest. After all "WE ARE THE
NRA".
I think we need a target we all can get behind. I know one target
will not be to everyone's liking but we have to start some where, I propose
a 3-gun game, scored best edge, with sighters and a protest period. It is a
combination of the UK Benchrest and the RBA targets. The target is 11x17
with 25 scored targets and sighters down both sides. Scoring is a possible
250 25X with the X having to be obliterated. Classes will be 7.5#, 10.5#,
and Unlimited. The rules will be few and are printed on the back of the
target. Safety is the number one rule and the Rangemaster is in charge.
To get worldwide participation on given days (like D-Day) we could shoot a
target starting at 10:00 am. The clubs who wanted to shoot would start at
10:00 in the morning, in his time zone and send the results in by E-mail
and have the results the next day. This should create a lot of publicity
around the world and the ultimate bragging rights for some gifted shooter.
I can imagine a web-sight with photos of all the different groups of
shooters, much like the "Day in the Life" photos.
Larry Brown would be proud of what he started and where it is going, if he
were alive today. With a little luck and a lot of good people we could have
a sport that could be in the Olympics.