I'm pretty sure its 3 inch----leadball

Are the ASSRA rules posted online? If not, how can I find what the actual rules state?
tia,
-gt

Boats,

  As has been mentioned you should get a rule book since there are quite a few rules governing a match. But here's the rule you wanted to know about.

" Section 1.14 Stocks
  Stocks shall be of wood and patterned generally in the style of stocks found on original rifles of the period, whether European or American. Benchrest stocks may have buttstocks with the bottom line parallel to the bore. Forearms for benchrest stocks shall not exceed three (3) inches in width. Those existing rifles with forearms wider than this need not be changed but new equipment must conform to this dimension. The bottom surface of benchrest stocks shall not exceed two (2) inches in width. Thumbhole and skeleton stocks are specifically forbidden and shall not be shot on the range during matches even though of an experimental nature. Buttstocks patterned in the free style while not forbidden are not encouraged."

  Thngs like triggers, barrels, buttplates, & sights are also covered and should be read over carefully as in some cases differ markedly from BPCRS, or other rifle venues.

PETE

Boats,

Quote:


   If you will re-read the rule it says "the bottom surface" can't be more than 2".

  Also many of the German Schuetzen rifles have stocks wider than 2". The buttstock on my Stiegele gets pretty close to 3" what with the cheek and thumb piece.

  An idea you might consider if you plan on using your rifle for both bench and offhand. Some of the shooters in our club use a screwed on piece at the toe of the stock that is flat, and the legal width, to get this effect, and have two forends. Kind of a poor mans way of getting the maximum use out of a gun.

PETE

Boats,

  I'll buy the lawyer part.    And I'll also agree that it can be interpreted differently than how I read it. I just see it as the maximum width of the forearm is 3", and the maximum width of the bottom of the butt stock as being 2". If I'm wrong I'm sure Jim Borton (ASSRA Schuetzenmeister) will correct me.

  Another thing you might consider is a Pope Style sled. I've used one on several guns and find it a great help in postitioning the gun on the front rest, and it will pretty well obviate the need for a flat bottomed butt stock. The Pope Style sled I use has a notch that fits into a pin on your front rest, like the bench resters use, and helps in positioning it in the same spot every shot. I've also found with the sled that you have to move it up and down the barrel to find the "sweet" spot. The big advantage I've found is that on the sub .38's it pretty well eliminates torque, and on the over .38's cuts it down quite a bit.

  Some of our guys also switch butt and forends for bench and offhand, as well as some using a detachable slide. One thing to remember tho is that some matches require you to use only one gun setup for the whole, or series of, matches. This means that if you have your gun set up for bench you can't change stocks over for offhand.  I've never seen this, but it's in the rule book so imagine it's used. So....... I think I'd put on a detachable slide on an offhand stock. Might not be the best of both worlds but sure would be better than trying bench with an offhand stock, or vice versa.

  You're right about the recoil ....... if ....... the gun moves the same for every shot. This is something that rarely happens with guns set up in front and rear bags. It's especially tough with the design of the old SS's, and why I recommend using a Pope sled. That's why many of the .22 shooters in ASSRA competition will use a BSA Martini for bench and switch to something more handy for offhand. You can use either for both but it's a tough row to hoe.

  Your sources for wgt. of the gun are right on. That's also why there's a 2" maximum diam. for the barrel on bench guns, and a minimum length of 21 1/2" for all guns.

  Yep! All your ideas are fairly sound and are used by many...... UNTIL ...... they can afford a gun for each.  Been there and done that!

PETE

Boats,

  A normal bench rest shooters front rest is what I use for the Pope rest. Just leave the bag off, and let the sled slide on the metal surface. I've seen some guys put a teflon strip down to help the sled slide easier. If your rest has side clips to hold the bag firmly in place just adjust them so they almost touch the sides of the sled. Then with the stop pin you'll have about the best way of returning your gun to battery there is.

  I have two tops for my front rest so I don't have to keep switching back and forth for the sled and a normal bag setup. That's so I can use my BSA Martini .22 with the bags since it has a flat forend and has always worked best without a sled on it.

  There were many ways to operate a gun in the old days. Bench shooting as we know it today wasn't quite the same for the old timers. We would call their type bench shooting machine rest, or unlimited, shooting where the whole gun was held in a fixture, and the gun adjusted so as to hit the center. All the shooter had to do then was watch the flags and squeeze off the shot when he thought conditions were right.

  Sounds like you're getting a regular arsenal of guns for this Schuetzen shooting. Altho I don't own a gun with the Stevens 52 stock on it, from what I hear, and read of the Forums, it's a good compromise if you can't have dedicated guns/stocks.

  I hope that 200 gr. bullet for the .38 was a misprint. Most of the guys are shooting 300 to 330 gr. bullets, and the original bullets for the 18 twist were 255 grainers.

PETE

Pete,

Agree with you on the set-up for bench. Am going to try both bags and a Pope style off a modern rest.

I am pretty well set up for offhand. But that's what I like to do. Will have to see about this bench rest sport.

I also keep 2 modern Hunter class silouette guns going as well as a 10m Air rifle.

Boats