Rimfire Benchrest is a fun, challenging and technical sport shot with scoped rimfire rifles. As the name implies, competitors fire from a bench with their rifle (depending on class) either on a one-piece rest, a front rest and rear sand bag or on a bi-pod and rear bag or support post. Rimfire Benchrest matches at RBGC are typically held the fourth Sunday each month, March through October. ALWAYS double check the Range Calendar for the monthly match dates. You do not have to be an RBGC member to participate. The complete rules are available for review and download: RBGC Rimfire Benchrest Rules V2.1    Match fees are $10 for Club members and $15 for non-members. Our matches are unsanctioned but do adhere to widely accepted Rimfire Benchrest safety rules, procedures and general match organization.

So, you're thinking that a scoped rifle shot from the bench using a steady rest at 100 yards or 50 yards is easy, right? While we make it easy to participate, Rimfire Benchrest is a very challenging sport. The 10 ring of our 100 yard target is one inch in diameter. The center of the 50 yard bullseye is only about a quarter-inch in diameter, and the X ring is a pencil point dot. The notorious "River Bend Wind" is always trying to, sometimes not so gently, push your little rimfire bullet off its intended path! A one mile per hour wind, almost imperceptible,  deflects a standard velocity round 0.1” at 50 yards and 0.4” at 100 yards. Its easy to understand how challenging it is to consistently score a 10, let along the X. Reading wind conditions is one of the most important skills for a Rimfire Benchrest competitor and he or she is constantly seeking to improve their wind reading abilities. RFBR rules allow competitors to place wind flags between their bench and the target to facilitate reading the wind conditions downrange.

In order to make competition as fair as possible, to include as many shooters as possible and to encompass as wide a range of equipment as feasible, the RBGC Rimfire Benchrest program is divided into five classes rifle classes: Semiautomatic, Hunter, Factory, Precision and Ultimate. All rifles must be chambered for 22 rimfire in either 22 short, 22 long or 22 long rifle. No other calibers may be used in this competition. These matches are unsanctioned club matches and are intended for skill development and fun, but the full rules have been developed to provide an even playing field. Exceptionally accurate rifles or talented shooters of any class may be promoted to a higher class.

The typical course of fire will be to shoot four targets at either 50 or 100 yards with a class appropriate target selected for each distance. All matches will be fired on the Jim Hinkle Rimfire Range, number 12 on the Range Map.   Typically, best edge scoring is employed, but certain matches may employ worst edge scoring on appropriate targets. The course of fire for each upcoming match will be announced at the current months match, with the first match of the season always being a 50 yard match with best edge scoring.

Please use the links below for details relating to the equipment, targets, and procedures used in the matches.