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Congratulations go to the GB Gallery Rifle Team on a successful trip to Leitmar in Germany, November 12th/13th, taking the honours in small bore and standard centrefire classes in a three-way International with Germany and Ireland.


Air-rifle & Rimfire Benchrest Where Air We? – by Carl Boswell


For some, the development of custom rifles is not really the thing to do. Whilst others are going the whole hog with the aforementioned FX rifle and some very nifty looking custom actions based on the Theoben Rapid action. There are even discussions on the internet forums about the use of full electronic systems that are software enhanced.


The GB Gallery Rifle squad outside the Leitmar Clubhouse


From my personal point of view and it is just that, my thoughts lie somewhere in the middle. Like its centerfire and rimfire benchrest cousins, air-rifle design will develop, albeit potentially with clear restrictions for use in the sport. All three areas of benchrest share restrictions within their rules. Progress from the ‘norm’ is as inevitable as ‘death and taxes’ and from this progress comes the future of the sport - good or bad!


The GB, German and Irish teams


Some good exponents using Air Arms rifles in recent competitions are Todd Banks, Scott Grayson, Dan Brown and Brett Wilson to name a few.


The Air-rifle class that really showed how these factory rifles can hold their own was the Light Varmint Class. One leading competitor commented that constructing a good sub. 12 ft lb rifle is not that easy. ‘Pumping up the volume’ to higher velocities may potentially increase accuracy, which is where custom rifles with 22 calibre pellets may bring better accuracy. This is what a few believe to some extent!


So where does this leave us? The experiments are happening now. FX rifles are being used by the likes of Dan Brown as a ‘chassis’ to produce a customised rifle. The rifle he used in the US was staggering - converted from a manual pump to a full PCP rifle. Quite a bit of superb engineering went in to making this rifle. (I have heard FX are considering - or even have - a prototype benchrest air-rifle. This will be interesting - especially the design of the stock).


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The future for competition rifles, in terms of electronic technology or mechanical technology is clearly the impasse that is coming. Where will electronics or even software enhanced ‘tools’ be used in competition is really the big question. However, the question should not be based on what technology is available now but more on what technology is being developed now, that we will see in five, ten or even fifteen years time. It will be an interesting discussion!


Where does this leave us? Well, there is just under two years of development time to the next big international event. I am sure that shooters will be experimenting with rifles, barrels, pellets etc. All in the effort to get better and more consistent accuracy from their air-rifles. Discussions will go on, but we must play by the rules we have in place at this time. I know there is a great deal of research going on at the moment and it will be interesting to see the outcome and the potential for increased accuracy.


So what are you waiting for? Get building, experimenting, developing and practice, practice, practice...


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