Last Benchrest Match

At our last club benchrest match I tried something totally different with my 30BR light varmint for score rifle. Because it is light weight I usually put enough pressure on the butt to stop most of the recoil. Most of the time I score pretty good at 300 yards using this method. Scoring goes like this. There are five targets with five bullseyes, one shot per bullseye. for a total of 25 shots. each shot is worth 10 points for a total of 250 point. That also means that there are 25 possible X's. Most matches I usually get the 250 points but my X count is between 12 and 20 X's. Not bad in anybodies book. The last month was different, I had to try using the same method that I use with the heavy gun. Which is free recoil. Well for the most part anyway. With the heavy gun I have been scoring 250 with between 16 and 22 X's. It is allowed to recoil travel about 4 inches back before making contact with my shoulder. It sounds like it might hurt but it is so heavy it is more like a firm tap than anything. The light gun on the other hand zings back pretty fast and hits hard but after the first target I realized that I should have been sucking it up and allowing it to free recoil all along. I shot a personal best on that match 1 X shy of a perfect score. 250 points and 24 X's That missed X had the tiniest of black sliver remaining of the dot that with anyone else scoring would have called it an X. Scoring is supposed to be best edge but.....
Since then I have gone out to the range and practiced this way a couple of times and have been able to repeat the results. That just goes to show that it isn't always about the load or the bullet but your technique can play a major roll in getting good results.
Don't be afraid to try doing different setups and techniques you might be surprised by the results.
Light gun on top heavy below. Extra barrels for each!