IR 50/50, The Primer

[tonykharper]

I wrote this post on another forum years ago but it has came to my attention that it may be useful to repost it here.
My hope is it will explain a little about RFBR competition.

IR 50/50, The Primer

IR 50/50 is a rimfire benchrest shooting game unlike any other.

The IR 50/50 name comes from the events being contested at both 50 yards, and 50 meters.

Although not all IR 50/50 events contain both distances.

The Target: IR 50/50 has its own unique target. It is scored best edge, meaning you get the highest score that your bullet touches, the same as PSL.

ARA is scored worst edge, meaning you receive the lowest score of where your bullet touches.

While it is true an IR 50/50 target has a larger 10 ring than some other games, it also has the greatest penalty for missing the 10 ring.

In ARA, or PSL, if a shooter has one shot completely miss the scoring rings but hits inside the scoring zones, that shot would cost the shooter 100 points.

If one shot on an IR50/50 targets misses all the scoring rings the shooter loses 10 points.

The ARA and PSL shooter could still shoot a 2400 on that target, which will normally win at any level of competition.

But an IR 50/50 shooter could only score 240 which will not even place.

Normally, to win any large IR 50/50 match you must shoot a 250 with a very high X count. But shooting the 250, must be your first priority.

This presents the shooter with a problem, and each shooter has to work it out for him/herself.

Shooting an IR 50/50 target, or an ARA target can be similar, in that you may compromise your hold off to try to keep the bullet inside the circle,

or hitting the 10 ring, rather than trying to hit the exact center of the target.

In the heat of competition, in conditions, it leads shooters to making compromises on their hold offs. Some work, some don’t, but it is all part of the game.

The PSL target on the other hand is straight forward, hit the dot or die.

If what I just said is confusing, just ignore it, and keep on shooting at the center. It will all work out in the end.

The rifles: IR 50/50 has three parts, the three gun events, the unlimited events, and the sporter events.

The three gun event is the heart and soul of IR 50/50. The three gun event is one target shot with the sporter, one target shot with the 10.5lb.,

and one target shot with the 13.5lb rifle. The six gun is the three targets shot at yards, and the three targets shot at meters.

The sporter rifle is the absolute most important. It is a fact, you can’t win the three gun/six gun, without a killer sporter.

You can’t make up sporter misses with the heavier guns. Many of the heavier guns will shoot 250s, leaving no make-up possible.

If you decide to shoot three gun events the best thing you can do is build, or buy, a killer sporter, and learn to shoot it.

If you can shoot the sporter, you can certainly shoot the heavier guns.

Although it is called the three gun event, most shooters shoot it with just the sporter, and a 10.5 lb. rifle.

The sporter cannot weigh more than 7.5 lbs., the scope must not be more than 6.5 power, and the stock cannot have a flat forearm, nor be more than 2.25 inches wide.

The 10.5 lb. rifle can have a three inch wide forearm, and any power scope.

The 13.5 lb. rifle can also have a three inch wide forearm, and any power scope.

Is it a disadvantage to shoot a 10.5 lb. rifle in the 13.5 lb. class? A case can be made, that it is.

A heavier rifle may, or may not, shoot any better than a lighter rifle, but it is certainly easier to handle a heavier rifle.

The weight makes the rifle more forgiving of minor handling mistakes. For these reasons the IR 50/50 shooter is forced to develop good rifle handling techniques.

Rests: IR 50/50 requires two piece rests, with sand bags. One piece, hard mounted, rests are not allowed except in the unlimited class.

The unlimited class was added to IR 50/50 to allow shooters that do not wish to shoot a sporter the chance to compete in IR 50/50.

It has also been instrumental in drawing in ARA and PSL shooters to IR 50/50 ranges. It has become as popular as the three gun events.

The sporter class, by itself is not often shot at local clubs, however it has become a three target, 50 yard State, and National (indoor and outdoor) event.

Some may say the sporter matches are the purest IR 50/50 events because they are the most restrictive rifles, shot under the most restrictive conditions,

and are undoubtedly the toughest rimfire benchrest matches.

I have never understood why the sporter State, and National matches only shoot three targets at yards, and do not include the meters targets as other matches do, but it has been that way for years now.

Rewards and honors one can receive shooting IR 50/50.

There are many, many, local gun clubs, all across the country, that shoots rimfire benchrest matches.

What sets organizations such as IR 50/50, ARA, and PSL apart is their ability to provide national level recognition to their shooters.

Most of this recognition is provided through the organizations website. Updating match results, and awarding points earned, in a timely manner is critical to their success.

SOTY Matches: Each club shoots a season of Shooter of the year matches (SOTY).

The shooter with the best overall aggs. in each weight class wins Hall of Fame (Hof) points.

The shooter with the highest overall agg. Is declared Shooter of the Year for the Club.

There are also state and regional matches that offer Hof points. Then National events. Three gun outdoor and indoor,

unlimited outdoor and indoor, and Sporter indoor and outdoor.

In addition, you have the 3 gun list, unlimited list, sporter score line, 10.5 lb. score line and 13.5 lb. score line.

New for 2015 we have the Sporter Super X man, and the unlimited Super X man. These are cash awards.

Complete information can be found on the IR 50/50 website: http://www.ir5050.com/

What do I want the reader to take away from this primer?

I want the reader to know IR 50/50 holds a unique place in Rimfire Benchrest shooting organizations.

I have pointed out that IR 50/50 focuses on shooter skills, and equipment, rather than allowing the human element to be nearly eliminated,

and making equipment the center focus.

It is my hope that if we make changes to IR 50/50, in an attempt to add more shooters to our ranks, we can do it without losing the unique challenge of IR 50/50 three gun event.

I, for one, really enjoy the challenges of IR 50/50 three gun. I do understand the quest for absolute accuracy but,

I still enjoy being an active part of the shooting process.

There is room for both, and it should be our objective to ensure we keep both.

Everything expressed here is my opinion only. Please feel free to add to the discussion.

TKH