President's Message
Early Winter 2009December 6th
But for two long range matches this month (Bridgeville, DE and Camp Butner, NC), the 2009 season has concluded. Given the poor state of the economy we reasonably "held our own" this past year in terms of shooter participation at matches. Our membership level remains stable, hovering at 1700 strong. National Championships
Ever been to a shoot and someone asked are you going to be at the Nationals? There are actually SIX IBS Nationals (two each in group and score, 600 yard and 1000 yard). There was some exceptional shooing this year. I would like to congratulate the winners in the four primary Nationals:
- 600 yard (Ft. Pierre, SD) - Sam Hall (1st); Mike Davis (2nd); Richard Schatz (3rd)
- 1000 yard (Pella, IA) - Ed Nazy (1st); Lee Fischer (2nd); Jeff Walker (3rd)
- Score (Webster City, IA) - Greg Sweezy (2-gun & Hunter); Jim Wooten (VFS); Francis Becignuel (VH)
- Group (Weikert, PA) - Bill Eckenrode (2-gun & 3-gun); Jack Neary (4-gun)
The IBS Annual Meeting (AKA Winter Meeting) will be held January 15-16, 2010 in New Cumberland (Harrisburg), PA. Please check elsewhere on the IBS web site for full details. If you have never been to the Annual Meeting you might find it of interest. I find the opportunity to meet old friends or make new ones to be valuable. Also, anytime I can talk benchrest for a day or so nonstop is great.
We had given serious thought to have the meeting put on video and made available on the Internet after the meeting. The idea of someone actually wanting to watch 4-5 hours of a meeting droning on did not seem real likely. We will, however, within 48 hours of the conclusion of the meeting post a detailed summary of the proceedings. We will also post any PowerPoint presentations that will be made.
The Executive Board and I want to hear from you. If you have ANY questions that we should address at the meeting or other comments that you want entered into the record please email me at jstover33@verizon.net prior to January 15th. We ARE truly looking for input from our membership.
Score Shooting HOF
Introduction to the U. S. Benchrest Hall of Fame (HOF) is based on wins at both the NBRSA and IBS Group Nationals. Qualification for this premier cadre is tough and a life-long dream for many group shooters. There is no HOF for superior performance in the score discipline. Yes, we do have the Precision Rifleman program for which high finishes garners points toward earning three levels of PR recognition. It is a prestigious honor, but not quite the "Hall of Fame". To that end, I have appointed an IBS version of a "blue ribbon panel to see how we can establish an IBS Score Benchrest Shooting HOF. Those that have agreed to work on this are: Dr. Bill Sargent, Gary Long, Bill Gebhardt, Jim Wooten, Ken Livengood and Randy Perkowski. I expect a report from this group at the Annual Meeting.
"Black Rifles" in IBS?
In late November I made a pitch to the rest of the Executive Board: why not allow AR and AR-style rifles to compete at IBS matches? I was not laughed off. In fact, I was proud of the Board. They said let's try it on an experimental, one-year basis and see how it goes. Here is the concept:
1. Create a new class for the AR rifles – they wouldNOT compete against LV, HV, SP, VFS, H, VH or any long-range class of rifle.
a. At first, only have one class of rifle
b. If enough interest, create a “factory AR” and “modified AR”
c. Any trigger, any sight, allow flat forend attachment, custom barrels ok
2. Consider 2010 being a trial basis
a. The AR rifles would be officially “non-registered”, but would be held under the aegis of the IBS.
b. Could be shot in 2010 at already scheduled group, long-range or score tournaments (except Nationals)
3. Allow the rifles to compete on semi-auto (no single shot loading necessary).
4. Require a brass catcher.
5. No allow muzzle breaks or flash suppressors.
6. Allow them to be shot next to traditional BR rifles; they do not necessarily need to be on their own relay.
7. May be shot in any IBS style of shooting: short-range group and/or score matches as well as long-range (600 and/or 1000).
8. Inform all of our ranges that they MAY hold the AR matches, but have no obligation to do so. Nationals of ANY kind would NOT be affected.
9. Ranges do not have to give trophies for the new class–certificates to high finishers would be adequate. If shooter participation is sufficient, the range may elect to give trophies.
10. IBS adopts accepted NRA (and other sanctioning bodies) safety practice of the use of chamber flag indicators to verify a safe rifle. I know this practice extends to the US Practical Shooting Association (per their rule book). I am pretty sure the other sanctioning bodies in which ARs compete also rely on the chamber flags for safety.
The EBoard supports starting this program on a trial basis. If successful, the rule book can be changed to formally accept the new discipline (or classification) in 2011.
The reasons for our support are:
- It furthers IBS mission of fostering extreme rifle accuracy
- Introduce new shooters to bench rest shooting and adds new IBS members
- IBS may become the primary vehicle to showcase the ultimate accuracy of “black rifles”
- The AR rifle community is an extraordinarily large and active group that should not be ignored
- New shooters at the matches may gravitate to traditional BR rifles
- Infuse the IBS and IBS-matches with new enthusiasm
- Raise the profile of benchrest shooting amongst other serious riflemen
Future Plans
I had hoped by now we would have had a survey implemented through one of the sites like, surveymonkey.com. I think we need to assess the needs of IBS members and the benchrest community in general. We need to know, and assess, our strengths and weaknesses. We have had many persons leave competition, why is that? Have they gone on to other disciplines? If so, what do those forms of shooting offer that we do not, or cannot bring to the shooter? What can we do better? How can we bring more shooters to the line? If anyone would like to lend some help on this project, please let me know!
IBS Website
By the time of the Annual Meeting a fresh, new IBS web site will be live. Dick Grosbier and I have been working for some months on a redesign and restructuring. It is just about ready to go. We think you will like it and find if much easier to navigate.
Great shooting to all and see you on the range!
Jeff Stover
President