Last Saturday marked the end of the season for Auto Benchrest Association monthly matches here at CRPC.  It was a year full of changes both locally and nationally.  The ABRA organization was sold, and the new owners, Jill Folgate and Jerry Stiller, took the reins.  Locally John Oren, who had been not only the CRPC president, but also the match director for all ABRA matches here, moved on.  John left some big shoes to fill.  After consideration I became the match director and had a steep learning curve.  While we experienced some challenges at the beginning, with the help of a small group of dedicated members, we overcame those challenges.  I would like to personally thank everyone who helped to make not only matches go smoothly but continue to promote our sport.  Before I started shooting rimfire benchrest I was probably a lot like anyone else who casually drives by, thinking how hard can that be?  The targets aren’t moving, the shooters are sitting down, the gun is in a rest.  Well, my opinion went right out the window when I decided to try it.  It’s not a game of inches, it’s trying to put a shot on a dot that’s smaller than the end of a pencil, all the while trying to read the wind.  If you’ve ever thought about rimfire benchrest shooting I encourage you to come out, see it firsthand, and who knows someone might just let you take a couple of shots.  But be warned, once you take that first shot you might just get hooked, don’t worry though we’d love to have you come join us.  Keep an eye out on our new website for the 2026 schedule, or you can contact me directly.  Shoot safe and have fun.  – Charlie Barba