Using a .22 calibre rifle with telescopic sights, competitors sit at a bench with the rifle supported on a stand and fire at a target at a distance of 50m.  The targets used have a bulls-eye of only 10.4 mm in diameter for a maximum 10 points.

Bench rest shooting can be useful for introducing new shooters to the basics of shooting such as loading, aiming, wind reading, and shot release.  Almost any .22 rifle with a scope can be used.  Bench rest shooting is also popular with older shooters who can no longer endure the more physically demanding position rifle events.

Bench rest specialists regularly attain scores within a few points of the maximum 600.   These perfectionists use custom built rifles and premium ammunition which is all tuned, tweaked, cleaned and maintained to attain the highest degree of accuracy.