What brand of front rest or bi-pod (Both?) do you use for zeroing and load development?

xphunter

xphunter

Well-known member
What brand of bi-pod and or front rest (either or both) do you use for zeroing and for load development?
Sandbags only?

Curious to know.
Thanks!
E
 
For critical load development, I use a Lead Sled and strap it to the bench and strap the rifle to the sled...That allows me to set the sight picture and then just trip the trigger...No worries about consistent cheek weld, shoulder pocket pressure or other human factors that can screw things up...

 
I've had good luck with an 'Uncle Bud's Bulls Bag' filled with sand. I've seen guys fill them with kitty litter, but I don't think that makes it quite heavy enough.
 
Originally Posted By: greengt88Im looking for a good rear squeeze type bag, if anyone can suggest something.

I like THIS ONE this one. The poly beads make adjustments smooth and easy to accomplish.
 
Atlas or Harris bipods for me, I figure i use them to hunt and when i'm shooting long range stuff so might as well use what i use, JMO.. but i feel that my POI is more consistent in the field when zeroed with a bipod rather than rests or bags...
 
I do all my load work ups from the prone position using a caldwell pivoting bipod and a home made rear bag. I can shoot 1/2 moa groups with this set up with my AR's. Groups are even better with a bolt gun.
 
Originally Posted By: reddog964Atlas or Harris bipods for me, I figure i use them to hunt and when i'm shooting long range stuff so might as well use what i use, JMO.. but i feel that my POI is more consistent in the field when zeroed with a bipod rather than rests or bags...

That's my philosophy also, use the same thing for zero/load development as I do hunting. I use a Caldwell pivoting bipod with this rear bag: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/916644/...ther-tan-filled
 
I am also wanting some type of rest that will take out as much human error as possible for load development. I'm leaning towards this Guy's system....

 
Sand bags and cheap stoney point front and rear bag. No issues shooting 5 shot half moa groups with my rifles that are capable. If I happen to pull one off I can see it happen as it occurs and throw it out and this normally isn't a problem unless I'm shooting a light contour. My rifles are strictly for hunting and I can't shoot any better than that in the field with a coyote moving into my set so that works for me.
 
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I use this front rest from Bald Eagle Rest

I absolutely love it. I use Protektor bags with it for both the front and rear. I've never done more for my shooting and load development until I bought those items.

Protektor Bags:
#2C Cordura Regular Owl Ear Front Bag
#14AC Cordura Bunny Ear Rear Bag w/ Hard Bottom
 
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I think all the pedestal style front rests from the Caldwell to the Bald Eagle to the Hart to the Seb or Farley and so on are capable of producing equally small groups in non competition, untimed environments in good conditions.

The features of the more expensive joystick/coaxial type rests shine when it comes to getting off shots for record very quickly.

But if you know how to setup a rifle to shoot groups in the first place, have time to reset your bags as needed etc. and wait for your condition, you won't shoot any smaller groups with the high dollar rest than you could off a Midway. My opinion.

I don't think the lead sled types are very optimal for shooting really small groups though. Not with a really accurate bolt action varmint rifle. Properly setup front rest and rear bag shooting free recoil is probably going to outperform a strap on deal like that nine times out of ten - with a really accurate bolt gun, anyway.

- DAA
 
Seems like I've used a variety of different ones over the years but, for me, I always seem to get my best results using a big front bag and a standard size rear bag. Everyone has their own method but I can typically find my happy place using bullsbags better than just about anything else I've used.
 
Originally Posted By: DAAI think all the pedestal style front rests from the Caldwell to the Bald Eagle to the Hart to the Seb or Farley and so on are capable of producing equally small groups in non competition, untimed environments in good conditions.

The features of the more expensive joystick/coaxial type rests shine when it comes to getting off shots for record very quickly.

But if you know how to setup a rifle to shoot groups in the first place, have time to reset your bags as needed etc. and wait for your condition, you won't shoot any smaller groups with the high dollar rest than you could off a Midway. My opinion.

I don't think the lead sled types are very optimal for shooting really small groups though. Not with a really accurate bolt action varmint rifle. Properly setup front rest and rear bag shooting free recoil is probably going to outperform a strap on deal like that nine times out of ten - with a really accurate bolt gun, anyway.

- DAA
Well said.
I just got my hands on a front rest that I will use a lot more than my NEO and MAX, simply because it is so handy (light and compact in comparison).
If I want to get the most accuracy I can from a from a gun I will use a front rest and rear bag in load development. Then, move to a bi-pod if field shooting. Sometimes I have done load development via bi-pod though as well
 
Caldwell bipod up front, rear sand bag at the range when doing development.
I test it just as I would be shooting it in the field.
 
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