What kind of rest do you use?

O

old_sparky

New member
Howdy, I have always used sand bags made from shot bags or pant legs for sighting in my rifles and working up loads. I was in a Cabelas the other day and see a bunch of front rests and full supporting rifle rests. I got wondering what other people use. I have been thinking of getting one of the heavy adjustable front rests. Then I start wondering if I would just be spending money. I tend to do that. Twenty years ago I had some rifles that I could shoot 1/2 minute groups with but those days are gone since I started wearing prescription glasses. Those were off sand bags. Anyways I would like to hear what others use to support their rifles for sighting in.
thanks, Sparky
 
I use a bipod with a sandbag under the buttstock. I have also used a front rest, but this works just as well for me. If I was to get a new frontrest, I'd pick up a Caldwell FireControl rest. I used one the other day and it was really nice.
 
Caldwell bag on the front and the small "rocking" caldwell bag on the rear. Good and solid. I never got along well with a "machine rest" situation. There is a part of me that still enjoys a little bit of having to steady the aim.
 
I have always felt that you should prctice the same as you hunt, ( paraprase of TSUN TSU ) So when I shoot at the range I use a day pack with a jacket stuffed in it since that is my usual rest in the field. I practice off hand, (hasty sling)sitting,(Bipod) kneeling,(Bipod) and prone (daypack) I seldom, if ever use a table. I have never seen a bench out in the places I hunt. I have used a log or tree trunk as a steady rest at times though.
 
His post said nothing about practicing as he hunts. He wants to know what rest others use to sight in and work up accuracy loads. Never mentioned hunting, or for that matter, practice......
 
Caldwell B.R. and a Wichita, protector bags on both and a protector rear. Both are rock solid. In the field, whatever is the closest to me, since some fine upstanding S.O.B. stole my shooting sticks and I have'nt had time to replace them yet.
 
Thanks for the replys. My sand bags are getting up around thirty years old and starting to leak. I either need to make new ones, buy some or get a front rest with bags. I am enjoying reading what others use. For hunting situations I use a sling or whatever is close.
thanks, Sparky
 
Quote:
I use a Bald Eagle windage adjustable front pedestal and a Protektor Custom Bunny Ear rear bag.



Same here. What Rajn Cajn said too.

Martyn
 
Uncle Bud's bulls bag in front and an old sock filled with uncooked popcorn in the rear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I've grown fond of shot bags filled with dry sandblast sand and have a couple filled with floor dry also.

I've also noticed in the last couple of years my groups seeming to grow.

One thing I have found to help when shooting groups is to use a smaller aiming point. I use large cardboard sheets and a Sharpie marker drawing a square but set it on a corner, using the fine point one of the corners for my aiming point.

Hope this helps.

Clayman
 
Quote:
I have always felt that you should prctice the same as you hunt,



Yes, myself. I do shoot off a mid-priced Caldwell (about $75) on occasion, but out in the field I like to use a Harris S model bipod. I prefer to shoot off a table in the field, but will gladly shoot off the hood of my pickup. Since I wont be lugging that Caldwell with me to the field very often, I will spend my final practice shooting with the bipod in place along with a bunny bag. I have shot some really fine groups with a bipod on my guns. Kinda surprising in a way.
 
I use a lead sled for load development set on a portable shooting bench.

Then I use a harris bipod/prone for my practice at steel gongs.
 
For my load development I use the Hyskore machine rest with remote trigger release. That way it takes my nervous shakey hands out of the equation. For practice I usually use a bipod or sand bags. That way I practice the way I hunt.
 
My favorite front rest, and the one i use for development is a "The Rock" by Caldwell. I use a sock full of short grain rice in the rear. When just shooting, a lot of times I'll use a set of bags I got from Walmart, or my sight vice (which i filled with lead) with the flat adapter and the vice pieces taken off. I also sometimes shoot off of the bipod to simulate hunting conditions.
 
I've got a couple of heavy front rests that I use. The first one I bought was a Caldwell Rock BR 1000, its about as heavy as you would ever want. The main advantage of the RockBR-1000 is the huge amount of elevation this rest has, which is what I need often. I shoot uphill in mountainous and hilly terrain.

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The last rest I bought is a Caldwell Fire-Control joystick rest. Its pretty awesome. It allows you to adjust your windage and elevation very quickly, with the tug or push of the joystick in one fluid motion. It allows you to focus on the target better, and concentrate on aiming those crosshairs. Rather than twisting and turning wheels.

For most hunting rifles a bunny ear rear bag will work. I fill mine with black sand which is super heavy, but any sand will work.
 
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