What kind of rest do you use at the bench?

feets · July 27, 2013, 06:09 PM

I don't hunt or compete so my rifle work is just for grins. I built a nifty little machine rest to use with my Contenders and it works great. I think I'm going to try putting together a rifle rest (front only, not a full rest) and see how it works.

It's time to start making chips with the lathe!

taylorce1 · July 27, 2013, 06:26 PM

Sand bags are the only thing I really use. Tried a lead sled a couple of times but I didn't care for it.

AllenJ · July 27, 2013, 08:06 PM

I use sandbags and have also used a Lead Sled. The sled was really nice when using my 300 Win Mag, I quickly found out the rifle shot better than I thought! I could hold it to around MOA off the bag but the sled proved the gun shot sub MOA. With the 7mm Remington Mag though the gun shot just as good off the bags as with the sled.

In case you're wondering yes, I'm selling the 300

feets · July 27, 2013, 10:07 PM

My preferred rifle is my Sendero in 300 WM. I put a bipod on it when I was doing tactical matches ages ago but I don't like to use it from the bench. It makes the gun skitter under recoil.

Here are our Contender rests. The one on the left is mine and I cut the bar stock for the one on the right but my friend wanted to finish his.

***edit***

Huge pic. Just hit the link.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...56146072_o.jpg

Clark · July 27, 2013, 10:10 PM

I have a knurling tool.
I used the one at school 48 years ago.
I think I have used mine...

For rests,
a) I started out with a wadded up jacket from the car hood. [kid]
b) I got a leather sand V bag in front. [putz] and went to the range with benches
c) I got a shooting rest and a rear rabbit ear bag. [ala bench rest shooters]
d) I got the giant V bag in the front. [ala varmint hunters]
e) Now I shoot a bipod in the front and a tiny bag in the rear. I cut the length of pull and inch or two longer. [long range prone hunting]

Picher · July 28, 2013, 07:48 AM

I have two Hoppe's rests and a Hart's rest with adjustable Hohen's windage top. It's only used for benchrest rifles with 3" wide forends. I also use rear bags...two soft ones and a very hard one for benchrest competition.

For hunting rifles, the older Hoppe's rest has been modified by extending the vertical adjustment handle and the locking screw is extended and bent to increase locking power. I added a rest stop also. The unit is very light, but steady and the bag is soft, to better mimic forend hand-hold.

LateNightFlight · July 28, 2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Tried a lead sled a couple of times but I didn't care for it.

Huh, I'm kind of surprised. There are several different models of lead sleds, but I use the Caldwell Lead Sled DFT... This one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/149...-shooting-rest

It might not be a world class bench rest, and I still use a handful of different bags I've accumulated over the years, but if I'm shooting off a bench I'm almost always using the sled now. I recently got a new bag for the front of it so it could fit my Savage F class rig. I only use the front set screw and wheel to get it tightened up and pointing at the paper, but the rear screw works really well for micro adjustments while aiming. After the recoil I usually have to reset the tail end because of the way the sled blocks the butt stock within the rest, but even without shot bags or tie downs it eats up most of the recoil and I experience less fatigue. The reset is quick and no hassle at all. These days, if I'm shooting off a bipod or bags, I almost feel naked

Corrections Cop · July 29, 2013, 02:47 PM

BI Pod for my .243 and sand bags for everything else.

old roper · July 29, 2013, 02:49 PM

I've got pretty old Wichita rest and when I started BR got the Hart rest and got Sinclair windage tops when they started making them. Late when Ron Hoehn started making his tops I upgrade got the Hunter and Varmint tops.

http://www.benchrest.com/hoehn/html/rest_tops.html

I got this rest about 10yrs ago when they first started in business and I had front and rear tapped for leg extension for the foot pads. They also include pistol rest.

http://www.targetshooting.com/catalo...00-rifle-rest/

TheNatureBoy · July 29, 2013, 03:30 PM

I've done my best work off the front end of my friends pickup truck using a sandbag or a pillow.

Imagine what my groups will look like once I start using proper equipment and shooting from a actual bench.

sc928porsche · July 29, 2013, 03:44 PM

cauldwell front rest or lead sled. I use the sled to sight in.

FrankenMauser · July 30, 2013, 02:17 AM

I have a Caldwell "Rock Jr." front rest, and matching rear bag (filled with corn cob media). I use them when possible, but most of my shooting is not done at a bench.

Most of the time, I use improvised rests - tailgates, coolers, ammo cans, etc. If I remembered to bring it, and the rifle will accept it, I can spoil myself by attaching my Harris bipod. (I'm cheap. I only have one. But it was a great investment.)

hooligan1 · July 30, 2013, 05:29 AM

I use a the "Led Sled" for zeroing scopes and load developement, after that I shoot from tripod "trigger sticks", and a Caldwell "Tack Driver" rest.

Magnum Wheel Man · July 30, 2013, 06:47 AM

sand socks for me... I keep a 2.5 gallon bucket with a snap on lid, on my bench, & have like 10 new ( when I filled them ) socks filled with washed & dried sand, been on my bench for 3 years now of reasonably heavy use... if I can keep the revolvers from burning holes in them, they last for a long time... no leakers in 3 years of use...

I do have a bought pistol rest, but prefer to throw a scrap of leather over my bags to shoot handguns most of the time...

rebs · July 30, 2013, 07:15 AM

I use a caldwell front and rear bag and also have a rifle with a bipod, I like them both.

emcon5 · July 30, 2013, 06:55 PM

A 4x6 and a sandbag my wife made out of a pair of my son's worn out jeans.

lefteye · July 30, 2013, 09:36 PM

I got a Wichita rifle rest many years ago and use it with two leather "bags" like those shown on the Wichita web site.

myfriendis410 · July 31, 2013, 09:25 AM

Five shot bags filled with pea gravel and tie wrapped closed. Filled to different levels so I have a variety of different "stiffness" for the situation.

Boomer58cal · July 31, 2013, 01:24 PM

Sled, sand bags, bi-pod, mini cross sticks and elbows.

Boomer

stubbicatt · July 31, 2013, 07:01 PM

Man. I can't believe I just bought a Farley joystick rest (previously owned.) Just waiting for it to arrive.

BIG P · August 1, 2013, 06:40 AM

Dead shot field pod from Caldwell for hunting rifles 270,25-06.Sand bags for the 300MAG.

Sierra280 · August 1, 2013, 07:19 PM

Caldwell dead shot front bag, filled with doll fill from the craft store.

chiefr · August 2, 2013, 08:05 AM

I refuse to use sand bags. When I go to a bench where previous user has used sandbags, I clean it off the bench before I begin. I bring my own bags filled with ground walnut shells or use my Caldwell rest.

Bottom line: Sand bags leak sand. It does not matter how careful you are, sand will find itself inside actions and practically all of your gear.

South West Asia, well that's a different story.

homesick · August 2, 2013, 09:49 AM

I use cloth shot bags filled with sand, hand sewn,

shurshot · August 2, 2013, 02:30 PM

I just roll up a blanket or coat and rest the forearm on it, my elbows do the rest. I'm too cheap to buy a sled and sand bags do find a way to leak.

July 27, 2013, 06:09 PM	#1
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	What kind of rest do you use at the bench? I don't hunt or compete so my rifle work is just for grins. I built a nifty little machine rest to use with my Contenders and it works great. I think I'm going to try putting together a rifle rest (front only, not a full rest) and see how it works. It's time to start making chips with the lathe!

July 27, 2013, 06:26 PM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	Sand bags are the only thing I really use. Tried a lead sled a couple of times but I didn't care for it. __________________ NRA Life Member

July 29, 2013, 02:49 PM	#9
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,155	I've got pretty old Wichita rest and when I started BR got the Hart rest and got Sinclair windage tops when they started making them. Late when Ron Hoehn started making his tops I upgrade got the Hunter and Varmint tops. http://www.benchrest.com/hoehn/html/rest_tops.html I got this rest about 10yrs ago when they first started in business and I had front and rear tapped for leg extension for the foot pads. They also include pistol rest. http://www.targetshooting.com/catalo...00-rifle-rest/ __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

July 29, 2013, 03:44 PM	#11
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	cauldwell front rest or lead sled. I use the sled to sight in. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

July 30, 2013, 02:17 AM	#12
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I have a Caldwell "Rock Jr." front rest, and matching rear bag (filled with corn cob media). I use them when possible, but most of my shooting is not done at a bench. Most of the time, I use improvised rests - tailgates, coolers, ammo cans, etc. If I remembered to bring it, and the rifle will accept it, I can spoil myself by attaching my Harris bipod. (I'm cheap. I only have one. But it was a great investment.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 27, 2013, 08:06 PM	#3
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	I use sandbags and have also used a Lead Sled. The sled was really nice when using my 300 Win Mag, I quickly found out the rifle shot better than I thought! I could hold it to around MOA off the bag but the sled proved the gun shot sub MOA. With the 7mm Remington Mag though the gun shot just as good off the bags as with the sled. In case you're wondering yes, I'm selling the 300

July 27, 2013, 10:07 PM	#4
feets Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2008 Posts: 560	My preferred rifle is my Sendero in 300 WM. I put a bipod on it when I was doing tactical matches ages ago but I don't like to use it from the bench. It makes the gun skitter under recoil. Here are our Contender rests. The one on the left is mine and I cut the bar stock for the one on the right but my friend wanted to finish his. *edit* Huge pic. Just hit the link. https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...56146072_o.jpg

July 28, 2013, 07:48 AM	#6
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	I have two Hoppe's rests and a Hart's rest with adjustable Hohen's windage top. It's only used for benchrest rifles with 3" wide forends. I also use rear bags...two soft ones and a very hard one for benchrest competition. For hunting rifles, the older Hoppe's rest has been modified by extending the vertical adjustment handle and the locking screw is extended and bent to increase locking power. I added a rest stop also. The unit is very light, but steady and the bag is soft, to better mimic forend hand-hold.

July 29, 2013, 02:47 PM	#8
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	BI Pod for my .243 and sand bags for everything else.

July 29, 2013, 03:30 PM	#10
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I've done my best work off the front end of my friends pickup truck using a sandbag or a pillow. Imagine what my groups will look like once I start using proper equipment and shooting from a actual bench.

July 30, 2013, 05:29 AM	#13
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I use a the "Led Sled" for zeroing scopes and load developement, after that I shoot from tripod "trigger sticks", and a Caldwell "Tack Driver" rest. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

July 30, 2013, 06:47 AM	#14
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	sand socks for me... I keep a 2.5 gallon bucket with a snap on lid, on my bench, & have like 10 new ( when I filled them ) socks filled with washed & dried sand, been on my bench for 3 years now of reasonably heavy use... if I can keep the revolvers from burning holes in them, they last for a long time... no leakers in 3 years of use... I do have a bought pistol rest, but prefer to throw a scrap of leather over my bags to shoot handguns most of the time... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

July 30, 2013, 07:15 AM	#15
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I use a caldwell front and rear bag and also have a rifle with a bipod, I like them both.

July 30, 2013, 06:55 PM	#16
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	A 4x6 and a sandbag my wife made out of a pair of my son's worn out jeans.

July 30, 2013, 09:36 PM	#17
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	I got a Wichita rifle rest many years ago and use it with two leather "bags" like those shown on the Wichita web site. __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

July 31, 2013, 09:25 AM	#18
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 274	Five shot bags filled with pea gravel and tie wrapped closed. Filled to different levels so I have a variety of different "stiffness" for the situation.

July 31, 2013, 01:24 PM	#19
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	Sled, sand bags, bi-pod, mini cross sticks and elbows. Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

July 31, 2013, 07:01 PM	#20
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	Man. I can't believe I just bought a Farley joystick rest (previously owned.) Just waiting for it to arrive.

August 1, 2013, 06:40 AM	#21
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	Dead shot field pod from Caldwell for hunting rifles 270,25-06.Sand bags for the 300MAG.

August 1, 2013, 07:19 PM	#22
Sierra280 Junior member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Location: Gardnerville, NV Posts: 569	Caldwell dead shot front bag, filled with doll fill from the craft store.

August 2, 2013, 08:05 AM	#23
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I refuse to use sand bags. When I go to a bench where previous user has used sandbags, I clean it off the bench before I begin. I bring my own bags filled with ground walnut shells or use my Caldwell rest. Bottom line: Sand bags leak sand. It does not matter how careful you are, sand will find itself inside actions and practically all of your gear. South West Asia, well that's a different story.

August 2, 2013, 09:49 AM	#24
homesick Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: Central Florida Posts: 378	I use cloth shot bags filled with sand, hand sewn,

August 2, 2013, 02:30 PM	#25
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	I just roll up a blanket or coat and rest the forearm on it, my elbows do the rest. I'm too cheap to buy a sled and sand bags do find a way to leak.