Bench Shooting Setups

[BK]

Well, my trip to the range earlier this week has taught me a few things, like:
1. I need a boresighter
2. my bench technique has really atrophied
3. I might need to have earplugs along, in case somebody is shooting a big boomer next to me
4. I need a spotting scope (thanks a lot for the thread in the optics forum, Scotty, what a pal you are, writing a glowing review on a $3k spotting scope )
5. the purpose of this thread, I need a better rest. The one I have is too short, causing me to be too hunched over (and I should maybe get a shorter stool to sit on, too); too light, I almost pushed it over adjusting the rifle; and probably has some other things wrong with it that I haven't noticed yet.

So, if you could, please tell me what you like to use when testing loads off a bench. Pics would be great. Thanks, gents.

 

[DrMike]

Kurt,

I shoot off bags my wife makes. They are filled with fine mica to avoid dust and to cut down on moisture retention. I'm always wearing ear plugs and good ear muffs. You can never tell when someone is going to show up and begin blasting away with a short barrel and a muzzle brake. I bore sight each rifle by pulling the bolt, sighting at 25 yards and adjusting the scope to match the sight picture through the bore. It is quick and easy.

 

[SJB358]

Kurt,

I shoot off bags my wife makes. They are filled with fine mica to avoid dust and to cut down on moisture retention. I'm always wearing ear plugs and good ear muffs. You can never tell when someone is going to show up and begin blasting away with a short barrel and a muzzle brake. I bore sight each rifle by pulling the bolt, sighting at 25 yards and adjusting the scope to match the sight picture through the bore. It is quick and easy.

Same as Mike. I sewed up some bags and used beach sand in order to fill them up. I haven't ever used a hard front rest for shooting off the bench, not sure how much a hardened point like that would affect a pressure pointed rifles POA? Not saying anything negative about them, just never tried them.

Sorry about the optics Kurt, figured you all would like to see em. They are some awesome glass. I know they have realigned my priorities for the future purchases. Scotty

 

[BK]

Just jazzin' you, Scotty. I've been drooling over euroglass spotters for a long, long time. If I could just stop buying rifles for a little while...

Actually, my rest does have a reasonable soft leather bag. I suppose I could stack a sandbag or two one top of it.

 

[Desert Fox]

Here's my set up for bench shooting or when zeroing the rifle.

Or you can use your bi-pod

 

[nodak7mm]

A quality rest is paramount if you ask me.

My Bald Eagle Slingshot with F-Class feet:

My Heavy Viper Rest for LR BR:

Rod

 

[BK]

Rod, that is pretty close to the front rest I am thinking about... the Bald Eagle, that is.

 

[Desert Fox]

Rod,

I can trade my Midway with that Viper. I'll pay the shipping both ways :wink:

 

[nodak7mm]

BK,

My Bald Eagle has been pimped out by the guy who makes the Viper Rests. I needed more weight for F-class..

Unfortunatly, Bald Eagle doesnt exist anymore. But you simpley cannot go wrong with any of the basic Hart or Sinclair style rests. The pedestals will last you a life time and you can always upgrade the rest top.

If you need a few pointers on where to look for these rests, LMK and I'll send ya the links..

DF, yep it is a killer rest, it dont move and it a killer to carry... Cripes the shipping one way is dang near as much as the Midway rests.... But as you have proven with yours, you dont need a Cadillac to shoot well...

Rod

 

[JD338]

Here is my set up, rest up front and rabbit ear sand bag in the rear.

One of these days, I am going to do a serious upgrade. Maybe that will help my groups. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[cloverleaf]

Nodak-
did you snatch that table from a Garage sale and take the saw to it, Or did you buy that folder with the cut out? If I could get the legs the right height it Might be just the ticket for shooting from my wheelchair.
I built one for our gun club on 4x4 posts with wheels in front. It works OK but I had to make some adjustments (i.e. allowances) for taller shooters, and Im short. Also, since they wanted the dang thing is mobile, its never left at the 100 yard mark where I want it.
Sorry, not to hi-jack a thread- in need some pointers on rests too. Been shooting like Cr@% lately and need to rule out some variables. CL

 

[jmad_81]

I use some caldwell bags on a solid bench. I've been wanting to upgrade to something a bit more stable, but I'm not sure what to get.

I got some good Ideas now. Thanks

 

[Guest]

For hunting rifles, I've been all about bags and such, for years. I've managed to shoot some spectacular groups off of these sandbags (just a Caldwell front bag (deadshot, I believe) and a wood block to raise it for me (too tall for the "one-size" benches at the public ranges) and some sandbags for the rear. Best sandbags I ever had? Easy. Old blue jeans I had sewed up at an upholstery shop (he owed me one) and filled with sand. Double seams keep them from leaking and I just had to hand sew the last inch on one end for all of them. I still have some of them around. Old denim is great for bags - soft, but durable, and formable to whatever shape I like, within reason. I need to cut up some more old jeans and get some stitching done. I guess it's time to deliver some venison to the upholstery guy again...

 

[257 Ackley]

A quality rest is paramount if you ask me.

My Bald Eagle Slingshot with F-Class feet:

My Heavy Viper Rest for LR BR:

Rod

Rod -
How many miles of ND prairie could you see from that rest??

 

[257 Ackley]

After getting the chance to lift both of these, I need to start lifting weights...

 

[nodak7mm]

Joel,

Like we talked, they get lifted from back of vehicle to bench. Lol...

Rod

 

[wildgene]

...a collimeter (bore sighter) won't do anything you can't do w/ a steady rest, lining up the bore w/ the reticles, & even the best bore sighter doesn't really do much more than put you on paper @ 25yds. so you can begin to sight-in. Bore Sighting does not replace sighting-in...

...there's no substitute for a good bench rest, but the Bull Bags are a good interm solution...

...& they're good for some impromptu varmint snipering...

...or fending off the occassional maraudering herd of elk...

 

[BK]

...a collimeter (bore sighter) won't do anything you can't do w/ a steady rest, lining up the bore w/ the reticles, & even the best bore sighter doesn't really do much more than put you on paper @ 25yds. so you can begin to sight-in. Bore Sighting does not replace sighting-in...

Well, I'm a land surveyor, and part of being a land survyor is all the cool toys you get to play with... hence the desire for a collimeter.

 

[wildgene]

...a collimeter (bore sighter) won't do anything you can't do w/ a steady rest, lining up the bore w/ the reticles, & even the best bore sighter doesn't really do much more than put you on paper @ 25yds. so you can begin to sight-in. Bore Sighting does not replace sighting-in...

Well, I'm a land surveyor, and part of being a land survyor is all the cool toys you get to play with... hence the desire for a collimeter.

...nothing wrong w/ 'em if you want one, as long as you remember it'll get to the stake, but it won't put you on the point...

 

[257 Ackley]

Guys -
Not to get off subject...the Leupold bore sighterworks much better than any collimeter and is a concept that I am still trying to figure out...all I can say is it works. I have used it on everything from 17 cal to 358 and it gets me to within a few clicks of the bull with every caliber. I got it free with a Leupold scope I bought through Bear Basin a few years back. I appreciate the "look through the bore and scope", but this is alot faster and gets you close every time.

Rod - you didn't answer the question about how many miles of prairie you could see from that rest. :mrgreen: !!