Bench rest

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I have been toying with the idea of a rest for range work. I use sand bags now, but wanted to take the "me" out of the equation for initial scope fine tuning. I have been told a gun will shoot different on a rest than when held, I don't know if I believe this. It seems to me that if the rest contacts the stock only, what could be different?
What are your opinions on the matter and/or what rest would you recommend?

ps. I'd rather buy a big old good one than a good old big one. lol

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I've made up my mind. Just bought a "Bench Master" brand bench rest. Can't wait till UPS man arrives!

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

One last post on this...
I have received the Benchmaster rest and have been to the range with it.
It works AWESOME...I was able to decide which ammo shot best from each rifle in minutes without any doubts. It sets up easily & is easy to fine tune for shots. The cheapest price I've seen for it is at The Sportsmans Guide.
See y'all at the range!

 

[so cal hunter]

I was having what i thought was trouble with a varmint gun of mine and was talking to frank about it and it came down to the rifle rest and as bad as it is to say it was a bench master i got it from cabelas and used it and was alway's shooting to the left and high, went to bag's and re adj. and it hit's right on everytime.if i am going to be shooting off bag's or bi-pod i shoot and adj the scope accordingly do other's of you do the same ??? i see guy's sight there gun's in at different range distances 100- 300 yds from the bench and then when they are in the field and have to take a standing shot and miss the target they accuse the gun and not them selves for not practicing from a standing or kneeling position. Well i hope it work's for you and you are happy with it. good luck and good hunting so cal hunter

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Uhoohh,
I might need to go back out and compare the Benchmaster to shooting off bags...
The guns I'm sighting in are for deer hunting, so my shots will be some type of contortionist bace from a tree stand. lol
Thanks for the input, I wonder if removing the recoil strap would change anything?

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I had the chance to shoot my 300 and 270 from the Benchmaster & compare the groups with shooting off bags. I couldn't tell the difference, the point of impact was the same. I was very worried & afraid to hunt without checking, but hey...it gave me an excuse to go back to the range. hehehe!

 

[slyder]

I just bought an Uncle Buds Bulls Bag. This thing is great. It removed almost all of the recoil out of my .270 (which for some reason gives me a black and blue shoulder). My groups really tightened up and scope setting is a breeze. Costs about $30 and weighs 40lbs.

 

[DanV]

I recently bought the Benchmark shooting rest, don't seem to shoot any better with it than off bags, it comes in real handy for cleaning or breaking in a barrel. Thinking of replacing the front bag with something that is not so squishy such as block made out of rubber or neoprene. also the thing is much taller than bags so I have to get a couple of shooting bags to put on my seat so I am high enough to see through to scope. All in all I wish I would have kept that $90 in my wallet, expected more!

 

[Augustis]

Gentleman

I am not expert for sure but thought I would add my 2 cents anyway and what has helped me improve myself.

For load development I use a shooting fixture which supports the entire rifle from butt to forend, all I have to do is hold the rifle *very lightly* and pull the trigger to produce accurate point of impact groups.

When practicing BR shooting I use a Hart rest (about 13LBS) cast iron tripod with all the bells and whistles for adjustments, this being said, I think one of the most importent features is the "Return To Battery" fixture on the rest that touches the forend of the stock to ensure the bearing point of the rest and stock are in the same spot every time. I also consider the *Hold* on the rifle to be very importent as well, by producing a death grip on the rifle will effect accuracy and was one of the things I had to break myself of early on....

While looking through your scope when you take hold of it consentrate to see if your cross hairs move in relation to the point of impact before you took hold of it to prepare your rest. When your rest is set up properly all you should have to do is pull the trigger and that is where the bullet *should* impact.

I use a lot of high magnification scopes from 18X to 25X so I really notice when I push or pull the rifle off my precieved point of impact.

You might realize you are pushing with your shoulder pulling with your hand or face and maybe rotating the rifle when you prepare for the squeeeeeze on a hunting arm.

This is what I realized about myself, Like I said I am not an expert but I still try to get the most from my shooting sessions to develop myself as most rifles will do better than what we are cappable of doing.

Food for thought anyway ;o)

Regards, Augustis ><>