Shooting rest suggestions

[Bushwack44]

I'm just getting into long guns for range fun (no hunting). I've been using my range bag as a 'rest' shooting a .556/223 rifle (and possibly also with a .270) and figure I need to upgrade.

What should I look for in a sub $50 bench rest? A front/rear bag combo or a one piece device that allows for height adjustment? Or...should I just use a bipod? I know as I continue with long gun shooting and reach out beyond 100+ yards, I'll want to upgrade from whatever I would currently use (buy).

For now, the scenario is going to Angeles Shooting Range (or similar range), sitting (not laying on the floor) on a seat/bench and shoot targets/steel at 100 yards. Eventually going to 200 yards and beyond. It's range time fun; practicing to become a long range shooter.

[hermosabeach]

Sub $50- Save your money

for 200 yards... 300 yards, sand bags are fine....

A good tool will last forever... spend some money and get a quality rest if you are going to shoot long distance.... What you get for $50 is just not that good of an item.... vs sand bags....


These are good as they grip the gun and effectively make it heavier / lower felt recoil

http://www.bullsbag.com/9_Field_Bags_Black_Suede_Top_s/33.htm

[hermosabeach]

http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-cleaning/cleaning-cradles/cleaning-cradles/long-range-benchrest-cradle-prod45060.aspx

Also around $50

For something with adjustment, they cost more

http://www.sinclairintl.com/shooting-rests-bipods/shooting-rests-tops/shooting-rests/sinclair-heavy-varmint-rests-prod57001.aspx?cm_sp=Mega%20Menu-_-Shooting%20Rest%20%26%20Bipods-_-Sinclair_Heavy_Varmint_Rests

[wpage]

Make up some small sand bags. Or by one of those plastic red ones that they have on ebay...

[CSACANNONEER]

Shooting off a bipod is completely different than shooting off a rest. There are many different types of front rests and each has it's pros and cons. I would not waste my time with one of those cheap plastic rests.

[musketjon]

Hoppe's makes a decent rest for around $30. Big Five has rests on sale from time to time. Get a heavy cast rest with the pointed feet,they don't wander all over the bench top and they won't settle and change height like sand bags do.
Jon

[CSACANNONEER]

OK, I just poked around and found one of these in a my shed. It is new in box but, the box is thrashed and the re are two chips in the finish on the top of the rest. The sandbag has never been filled. If you're interested in it, I'll let it go for $35.

[TMB 1]

Sling http://www.amazon.com/Garand-Green-N...ords=m14+sling

Bag http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-DeadS...oting+sand+bag

Bipod http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Pivot...aldwell+bipods

[vinny_land]

Found one of these at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago for dirt cheap.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/334387/mtm-predator-rifle-shooting-rest

My sand bag setup was made with what I had readily available. Front bags were made with old denim and filled with walnut media. Rear bag is an old black Nike crew sock filled with a combo of plastic BB's and arts/crafts beads. Makes a nice cylinder shape to squeeze in order to get sight aligned.

[LynnJr]

http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-clea...prod45060.aspx

Also around $50

For something with adjustment, they cost more

http://www.sinclairintl.com/shooting..._Varmint_Rests

The top link is to a cleaning cradle.

[LynnJr]

If your handy with simple hand tools you can make a decent front rest for pennies.
You need a small piece of plywood shaped like a triangle and 4-6 pieces of 1x4 pine about 8 inches long. You also need 3 T bolt nuts and three grade 8 bolts that fit them.
Place the 1x4 pine boards onto the front edge of the plywood. These act as your risers. Screw them down. Not cut two pieces in half double them up and space them so they capture the forend of your rifle. You can line that part of the rest with felt so you don't scratch your rifle.
Now drill three holes for the T bolt nuts as these will be your elevation control. You drive them into the plywood with a hammer.

The second option is a homemade buds bag.
Take two pairs of old worn out jeans and cut the legs off below the knees. Sew the four pieces together along the common seam. Now sew one end of each leg closed using dental floss as your thread. A sack needle and pliers help you from wrecking your fingers.
Fill the 4 legs with unpopped popcorn about 3/4 full and sew them shut.
Either way works.

[killshot44]

I hear banjos....

[LynnJr]

Bob
For under $50 your gonna hear banjos but they work.

[waveslayer]

I don't want to come off sounded like a jerk, but bad advice from most of these responses. There is now long range sled! And a cleaning sled won't last one shot from a good. 338. That's a laughable suggestion.
Get a rear squeeze bag and a bipod. Harris 6-9 gold standard, pros and cons. Or get a Atlas V8, pros and cons.

Also, I suggest you just do a simple Google search on images for sniper rifles, PRS matches, etc.. no one uses a sled! Ha ha. All you need is a bipod and rear bag. Rear bag on midway is 10 bucks.

Learn how to load the bipod properly and using a rear bag you will be good to go. I suggest you take a long range class.

Also, don't make your own front rest. Most guys on here have little to no real experience with precision Shooting. Loading the bipod allows recoil management and returning to you Natural POA. Sandbags won't do that nor a sled.

PM if you are close I can show you so you can mam handle all your buddies afterwards.



My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[duckman1]

I use bags of rice found in most ethnic grocery stores. easy to carry handle and very stable and easy to stack and position.