Whats a quality rifle rest on the cheap

[bombadillo]

I've been looking at front rest and a rear bag for a new gun I'm getting (really for all my guns, but one in particular is on my mind) and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I've always just used a BR bipod and bag or something behind me. My old bag is thrashed now and my front bag has a hole in it from somebody shooting too close with a pistol, and I'm in need of a new bag. Here's what I'm looking at now:

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=MI&prodID=MIBR00001&prodTitle=Millett%20Benchmaster%20Rifle%20Shooting%20Rest

This one looks interesting, dirt cheap, and potentially hold up to a lot of abuse

http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Company-Shotsaver-Bench-Pistol/dp/B000W9LAWG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IXPC6WAUNLURP&colid=OSEU1NGKIXRK

This one seems like a pretty decent quality rest with a lot of features in it for the money. A bit more money than the others but I don't mind spending a few bucks for quality. Money is tight right now or I'd buy the $150 caldwell that I want!

http://www.amazon.com/Shooters-Ridge-Tri-Stance-Leather-Sand/dp/B0006ZI7QI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=ISCL4LT06T6V3&colid=OSEU1NGKIXRK

And this last one seems decent, looks well made and I can get the rest and bag for around $50 or so. I've never had any experience with the company, nor could I find any real reviews on it. Anybody dealt with them before?

http://www.amazon.com/SmartReloader-SR300-Light-Gun-Rest/dp/B0044YJBZI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=INIJ94BUG54HJ&colid=OSEU1NGKIXRK

As for rear bags, I'm looking at shooters ridge and caldwell primarily. Rear bags are between $20-40 for a decent looking bag that I'll probably fill with rice for the weight factor. I would do sand but that starts getting really heavy when you bring it out to the range. 2-3 trips suck, I try to generally make my first time from my car the only trip I'll need.


If you have any suggestions that would be great but I'm not looking for a full rest like a lead sled or anything. I'm just looking for a decent quality front rest and rear bag instead. This will be for pistol, rifle, sighting in, and shooting for groups.
Also inexpensive, but looks a bit cheaper than the rest as far as quality goes

[OC-Indian]

Bag of rice

[Deucer]

Bag of rice

I didn't see that coming.

[bombadillo]

I've already got that!


I'm upgrading from rice, to the next step up. Movin on up in this world....

[BajaJames83]

WALLY WORLD sells some little bags...

[BSlacker]

Among the ones you have shown the Smart Reloader is my pick. I have used Smart Reloader stuff and it is good stuff. The price is right with the front bag shown in the add. Rear bags tend to get last thought, but they are very important. I have a smart reloader rear bag that is nicely made but a little tall so I don't use it.
When the front rest is at the middle of its up/down range of movement and the rifle is placed on it the rear bag/stock interface should bring the rifle barrel level. You may have to adjust your target height to obtain this. This is a good place to start.
Forget the rice especially if you store your stuff in the garage, rats will eat it quick. Use ground up walnut shells. You can get it at pet supply houses it is used for lizard bedding and cages it packs well and smells nice when warm. Use a funnel with a tube attached to get the walnut shell as packed in as you need it I like mine medium tight. As for sand, all bags tend to leak a little of the smaller sand granules and dust that is generated from use. This can get in your action and on the stock and is not easy to see until it binds or scratches something.

[bombadillo]

Heck, I live by the beach so I can use dry sand really if I want to, but it tends to get heavy so I was saving on weight but that may be the best way to go.

[mkane]

Rear bag needs heavy sand. Don't over fill. Enjoy.

[bombadillo]

So no other recommendations. Just smart *** comments. I <3 calguns.

[Howie44]

Rucksack filled with a blanket, and a sock filled with sand. Cheap and effective

[bombadillo]

Among the ones you have shown the Smart Reloader is my pick. I have used Smart Reloader stuff and it is good stuff. The price is right with the front bag shown in the add. Rear bags tend to get last thought, but they are very important. I have a smart reloader rear bag that is nicely made but a little tall so I don't use it.
When the front rest is at the middle of its up/down range of movement and the rifle is placed on it the rear bag/stock interface should bring the rifle barrel level. You may have to adjust your target height to obtain this. This is a good place to start.
Forget the rice especially if you store your stuff in the garage, rats will eat it quick. Use ground up walnut shells. You can get it at pet supply houses it is used for lizard bedding and cages it packs well and smells nice when warm. Use a funnel with a tube attached to get the walnut shell as packed in as you need it I like mine medium tight. As for sand, all bags tend to leak a little of the smaller sand granules and dust that is generated from use. This can get in your action and on the stock and is not easy to see until it binds or scratches something.

So what are you using for a rear bag now. I've been looking at the caldwell bags and the "rabbit ear" bags by shooters ridge I believe. I just want something thats not going to fall apart like the Remington and Allen bags I've had int he past. My poor bags now are taped and falling apart so they just aren't up to snuff anymore. Thanks for the quality input.

[1surfguy]

MTM Case-Guard Shooting Rest?

I haven't tried this yet but it looks very flexible and pretty strudy for its street price.

MTM K-Zone Shooting Rest

http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/shooting-rests-k-zone-ksr.php

[BSlacker]

So what are you using for a rear bag now.

I am using an Edgewood Minigator rear bag. The front rest is a Caldwell Rock BR (I am saving up for a nice top) with a Protektor front bag that fits my rifle stocks forend profile and lets it slide in recoil. I have Protektor rear bags but their quality pales in comparison to Edgewood they are good but not Edgewood.
The Allen bags I have used fell apart quick. I shoot every week so my bags get a workout but my Caldwell bags seem to not show wear. I have heard good things about Shooters Ridge, just don't own any.

Rucksack filled with a blanket, and a sock filled with sand. Cheap and effective

Hope you are not using a wood stock!