bench rests

[Shaky Hands]

All
whats a good front and rear rest to use? I'm not asking about one that costs $700 bucks but something lots cheaper yet will give good results. I currently have a Caldwell bag for a rear rest and the rifle slips and slides all over. Is this normal or just the bag? Look forward to some good suggestions...

For a front sight I have a Vanguard Porta Aim which does a decent job. Just seeing if I can do a bit better.
Thanks
Shaky

[Rick in Oregon]

Well Shaky, lot's of options on this one.

My setup is what has evolved over 50 years of live varmint shooting. Not the panacea by any means, but I've used about every conceivable combination of bench and bench rest setup over that time; laying on the ground with a bipod, off the truck hood, from fixed position benches, out the back of the truck....you get the idea.

After some trial and error, my setup now has been static since 1997, so it works for me.
Front rest is a Sinclair All-Purpose Rest Adjustable width fore end, mariner wheel for fine adjustment
Rear bag is a Protektor #13B with the solid bottom

Using this setup from my BR Pivot, I can engage any target within a 360* arc. But for actual field use, one is restricted by say.....one's own truck. Cooper MTV in 204R on the bench in the bags:



Putting a bench up on a truck or trailer bed with some added elevation makes a huge difference once you get the gear of your choice (Custom M700 11 Twist/H-S Precision):



Cooper M38 in 20 VarTarg on my bench in a favorite alfalfa field:



There are literally hundreds of combinations you can find, but this is what has worked well for myself and my crew since 1997. And remember when we're talking about guns, loads and what we do.....buy once, cry once. See, already you may have saved hundreds just coming here!

[Shaky Hands]

Rick
Thank you, the Sinclair rest is not in the equation just yet not that great of a shooter to justify that. The rear bag I actually have looked at that companies bag and like the way they look (not saying looks make a good bag). The leather gives me the impression its not so slippery on the stock if this makes sense. I will keep poking around and see what I decide to do. Thanks for the suggestions...

Shaky

[Jim White]

Shakey...one thing I would consider in this venue is get the best you can afford. I believe in the; "buy-once & cry-once" theory. It's been my experience that if you have to upgrade later on, one has probably spent more $$$ had they bought the superior one right out the gate. For me, years ago I bought the Caldwell BR rest and it has served me well. I also have a soft bag rest that Rick turned me onto many years ago and it too has served me well too. I don't know if he's still in business or not but his name was Don Scott in Gladstone OR. He had those bags in all sizes, shapes and colors. Rick may be able to provide any further info.

As far as your shooting ability, to get the best feedback from your efforts you need to have good & solid equipment to find out what works and what doesn't. A shooting rest is probably something that will be permanent thing. I'd get the best you can afford when buying. Optics are another item to consider in this venue too.

Good luck,

[Shaky Hands]

Shakey...one thing I would consider in this venue is get the best you can afford. I believe in the; "buy-once & cry-once" theory. It's been my experience that if you have to upgrade later on, one has probably spent more $$$ had they bought the superior one right out the gate. For me, years ago I bought the Caldwell BR rest and it has served me well. I also have a soft bag rest that Rick turned me onto many years ago and it too has served me well too. I don't know if he's still in business or not but his name was Don Scott in Gladstone OR. He had those bags in all sizes, shapes and colors. Rick may be able to provide any further info.

As far as your shooting ability, to get the best feedback from your efforts you need to have good & solid equipment to find out what works and what doesn't. A shooting rest is probably something that will be permanent thing. I'd get the best you can afford when buying. Optics are another item to consider in this venue too.

Good luck,

Jim
I agree in principal with best you can afford. If I was shooting large quantities of ammo weekly and shooting more than 100 yards regularly I would spend the $$ to get a great front rest. But I mostly shoot 100 yards and just cant justify the cost at this moment. I did just order a rear bag (13B the on Rich mentioned) I am going to try this and see how it goes. I think if I can get off my back side and just shoot more often I will get better.

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to respond. Not only do you help me but maybe someone else who wonders the same thing will get something out of this.

Shakey

[Bill K]

You might take a look at the MGM cradle style. They don't work like the Lead sleds, as your shoulder is still the contact point with the rifle butt.
They can also be used with a handgun, when shooting either off a bench. And they are priced very decent.

[Shaky Hands]

You might take a look at the MGM cradle style. They don't work like the Lead sleds, as your shoulder is still the contact point with the rifle butt.
They can also be used with a handgun, when shooting either off a bench. And they are priced very decent.

Bill K
thank you I will take a look at that.

[SecretCode]

The MGM is not a bad way to go, the Caldwell "The Rock" is also a nice looking option. I made my own but for what I have into it the rock would have been a very even up option. I went as far as to order Kaizen foam specifically for a 22" Rigid pack box and custom cut it for a my rest for transport and storage. Works well. Heavy but it keeps it protected from the world and the world from it. I.E. vehicle interior.

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I really like the Protektor bags. Front and rear. I can easily swap between the front bags for different forends. Wasn't exactly sure on which one to order for my Savage VLP, had an email response within the hour on they're recommendation.

[Bill K]

That is one sweet rest set up you made, that is for sure.

[Rick in Oregon]

Secret: Nice job there, sir, very well done!

I'm assuming you are a dedicated BR shooter by the looks of your design, also a skilled man in the machine shop. When it comes to our passion, nothing is considered 'over the top', and your example of front rest shows both your interest and skill.

Looking at your travel case shows a similar skill. You've seen my bench rest setup here, and mine gets stowed in a Pelican case very similar to yours, except mine goes in completely assembled. Nice to have it all together and safe for both storage and transport.

Thanks for sharing your setup; we all are 'visually oriented' here, and pics are strongly encouraged. Yours are excellent.

[SecretCode]

Secret: Nice job there, sir, very well done!

I'm assuming you are a dedicated BR shooter by the looks of your design, also a skilled man in the machine shop. When it comes to our passion, nothing is considered 'over the top', and your example of front rest shows both your interest and skill.

Looking at your travel case shows a similar skill. You've seen my bench rest setup here, and mine gets stowed in a Pelican case very similar to yours, except mine goes in completely assembled. Nice to have it all together and safe for both storage and transport.

Thanks for sharing your setup; we all are 'visually oriented' here, and pics are strongly encouraged. Yours are excellent.

Dedicated BR shooter I am not. Just need to get above the crops or crp grass where I mainly test loads or shoot for fun. Wanted something more stable than what I had. Always trying to improve my setup.

Also don't have near the patients or the smarts for machining. I wish. I dabble that's about it and can get by.

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[Rick in Oregon]

Secret, your humility is duly noted. Despite your dabbling, the end result of your rest is still impressive, and I'm sure it works very well for getting above the grass and weeds in great fashion. It sure looks great to me FWIW. I'm not a BR shooter either, just rats, but I've been accused of the same moniker, however misplaced. Great gear is just icing on that proverbial cake, right?

It's always interesting to see the rifles, loads and gear others use for our pursuit of accuracy and fun in the rat patch. If you're inclined, feel free to post field pics showing your setup, as I know you're aware of the fact we're all pretty much 'visually oriented' here, and gun porn is strongly encouraged.

Again, good job sir!

[Shaky Hands]

Secret: Nice job there, sir, very well done!

I'm assuming you are a dedicated BR shooter by the looks of your design, also a skilled man in the machine shop. When it comes to our passion, nothing is considered 'over the top', and your example of front rest shows both your interest and skill.

Looking at your travel case shows a similar skill. You've seen my bench rest setup here, and mine gets stowed in a Pelican case very similar to yours, except mine goes in completely assembled. Nice to have it all together and safe for both storage and transport.

Thanks for sharing your setup; we all are 'visually oriented' here, and pics are strongly encouraged. Yours are excellent.

Dedicated BR shooter I am not. Just need to get above the crops or crp grass where I mainly test loads or shoot for fun. Wanted something more stable than what I had. Always trying to improve my setup.

Also don't have near the patients or the smarts for machining. I wish. I dabble that's about it and can get by.
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Secret
Nice set up, and you do have some skill for sure you could make a few bucks selling them on the side LOL. I know that takes the fun out dabbling but you do have talent. Thank you for sharing.

[skipper]

What he said. ^

[Shaky Hands]

All
I used the bag, Rick in Oregon mentioned and have to say night and day over previous bag I was using. This is out of my 6.5 using a 142 gr HPBT. I was doing load development and this load is what I plan on going with. Was it the bag was it me I would like to think me but time will tell if I can duplicate it. This is by far the very best group I have ever done and I do mean ever. Thank you for the suggestions.