Rifle Rests

[Alberta hunter]

I am look ing to buy a rifle rest and would like some input and recomendations if possible. I will use it for checking accuracy of rifles and to work up reloads on the bench. I have my own 100 yard range so weight is not a factor. Both the Bench Master and the Lead Sled look decent.


Thanks.

A.H

 

[Steeleco]

I have used a friend rest called "The Rock" they have a few varieties but the high end one he has was great, One is on my list!!!

 

[maynard]

Do you want "The Gold Standard of Bench Rests"
http://www.viperbench-rest.com/

 

[oldbadger]

I would advise against the lead sled or similar full length rifle holders. You will do far better with a front rest . You then need a set of good bags. Take a look at what the shooters use in serious matches; a good solid elevating front rest with suitable front and rear bags is what shows up most, if not all of the time.

 

[Alberta hunter]

Why do you not recommend a lead sled or similar? They seem like a great way to hold a rifle steady to work up loads and to tell me that my one inch groups are me and not the rifle.

 

[oldbadger]

The sled is made to become an integrated unit with the rifle; they recoil together. Unless you have a way of returning the whole mess to the same alignment, you might well have problems evaluating groups. The thing is designed for recoil reduction, not accuracy.

If you anticipate problems with recoil, make sure that the rifle fits YOU; I can't shoot most Win Model 70's because I am wide and have short little arms, anything bigger than a .243 smacks me hard. (I have no problems with most other makes, it is fit, not the actual recoil that cause the discomfort. I can shoot decent groups with my TRG-S in 338 Lapua because the stock fits me).

Next, fit up a decent recoil pad, then if more recoil reduction is needed, practice with lighter loads/bullets.

If you want to test the accuracy potential of the rifle, you need to go to a true machine rest.

 

[WildWildWest]

I have the Beast HG Plus from titegroup.com I like the complete rest for cleaning and sighting scopes, etc. May not be quite as perfect as bags, but when you can use it for handguns, rifles, etc. it is a nice toy. Also holds the rifle steady when working on it or cleaning it.

In rifles, it eats recoil. Weights about 23lbs. Made locally in Saskatoon, SK.

 

[winchester_070]

I have a benchmaster , i finally quit using it . Groups were inconsistant when shooting from it . Usually always get at least one flyer in a 5 shot string for some reason or other. I don't have the same problem with front rest and rear bag . In my opinion that style of rest is not the best, but if ya need one i might just sell ya mine

 

[guntech]

I built this rest for testing heavy recoiling rifles and sighting in the big pigs for customers.... It weighs 18 pounds. You can "shoulder" it and shoot much like off bags except it is a bit slower to get right where you want on the target. The feet are convex so it will slide on the bench top. A windage top (which I had and sold - dummy!) would make it a lot easier lining up the shot. Elevation is very easy to achieve.

The target shown is the first time I used this rest with my 7mm-08 hunting rifle (a 3 shot group) and a heavier .308. (working a load still)

I can probaby get better groups off bags but I am happy with this first attempt and I am sure it will work well.

 

[Steve David]

Sinclair International has some "kick ass" rests, pricey, but top of the line. Dennis,

That one that you build is fantastic aswell.

Alberta Hunter,

I would get intouch with Dennis and get him to build you one if he does that work.

 

[Mudpuppy]

Build you own rest, this one cost me about $18 in materials and took 4 hours to make, this includes time playing with different configurations.. If you don't have a welder, you can pre-fab the pieces and take them somewhere to be welded. The rest of it is very basic "machining" that can be done with hand tools. This one has a windage adjustable top but it would be easier to build one without it, it also weighs 17 pounds.

 

[Alberta hunter]

Thank you all for the info. I guess my old way of using sand bags will be just fine.

Thanks again

A.H

 

[PeterPan]

I use Sinclair rest and I find it very good. Here is a pic:

 

[Jasonsmack]

I use a Lead Sled and it works just fine. If you put some shot on it (like they say to do) you can shoot it quite a bit and it hardly moves. It is a quick cheap and easy way to get going. I intend on building a portable bench with a rest on it but the Caldwell is just fine for now. I will say that the biggest gun I shoot off it is often a .308 and the ones I have are heavy guns. It would be nice if it had a small adjustment for windage. One time when we were using it we set it up on top of a small dresser that had roller wheels under it. That worked great but we were on a concrete pad that day.