Shooting Mats - where to buy in Canada?

Remember that you are not trying to buy a mattress to sleep on! You need firm support, same reason that comp tr shooters don't use soft pads on their rifles, don't want mushy stuff that moves. Check out centerthegroup.com and if they don't have what you need then they will make what you want, in Canada.
 
Ian Robertson said:
Remember that you are not trying to buy a mattress to sleep on! You need firm support, same reason that comp tr shooters don't use soft pads on their rifles, don't want mushy stuff that moves. Check out centerthegroup.com and if they don't have what you need then they will make what you want, in Canada.
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x2, I have tried shooting on a soft mat and it was a huuge PITA!, the butt of the rifle moved too much as it wasn't on as stable of a surface as the hard ground. I would consider a thin moisture barrier material mat and for padding consider something that just protects your elbows if that is bothering you, like elbow pads or a smaller padded surface you can lay under the elbows or wherever is uncomfortable.

I use a TAB Gear mat that is just a thin layer of moisture resistant coated Cordura. it has a narrow row of thin padding where your elbows go but not where the rifle butt rests.

I wonder if Jerry will pipe in with his plywood and rubber mat setup. It was awesome.
 
ceriksson said:
x2, I have tried shooting on a soft mat and it was a huuge PITA!, the butt of the rifle moved too much as it wasn't on as stable of a surface as the hard ground. I would consider a thin moisture barrier material mat and for padding consider something that just protects your elbows if that is bothering you, like elbow pads or a smaller padded surface you can lay under the elbows or wherever is uncomfortable.

I use a TAB Gear mat that is just a thin layer of moisture resistant coated Cordura. it has a narrow row of thin padding where your elbows go but not where the rifle butt rests.

I wonder if Jerry will pipe in with his plywood and rubber mat setup. It was awesome.
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Thanks very much to Ian and Ceriksson for pointing this out - I hadn't thought about the "soft and bouncy = bad for shooting" equation (had been thinking more along the lines of "padded = comfy"). Will filter the candidates accordingly.

re: Jerry's plywood and rubber mat setup: I've seen Jerry's rig, and while it would be pretty much ideal, it would also be at least $5000 more than the other options, as I'd need to buy a truck to carry it around in! :p
 
I went to rona and got the caret by the foot. I had 7 feet cut off one that has a thick rubber backing and was approx 3 feet wide. My only complaint is if not wearing long sleeves it tents to rub on the elbows after a couple hundred rounds in a session.

Forgot to mention, this solution is quite cheap. $20 or so if I recall.
 
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Here is a several year old photo of Jerry's setup

It could probably be done quite cheap and with some thought and redesign could be quite portable too

Okanagan034.jpg

Okanagan032.jpg
 
bacardi said:
how thick it is compare to one of those brown/black pads in gyms?
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You're assuming we all go to the gym.....

I have a mat that is about 3 times as thick as a workout mat. Both are comfy though as I sometimes borrow out my workout mat for others to use.
 
bacardi said:
Nice. Where was he shooting at? It looks like a crown land.
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That is up in the Summerland/Peachland area in the Okanagan. Was an awesome day of shooting.. DAAAAAMN HOT though, shade didn't help.

This was a few years ago now. 600-1800yds I recall.


Another guy had one of those self-inflating matresses that some of you have. I think I shot from it a couple of times, wasn't too bad but not that great for the rifle butt to sit on as it telemarks body movements into the rifle too much. They are a little on the narrow side too.

The key tradeoff here is stability vs portability. You can go the route that Jerry did and with some tweaks can make it small enough to fit into the trunk of a small car.
 
I would like a shooting mat/bag combo for some of the shooting I do - Does anyone have any experience with Galati and do they have any distributors in Canada? One of the reason Im looking at teh Galati is because Im 6 ft tall and would like part of my body ON the mat ... instead of just my chest
Im looking at the following
CONDOR SNIPER MAT O.D, Coyote - Tactical Products Canada carries it $119.95
Galati Delux Shooters Mat ( USA) $224.95

Any other options I have not considered
 
I really like the cabelas mat # 35814, its $80cad, wide, has a few pockets, eyelets for stakes, and rolls up good and compact/easy to carry, just enough padding, and cheap shipping anywhere in Canada.
 
SND said:
I really like the cabelas mat # 35814, its $80cad, wide, has a few pockets, eyelets for stakes, and rolls up good and compact/easy to carry, just enough padding, and cheap shipping anywhere in Canada.
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It looks great if I was just looking for a mat.. But. I want a gun bag/mat combo so that I don't need an extra mat. I also looked at the Blackhawks combo they sell but it doesn't have the extra pockets that I need
 
Shooting Centre said:
There is a company in Ontario that make nice matts. Centre the Group.
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maynard said:
center the group dot com

Roll up, tri-fold, 4 fold, F-Class mats, fat mats, any colour you want, made right here in Ontario. Good rubber elbow area but like stated above they do get hot sitting in the sun.
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manitou210 said:
Paul Bawden shooting supplies he is in Southern Ontario
Google for contact info

Tri-Fold Shooting Mat
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I know Paul and can vouch for him, we sell him buckles & webbing and he is an excellent fellow to deal with. :cheers:
 
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