What Rest When Shooting From A Bench?

Stu Farish

Stu Farish

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Staff member
I have a Bull's bag. Works great, but it sits really low on a bench. I've made that work for 20 years with most rifles, but it's just not enough clearance for an AR, especially with more than a 10 round mag.

Looking at one of these tomorrow:

http://www.basspro.com/Caldwell-The-Lead...SSELL_THUMBNAIL

Recoil obviously isn't a problem but having the rifle stable is.

I've fought this with the Bull's bag for 20 years, it's time to remove the headache & do something that works better.
 
Originally Posted By: Stu FarishI have a Bull's bag. Works great, but it sits really low on a bench. I've made that work for 20 years with most rifles, but it's just not enough clearance for an AR, especially with more than a 10 round mag.

Looking at one of these tomorrow:

http://www.basspro.com/Caldwell-The-Lead...SSELL_THUMBNAIL

Recoil obviously isn't a problem but having the rifle stable is.

I've fought this with the Bull's bag for 20 years, it's time to remove the headache & do something that works better.


That one is tight. They make a cheaper one that is MUCH better for the AR IMHO. I have both. The other has a curved lower bar that does not get in the way.

Greg

It is the SOLO: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/394466/..._vc=subv1394466
 
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I use the Caldwell "Rock". It's plenty of clearance with 5 or 10 round mags. Never shot from the bench with anything larger than that.
 
I have switched to a full blown bag and front pedestal at this point. I bought a Bald Eagle sling tyoe pedestal. I piad $375.00 but they are around $250.00 right now from Grizzly. There are some pictures of mine on my 260 on the RPG Z thread..

Greg
 
I use a lead sled fcx. Pretty happy with it. The adjustment mechanism can be really finicky at times, but once you get it sorted out its pretty easy and stable.
 
I use a lead sled fcx. Pretty happy with it. The adjustment mechanism can be really finicky at times, but once you get it sorted out its pretty easy and stable.
 
It depends on the type of shooting that I'm doing...For load testing, a Lead Sled, for bench competition, a Caldwell front rest and rear bag, for informal get togethers with the guys/gals that I usually meet up with at the range for a 'Master Blaster" day, it's usually an ammo box and a lead shot bag filled with silica sand...

The more portable and lower weight that I have to lug around, the better...
 
think I'm just going to make a sand bag about the size of the bull's bag & 3 inches think. That should get me the elevation I need & still be stable.
 
this is the expensive lead sled:

http://www.basspro.com/Caldwell-Lead-Sled-DFT-Shooting-Rest-Model-336647/product/95073/

they had one on display. An AR will work OK with that as the frame has 2 rails. It's also $250

The cheaper one has a single rail, the grip on an AR interferes with it. But I think you could just shim the butt stock & be OK. They had them, but an assembled one:

http://www.basspro.com/Caldwell-The-Lead...OSSSELL_PRODUCT

They have these, designed for AR/SKS rifles:

http://www.basspro.com/Hyskore-Black-Gun...OSSSELL_PRODUCT

I've read reviews that commented on cheap construction. Turns out they're made of plastic. They had them, but not an assembled one to look over.

My Bulls bag is similar to the 15" bench model here:

http://www.bullsbag.com/category_s/110.htm

It lacks a carry strap. I need it to be higher off the bench but still stable. I think a sand bag under it will do, but they now make an X7 model for AR type rifles, scroll down the page for that.

In my case, far, FAR cheaper to make a sand bag, but someone with an AR and just setting up might find the X7 a good option, especially if they can find it cheaper.
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleIt depends on the type of shooting that I'm doing...For load testing, a Lead Sled, for bench competition, a Caldwell front rest and rear bag, for informal get togethers with the guys/gals that I usually meet up with at the range for a 'Master Blaster" day, it's usually an ammo box and a lead shot bag filled with silica sand...

The more portable and lower weight that I have to lug around, the better...

I use shot bags full of Beanie Baby beads.

Greg
 
Originally Posted By: GLShooterOriginally Posted By: OldTurtleIt depends on the type of shooting that I'm doing...For load testing, a Lead Sled, for bench competition, a Caldwell front rest and rear bag, for informal get togethers with the guys/gals that I usually meet up with at the range for a 'Master Blaster" day, it's usually an ammo box and a lead shot bag filled with silica sand...

The more portable and lower weight that I have to lug around, the better...

I use shot bags full of Beanie Baby beads.

Greg

I have some with a sand and airsoft beads. Work quite well.
 
Sand and kidney beans in socks and old bdu pockets is how I have done it for years. Whole corn also works.
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Originally Posted By: bushySand and kidney beans in socks and old bdu pockets is how I have done it for years. Whole corn also works.
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That'll work unless they get wet. I had one if my students show up with a bag full of moldy corn one day at a school I was teaching...LOL

Greg
 
I use a Primos Group Therapy Bench Anchor and have been pretty happy with it. I just use the front part with a rear bag when I am shooting an AR, but I put the back part back on the other day when I was sighting in a couple slug guns.
 
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