[TooTaxed]

Does anyone know of a good deal on a Ransom Machine pistol Shooting Rest? I'd like to test out a large number of loads in different calibers to determine the optimum for my guns.

Would also consider a Hammr...I note that Midway currently has the Hammr for about $160.

I'm located in Columbus, GA.

[jglenn]

Midway has the HAMMR on sale for <$50 in teh clearance section.. GREAT deal.....

[TooTaxed]

JGLEN, searched for it, but couldn't find it. Please supply the link...

[jglenn]

sorry but they must have sold them all. had 20 or so when the clearance started

[Sunray]

No machine rest will make a lick of difference if you can't shoot the pistol the same way.

[Riss]

Watch the clearance often. Seems that they rotate in and out excess stock all the time. The Hamr rest was on sale. Now still in stock, just not on sale.

[TooTaxed]

SUNRAY, the purpose of a machine rest is to remove all handling variables in testing loads to determine the optimum for an individual pistol...my three 9-mm's each do better with slightly different loadings, even using the same bullet and powder brand. To shoot with any other load is an unnecessary handicap to shooting performance.

I've fired a variety of factory loads in my guns. All make my guns function well...but none are as accurate as the individual worked-up loads.

I've long used sandbag and V-Block rests to develop loads...but still have to deal with heartbeat and slight aiming differences on successive shots. Machine rests are simply better...though expensive!:banghead:

[Hoser]

Save up your pennies and jsut get a Ransom rest. They are worth it.

[eflatminor]

I don't think a Randsom-type rest is the way to go. First, they won't keep everything the same between shots unless you've got the thing bolted into the top of a concrete column that's buried 10 feet into the ground. Just setting them on top of a table does no good, imo. Even if you had one truly securely mounted, I still don't like them. They don't represent the way a pistol is shot and they surely don't approximate the way YOU shoot. The idea is to get the best load for the way you shoot through your gun. Therefore, you should do the shooting. Sand bags are the way to go.

I'm not the only one that feels this way. I was looking at Pistol Dynamic's website, a custom 1911 pistolsmith named Paul Liebenberg. He advocates no Ransom rest as well.

[Hoser]

I use one at the Olympic Training Center and cant find any faults...

[stork]

TooTaxed,

Just remember, the Ransom Rest will not show you how small a group the load will shoot. It will show you how large a group it will shoot(which will help eliminate some bad loads).

I have one of my own and use it extensively, however I can shoot better groups (same load) over the bags than it will shoot out of the RRest. It's greatest benefit is that it is more consistent if you are going to shoot a bunch of loads for a day. It definitely will eliminate the errors caused by inconsistent trigger control, inconsistent grip, and shooter fatigue.

You also have to remember that sometimes it can take 30-40 rounds to settle the gun into the grip adapters before the gun settles down.

FWIW

Stork