Sled ? Bags ? Bipod? What do you get your best results with?

Walkalong said:

Front rest, solid rear bag.

Bipod, soft rear bag.

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Nature Boy said:

[Sinclair or Bald Eagle] front rest and an Edgewood rear bag.

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These are my answers. Plus a skipod and the edgewood rear bag on occasion.

More often than not, I shoot from bipod and soft rear bag, because that is how I compete. I’m not certain I can honestly, reliably shoot the difference between a front rest and a bipod any more. I don’t shoot the front rest enough and I shoot the bipod daily for dry fire and weekly live fire.

I use a modified Rock BR out front and a Protektor rear bag when I'm working up loads.For my hunting rifles I use a bipod without a bag in the rear to zero them.I usually shoot about an inch higher using the bipod than I do with the front rest and rear bag.

Bi-pods, and the front and rear bags.

Bags usually. Had a plastic rest like that but it wouldn't hold adjustments. I need to upgrade my bags and get a better front rest.

Nature Boy said:

A Farley front rest and an Edgewood rear bag.

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Nice set up. Not cheap either.

I use a front rest that weighs about 18 pounds with a windage top. I built it. A Protector bunny ear rear bag with shim boards handles the rear.

I have a Caldwell shooting "rest" but don't care for it. I usually shoot off my patio table, and rest the forend on my knuckles. The butt sits on a cloth to keep it from getting scratched. That's for the 50 yard groups/sighting in. Any farther, and I roll up my coat or a heavy towel and shoot prone. I also use cross sticks, but I'm looking at bipods for my .222 now. Seems like it'd be easier to use vs sticks.

Mac

Bi-pod and rear bag. I use them when zeroing a scope. If a gun does not have a sling stud for the bi-pod. I'll use a front rest.

I have bipods on all my non- hunting rifles. Rear bag or rolled up jacket or my arm as a rear rest.

hunting guns, since I don’t hunt from stands, are free handed.
D

A shooting rest or match shooting bag for the front and a sandbag with ears I can squeeze to fine tune elevation for the rear. I found that the lead sled was a bit too temperamental for me to use consistently.

I tried a bipod. I can see some advantages for field use, but I came back to bags at the bench, I prefer their use and I think my results are better with bags. For some reason which I am not qualified to explain, some rifles (.22 LR) prefer my left hand between the bag and the forearm. For hunting, I always shot offhand, but would use an improvised rest given the opportunity.

Chuck R. said:

The non-bipod rifles I shoot off an old Hoppes rest that I've had forever:

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Same here with the rabbit ear rear bag; have worked well for over 35 years.

BTW both of my bags are leather sand filled and hold just fine.

Harris bipod in front, bean bag in the back.

Shooting mat. Check.
Scope rifles... USGI Alice Pack w/ frame
All others.
Shooting mat.. GI Web sling.
Not a fan of the bench thing, usually use them for gear holder

I use bags front and rearostly, but bipod and rear bag isn't far behind. I do a lot of shooting at 300 meters spring through fall to prep for deer season.

This is my latest setup. All made in USA Protektor gear. Have a much heavier setup with leather bags(Protektor) but is a pain to use,quickly or in the wet. This is what I'd call an intermediate rest. It can stay on the porch whilst raining and I don't get all nervous these are cordura bags.It also is very light weight,which checks my laziness boxes.

Had it about a month or so. This fr bag is a #2 which is good for varmint stocks. Ordered a #1 for slim sporters.

loose noose said:

BTW both of my bags are leather sand filled and hold just fine.

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I have also made bags from the old canvas shot bags filled with spent 209 primers - nice and sturdy, don't hold moisture and are much lighter.

I use a front rest with a rear bag.

Caldwell Full Length Fire Control Rest. I use it to sight a rifle in and test accuracy.

For bench use, I used to use an Outers Varminter Rifle Rest back when I only shot bolt guns. I still have it, but it doesn't work well with lever guns or rifles with detachable magazines. Now, I use a variety of Caldwell bags that I mix and match to the platform I am shooting. Caldwell makes a nice set of high front and rear AR bags that work good with an AR platform.

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Never used one of the sleds, but hear they can lead to broken stocks. At the range I usually just use sand bags. I have a couple of bipods and use them at times. But when I go to the range I tend to take several rifles. Sometimes as many as 5 or 6. I don't have enough bipods for all of them so it is usually just easier to set up the bags. I can't tell any real difference in accuracy.

I do carry shooting sticks when hunting and use them at the range enough to stay fairly proficient. They are not quite as accurate as bags or bipods, but with practice can be a huge help.