Looking for the best Bench Rest for 223 Rifle

[MR WICK]

Was wondering if anyone here used one and if so what are your recommendations. I want the best one for my rifle so I can see if I am making human errors at long distances.

Benelli Momentum 223, 77 Grain Match Grade Ammo

Thanks.

 

[LoonWulf]

Was wondering if anyone here used one and if so what are your recommendations. I want the best one for my rifle so I can see if I am making human errors at long distances.

Benelli Momentum 223, 77 Grain Match Grade Ammo

Thanks.

Your human, I promise your making errors


Yes, I think im funny.....no I cant really be of any help........
I am curious what comes up tho, because while I doubt a machine rest will do me much good shooting off a folding table or truck hood, Id like to have some idea what to get If I ever come up with a portable bench that isn't all wobbly.

 

[marksman13]

Deleted. Misunderstood the question being asked.

 

[kmw1954]

I started with a Caldwell Rock and rear bag. Shooting a 223 @ 100/200/300yds. Was starting out and doing OK and then the local league I shoot in implemented a new rule that all had to use a front bipod. So I switched to a Harris and my groups immediately shrunk. I found with the bipod I was getting better support with less wobble/tilting.

After now shooting for just over a year this way I can now pretty reliably determine when I screw up. Though I am sure there are times I can't tell either.

 

[MR WICK]

I started with a Caldwell Rock and rear bag. Shooting a 223 @ 100/200/300yds. Was starting out and doing OK and then the local league I shoot in implemented a new rule that all had to use a front bipod. So I switched to a Harris and my groups immediately shrunk. I found with the bipod I was getting better support with less wobble/tilting.

What distance are you shooting and what MOA?

After now shooting for just over a year this way I can now pretty reliably determine when I screw up. Though I am sure there are times I can't tell either.

 

[kmw1954]

At 100yds was about .75 MOA and at 200/300 just under 1 MOA. That was with my older Savage model 10 with a 22" barrel
Now I am shooting a Savage model 11 with a 26" Varmint barrel and still working up loads but so far the groups at 100/200 are much tighter. .5 MOA at 100 and just under .75 at 200. Haven't shot to 300 yet.

 

[Demi-human]

This is what you seek.

https://www.sinclairintl.com/shooti...lair-competition-shooting-rest-prod39322.aspx
(Actually, Brownells has some in stock.)

One will need a rear bag as well. Like this one.
https://www.creedmoorsports.com/pro...lver-ear-empty/shooting-rests-bipods-sandbags

Or a premium,
https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...bags/edgewood-grab-handle-bags-prod38047.aspx


Don’t forget the sand…
https://www.sinclairintl.com/shooti...essories/heavy-bag-sand-15-lbs-prod34337.aspx

And the front bag, custom to the fore end.
https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...s/edgebag-standard-front-rest-prod140778.aspx

$1000. Not bad, considering.


That’s why I went with a bipod. Plus, I don’t cry when I use it on the ground.

My Sinclair Skipod attaches to an Anshutz rail installed in the stock, is lightweight, almost as stable as a rest, and looks nice on the table.

Avoid the sweet taste of cheap bipods. They will all likely hold up a rifle a long time. With the bitterness of rattles and metal shavings and mushy adjustments their whole life.

Never be afraid to buy the best you can afford. You will likely always be happy with it.

 

[Nature Boy]

I want the best one for my rifle

When you say “best”, the question I have is how much is your budget?

 

[lightman]

You can spend as much or as little on rest and bags as you want. The links that Demi-human posted would work great if your budget can cover them. For general range use I have a mid priced Sinclair rest and Protektor front and rear bags.

 

[Offfhand]

Any search for the "best" shooting rest gets my attention because a few years ago I invested a lot of time and effort buying and testing an array of rests and bags to best suit my sport shooting needs and rifle competition ambitions. As seen in attached pic of the various rests and bags I had at the time. In later times I've narrowed by choices to the best of the best to the Ransom Rifle rest and the beautiful rests made by John Loh (Who also makes a superb reloading press.) Both shown in pic, and I enjoy having them for various shooting projects. But in actual Bench Rest competitions the only rest I've used for over 20 years is the Farley Coaxilal "stick shift" shown. It has been modified somewant to better suit my needs, including the attached ammo block for speed loading. Stick shift type rests now prevail in bench competitions and I've tried a few other makes and designs, but have returned to the Farley as I consider it the best..

 

[Varminterror]

A machine rest will not eliminate your errors. It can help mitigate SOME shooter influence, but it’s not a fixture - and firing fixtures really aren’t shooting, when it comes to factory rifles in the context like you’re shooting.

Shooters can punch holes in the 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s from bipods and rear bags. A machine rest should be more stable and more repeatable, if your bags and stock are set up to deliver it (which your Momentum is not).

For the money, the Bald Eagle and Sinclair rests are fantastic value. The Caldwell Rock rests, of all flavors, are relatively poor. Protektor bag in the rear - I prefer bunny ears to rabbits. Bag fit, fill, and treatment is critical, both front and rear.

 

[Offfhand]

I agree with Mr. Varminterror about the Bald Eagle rests being a great value and I often recommend them. But the Caldwell Rocks are a disappointment at any price.