Please recommend a bench rifle rest

[rock jock]

Right now I am using old bluejean pant legs filled with sand. Pretty pathetic. I need something for target shooting and zeroing my rifles. I prefer something that is adjustable.

Thanks.

 

[Waffen]

I use the Caldwell rifle bags and they work great. About 25 dollars for both of them. I picked mine up at Sportsmans wearhouse. I have no need for an actual metal bench rest.

 

[Jim Watson]

I do. Need metal, that is. Those plastic things just aren't steady enough.

I'd probably get the $75 Caldwell "Rock" if I didn't have an old Hoppe's.

 

[ocabj]

One day when I pass on spending money on a Garand or some other C&R, I'll buy a Sinclair rest.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RIBBRICO&type=store

 

[JBP]

I've been using an Outer's Varminter Rifle Rest for years.

 

[Monkeyleg]

If you're really, really serious, White Tail Gun Shop in Jersey Shore, PA sells adjustable benches that have a custom rest on top. The rest is made for your specific rifle, and it rotates. The owner of the shop specializes in making 1,000-yard rifles, so he knows his stuff.

 

[BillL223]

I have been happy with Midway's offering. May be called Caldwell now, about $80. I'm not a benchrest shooter, I use this for ammo development.

 

[benEzra]

My wife has a Hoppe's benchrest (metal). It's heavy, but very stable. The finish that came on it was TERRIBLE, though--blaze orange epoxy coat, with bubbles here and there peeling. We had a guy sandblast it and then we painted it with several coats of dark metallic green automotive paint followed by a clearcoat, and now it looks NICE with the suede sandbags.

My wife lets me borrow it sometimes, but says I have to wash my hands first...

 

[esldude]

No offense intended to those with the Hoppes. But the Midway Caldwell for $80 is much better, more stable.

I use a R W Hart JB100. It is basic, but made of cast iron. That is the main advantage it has over the Midway rest. It weighs about twice as much. This is one of Harts non-competition models. But for everything except competition it is a nice unit.
http://www.rwhart.com/store/agora.c...0*vg16-3&p_id=RWH-N-JB100&xm=on&ppinc=search2

Best bang for the buck is the Midway rest however.

 

[moredes]

Barbarians' benchrest

Right now I am using old bluejean pant legs filled with sand. Pretty pathetic.

I'd be embarrassed to admit to that. I use a Harris bipod on all my rifles except two, only because most of my shooting is done prone. For the other two rifles, one's a CSharps 1875 in 45-70, and it "requires" a decent rest just because the gun was so damn expensive I don't wanna take the chance that I'd scratch it with my usual front rest--

As I said, I'd be embarrassed to admit I use an old jeans pantsleg filled with sand. I use a wooden 4x4 to get the height I need (a much more sophisticated method than just filling a dumb no-name pantsleg full of sand), and top it off with a Hanes sock filled with sand. The brand name, "Hanes", of course, distinguishes me from the rest of the benchrest barbarians

Seriously, Midway has sold this rest http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=348661
in the past months for $118; if you have the time, you might wait til the sale cycles 'round again. It's one hell of a rest, but it 'requires' a better bag than the OEM-equipped cheapie. This rest will let you delegate that front Levi's sack to a rear bag position. <<smilin'>> That's where the Hanes sock excels--it actually looks like I made it for that task. << name recognition--"Oh, Yeah"....in my best Ferris Beuhler voice>>

 

[JSR]

I'v been using a Benchmaster (not to be confused with the "Buttmaster" or "Thighmaster')for a few years.
http://www.gunsforsale.com/gunrest.htm
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/dec97rests.html
They have gone to rubber caps on the legs and added a small level since the Gun tests article.
They call it the "Cadillac Of Rifle Rests" and I'll go along with it! Cabelas used to sell them but they have their own brand now. Sportsmans Warehouse sells them and If you do a websearch it should come up. About $125.

 

[gaston_45]

Actually, I'd be embarrassed to admit I spent 70 dollars on something that does the same thing as a used jeans leg and some sand! Unless you are the type that needs the Nike swoosh on your stuff so others see it the jeans and sand are a great idea! If you don't want it to slip on the bench, just wrap a few layers of duct tape on it! That ought to throw the label followers into a tizzy the next range trip!

 

[grimjaw]

I use a Caldwell plastic rest, with 25lbs of lead shot thrown in the trough. Works well enough with smaller calibers.

jmm

 

[Art Eatman]

Old jeans legs are about as good as you'd need. I've used them, plastic bank bags (zippered dealies), lead shot bags...They all work. Set on top of a piece of 4x4 to get elevation proper, if needed.

What really counts is that the bench is steady, and I've built several from wood. Mostly, cedar posts set in the ground, and then use 2x6 for the bracing and deck. Use any sort of decent triangular bracing and they don't move. My present bench is just a piece of treated 2x12, braced to one of the telephone pole sections that holds up my front porch roof; the rear is braced to the porch deck and the railing. It's rigid...

A key to using a lightweight, portable bench is that the legs splay outward somewhat, and that there is triangulated bracing all around. Square is bad; triangle is good.

Art

 

[rock jock]

FYI,

I received today a Caldwell Rock Deluxe front rest with a Rear Rest. Thanks for all the feedback and helping me make a decision.

Question: what should I fill the Rear Bag with?

 

[BillL223]

Since I reload shotgun shells, I use shot in the bags. Works well, not allowed in Hunter benchrest for some reason. It must be too good!!

 

[hksw]

Question: what should I fill the Rear Bag with?

You can get a bag of sand from your local DIY store. Or maybe get some lead shot from a gun shop.

 

[db_tanker]

all my friends told me I was foolish for doing it, but I got several of the large, 5000 count BB cartons...used them to fill up the small bag on my Rock and the rear rest and "wings" on it.

I have felt what one feels like filled with sand, and with bird shot...my bags are heavier...alot heavier...its extra money but worth it to me.