Shooting Rest?

[Panama Red]

I like the one about using a car jack... visions of bib overalls bare feet and music from deliverance danced through my head...

Hey! Those are my relatives you’re making fun of!!!
-Red, known to pick a banjar at times…

 

[Paul Nelson]

I’ve had always used the sand bags & shooting block at the range. Then I found a rest from Buffalo arms and liked it. ( the one on the bottom is the one from Buffalo Arms.)

 

[Uncle Miltie]

I ended up ordering the adjustable Caldwell front rest after messing around with building one out of scrap 2X's and a sandbag style one out a hunting sock and air soft pellets. Both would work in a pinch but in end having one that's adjustable won out. Here's my set up (and one of my critters).View attachment 219693

That's actually a pretty nice rest: excellent choice.

 

[Paul Nelson]

Yes, shooting sticks where the distance will likely be long. I just stuff them down the back of my shirt or coat when not in use. Great for groundhog hunting. Makes me imagine i'm out on the Plains getting buffalo meat for my Native American woman or for a fur-trade fort. I reckon we all might pretend a bit. Or a lot.

The best rest.

 

[yonderin]

Caldwell 7 rest is what I use. Cheap, sturdy, flexible and adequate adjustment. I zip-tied closed cell foam to the front of rest on mine. Cut down on stock rubs and the softer material better replicates your gun being hand held.

I primarily use it to cut way down on human variables while working up a load. When zeroing, I'll do it without support in the position I choose. Idea of zeroing is to adjust sights to allow for your human frailties and foibles.

 

[64Springer]

The telltail on that stick is a good idea.

 

[stikshooter]

From 1492 to cr 1700 rifles were few and far between in America. Smoothbores were the go to. Even by 1750 even hard core longhunters were more often than not sending ball home from a smoothie.
Rifle guns were popular after the revolution, in parts of America, not too much in Canada. When the fur trade started in the Rockies it was said French, Indian ( eastren tribes men who came to work our west) Mexicans ( that included the Spanish population of Louisiana, plus guys out of New Mexico) all shot a fusil, while ‘Americans’ wanted a rifle.
You bought a rifle you got a mould. You didn’t try .526, .527, .530, .535 in your new gun.
Powder charge was rule of thumb. Cover a ball in the palm of your hand with powder.
You didn’t try five grain differences until you got the best load.
Boone liked 400 count linen but I bet most people patched with what ever the trader had, or old shirts and pants.
This is our sport.

Sorta glad I'm around today and not back when as the sport is different . Mine is MOA and
not MOI (minute of (INDIAN) ! And I shoot a lot more and a lot farther cause of it just sayin/ Ed

 

[BillyC]

I use old lead shot bags filled with deer corn. Makes them lighter than sand bags and pliable enough.

 

[64Springer]

I use old lead shot bags filled with deer corn. Makes them lighter than sand bags and pliable enough.

I like your corn idea better than bags of rice.

 

[morehops52]

40 years ago I cut up some old jeans and had the wife sew up leg pieces to hold a zip lock full of navy beans. I adjusted the amount of beans for bag firmness. Made 3 sizes in various firmness and the jeqns just don't wear out.

 

[Rich44]

There are a lot of great ideas in this thread for a rifle rest that will work just fine. But if you are a tool maker then it is in your DNA to sometimes turn a simple plan into a project ( can I get a witness ). Made a home built rest with a little pizzazz to the build, with store bought leather.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I just had a caldwell lead Slead delivered to my door today. Got tired of taking a beating sighting in a .405 winchester.

 

[TDM]

I have a Caldwell lead sled too. It's held up well for many years considering it stays outside under my covered shooting bench. Takes the guess work out of dialing in unmentionables at long range.

 

[Sun City]

 

[Sun City]

View attachment 221047

Works great for me! A rolled up shooting mat with a hard rubber insert to keep roll from collapsing!

 

[BackDraft]

I’ve had always used the sand bags & shooting block at the range. Then I found a rest from Buffalo arms and liked it. ( the one on the bottom is the one from Buffalo Arms.)View attachment 220024View attachment 220025

They were out of stock of that exact one, but just bought a similar one. Where did you get the rifle loading brace clamped to the left side of the stand?

 

[RMH]

I am a hunter first. I sight in off my hand. Any support is for my hand. Any rest will work. I lay my hand on the rest and hold the rifle in my hand. I have had too many rifles, unmentionable and BP that shoot to different points of impact from rests of different firmness.

 

[Paul Nelson]

They were out of stock of that exact one, but just bought a similar one. Where did you get the rifle loading brace clamped to the left side of the stand?

Home made

 

[smokepolehall]

Most of my life i used my Pa's USN. mummy bag rolled tight.

 

[oldwood]

I used a catastrophe rest made of 2 by four board , w/a piece of carpet nailed on it. It didn't rock or move at all . My neighbor went and bought me one of those Caldwell Jr. rests. I really like it , but it might fit in the over kill rest category. Use what your budget can stand.