GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: Lt. Dan on March 29, 2019, 10:20:27 PM
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What shooting rest do you use for backyard (noncompetitive) target shooting?
I use the plastic one from Caldwell or the bean bag rests from Allen. I'm satisfied with what I'm using but was thinking about getting something better.
Ebay has this one but I don't know if its any good with stringers.
For my powderburners I have a homemade one I made from an old screw jack, and the Caldwell that will separate for use with handguns or rifles, then various homemade sandbags, plus the Allen front and rear beanbag that I bought from China mart.
Since I'm relatively new to airguns I was wondering what you guys preferred.
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I use a Caldwell Rock Jr on a MTM portable shooting table. No rear bag, but I curl my off arm around to support the butt stock. All of my air rifles are free to move back under recoil, no artillery hold necessary. In this fashion, I'm able to test my own skills, not the rifle's.
Alternately, I'll shoot off a folding chair with a camera tripod that has a shooting V I got from Amazon mounted on the camera pad. I rest my strong arm on the arm of the chair, and get a good triangulated hold. Somewhat looser than the first method, but I've shot pretty good this way.
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I use a Caldwell Rock Jr on a MTM portable shooting table. No rear bag, but I curl my off arm around to support the butt stock. All of my air rifles are free to move back under recoil, no artillery hold necessary. In this fashion, I'm able to test my own skills, not the rifle's.
Alternately, I'll shoot off a folding chair with a camera tripod that has a shooting V I got from Amazon mounted on the camera pad. I rest my strong arm on the arm of the chair, and get a good triangulated hold. Somewhat looser than the first method, but I've shot pretty good this way.
I've got an old VHS camera tripod that I was considering adding a shooting V to. I have this one saved on Amazon. Is this the one you use?
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I use nothing exotic. I got a roller stand from Harbor Freight: ( https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand (https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand) ). I taped the roller so it won't move and added a piece of foam pipe insulation. I taped a sponge onto that and added a couple layers of flannel. I lay the back of my hand on it and the gun goes across my palm. It's nothing exotic but works for me.
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So far I like both yours and Yarddogs setups. I can visualize using both. I enjoy fabricating and/or repurposing old and unwanted items into something I can use. That roller stand from Harbor Freight is cheap enough and I already have a VHS tripod my school discarded.
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Go to the grocery store and buy the cheapest sack of white rice on the shelf, then dump it in an old, thick hunting sock with no holes in it. Tie a tight knot on the end. ;)
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Go to the grocery store and buy the cheapest sack of white rice on the shelf, then dump it in an old, thick hunting sock with no holes in it. Tie a tight knot on the end. ;)
I'm with you on that, never thought about using rice, I have sandblasting sand in my homemade sandbags. They are just so dang heavy to transport. Rice would be a light weight alternative.
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I am a forest hunter and this is what works best for me.
I usually shoot standing with my off-hand braced on a tree trunk or some other type foliage in the woods The fore-stock of my rifles rest in the V formed between my thumb and fingers with the palm facing out. With this method my rifle can recoil freely yet the rifle is supported and steady. I have variations of this method while sitting on a log with my elbow supported on my knee and also while keeling with one leg up. In both cases the palm is facing in and the rifle is resting in the V of my thumb and fingers.
I don't have a shooting bench. At home I brace my off-hand on the upright of a door jam.
Other than this I shoot off-hand & semi-supported with my elbow braced on my side, arm up, palm facing in and the rifle supported in the V between my thumb and fingers.
Best Wishes - Tom
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folding bench and a small couch pillow and a stool to sit down on.
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I use a Caldwell Rock Jr on a MTM portable shooting table. No rear bag, but I curl my off arm around to support the butt stock. All of my air rifles are free to move back under recoil, no artillery hold necessary. In this fashion, I'm able to test my own skills, not the rifle's.
Alternately, I'll shoot off a folding chair with a camera tripod that has a shooting V I got from Amazon mounted on the camera pad. I rest my strong arm on the arm of the chair, and get a good triangulated hold. Somewhat looser than the first method, but I've shot pretty good this way.
I've got an old VHS camera tripod that I was considering adding a shooting V to. I have this one saved on Amazon. Is this the one you use?
Basically, yeah, that's the one! Not as fancy.
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I use a Vanguard Porta rest. Basically a tripod with a rifle bag. That fits well in my range bag. And for home I use a scissor jack with a rifle bag, plus a filled wool sock.
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I use what's available to me in the woods for target shooting (basically for zeroing in), here where I'm at the furthest I can go is 20 yards out to my wood pile. Most of the time I'll zero in the 20 yards that I have available but with my latest purchase (Liberty) my first venture will be with open sights in the woods. These guns have some very nice open sights on them.
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I have a home made forestock rest out of wood and foam padding that I rest my hand on and shoulder the gun at the butt.
I always though of the adjustable (or not) full rests as nothing more than an exercise in aiming and how good the gun itself can hold POI that do not show how well I personally can shoot with a little body movement involved.
For me, it is more fun to get a good shot off by holding the gun and practicing good trigger and cross hair control.
Only after a tune or work on the gun do I double rest it to see how well or poorly :( I did the job.
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The rice or popcorn in a sock is a good idea but I recommend leaving them in the bags. That way bugs and moisture don't get to it.
Cornhole bags work well. I have several bags around. I just put them on top of a spent Folger's coffee container. The coffee container it a great place to store pellets and a small set of tools.
I have a set of Caldwell front and rear bags and I just picked this up for $25....
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I have a home made forestock rest out of wood and foam padding that I rest my hand on and shoulder the gun at the butt.
I always though of the adjustable (or not) full rests as nothing more than an exercise in aiming and how good the gun itself can hold POI that do not show how well I personally can shoot with a little body movement involved.
For me, it is more fun to get a good shot off by holding the gun and practicing good trigger and cross hair control.
Only after a tune or work on the gun do I double rest it to see how well or poorly :( I did the job.
That's me, after a tune or in my case right now, I use a double rest to Chronograph the pellets and when I'm searching for the rifles favorite pellet. I prefer standing with no rest, but the older I get the more wobble and shake. So to zero, fav pellets, chrony, I use double rest, hunting no rest or a rest when shooting a scoped gun. With open sights I rarely use a rest, I've always been a decent shot shooting pistol or rifle offhanded but age, ...she is creeping in.
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I just picked this up for $25....
I've seen those, let me know how you like it.
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Sometimes a camera tripod with a V-notch.
Currently this Birchwood Casey when shooting from a table or bench:
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I use a Vanguard Porta rest. Basically a tripod with a rifle bag. That fits well in my range bag. And for home I use a scissor jack with a rifle bag, plus a filled wool sock.
I didn't know what that was. I like it, wow. A lot more portable than anything I've seen.
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Sometimes a camera tripod with a V-notch.
Currently this Birchwood Casey when shooting from a table or bench:
I've seen those on online just never knew anyone who had one. Looks like they snap together. Do you like it better than bags?
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I use a Vanguard Porta rest. Basically a tripod with a rifle bag. That fits well in my range bag. And for home I use a scissor jack with a rifle bag, plus a filled wool sock.
I didn't know what that was. I like it, wow. A lot more portable than anything I've seen.
I had a Rock JR but that took up alot of space in the range bag, and didn't have enough height adjustment. I liked to sit up square to the buttstock and not hunched over. Esp with the heavy hitters PBs. I seen this and it's super light. I don't use it for airguns, due to my bench is already high enough, and the legs takes up too much space on my home range bench. Down side about the porta rest is the adjustment, you need to take the weight off the mount, to pull up a cam, to pull up the bag. SO fine tuning can be a SOB.
(https://scontent.fyaw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18767795_10155306202576241_4931810834948322609_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_eui2=AeFISBSBHeWanEO7GJU1xaMoPSAjzNhMoesTGxyUcwlRncap2htJ-oYyIIPQnHFON1dlUNsiTvXKlxHP4RARuRjqvDGT5zhwke3Vi-2zStRw3A&_nc_ht=scontent.fyaw1-1.fna&oh=24fd5ee63b9a78e711bdfbf2fd9eaff3&oe=5D4C5A8A)
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Sometimes a camera tripod with a V-notch.
Currently this Birchwood Casey when shooting from a table or bench:
I've seen those on online just never knew anyone who had one. Looks like they snap together. Do you like it better than bags?
I've only ever used cheap bags, which I didn't care for.
The B.C. rubber units fit together for storage, can be used separately as shown, or stacked for greater height.
Only paid ~$20 @ WalMart...
I shoot right off the rubber, no hand under the forearm, placed just forward of the trigger guard.
They are light weight, fit in my range bag and don't stink nor leak...
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I have a soft sided cooler about the size of a six pack. It was an advertising promotional item that I found at a garage sale. Inside is sand contained in a zip lock freezer bag, sealed against leakage with duct tape. The length, width, and height of the cooler are all different, so I have three choices for height adjustment above the bench.
By the way, if you put your rice-in-a-sock bag in the microwave for 90 seconds it will get nice and warm. You'll have about 20 minutes of heat to warm your toes while you fall asleep. (Assuming you didn't use metal wire twist ties to close it.)
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I use a Caldwell Tack Driver. It’s big, and bulky, I know, and not ALL of my rifles like it, but most of them do. (Air, and powder burners alike). $50.00 is what I gave for mine. If your rifle doesn’t like the “vee” shape, you can stand it on end and put your palm between the bag and your rifle, much like the artillery hold.
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I use an ironing board with sandbags for the gun and I sit on a chair to shoot from my den into the garage which is 54 feet from muzzle to target.
This setup is a lot more expensive than it appears to be.
To get permission from my wife, the kitchen had to be remodeled, the master bath had to be remodeled and hardwood floors had to be installed on the first floor.
I estimate the cost was $40,000.
My wife was very careful to make sure I never found out the actual cost.
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Upside down cat litter bucket and small back pillow from a folding camp chair
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I use a board, (2x4) , bolted across the top of my old walker, with a piece of pool tubie taped to it, and a chair.
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I use a Caldwell Tack Driver. It’s big, and bulky, I know, and not ALL of my rifles like it, but most of them do. (Air, and powder burners alike). $50.00 is what I gave for mine. If your rifle doesn’t like the “vee” shape, you can stand it on end and put your palm between the bag and your rifle, much like the artillery hold.
x2 for the caldwell tack driver bag, used many different adjustable rigs and the tack driver has outperformed all of them.
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My left knee !
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a car jack I had kicking around the house for twenty years.
(http://www.independentont.com/images/2009-02-21%20crossbow/shootingbench3.jpg)
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Maybe put a food plot in to get that deer farther down range, he might get wind of you that close ;)
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Likely would be not be very tasty either way. LOL
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I have a home made forestock rest out of wood and foam padding that I rest my hand on and shoulder the gun at the butt.
That's exactly what I do.
Or.....sometimes, I just rest the forestock on the foam and wood block.
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I have a cheap Caldwell bag, but I often skip that and just use an old t-shirt rolled up on a small stack of wobbly and very unstable lumber scraps.
Wait, that's my regular "sighting in" rest. I don't use a rest for recreational target shooting.
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I am a forest hunter and this is what works best for me.
I usually shoot standing with my off-hand braced on a tree trunk or some other type foliage in the woods The fore-stock of my rifles rest in the V formed between my thumb and fingers with the palm facing out. With this method my rifle can recoil freely yet the rifle is supported and steady. I have variations of this method while sitting on a log with my elbow supported on my knee and also while keeling with one leg up. In both cases the palm is facing in and the rifle is resting in the V of my thumb and fingers.
I don't have a shooting bench. At home I brace my off-hand on the upright of a door jam.
Other than this I shoot off-hand & semi-supported with my elbow braced on my side, arm up, palm facing in and the rifle supported in the V between my thumb and fingers.
Best Wishes - Tom
That’s one of the things I like about you Tom... you’re a no fuss kinda guy. Keeping it simple.
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I use nothing exotic. I got a roller stand from Harbor Freight: ( https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand (https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand) ). I taped the roller so it won't move and added a piece of foam pipe insulation. I taped a sponge onto that and added a couple layers of flannel. I lay the back of my hand on it and the gun goes across my palm. It's nothing exotic but works for me.
Stopped by Harbor Freight and used my 20% off coupon today. $14.42, then Walmart.
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I use four bricks. Tow long way, two on top of that cross way with a shot bag on top. I turn the folding table I use at an angle so it's easier to rest my firing elbow on the table. Easier than making an "L" shaped table.
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I do all my shooting bucket and sticks. Hunter field target style.
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It depends on what I'm doing, sometimes I shoot off a set of Caldwell bags, most of the time I use a Bald Eagle Slingshot rest.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Rest-Slingshot-Cast-Iron/BE1006 (https://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Rest-Slingshot-Cast-Iron/BE1006)
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It depends on what I'm doing, sometimes I shoot off a set of Caldwell bags, most of the time I use a Bald Eagle Slingshot rest.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Rest-Slingshot-Cast-Iron/BE1006 (https://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Rest-Slingshot-Cast-Iron/BE1006)
That's a good rest. Just a little to $$$$$ for my pocketbook. Looks like a competition rest.
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I use Caldwell bags if on a bench, but in the backyard I use the Caldwell Fieldpod or the Caldwell Deadshot Chairpod.
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I just picked this up for $25....
I've seen those, let me know how you like it.
I like it so far. You can take it apart for pistol or just use the front for a rifle rest. It's great for cleaning and scoping a gun. Maybe a little on the light side if anything... Well worth the $25.
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I use a variety of rests depending on where and what I’m shooting. My favorite is the Born Wild Shooting Chair my friend Kevin makes. It was designed for ground squirrel shooting and is awesome for shooting at steel too.
(https://www.archerairrifles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Shooting-Chair-Features.png)
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I use nothing exotic. I got a roller stand from Harbor Freight: ( https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand (https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand) ). I taped the roller so it won't move and added a piece of foam pipe insulation. I taped a sponge onto that and added a couple layers of flannel. I lay the back of my hand on it and the gun goes across my palm. It's nothing exotic but works for me.
Thomas I liked your idea but I decided to use a 3" wide piece of 5/4" treated decking. I stapled a piece if closed cell foam to the board then wrapped it with some black indoor/outdoor carpet that was left over from a project.
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I use a variety of rests depending on where and what I’m shooting. My favorite is the Born Wild Shooting Chair my friend Kevin makes. It was designed for ground squirrel shooting and is awesome for shooting at steel too.
(https://www.archerairrifles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Shooting-Chair-Features.png)
That is a cool rig!
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MTM shooters rest & caldwell zero max
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I use a variety of rests depending on where and what I’m shooting. My favorite is the Born Wild Shooting Chair my friend Kevin makes. It was designed for ground squirrel shooting and is awesome for shooting at steel too.
(https://www.archerairrifles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Shooting-Chair-Features.png)
Well thought out, I bet it cost a pretty penny.
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MTM shooters rest & caldwell zero max
Wonder if it comes in a bright color?
Futuristic!
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I use a railroad tie plate with a 3 inch pvc pipe that had been sawn in half length wise and glued to the plate. I put a folded up towel in the pipe. My HW 97kt does very well in it. I can easily shoot 1 inch groups at 50 yards with it. I just made the rest. So, I'm still learning what I can do with it. Casually carrying around the rest is not one of those- too heavy.
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I started with a Primos bi-pod with rubber 'y' and back of my hand.For two years I wiggled my knuckles and wrist to level the rifle, maintain consistent pressure points, etc. Then I decided to cut a lambskin paint roller into a 4-5" cylinder then split long-ways. Slipped over the rubber Y and clamped with a stove bolt. I can shoot my springers off the roller without fore hand under the rifle. I'm not a super marksman; but this shoots almost a good as a Caldwell bag, table, etc. Easy to transport, light.
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I started with a Primos bi-pod with rubber 'y' and back of my hand.For two years I wiggled my knuckles and wrist to level the rifle, maintain consistent pressure points, etc. Then I decided to cut a lambskin paint roller into a 4-5" cylinder then split long-ways. Slipped over the rubber Y and clamped with a stove bolt. I can shoot my springers off the roller without fore hand under the rifle. I'm not a super marksman; but this shoots almost a good as a Caldwell bag, table, etc. Easy to transport, light.
My son has a Primos bi-pod he found in a deer blind last year. I know what you thinking.... that guy was going to come back and get it after he realized he left it in the blind. Well, since it was our property and our blind and no one was supposed to be hunting there... well just say my son kept it. They are nice. I would like to have their tri-pod. I can't picture your lamb skin modification in my mind, but I'm sure it helped.
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I use an ironing board with sandbags for the gun and I sit on a chair to shoot from my den into the garage which is 54 feet from muzzle to target.
This setup is a lot more expensive than it appears to be. ... I estimate the cost was $40,000. My wife was very careful to make sure I never found out the actual cost.
Too funny. 8)
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I use nothing exotic. I got a roller stand from Harbor Freight: ( https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand (https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=roller+stand) ). I taped the roller so it won't move and added a piece of foam pipe insulation. I taped a sponge onto that and added a couple layers of flannel. I lay the back of my hand on it and the gun goes across my palm. It's nothing exotic but works for me.
I used your rest exclusively yesterday and I really like it. I have indoor/outdoor carpet but I put a piece of t-shirt over is as the carpet seems to be irritating my had after a while.
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There is a time and place for carpet on your paint roller :)
https://youtu.be/3X4lp-2IFT0
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There is a time and place for carpet on your paint roller :)
https://youtu.be/3X4lp-2IFT0
Brilliant !!
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I like improvising more than bringing something else to carry around and wonder what to do with. Off-hand shooting is extremely recreational.....
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I like improvising more than bringing something else to carry around and wonder what to do with. Off-hand shooting is extremely recreational.....
/concur
There is a time and place for carpet on your paint roller :)
https://youtu.be/3X4lp-2IFT0
This would certainly make painting large rooms a mite bit easier, though possibly more messy. Maybe this is intended for lawn painting?
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Any item I can lean on, prop on where ever I happen to be shooting. This might be a post, tree, vehicle, tractor, plow, assorted landscape junk, another persons shoulder etc. The ONLY time I sit at a bench (Harbor Freight Portable Welding Table) is when sighting in a new scope gun combination when I use sand bags made from old blue jean legs.
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I like improvising more than bringing something else to carry around and wonder what to do with. Off-hand shooting is extremely recreational.....
I agree in my younger days I could hit a dime 9 out of 10 times at 10 yards with my 4" S&W Mod 18. But eyesight and steadiness seems to diminish the older I get.
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Dan,
Here's a pic of the recreational support I use from bipod and paint roller. Hope this helps.
jumpin