Load developement shooting rests for sporter type rifles

[Bigeclipse]

What shooting rests do you like to use for load development on your traditional stock sporter type rifles? On most my rifles I use a bipod and with my traditional rifles I tend to use a competition adjustable front rest with a rear bag combo. I'm just looking to see what others use for their rifles which do not have bipods when they do load development so they can eliminate as much shooter error as possible. Thanks!

 

[memtb]

Old school here.......adjustable, padded (leather) pedestal at the front, rabbit ear bags at the rear!
If the rifle was to be used only with a bipod....I'd probably do load development with the bipod. Though, our hunting rifles are not encumbered with a bipod! memtb

 

[K9TXS]

I use a Sinclair competition rest and a rear bag for load development. When I get the load developed just right, I then do all my practicing from what I use in the field, tripod, backpack, etc..

 

[Texanjohn]

Old school also, pedistal rest up front and rabbit ears in back, has always worked for me, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[birddog 68]

Sand or rice filled bags up front and the rabbit ear style with same filling at the rear. The rice filling is much nicer to tote around! Simple and works fine for me.

 

[Slick8]

I agree with the above tripod and rabbit eared bag.

I always check zero with the front bipod after development.

 

[Reelamin]

This might help.

What front rest do you use?

I am looking at buying a front rest for my rifle since I just started shooting at 1000 yards. Grizzly has the best deal but the Protector rests complete with bags looks pretty nice. Just wondering what everyone is using to keep the rifle stable for the long range shooting.

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[jasent]

How ever it will be used in the field is how I do it. Bipod and rear bag mostly

 

[Elknut]

What shooting rests do you like to use for load development on your traditional stock sporter type rifles? On most my rifles I use a bipod and with my traditional rifles I tend to use a competition adjustable front rest with a rear bag combo. I'm just looking to see what others use for their rifles which do not have bipods when they do load development so they can eliminate as much shooter error as possible. Thanks!

Tried to buy a Sinclair for my load development this year but none are available, with no ETA. Seems solid and you can buy one with windage adjustments. Roughly $700. Weighs 30 lbs. Don't want to spend more than that but you could spend $2K.

Ended up with a Caldwell BR competition rest. Found one Amazon for $120. Weighs 15 lbs but I can put sand bags on the legs if needed. It has windage adjustments which is a requirement. Pretty sure I'll habe to change the bearings if they are the typical ones Caldwell uses.

Agree with something like this for load development then practice with your typical setup, like bipods, pack, etc.

 

[Slick8]

Tried to buy a Sinclair for my load development this year but none are available, with no ETA. Seems solid and you can buy one with windage adjustments. Roughly $700. Weighs 30 lbs. Don't want to spend more than that but you could spend $2K.

Ended up with a Caldwell BR competition rest. Found one Amazon for $120. Weighs 15 lbs but I can put sand bags on the legs if needed. It has windage adjustments which is a requirement. Pretty sure I'll habe to change the bearings if they are the typical ones Caldwell uses.

Agree with something like this for load development then practice with your typical setup, like bipods, pack, etc.

Good point the sky's the limit on the bench rest rabbit hole. I have the same rest and while it's more than adequate for load development it would leave me wanting more in a competition.

It's not ideal but just flexible enough to work with sporter and target stocks.

 

[Elknut]

My thoughts as well

 

[raz175]

I use a modified bald Eagle rest with a 3" wide bag. Then I install a 3" wide bag rider to the bottom of the rifle. I either use the Sinclair bag rider that mounts to the forward sling stud hole or other bag riders if the rifle has a pic rail on the bottom. Provides excellent stability shot to shot. I also get my bags with the "SlickSilver" material on the ears. Makes the rifle track straight with no drag.

 

[dok7mm]

I have been using the 1000 LP from Target shooting.com for about five years.
I've found it to be extremely accurate for load development. It's a solid one piece rest that doesn't move around and has very fine horizontal and vertical adjustment.

 

[skipglo]

Good point the sky's the limit on the bench rest rabbit hole. I have the same rest and while it's more than adequate for load development it would leave me wanting more in a competition.

It's not ideal but just flexible enough to work with sporter and target stocks.

View attachment 338604View attachment 338605

X2. Works well enough!!