When I set up, I center the windage top within its useful range of movement, then I place the rest and rear bag on the bench, and try to line them up on the target from the rear, looking through the ears of the rear bag. After that, I put the rifle in the bags, and if I am using a high power scope, adjust the front rest to about the right elevation, and try to find my target moving the rear bag and pivoting the front rest on the center of the front bag to maintain their alignment. After that, I look at where the rear leg is under the stock, and pivot the rest on its center till the rear leg adjustmet seems centered, and the front of the stock is parallel with the front of the rest, all of this without moving the windage top. Next, I will take a look at how level the cross hairs are on the target, which I posted on a level line on the backer. I take a torpedo level, ballpoint pen, and stapler down range when posting a target. While I am looking at how level the cross hairs are, and before I start making adjustments to front leg adjusters, I check the front bag to see that the sand is properly distributed within it. It may be piled up in the center, and/or shifted over to the right side ( I shoot LH) If it is, I use my thumb to move it back to where it should be, so that the rifle does not rock in the bag. After that, I apply side tension on the bag from both sides, just to the point where I can no longer feel and side to side shifting when I test by pulling the rifle from side to side, holding it near the bag. Then I use the front leveling screws to set the rifle and rest so that the vertical and horrizontal lines on the target are parallel with the cross hairs. From there I move to the rear bag. I settle the butt in between the ears by pushing down and sliding back and forth, after positioning the bag ears in about the center of the tracking surface, midway between pistol grip and butt. Then I test for rear bag alignment. I grab the entire bag with both hands and pivot it on a vertical line running through the center of the ears, while looking through the scope. As I twist the bag out of alignment, the stock will ride up the inside of the ears causing the cross hairs to drop on the target. By twisting is a little each way, I can see what bag position causes the cross hairs to be in their highest position, and at that point the bag is properly aligned. This has all taken a lot longer to write than it takes to do. If no one cares, or it is your bench, you can use a marker to outline the position of your rest leg ends and the rear bag on the bench top. One other tip, if you want your rest to track well up and down as you use the rear leg adjuster, put something under the point that lets it slide on the bench.
