'Best' way to use a front rest?

[Grey Kiwi]

I recently bought an alloy Bald Eagle rest (the newer version, not the made in US) so that I had my own gear and didn't need to use the local club's Caldwell rest.
I have already tossed the windage cable setup, and taken all the sharp points off the threaded post.
While 'playing' with the rest today (greasing, checking screw tightness, etc) it occurred to me that maybe there is a right/wrong way to setup a rest for shooting.
I've seen at the local club folks just grab a rest, put it on the bench, line it up (sort of/maybe), drop their rifle in, put rear bag under the buttstock...and start shooting.
I wind the windage across into the middle of the travel, so that my rifle is centred over the main post first.
If you start out with the top plate off (say) to the left then your rifle is now sitting out away from the more sturdy part of the rest.
Does it make any difference? Am I being a tad too 'precise', or persnickety?
How do you folks setup your rest before putting the rifle in?
Does it matter if the rifle isn't sitting over the main screw post?
I just figured that it can't hurt to do it, even if it doesn't actually help accuracy at all.
Bear in mind that I've had no 'instruction' in right or wrong way to shoot benchrest. We are not that sort of club! Just a lot of (mainly) retired folks shooting the best way that we can.

 

[kzin]

Well this is a sport where it's better to err toward OCD attention to detail than a little laziness.

I would absolutely center the rifle.

 

[Bill Norris]

Absolutely center it. Make sure the front rest is squared @ 90 degrees to the rifle. Make sure the front rest is level. Always place the rifle in the rest the same way each shot. Meaning bump the stop on the rest every time with no swivels touching the front or rear bag. The front bag should not be real hard or too full of sand.

 

[Mulligan]

bart « Search Results « Daily Bulletin

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Lot's of good information here

CW

 

[6MMsteve]

Good to have a stock that is flat on bottom or attach a plate or something, that way your rifle will track some better, and there are diff bags you can get for the rest, pending on your rifle stock setup

 

[6MMsteve]

a well balanced rifle is good also

 

[Grey Kiwi]

I use a CZ457 Varmint, 24".
Had an At-One stock on it and that was OKish but had a rounded forestock shape.
Now has an Oryx chassis on it (first shoot with it last Tuesday).
Yeah, that helped too. More weight, better shape, pistol grip helps with my trigger pull.
I now tend to use the rear bag to adjust sight. I'm quite happy to actually lock out the windage adjustment, and just slide the rear bag around a wee bit to acquire target picture.
Thanks for all advice so far.
Will go and watch that video now.

 

[Shooter13]

bart « Search Results « Daily Bulletin

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Lot's of good information here

CW

I just looked at this video again (between 15-20 times so far) and I also saw the video has been viewed over 4600 times, let me say this @BartsBullets since I have been watching this and incorporating as much of this as I can into my routine (as much as my brain will allow) I have won my first 100, 200 and agg. together. I have won the agg before but never winning the 100 then winning the 200 too. There weren't a lot of shooters but the score (509 in UBR) was my best in not the best conditions. Always good to have a good gunsmith @gunsandgunsmithing that you can talk to pretty much any time too!
So to the OP yes, work with your front and rear rest, your setup and everything else!

 

[BartsBullets]

I just looked at this video again (between 15-20 times so far) and I also saw the video has been viewed over 4600 times, let me say this @BartsBullets since I have been watching this and incorporating as much of this as I can into my routine (as much as my brain will allow) I have won my first 100, 200 and agg. together. I have won the agg before but never winning the 100 then winning the 200 too. There weren't a lot of shooters but the score (509 in UBR) was my best in not the best conditions. Always good to have a good gunsmith @gunsandgunsmithing that you can talk to pretty much any time too!
So to the OP yes, work with your front and rear rest, your setup and everything else!

Congratulations!

 

[G Liles]

bart « Search Results « Daily Bulletin

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Lot's of good information here

CW

I learned a lot watching that video!!
Thanks Bart

 

[marchx]

I use a CZ457 Varmint, 24".
Had an At-One stock on it and that was OKish but had a rounded forestock shape.
Now has an Oryx chassis on it (first shoot with it last Tuesday).
Yeah, that helped too. More weight, better shape, pistol grip helps with my trigger pull.
I now tend to use the rear bag to adjust sight. I'm quite happy to actually lock out the windage adjustment, and just slide the rear bag around a wee bit to acquire target picture.
Thanks for all advice so far.
Will go and watch that video now.

Using oryx chassis the way Bart uses his benchrest stock in the video above is a bit of a challenge. First off, oryx is a PRS stock, not a benchrest or F-class stock. It does not slide in the rest like e.g. Dolphin benchrest stock or Dima RS F-open Stock that I played a lot with. Secondly, it has a buttstock that does not fit very well a proper rear bag (it's too wide). In order to fix that I recommend a good bag rider.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Yes, thanks @marchx I am sorting out a bag rider to better fit my Protektor rear bag.
We have very little choice here in NZ, so are stuck with buying what we can find. Hence the Oryx chassis.
I don't let my rifle recoil anyway. I like it snuggled into my shoulder.
I need to rest my head on the rear stock too (dodgy neck).
So the front rest/rear bag hold the position of my rifle and I hold it in that place.
Only way I can shoot. I can't do freestyle.
Old age and injuries make you adapt.