Correctly Setting Up a Front/Rear Rest?

[PatMiles]

Hope this is the correct forum for this query.
I read a thread regarding mirage and in one of the replies the gentleman mentioned correctly setting up a rest which just smacked me in the forehead regarding the part the front and rear rests play in benchrest shooting and my lack of knowledge in their correct set up. Would any of the learned members of this site care to school those of us would like to know about their set up?
Thanks,
Pat

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I'm actually working right now but I have a minute to start this conversation- main thing is your rest must be in line with your rear bag and the absolute best thing to do is tweak things until you can slide your rifle back and forth softly against the stop until your crosshairs come back to the same spot. your bags need to be firm but not hard. I hate heavy sand for 2 reasons: its heavy and it is not fluffy. I use whats called paver sand available at lowes in the brick section. when you slide your stock you dont want it to grab but you also dont want it to move side to side if you push on it. set up your front tension to make this happen. I prefer leather with PMA bag wax or baby powder- the super slick bags and heavy sand causes vertical. if your back bag is not settled beat on the top til it is then start sliding watching for impact change. this is of course a quick summary and for sure only my opinion. I know there will be contradictory statements along soon but this is my opinion. I've used every rest out there and every bag type and have rifles that can see the difference in bag material so this is just a result of my own testing- your mileage may vary for sure.

 

[PatMiles]

Thank you sir!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Any specific questions let me know

 

[Stan Taylor]

Thank you sir!

I think Dusty give as good information as anybody even if he is friend of mine lol.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

http://www.benchrest.com/FAQ/6.5.shtml

Here is a FAQ that is somewhat dated (pre farley) but good info

 

[Pappy42]

I'm actually working right now but I have a minute to start this conversation- main thing is your rest must be in line with your rear bag and the absolute best thing to do is tweak things until you can slide your rifle back and forth softly against the stop until your crosshairs come back to the same spot. your bags need to be firm but not hard. I hate heavy sand for 2 reasons: its heavy and it is not fluffy. I use whats called paver sand available at lowes in the brick section. when you slide your stock you dont want it to grab but you also dont want it to move side to side if you push on it. set up your front tension to make this happen. I prefer leather with PMA bag wax or baby powder- the super slick bags and heavy sand causes vertical. if your back bag is not settled beat on the top til it is then start sliding watching for impact change. this is of course a quick summary and for sure only my opinion. I know there will be contradictory statements along soon but this is my opinion. I've used every rest out there and every bag type and have rifles that can see the difference in bag material so this is just a result of my own testing- your mileage may vary for sure.

Paver sand vs heavy sand; that's one that I haven't tried.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Paver sand vs heavy sand; that's one that I haven't tried.

Give it a try- your back and target will appreciate it

 

[Alex Wheeler]

If you stock is truly straight it will track. Bag set up is not as critical as some think. I have used both regular sand and heavy sand in the front bag with success. I believe if your
bag and rest setup is critical your stock is poorly designed or the rifle is out of balance.

 

[Jason Boersma]

I’ve shot some real good groups with a hard front bag. Everyone’s setup will be different, find out what works for you

 

[SS427]

I use a pretty low tech and inexpensive front and rear rest. Use the sand that came with the bags. As long as I set things up so that I can slide the rifle back and forth and the reticle comes back to approximately where it should, I shoot pretty good. But if after recoil I push the rifle back and it isn't close to the previous point of aim, that shot usually isn't as tight as it should be.