dog-gone-good bags or Joystick??

[Justin B]

When your shooting the rats off the bench if you had a choice would you chose a joystick or the dog-gone-good bags?? Thanks

 

[powderbrake]

I used to shoot off fixed rests, have gone to a joystick rest, and its a big help in getting the scope dot onto the P dog.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Waaaay back when I started shooting rats (1968), it was laying on the ground on a matt with a bipod. That sucked, stiff neck for days. Then it was a fixed bench....fine until all the rats were 90* in the other direction.

I found that a fixed bench mount on a rotating bench is/was the way to go. There's countless ways to shoot rats in the field, but for the last 25 years, this setup has proven to be the absolute best (for me).



I'm using a Sinclair All-Purpose front rest with Protektor rear bag. No rat is safe within a 300 degree arc with this setup. Gotta leave a few degrees of safety for the truck!



Most all 'systems' used today will work, but this setup is the result of over 50 years of rat-shooting evolution. Not sure, but I think I've got it right. Tens of thousands of rats can't be wrong!

 

[urbanrifleman]

Tubb bipod and squeeze bag. No contest.

 

[Tommie]

Tubb bipod and squeeze bag. No contest.View attachment 1153612

I’m in the bipod with rear bag camp as well. Gotta admit that the pivoting table concept is intriguing but nobody will ever convince me that they’re as solid as bench such as yours.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I’m in the bipod with rear bag camp as well. Gotta admit that the pivoting table concept is intriguing but nobody will ever convince me that they’re as solid as bench such as yours.

My bench rules. It really does. Just flip it over and it drags into the field great.

I prefer to scan with the bipod sliding on the bench with my left hand.

 

[Mark W]

Harris bipod and a rear bag works for me. The bench in the pic was borrowed. The fact that it swiveled was nice, but it was sized much shorter person than myself. I was cramped up the whole time. Had to keep the gun diagonal on the bench to keep from pushing the bipod off of the end. I have a homemade bench that I like much better.

 

[markT]

“Would you choose a bipod or a done gone good bag?”
Neither. Build one of these.
However, those places where you hunt (shoot) ground squirrels appear to be very flat. It’s been my experience that changing the muzzle elevation is better than moving the rear bag.
With a bipod you will have to lift the bipod to move the muzzle left and right. With a “x-x-x” bag you will need to slide the “bag” left and right.
Good luck and please post what you come up with.

 

[sw282]

I often fly to shoot PDS. Weight is very important for me. l use a Harris Bench Rest bipod up front. My rear bag is filled with glass beads to save weight also

 

[sdbob]

The dog-gone-good bags will allow you to see your shots, they really help with recoil. I have two sizes and use a squeeze bag or a wedge bag in the rear for quick adjustments.

 

[powderbrake]

I agree with Rick in Oregon. Rotating tables are the way to go with PD shooting. It is important that the bench is rigid, the top is rigid, and the top doesn't deflect from the rest weight. I use a SEB mini with Fclass Products 3 piece bag assembly, all aluminum, with a joystick. Protector bag in the rear.

It is easy to swivel to the dog, and I believe the joystick is better than moving bags or bipods.

 

[searcher]

I use the same rig Rick In Oregon uses - both the rotating bench and the toggle rest. I made a plywood top that I screwed on top of the plastic that is curved for me as a left-hander and made it long so the toggle rest and big rear "gator" bag all fit on the bench - as well as laying my binoculars down, ammo, etc. Has a rim around the sides so cases don't roll off into the dirt. I changed out the seat with a bass boat seat that has a fold-down back and it makes it a lot easier on the back when resting. Lastly, I drilled a hold through the plywood and plastic top and inserted a 5' diameter patio table umbrella. Where I shoot ground squirrels - it gets over 100 in the summer. I'm thinking about a refrigerated cup holder...… In peak squirrel season - might stay in same spot for 500 or more shots so worth setting up. I also put a couple of sand bags on top of the table to further provide super solid top for long shots. If you want to get on the P-dogs or squirrels fast and with a stable top- this is the way to go. For set-ups where only a hundred or less shots are anticipated and not further than say 500 yards - we use the Magnum Caldwell tripod rifle rest that allows you to stand up and swivel it around 360 degrees. Lastly, we put out wind flags in front of us.

 

[Alguapo]

Booger bench (3 legged), folding chair, Harris 6-9 bipod and a pinch bag for the butt of the rifle.