Front rest for colony varmints
- Thread starter pre64win
- Start date
I'm like you and like to move around and for me, any type of shooting table did not work out well. I hunt PD's alone, so it's easier for me to move than if there were more than one shooter.
When I first setup, the wind is generally very low (2-5). As the morning progresses, the wind starts to pick up and the PD's are staying in there holes.
I'll move into another area with my game cart, tripod, etc.. When I move, I do so to shoot with or into the wind. I prefer to shoot with the wind. When needed I relocate again.
When I first setup, the wind is generally very low (2-5). As the morning progresses, the wind starts to pick up and the PD's are staying in there holes.
I'll move into another area with my game cart, tripod, etc.. When I move, I do so to shoot with or into the wind. I prefer to shoot with the wind. When needed I relocate again.
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I have the same setup as you. What i did is make a swivel top that just fits my joystick. I used fish eye rollers. . works very well.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
My colony rat shooting has evolved since I got serious about it in 1968, from laying on the ground with bipods (stiff necks, sore elbows), shooting off the truck tailgate using the truck canopy for the rifle rest/sandbags, off the truck hood and other innovative attempts to find the 'right' setup.
Now it's rotating benches with a quasi BR setup with Sinclair All-Purpose front rest and Protektor rear bag. We set up in the morning and generally don't have to move all day, the squirrel shooting is that good here. When the shooting slows down or the weather is not 'bench friendly', we drive the ranch two-tracks and shoot our custom 10-22's out the truck windows using window bags from Don Scott (Dog-Gone-Good).
To give more portability, I'm now experimenting with a shooting tripod, the BOG Death Grip that allows for using nice wood-stocked rifles (Cooper) without the need for an ARCA rail. The idea is when the WX is decent and a walkabout is in order, it's reasonably portable and gives a bit of elevation advantage in the alfalfa. We'll see how that works out come next April when I plan to use it on rockchucks too.
Having friendly landowners that allow us to use their farm equipment to set up on to gain some elevation is always appreciated.
After different setups over all these years, the Sinclair A/P front rest still works well with its adjustable front that is suitable for thin sporter stocks all the way to 3" wide BR stocks. I use Super Feet under the rest pins to protect the bench top that have neoprene on the bases. Just one more way to skin that proverbial cat.
Now it's rotating benches with a quasi BR setup with Sinclair All-Purpose front rest and Protektor rear bag. We set up in the morning and generally don't have to move all day, the squirrel shooting is that good here. When the shooting slows down or the weather is not 'bench friendly', we drive the ranch two-tracks and shoot our custom 10-22's out the truck windows using window bags from Don Scott (Dog-Gone-Good).
To give more portability, I'm now experimenting with a shooting tripod, the BOG Death Grip that allows for using nice wood-stocked rifles (Cooper) without the need for an ARCA rail. The idea is when the WX is decent and a walkabout is in order, it's reasonably portable and gives a bit of elevation advantage in the alfalfa. We'll see how that works out come next April when I plan to use it on rockchucks too.
Having friendly landowners that allow us to use their farm equipment to set up on to gain some elevation is always appreciated.
After different setups over all these years, the Sinclair A/P front rest still works well with its adjustable front that is suitable for thin sporter stocks all the way to 3" wide BR stocks. I use Super Feet under the rest pins to protect the bench top that have neoprene on the bases. Just one more way to skin that proverbial cat.
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I use a SEB mini with F Class adjustable head. Small holes in table top to locate the leg points. Kestrel 5700 on mast running Applied Ballistics. Rest is light, and folds up to a smaller package when it's time to move.
I went to a bipod cuz its easier to transport and faster to get into action when one pops up.
I am thinking about a tripod with tac table or arca for when im not feeling like setting up the bench.
I am thinking about a tripod with tac table or arca for when im not feeling like setting up the bench.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Wabbit Slayer, you might want to consider trading that Caldwell plastic bench top for the wooden one they offer (or make your own) to provide a longer platform that gives your shooting arm/elbow support, as their silly plastic top is much too short and has your elbow hanging off in the air.
The longer wooden top also will provide more room for your bipod with no chance of the legs going over the edge in a heated shooting moment.
Just a suggestion, and I'm on the tripod idea now too for the same reason you stated.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I rasised my top up 4” higher, added some length to the front too. Then added some indoor/outdoor carpet. Original bad black vinyl on it, that was gone pretty quick lol. The carpet tend to keep brass from rolling off.
Another winter project I need to get after, whole new top. I am going to make it a little wider, with some kind of added lip to keep brass from rolling off.
Front rest, I tried numerous and have went back to a bipod and some various rear bags.
I thought a Harris was good until I used and Atlas. Mine are pic rails as the ARCA where not on the scene yet.
Trying to set up like your shooting for group and get everything perfect, don’t work for me. Range it check wind adjust, now……..where did that volunteer go?
I have come to appreciate a heavy rig and flat shooting cartridges. I think my 17 Remington is around 25-30 pounds now. Did some work and didn’t put weights back in.
Another winter project I need to get after, whole new top. I am going to make it a little wider, with some kind of added lip to keep brass from rolling off.
Front rest, I tried numerous and have went back to a bipod and some various rear bags.
I thought a Harris was good until I used and Atlas. Mine are pic rails as the ARCA where not on the scene yet.
Trying to set up like your shooting for group and get everything perfect, don’t work for me. Range it check wind adjust, now……..where did that volunteer go?
I have come to appreciate a heavy rig and flat shooting cartridges. I think my 17 Remington is around 25-30 pounds now. Did some work and didn’t put weights back in.
I also made a wooden top, extending the length about 8" and routed recessed area where spent brass could be put when the shooting is hot and you don't want it rolling off the table. a little extra width gives me room for ammo, binoculars, wind meter, etc. I even throw a sand bag on it to help minimize minute movement from wind, even though the heft of the toggle rest already adds a lot of weight. That plastic top is just too short!
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