Need help selecting Bench Rest front and rear rests

[denwhit]

I have not been able to find any bench rest competitions in my area so I'm unable to observe and learn that way. On Youtube, I've seen the beautiful stainless rifle rests and when the gun fires, it slides back on both bags. What kind of bags does this require that allow that movement? I've got a Caldwell BR front rest and a rabbit ear Protector rear bag. After my gun fires, and I move it back, it always goes to a completely different place and I have to adjust everything all over again???? Please recommend a rifle rest, a top mount and bag and a rear bag that will allow the 'sliding' action.

 

[jonbearman]

I think I would put stock tape on the stock where it touchs the bag,it needs to be long enough(the tape) to be able to slide and not slide off the tape. You may want to learn free recoil as shouldering it will cause it to move erradically.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Do you have bag alignment issues or is the stock sticking in your current set up. Search the articles for rest set-up and alignment. IF you got stock sticking issues with your current set up, there are a couple of quick tricks to alleviate that. If your front and rear bags are leather, you need to reduce friction, one method of that was to use talcum/baby powder on the bags to allow it to slide. Moisture can be an issue. However, a quick trick I use on hunting stocks is to slip a piece of paper in-between the stock and the bag it rests in. The paper permits free recoil.

If your gun is not permitted to free recoil, it will jump all over high holy heck, so reduce friction. If stock is sliding fore and aft freely , but still jumps around requiring continued set-up, you don't have the front rest and rear bag aligned and the rifle recoiling parallel..
Not sure if your looking for a new rest, but want have a rest that works, unique and full blown customized to your tastes? Look no further: http://www.viperbench-rest.com Click on the Customizing button to see Bobs latest work.. "Nothing Runs Like Deere...."

Rod

PS, Bob has amassed quite a few wins in LR Bench Rest and F-Class over the yrs and knows what works...

 

[dkhunt14]

You may need a bigger heavier rear bag. The bag has to fit the gun. Rubber shelf liner under the rear bag helps keep the bag from moving.

 

[BoydAllen]

First, tell us about your rifle, and how you are shooting it. It may be that the lack of tracking may be because of the combination of these two things. I often see fellows using techniques that are not suitable for the rifle that they are shooting, using as light a hold as they can, with a stock, caliber, or rifle balance situation that needs more of a hold on the rifle. Shooters are often of the mistaken belief that they cannot shoot small groups holding a rifle.

 

[GSPV]

There is no way someone can accurately diagnose your tracking problem without more information.

If you're able, get someone to video you while shooting and post a link.

What cartridge is your rifle chambered in? How much does it weigh?

What does the profile of your forearm look like? Is the front bag in your front rest a perfect match?

How do you adjust the ears of the front bag around the forearm?

What is the profile of the bottom of the butt stock?

Are there sling swivel attachments on the stock?

How do you put the butt into the rabbit ears? Do you sit them in or do you separate the ears and pound the butt down?

Do you shoulder the rifle or do you let the rifle free recoil?

How do you position your trigger hand? Do you grip the pistol grip fully? Partial? Do you use a pillow bag or something to sit your rear hand on?

Are you on a solid concrete bench or something less stable?

How do you align your front rest and rear bag with the target? Do the cross hairs move exactly up and down when you slide the rifle foreward and back in the bags without shooting?

Etc.

 

[xpilot]

Try placing an "anti-static " dryer sheet between the rifle and the rests. Will help it slide easier.

 

[BaconFat]

Try placing an "anti-static " dryer sheet between the rifle and the rests. Will help it slide easier.

+1 to that suggestion. I was in your same boat until I did the dryer sheet, powder the rear bunny ears and placed a thin latex covered mat to set the rear rest on.