Front and rear rest advice

[Exodus]

Hi

My first post on this forum.

I’m looking to improve on my rest setup, which is currently a front and rear bag (with ears); the front is elevated on books. Rather crude, but works for my sporter rifle and is generally reliable. But, I still get slight POI shifts when moving just a few inches from one bullseye to the other, on the same paper. That is, the whole group sometimes shifts POI, not just a one or two shots, on the next bullseye. I’m told its technique related, hand pressure, bag placement, etc., so I thought I would try and improve my set up. Before buying an expensive one piece rest I wanted some advice:

How do you keep the slots on the rear bag on the same horizontal axis as the front bag when you move from left to right on the paper (or vice versa)? I can see the appeal of one piece rests since the rear rest moves along with the front and maintains the same axis, but how is that accomplished on a two piece rest?

BTW: most have advised me not to get a one piece.

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

Exodus

 

[bob finger]

To set up a two piece rest I first set the front rest so the crosshairs on on the center of the target after settling the butt in the rear bag then pull the rifle back and return it to the stop. If the crosshairs are not where I started then I need to move the rear bag and try it again. Work with it a while and it will become second nature to you. Assuming you are shooting rim fire bench targets (IR50, PSL, ARA, RBA) there should be no need to touch or move the rear bag once set up if you have a stable and adjustable front rest.

A two piece vs one piece rest is a matter of personal desire and you must conform to the rules. If you are shooting ARA or PSL you will find the majority use a one piece rest. If you are shooting IR50 3 gun or RBA 2 gun you MUST use a two piece set up as one piece rests are not allowed. Read the rules for the game(s) you want to participate in before spending any money. bob

 

[Exodus]

Bob,

Thanks. I'm not a benchrester, or competitor, just a plinker and hunter who nevertheless wants to use proper technique and equipment when sighting in.

So one piece rests are not anathema to everyone?

Good to know.

Exodus.

 

[Doug]

Keep it Simple

Bob gave you some good pointers for any setup!
Keep it simple to start!
I have no idea what you are using?
But I am sure the 1st place you want to start is throw away the books & probable anything that has ears that you put on the books.
Make a front Sand Bag.
A good one could start with some old of blue jeans.
Cutoff around 14” off a leg (Think 14” tube) and sew one end shut.
Fill with some dry sand and then sew the other end shut. (Do not over fill because you want to have your rifle settle like Bob posted)
Use this for your front rest. Too low then use something like bricks or even a 4” x 4” to get the height you need.
If you want to move smoothly across a target then buy a front rest with a windage adjustment. However then my guess is now your problem could be what you are using for your back rest?

If you want a great way to have a setup to Zero in a 22 as well as a hunting rifle than make some sand bags for both front & rear.
Make Sense??

 

[Exodus]

Doug,

Thanks. I'm shooting a Rem 541S, two action screws, glass bedded receiver (no pillars), free floated barrel (no pressure point). Scope Leupold VX11 Rimfire, at 9x; Burris signature rings. The rig is very accurate in the right hands. I'm not sure that describes me though.

Why the problem with a front rest with owl ears? It is a leather rest (Protektor I think) filled with sand (not over filled). The rear rest of the same make, leather with the narrow grove (rabbit ears), filled with sand.


Exodus