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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Your bench/Shooting Stand....

Posted: 6/17/2015 6:37:58 PM EDT

So used to use sand bags, hated them, now i see a plethora of rifle stands out there, so let me ask, what stand do you use for your AR?

I am sure I could be happy with a full Hallelujah packaged stand for a few hundred bucks but I am wanting a budget friendly version.

Going to be used strictly for zeroing and ammo testing.

So what do you use?

Thanks,

Jim

Posted: 6/17/2015 7:52:41 PM EDT

[#1]

Lead sled with a 10 round magazine. Two reasons for 10 round magazine. The sportsman club I belong to only allows 10 rounds per magazine and the 10 round magazine does not interfere with the lead sled. Using the Sled I have been able to get my hand loads to 1.065 moa using a 10 shot sample.

Posted: 6/17/2015 10:17:16 PM EDT

[#2]

Harris bipod and a sand bag for the rear is plenty for ammo and scope testing on an AR. For zeroing my goal is to just keep it on the paper as I progress out to long and longer distances. At a long target of known distance, I look up where the impacts should be for a given zero on the ballistic calculator and adjust the accordingly.

Posted: 6/18/2015 1:05:00 AM EDT

[#3]

Here's a link to an archived thread where I show off my bench.

My brother made it to my specs for my birthday some years ago. He had just bought a Shop smith and there wasn't a safe piece of lumber in New Mexico.

Posted: 6/18/2015 9:30:09 AM EDT

[#4]

I just finished and set this up in the woods...all the material from the property.

Posted: 6/18/2015 10:20:07 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

So used to use sand bags, hated them, now i see a plethora of rifle stands out there, so let me ask, what stand do you use for your AR?

I am sure I could be happy with a full Hallelujah packaged stand for a few hundred bucks but I am wanting a budget friendly version.

Going to be used strictly for zeroing and ammo testing.

So what do you use?

Thanks,

Jim

View Quote

I use a Model 500 Rifle Rest from Target Shooting Inc. for my ammo/rifle testing, rifle zeroing, etc.

It is VERY well made, and Wally is a great guy to deal with.

http://www.targetshooting.com/catalog/rifle-rests/model-500-rifle-rest/

I have the upgraded Magnum front locking hub, Mag adjustment wheel, and the sandbags.

It wasn't cheap, but it's well worth it IMHO.

Posted: 6/18/2015 10:41:27 AM EDT

[#6]

Mtm case guard Kzone. Cheap works good would work better if I filled it with something
http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/shooting-rests-k-zone-ksr.php

Posted: 6/18/2015 6:44:30 PM EDT

[#7]

Here is the one I built but I did end up putting two more legs under the seats because it was tippy. I also bought the Caldwell Lead Sled Solo

Posted: 6/18/2015 11:04:11 PM EDT

[#8]

My son made this table for me, for my birthday a few yrs ago. My 85yrd backyard range here at the house.

Posted: 6/18/2015 11:28:53 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I just finished and set this up in the woods...all the material from the property.
<a href="http://s1357.photobucket.com/user/D_A_Lutz/media/Mountain%20Bench%202015_zpsixo03ww0.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q759/D_A_Lutz/Mountain%20Bench%202015_zpsixo03ww0.jpg</a>

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Nice set up! I am so in need of a huge as yard......

Jim

Posted: 6/18/2015 11:33:23 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

I use a Model 500 Rifle Rest from Target Shooting Inc. for my ammo/rifle testing, rifle zeroing, etc.

http://ar15hunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Target_Shooting_Model_500_Rifle_Rest_3.jpg

It is VERY well made, and Wally is a great guy to deal with.

http://www.targetshooting.com/catalog/rifle-rests/model-500-rifle-rest/

I have the upgraded Magnum front locking hub, Mag adjustment wheel, and the sandbags.

It wasn't cheap, but it's well worth it IMHO.

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
So used to use sand bags, hated them, now i see a plethora of rifle stands out there, so let me ask, what stand do you use for your AR?

I am sure I could be happy with a full Hallelujah packaged stand for a few hundred bucks but I am wanting a budget friendly version.

Going to be used strictly for zeroing and ammo testing.

So what do you use?

Thanks,

Jim

I use a Model 500 Rifle Rest from Target Shooting Inc. for my ammo/rifle testing, rifle zeroing, etc.

http://ar15hunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Target_Shooting_Model_500_Rifle_Rest_3.jpg

It is VERY well made, and Wally is a great guy to deal with.

http://www.targetshooting.com/catalog/rifle-rests/model-500-rifle-rest/

I have the upgraded Magnum front locking hub, Mag adjustment wheel, and the sandbags.

It wasn't cheap, but it's well worth it IMHO.

To nice for me, thanks for the link....

Jim

Posted: 6/18/2015 11:35:16 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
My son made this table for me, for my birthday a few yrs ago. My 85yrd backyard range here at the house.
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/SP1%20w%20CAR%20stock%20388_zpsmziklczu.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/SP1%20w%20CAR%20stock%20388_zpsmziklczu.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/SampWE1911WC2114_zps0818857e.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/SampWE1911WC2114_zps0818857e.jpg</a>

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Yet another great table and yard to hope for, that I don't have....lol

Nice!

Jim

Posted: 6/18/2015 11:36:09 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Mtm case guard Kzone. Cheap works good would work better if I filled it with something
http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/shooting-rests-k-zone-ksr.php

View Quote

I like this one........does it allow for filling?

Jim

Posted: 6/19/2015 5:37:43 AM EDT

[#13]

Nothing is required, I shoot prone with bipod and rear bag or various seated or kneeling positions with a sling. I have a $40 shooting mat to lay on the ground.

Posted: 6/19/2015 10:19:23 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nothing is required, I shoot prone with bipod and rear bag or various seated or kneeling positions with a sling. I have a $40 shooting mat to lay on the ground.

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Agreed, I don't find a practical advantage in shooting from a bench. Maybe an academic advantage... but that's not useful to me, so I don't use it.

Posted: 6/19/2015 1:05:16 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Agreed, I don't find a practical advantage in shooting from a bench. Maybe an academic advantage... but that's not useful to me, so I don't use it.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

Nothing is required, I shoot prone with bipod and rear bag or various seated or kneeling positions with a sling. I have a $40 shooting mat to lay on the ground.

Agreed, I don't find a practical advantage in shooting from a bench. Maybe an academic advantage... but that's not useful to me, so I don't use it.

To each his own.

Using a rest for me is needed when doing precision/accuracy evaluations and/or load development; where I'm trying to remove as much shooter influence as possible.

Otherwise, prone is best. However, I don't have a mat yet. I need to snag one from the CMP.

Posted: 6/19/2015 1:11:11 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

I like this one........does it allow for filling?

Jim

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Mtm case guard Kzone. Cheap works good would work better if I filled it with something
http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/shooting-rests-k-zone-ksr.php

I like this one........does it allow for filling?

Jim

yeah you can take it apart and fill it. I havnt done it because I dont want to carry it everytime i go the range

Posted: 6/19/2015 1:41:51 PM EDT

[#17]

I use a Sinclair front rest and a Protecktor rabbit ear rear bag.

Posted: 6/19/2015 2:35:22 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Here is the one I built but I did end up putting two more legs under the seats because it was tippy. I also bought the Caldwell Lead Sled Solo
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/mirion/e4c5c182-c33a-4c39-b5ea-bb4efcbd5776_zpsfkg89mzq.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/mirion/Caldwell%20Lead%20Sled%20Solo_zpsl8jbk7rj.jpg

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I built the same bench as well, and also added legs to the outside of the seats like you did. It works well, and is heavy as hell.

I'm using one of the inexpensive Blackhawk branded Caldwell sleds that Academy sells with a 5lb sand bag on each side of the weight tray. Works pretty well.

Posted: 6/19/2015 5:42:39 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

To each his own.

Using a rest for me is needed when doing precision/accuracy evaluations and/or load development; where I'm trying to remove as much shooter influence as possible.

Otherwise, prone is best. However, I don't have a mat yet. I need to snag one from the CMP.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Nothing is required, I shoot prone with bipod and rear bag or various seated or kneeling positions with a sling. I have a $40 shooting mat to lay on the ground.

Agreed, I don't find a practical advantage in shooting from a bench. Maybe an academic advantage... but that's not useful to me, so I don't use it.

To each his own.

Using a rest for me is needed when doing precision/accuracy evaluations and/or load development; where I'm trying to remove as much shooter influence as possible.

Otherwise, prone is best. However, I don't have a mat yet. I need to snag one from the CMP.

$38 @ Midway

Posted: 6/20/2015 11:46:21 PM EDT

[#20]

I have a permanent bench, but take this little portable bench with me when wanting to shoot other distances. Its a simple plywood top over tubular aluminum frame and legs connected with a few carriage bolts and wingnuts to break it down when moving it. It is three legged. The far side leg is in the middle along that edge, so it does not I interfere with the shooter. You can just see it under the middle of the table in the grass. A left-hand shooter would just rotate it 180 degrees.

While not as stable as a permanent bench, it works well. I've had it over 30 years. Probably time to repaint the top. This photo was shot earlier this month during a load development session.

Posted: 6/21/2015 12:07:25 AM EDT

[#21]

I also have been using a Harris bipod and a caldwell or TAB rear bag for quite a while and it has served me well. I always say that I am going to invest in a sled but, just haven't gotten around to investing in a set up cause I'm comfortable with what's worked for me all these years.