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Thread: Shooting rest for bench use/sighting in

  1. #1
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    Shooting rest for bench use/sighting in

    Hello, I am setting up a new shooting range in my back yard. I am in the process of building a shooting bench using plans found on the net. I would like to find a shooting rest like the Caldwell or Hyskore brands but have read about difficulties accommodating a M4/AR type gun due to the pistol grip and 30 round magazine.

    I saw one model specific for the AR frame, but although it might be best, I would like one that is more universal, i.e. could be used with more conventional rifles.

    Any suggestions on a brand and model to buy? I know the normal Caldwell Lead Sled is on sale now at a lot of places because it is being closed out. The problem with that model is the pipe running through the center of the frame, making an AR sit at an angle. I know they make a double tube model that the magazine is supposed to bit between the tubes.

    Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

    Lew

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by mncarbine View Post

    I would like to find a shooting rest like the Caldwell or Hyskore brands but have read about difficulties accommodating a M4/AR type gun due to the pistol grip and 30 round magazine.
    If you want a mechanical rest go with a Caldwell Seven rest as they work fine with an AR.

    There is nothing wrong with shooting off bags either...just use scrap to build a base for the bags both front and rear at a height that is comfortable for you and you have it.

    As for mags, I keep a 10-round mag just for shooting off a bench but a 20 will work about as well given the grip.

    MikeN

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    Thanks for having me look at the 7....for some reason the picture reminded me of something you would use standing up

    That model doesn't seem to have a way to hold the gun down or anything at the back of the stock to hold the gun from moving backwards. It also looks like the whole frame could move all over the place, preventing repeatibility?

    In the best of all worlds, I would strap the gun it, and without unstrapping it, I could change the magazine and go from one type of ammo to the next, comparing one to the other, knowing they were all aimed at the exact same spot. The least amount of adjustment I have to do between types of ammo and shots the better.

    They Hyskore gets bolted down and absorbs the recoil, theoretically moving back to the initial spot from where the previous bullet was fire. I don't care as much about the recoil absorption through springs and hydraulics as much as I am the repeatability aspect.

    Thanks!

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    Your experience may be different from mine, but there will always be movement regardless of how firmly you 'strap' something in. (There are high-dollar 'return to battery' rests available but generally not worth the cost and/or effort for most people).

    There is a firm that makes a set of fore end and stock add-on parts that convert bag-unfriendly AR fore ends and stocks to very bag-friendly fore ends and stocks for not much money. With those you can use common benchrest competition front rests and rear bags and get the AR riding those almost as well as dedicated bench-rest rigs.

    Regardless of how you resolve your rest preferences, look into getting a single-load follower for shooting off a bench.

    Basically, you replace the follower in a standard magazine (I use a 10-round mag) with the single-load follower, insert the magazine, roll a round into the action through the ejection port, close the bolt with the bolt release and fire. The single-load follower locks the bolt back and you repeat the process as needed.

    The single-load follower positions the loose round in the proper place for reliable feeding and if you add something like a Magpul B.A.D lever you are set even better for running an AR off a bench.

    Good internet search-fu should get you on the trail of all of these.

    Regardless, good luck...


    MIkeN

  5. #5
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    IBRSA

    http://www.international-benchrest.com/

    Check the International Bench Rest Shooters Association website...there are links to to Plans and sources for anything dealing with Bench Shooting.
    "Get yourself a Glock, Lose that Nickle plated sissy pistol." Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones)

    Ignorance is Defensible, Stupidity is Not!

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    Not sure exactly what you're hoping to get out of the rest but...

    IMHO better not to fight the recoil. Setup risers for sandbags and bag the gun. Yes you'll have to recover the gun to the firing position every time, but IMHO that's better than trying to clamp the gun down and make it totally immobile.

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    Quote Originally Posted by MJN99999 View Post
    Regardless of how you resolve your rest preferences, look into getting a single-load follower for shooting off a bench.

    Basically, you replace the follower in a standard magazine (I use a 10-round mag) with the single-load follower, insert the magazine, roll a round into the action through the ejection port, close the bolt with the bolt release and fire. The single-load follower locks the bolt back and you repeat the process as needed.

    The single-load follower positions the loose round in the proper place for reliable feeding and if you add something like a Magpul B.A.D lever you are set even better for running an AR off a bench.
    OK, have the single-load follower on order, actually two kinds. An aluminum one that you have to dissaassemble the magazine to install, and another type made of plastic you stick in from the top like adding a cartridge.

    I did find the BAD thing. Seems like a gimmic device, like a solution looking for a problem. Since I sit to the right of my carbine, what is the problem pushing the bolt release normally vs. using that fancy thing?

    Thanks for all the great tips!

    Lew

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    Thanks for the link to the bench rest group. Didn't really see a forum or place to get info on rests, but half had sand bags (hi tech) and the other half had sophisticated mechanical types. I recognized the Caldwell Fire Control model in a couple pictures. That model isn't AR-15 compatible. Caldwell lists two compatible models. The DFT and the Solo. The DFT has a split frame, but still requires raising the butt up and not really full utilizing the butt holder. The solo has a curve in the frame making room for the grip and magazine. Not so much padded and far simpler, but $80 at the local Cabelas.

    Maybe I should try something simple like the Solo and go from there. I tend to want the very best of most things so I don't regret later that I bought something inferior and then turn out having to upgrade.

    Thanks to all for your replies.

    Lew

  9. #9
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    I use a Caldwell Lead Sled for my SuperStock 10/22 and for my AR.
    I use 20 round magazines on the AR to clear the bar and it works beautifully.

    "Keep your teeth sharp Wolverines."
    - Whiskey2

  10. #10
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    Have no experience with benchrests and all, but here's one maybe like for impromptu purposes.

    http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?...ghlight=X-Rest

    Hope you find what you're looking for and Enjoy!

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