Sand bags or Sled for shooting off a bench ?

Nhoro

Nhoro

AH elite
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
1,287
Reaction score
2,590
Location
Harare,Zimbabwe
Media
29
Member of
Cleveland Gun Club
Hunted
Zimbabwe
How do you shoot from the bench for sighting in or target shooting ? Maybe just mention what type of shooting ie serious benchrest or club target shooting or prs type shooting just so we can get a feel for the styles of shooting vs rests used ?
 
Old fashioned...bonnet of cruiser ;) :A Outta::E Big Grin:
 
When I shot 1,000 yard matches 20-some years ago, I used a Hart front rest up front with a protektor bag and a protektor rear bag. Used the same setup for hunting mountain to mountain 600 to 800 yards...never took a shot!
 
Back when I actually shot from a bench I just used:
Bipod if mounted on the rifle
Sandbags up front
Most of the time it was padding under my off arm (left) elbow, sling snug around arm, left palm open under stock, with fore finger pointing toward the target.

Now I just sight in using shooting sticks, standing and sitting in my hunting chair.

I sight in and practice shooting my rifles in the same manner I intend to use them; for hunting.
 
I use the simple front/back bags shown below for sighting in a new rifle or after any work/adjustments are done to a rifle.

For practice, I shoot off a backpack, my knee, the fender of a 4 wheeler, off hand. To replicate what I might have with me in the field. I'm not a competitive shooter of any kind, so shooting tight groups off a bench rest doesn't mean much to me. Good groups in situ are much more important.

I just recently purchase the same set of sticks my outfitter uses and I will start practicing with them this summer. I've only hunted in NA up to this point, so I have no prior experience shooting off sticks.


1774480299922.png
 
Front and rear bags for zeroing. I try to do nearly all my practice off quad sticks since that’s what I shoot from in Africa. I stopped using a sled years ago.
 
For developing loads, shooting for a chronograph, and sighting in I use a Cauldwell Lead Sled 4 Shooting rest. If I am trying for tight groups I use a Cauldwell Lead Sled Max. If I am practicing for hunting, I use what I am going to hunt with. Bipod, shooting sticks, shooting rest, window bag, or off hand. I just try to be prepared for what I am going to do.
 
Bags. Leather, sand filled front with small ears. Leather, sand filled rear with U top. Canvas, sand filled for resting right arm. Non-attached, thick leather pad placed between shoulder and butt.
 
Last edited:
Local club has a Lead Sled and I use that for checking optics on big calibers. Then I move onto shooting sticks for any practice.
 
Sleds only damage if you don’t know how to use one. The goal isn’t to have no recoil movement…that can break scopes or stocks. I don’t weigh them down but use them more like an adjustable rest and it certainly moves under recoil. I’ve had NO issues doing this with the largest big bores for over 15 years and many sight in sessions. No broken stocks or damage to quality scopes like Swaro or NF.
 
I actually use a bit of both. I have a couple of sand/shot bags I use for weight on my dual frame lead sled. Only for sighting in, everything else off sticks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1037 more.
Total: 110,751 (members: 1,087, guests: 109,664)

Forum statistics

Threads
68,341
Messages
1,519,366
Members
152,565
Latest member
KeishaBoxe
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

cgdemakis
cgdemakis
I have not posted any items for sale on this forum and will not every put anything for sale. My account was hacked and I've worked with the admin to get things shut down.
•••
P
Paul K wrote on cgdemakis's profile.
Paul
•••
C
CJNJ wrote on UNTAMED KNIVES's profile.
Still possible to order one of these?
•••
G
ghay wrote on Floridanative's profile.
Hello,
I might be able to help you out depending on how many you need. I could probably spare 50-75 .285g A-Frames. They are factory pulls that look like new. Let me know if you are still looking,
Thanks,
Gary
•••
B
blackdog001blackdog001 wrote on Snowball's profile.
Hi. I can take 5 boxes at $200 shipped if interested. Thanks
•••

Share this page

 
Top