Favorite pistol rests?

[Axle2010]

So in my learning to shoot these Xframes to the best of my ability I feel like I need to see what their accuracy potential really is. Won't do any good for me to be mad about 2" groups if that's the best it can do now will it. So when I'm trying different ammo or reloads I want a good rest to take the monkey behind the trigger out of the equation. So what do you guys use when accuracy testing? I don't take want a high end high dollar Ransom rest or anything that takes 9 different clamps every time I set it up. I've seen a couple that just have a regular clamp on the sides of the grip but I don't think those will hold onto 460/500 recoil. The CTK Precision Comoact rest looks pretty good has anybody used this one? If not what do you suggest? No I'm not a competitive shooter, except against myself in the backyard, but I have managed to hit a golf ball with my 44mag SBH at 75 more than once so I feel like I'm at least an average shooter. Thanks again for any advice.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

I keep it simple.

 

[LeftySixgun]

Simple home made sand bags work well. The Caldwell Dead Shot bag works well also. Make sure you rest the frame of the handgun and not the barrel. With these big bore handguns, your grip tension and the consistency of the tension (mean the same amount of tension) with each shot plays a huge factor in accuracy and or coarse recoil management.
Another important tip for you. Be mindful that the barrel cylinder gap can eventually cut whatever rest you use. Primarily watch out for fabric top bags. So, use a thin sheet of leather or canvas to help protect the bag. I have split a couple bags in the past and it makes a REAL MESS for the gun, lol.

Another idea is to sit on your butt with your back supported against something. Bring your knees up and rest your wrists on the inside of the knees, but not on top. Many big bore shooter refer to this as "Keith style, as this is how Elmer Keith was pictured shooting long range many times. This becomes very stable after you get the hang of it. HAHAHA, if you sit Keith style wear pants!!!! That high pressure 460 S&W will strip your leg hair off your shins. Now ask me how I know that!! LOL

Have fun with your X-Frame

 

[Axle2010]

Lefty I tried the Kieth style before with my SBH 44 and once made the mistake of wearing shorts lol. It was just a stinging feel from that, I can imagine what the 460 or 500 would do. It is actuality a pretty comfortable and stable position though, I figure it'll probably be useful in a tree stand if I ever get around to hunting with one. You say grip tension is important, do you do a lot of dry fire training to help with that? Thanks

 

[LeftySixgun]

Lefty I tried the Kieth style before with my SBH 44 and once made the mistake of wearing shorts lol. It was just a stinging feel from that, I can imagine what the 460 or 500 would do. It is actuality a pretty comfortable and stable position though, I figure it'll probably be useful in a tree stand if I ever get around to hunting with one. You say grip tension is important, do you do a lot of dry fire training to help with that? Thanks

Honestly, I don’t do a lot of dry fire practice. What I have found to help keep my grip consistent is taking a couple “cold shots”, and I don’t mean bourbon, lol
I have the luxury of living in the county and I’m able to shoot on my property. It’s simply making your first shot count! Personally speaking, it seems that when I’m not practiced/tuned up, my first shot or 2 will go high. So that’s what I practice. Grab no more than 3 rounds, load my gun, step up to the gate (60yds to my steel target) and make the first shot count! No rest, just stand flat footed, and shoot off hand.
I should correct something as far as grip. Keep your elbows bent slightly. Also, the tension is more critical for the single actions than the double actions. With the SA guns, as you know they roll in your hand. And there’s nothing wrong with the gun coming out of your support hand. Keith actually mentions that in one of his books.
And you don’t have to death grip the gun either, but I think you know that.

 

[Axle2010]

Yes sir I'm in the country too, not a lot i can only stretch to 200 yards but thank God I don't have to use a public range! No no death grip i actually start to shake a little if I try to force the gun to be perfectly still. I'll try the few shots at a time practice, probably more effective and certainly cheaper. Thanks for your time.

 

[LeftySixgun]

More than happy to help Axle. Keep me/us posted on progress.

 

[mdwest]

I use mini tripods... Pretty inexpensive.. I build both of those in the pic for less than $80 (each)...

I use a swiss arca mount for attaching the heads.. so I can pop them off and direct mount them to my "precision" AR15's or my AR10's and use them either at the bench or from the prone position as well.. Theyre super stable, more adjustable than almost anything else out there imaginable.. and the soft rubber on the inside of the clamp heads is both durable and prevents any marring on a firearm while also providing a super firm grip on the gun (if you want it to grip tightly...)

The one in the front of the pic can adjust down to as low as you see (6" at the base of the clamp head) up to 20" and be used for a low sitting position as well (on your butt)...

The clamp head I prefer is the Fanaue GS-01 ($34).. I have them on my two "big" tripods that I use for rifles as well... the tripod in the front is a Sirui AM-203 ($42).

https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Tripod-Aluminum-Tabletop-Camera/dp/B0C9Y64Z4V?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/FANAUE-GS-01Arca-Shooting-Enhanced-Accuracy/dp/B0BZPNLHVN

 

[Olvast09]

Buy MTM K-Zone Rest, yes, it’s plastic. But it’s thick plastic and has a V-yoke front that cradles the barrel and a rear elevator that supports the grip. It’s not a Ransom rest, but for your use case, testing loads, not shooting groups for publication, it’s excellent.

 

[Cabelcan]

I have used the CTK Precision Compact Shooting Rest extensively. It's one of my go-to's for exactly this kind of testing. Heavy-duty steel construction (about 6 lbs), E-coat finish, and very stable on the bench. The front Y-rest adjusts vertically, and the rear pad slides and tilts to fit revolvers nicely, you can get the grip supported without it slamming back too hard.

 

[fourfive8]

Since handguns usually react “vigorously”, with noticeable changes to point of impact differences from point of aim, if rested on action or barrel, I’m not certain the usefulness of pistol/handgun mechanical rests except for the most basic load testing. I’ve always used a very simple rest of nothing more than a sandbag under the wrist of my “strong hand” (primary shooting hand) when shooting off a rest. I always shoot with same two-handed grip whether shooting offhand or off a rest. Consistency of recoil geometry and resistance is critical for best handgun/pistol accuracy and for consistent relationship between POA and POI.