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Shooting rest - Yes or No

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3_tens View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/16/2008 at 10:00
First off, I have never shot from a mechanical shooting rest . (like a lead sled). I can see that this would help small groupings but can it help make a better shooter? I can see a relaxation of proper technique for the cheap thrill of a small group. Thus more shooting from the rest instead of polishing good shooting habits so as to brag about smaller groups. What are your thoughts?
    Ponder this while I go to the range this morning.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 10:13
everybody has got at least one of that 5 shot -- 1 hole group target cut out they carry in their wallet. Accuracy tests should only be done (unless your a stool shooter, which then has its own objectives) to verify loads for "practical" use. Proper off hand technigue, moving, shooting around barriers, timed events, malfunction drills, prone technique (both long and short-- the speed which one can get into prone is as important as the hits). All are just as important (just mentioned a few to give an idea)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 10:59
Agree with Dale.  Bench shoot to check for accuracy but no substitude for shooting off your hind legs to develop practicle skills.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 11:21
Ditto .....need  practice varying  shooting techniques both at the range and in the field to be ready for a variety of situations.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 13:25
Originally posted by 3_tens 3_tens wrote:

First off, I have never shot from a mechanical shooting rest . (like a lead sled). I can see that this would help small groupings but can it help make a better shooter? I can see a relaxation of proper technique for the cheap thrill of a small group. Thus more shooting from the rest instead of polishing good shooting habits so as to brag about smaller groups. What are your thoughts?
    Ponder this while I go to the range this morning.  
 
It all depends on the type of shooting you're interested in and what you're trying to accomplish.  Regardless of whether or not you're using a mechanical rest, it's never a good idea to forego proper shooting technique.  Even if you're shooting off a solid bench with a stable rest, if you don't use proper trigger control and consistent handling of the rifle, you won't shoot tiny groups.  Benchrest competitors use really nice, precisely made mechanical rests and the most accurate rifles ever built by human beings, yet the ability to shoot tiny groups still comes down to the shooter's ability to dope the wind, use consistent form and trigger control, get the best tune from his/her rifle and load, and put together winning equipment components. 
 
Likewise, if your rifle doesn't shoot the load you're using well, your technique and whether or not you're shooting from a rest won't matter -- you won't get small groups.  If you're load testing, you should shoot off some sort of rest from a bench, even if only sandbags, because under those circumstances, you're trying to find loads that your rifle shoots best.  In order to do that, you have to eliminate as much of the human element on the rifle as possible that can influence POI.
 
To be a truly complete, fundamentally solid field shooter, you need to practice from many different shooting positions, to include shooting off a bench.  Without shooting some off a bench, you don't know what your rifle is truly capable of and what loads produce the best accuracy.  Proper bench shooting techniques also help you in the field when you're taking rested shots off a log, backpack, bipod, etc.


Edited by RifleDude - March/16/2008 at 13:29
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 13:37

 

I agree with all above.
 
What kills me, though, is the big shot who swaggers up to the shooting benches during the Deer Hunter's Sight-in Breakfasts we had at a local range.  (The purpose of these events is to help one-day-a-year shooters to get their firearms zeroed up.)
 He boasts to everyone within earshot while I'm helping a thirteen-year-old girl get positioned correctly to take a solid shot from sandbags, how "a real man don't need no sissy benchrest!" or "There ain't no benchrests in the woods I hunt!"
 He then proceeds to stand on his fat legs and miss a 4x8 foot target board five times in a row with his .300 magnum, from 100 yards!
 After tying up the range for half an hour, he finally manages to put one round into the deer target's guts, and swaggers off proudly bragging how he sure nailed THAT one!
 


Edited by RONK - March/16/2008 at 13:40
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 16:11
That same guy showed up at my local ranges a time or two.  Because of people like that, I prefer shooting at my hunting lease (only an hour's drive from me) whenever I get a chance.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 16:23
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 17:05
Maybe twice in my life I went to a Public shooting range.....and both times, no one was there!!!  Excellent                       
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 17:10
I'm back and I had fun until the crowd arrives at 1:00 I agree with Rifledude. Depends on what you are trying to accomplish. About 1/2 my shots were of of the bi-pod because this rifle will primarily be shot that way. Also the old hands are not that steady any more. Let me say (Love that Kahles). Then had some fun shooting the trash everyone else left. Someone had left a perfectly good can of spinach. The explosion was great. Did lose 2 brass in the mud. So I left some debris too. Had a great time the guy that came just as I was leaving had a beautiful custom Mauser that was re-barreled to a 8mm-06 with a ported barrel. It had really good wood and lines. I wish my camera was there. Looks like we have a good discussion going. I can't wait to see what Pyro and Cyborg have to offer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 17:45
I shoot off a National Match Rifle Support for load development only. 
Takes most of the "shooter error" out of the mix.  
Harris "S" bipod after that.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 17:47
I always use a rest when I'm shooting!  Although I might get into rimfire silohuete shooting and that is all offhand.  I always try to use a rest when I'm deer hunting as well, unless I'm shooting at a really close running deer.  Same goes for tree rats!  Now for coyotes.... the way we hunt them, they're almost always running, so that is offhand with no rest.  If they happen to stop then I rest the gun on the window of my pickup or the mirror.
Most of my target shooting is of the sighting in variety, so a solid rest is of utmost importance!


Edited by Tip69 - March/16/2008 at 21:05
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 18:46
Cheaptrick,  wish I had picked the S instead of the A1 Harris that is on the varmint AR.
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Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2008 at 22:53
I sight in, and test triggers and trigger control over a lead sled. much easier to really feel the trigger and work on the squeeze with the rifle being held steady for you. Once that is done I shoot off the harris while sitting, or off hand as I would usually shoot one of these two ways in the field. I do believe there is a place and time for a good solid rest, but not all the time

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2008 at 03:37
I do all my sighting in and load development off a bench with solid rests rear and front. I am testing the equipment, not me!
On actual shooting, well anything goes! From standing to sitting to prone.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2008 at 06:43
I use the rest for Zero and for load testing only, it allows you to take shooter error out and get your rifle and load the way you need it. Then you can hone your skilld knowing what the combination is capable of. You find out real quick how much operator err there really is.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bigdaddy0381 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2008 at 06:48

I use Bi pod. For practice and load developing and also practice prone and standing also practice sitting leaning up against a tree. I mainly shoot My rifles for hunting or fun. So this gives me about every scenario I might come across to practice for.

I still haven’t master the sleeping shot. I tend to come across that shot a lot when on the ground.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2008 at 07:21
I only shoot in my sleep after I have watched a cowboy movie!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2008 at 10:48
Originally posted by 8shots 8shots wrote:

I only shoot in my sleep after I have watched a cowboy movie!
There's so many ways I could take thisShocked
 
Guess I better just leave it alone.  Sad
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2008 at 11:08
I still haven’t master the sleeping shot. I tend to come across that shot a lot when on the ground.
the sleeper shot derives its name from pool and baseball wherein the bullet goes down range for 200 yds, then depending on the english, prints to the left or right (this should not be confused with the knuckle shot, which tends to drop 5-10 ft. in the last 50 yds.), prone shooting tends to "enhance" the sleeper, as more english can be put on the bullet-- as opposed to bench shooting with its more rigid bracing system doesn't allow the shooter to "curve" the bullet around objects.
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