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Looking at the Academy page for bench rests, I see a bewildering display of rests ranging from inexpensive to hundreds of dollars.

I'm willing to spend up to around $50.00, + or - a bit, I don't want a sled. Wait, a sled would probably be great, but I don't know how much bench rest shooting I'll do and let's fact it, they're pricey. Plus, I've never used one and don't know if I'd love it or hate it.

Oh, mostly I'll be shooting a 5.56 AR and .17 HMR. unless, well, you know gun nuts...Someday, I may need something along the lines of a 308 or whatever...

Suggestions?

Buy an el cheapo rest if so, which one?

Thanks!

George,

Thanks for your help, but I need a little clarification when you said: "It has to be high for the AR."

Would you please elaborate?

Thanks again.

Abraham wrote:George,

Thanks for your help, but I need a little clarification when you said: "It has to be high for the AR."

Would you please elaborate?

Thanks again.

The rest must be built high enough to accommodate the rifle's magazine.

Dadtodabone,

Thank you!

I hadn't considered the height a 30 round Magpul magazine rest would be needed...

Thanks again, as I'd hate to plunk my money down and find what I'd bought would be woefully inadequate...

As for using the sandbags, maybe when I was in my fifties, but no mas...back surgery, blah, blah, and well, you get the picture. I aint humpin no sand bags. I'll be using something a bit less sherpa worthy whatever it turns out to be.

Currently, I'm using a rolled up old pillow tightly bungied on each end as a rest, but it looks more than a little tacky. So, I thought I'd upscale a bit.

Instead of a taller rest, I just use one of the 20-round mags that came with my AR.

If you want to use sand bags but don't want the weight, you can fill them with walnut media. It's available at pet stores.

One example here.

Pawpaw wrote:Instead of a taller rest, I just use one of the 20-round mags that came with my AR.

If you want to use sand bags but don't want the weight, you can fill them with walnut media. It's available at pet stores.

One example here.

I use cedar shavings. They are light, support well, and are aromatic!
http://www.lowes.com/pd_4732-55854-I_0_ ... d=50006484

Pawpaw wrote:Instead of a taller rest, I just use one of the 20-round mags that came with my AR.

If you want to use sand bags but don't want the weight, you can fill them with walnut media. It's available at pet stores.

One example here.

Harbor Freight also has Walnut Media in Fine and Course. $24.99/25lb and there are 20-25% discount coupons available in many magazines including American Rifleman.
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-fin ... 92155.html

I have a couple of 10-round magazines for both my 5.56 and .308 rifles specifically for bench shooting. Doesn't cost much--the low round-count mags aren't in high demand--and it makes benchrest shooting much easier. Even 20-round mags can get be a little awkward on a bench.

Whichever one you decide on get a good one that's rock steady, tight, padded and can be dialed in. I think you would be more happy shooting with a nice outfit for precision and adjustments. A cheap one could possibly be very irritating for you. The Caldwell DFT is really nice. Well worth the investment when you consider how much a box of Hornady or other premium ammo costs.

Wow, thanks all for the great suggestions.

For comfort, I particularly like the 10 round mag idea.

maybe im thinking of the wrong thing but. I never understood people going to the range with their rifle only to have it in a rest that holds the entire gun for them. Other then sighting in how is that practicing aiming,steadyness? I mean those guy may as well have a remote that pulls the trigger for them also. just seems stupid.

Ditto to Skiprr.
I also bought two of the ten round mags at Academy, specifically for this purpose. Made initial sighting in much more comfortable.

I also bought on of the inexpensive (about $25.00) bench rests. Yes, it is made of plastic, but the center section opens it leaves plenty of room to add a few sand bags to increase the stability.

winters wrote:maybe im thinking of the wrong thing but. I never understood people going to the range with their rifle only to have it in a rest that holds the entire gun for them. Other then sighting in how is that practicing aiming,steadyness? I mean those guy may as well have a remote that pulls the trigger for them also. just seems stupid.

I used mine for tweaking different weights of ammo for optimum results in all of my firearms. I also use it to make sure all of my scopes continue to perform as I expect them too. Firearms get "vibrated or banged around" on tractors, atv's or in trucks and scopes sometimes need adjusting. Some of my rifles are dialed in 1.3 inches high at 100 yards. Some are 1.5 inches high at 100 yards and the list goes on depending on the purpose for the specific firearm being dialed in. 22 long rifles are all zeroed at 100 yards, 22 Shorts at 50 yards. My bench rest is a very valuable tool for me. Others may not need one but i would never give up mine...

I ordered the Caldwell solo. It is transiting to Cabela's store in Allen, TX