Author Topic: What hold / rest do you folks use? (Read 1078 times)

BobMachus · « **on:** May 05, 2003, 04:55:36 PM »

I have been shooting my 14" 6mm TCU at paper for about 75 shots now and am pretty comfortable with the way it shoots. I have taken it out for some prairie dogs and am having a devil of a time holding it still. I have shooting sticks and a Harris bipod. This has always worked fine with my 26" Savage .223, but with a 2x7 LER scope on the Contender I am having troubles. What hold do you use, and what kind of rest? Should I use a bag? Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks guys, Bob

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2003, 06:24:15 PM »

I would definitly go with a bag on a bench if possible. Pistols and bypods are pretty difficult to get cumfotable with at least for me. KN

Robert · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2003, 07:29:54 PM »

I hold them by the grips.
...just kidding. I have been trying a Harris bipod off and on, but it really jumps around with a hot load, especially with the magnums. I have tried various rests and they are better, but......the very best thing I have tried is bracing against a semi-vertical surface, ie....the back of my van, a tree.... I use my left/forward hand to support the forend and hold it against something steady.

Jeff Vicars · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:18:01 AM »

Creedmore, I quit using bipods.

coltfan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2003, 02:29:29 AM »

I have been working with my home made shooting sticks, and my 14" 7-30 Waters. I find this to be a pretty solid set up, and expect to use it for deer season.

bsekf · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2003, 02:38:18 AM »

Bowers type rest off the bench when I am working up loads or trying to impress the pilgrims. I use bags to sight in for hunting. Point of impact changes dramatically between Bowers rest and bags.

My tree stands are really bench rests on stilts and I use sand bags. My personal record is 325 measured yards, I am going for a 400 yard deer this year.

While still hunting I use a walking stick and limit my shots to 50-75 yards, using a 357 Max. 10 inch.

KYODE · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2003, 02:50:32 AM »

i use a caldwell handgun rest on the bench now. i got it from midway usa for close to $30. i was using(and still do at times) 2 sand bags under the forearm and one under the grip.
in the field i have just used whats available at the time, and now i pack in homemade cross stix. i havn't actually took game yet off the stix but have practiced enough to know i can. that will probably be the key to your luck. practice with several rounds downrange from the bench and also from field positions. be persistent, have confidence, and practice, you will become proficent with time.
another thing, with handgun scopes it's hard to get a complete steady crosshair in the field. if you gently squezze the trigger until the gun goes of by surprise, the shot will actually turn out better than what it seems with all the movement.
let us know if you do better next time. i love my super 14" 6tcu and still need more load development. mine shoots h335 and 3 different 80gr bullets great with forming loads so far. what kinnda load you shootin?

BobMachus · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2003, 07:13:53 AM »

I am using 26 gr of Reloader 7 under 58 gr v-maxes. It shoots great, it wants to shoot much better than I can shoot it that is for sure. So far my shooting has been at targets in the prairie from bags on the ground. I haven't done any testing for impact change using bags v bipod. It has been pretty windy here the last few days so I haven't been able to do any more shooting. I guess I need to haul my bags into the prairie dog field now.

Bob

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2003, 07:18:12 AM »

This is a difficult question to answer. If it's just prairie dogs, then try and get a portable bench with bags on it, and a folding chair. It's more fun that way. Using a bag as a rest for use on the ground can be problematic (as can the creedmore) because low vegetation will deflect your bullet. I've started using a tripod that I made from three 3/4" dowels, some nylon cord, and a bit of foam padding. At best, it's about as good as a rifle with a bipod. I think this is because there isn't much lateral or front-to-back movement with the tripod versus the bipod. I still don't like it, so I'll have to continue with experimentation.

Ideally, however, shooting off a rucksack from a prone position is about as steady a shot as you're going to make with the Contender. It's as steady as shooting from a bench. But the vegetation problem is a very significant one.

My own opinion is that the rifle is a better choice in situations like this.

Duffy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2003, 06:09:37 PM »

I place the forend on my left shoulder facing behind me and use a mirror in my left hand to aim with!

All kidding aside I have used my camera tripod with kind of a makeshift bag on top and it actually works pretty good. You can sit in a lawn chair and it's more stable than a bipod plus it's ajustable. It's just a cheapie one with the quick adjust legs. I plan on making a V or U type bracket to attach to the top to better hold the bag or some type of bag.

bsekf · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2003, 02:41:02 AM »

Duffy and Questor, do you sorta balance the gun on the rest? Or rest on the forend?

Duffy · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2003, 07:21:40 PM »

I usually just rest the forend of my encore on whatever rest I'm using. It's the rubber type and I haven't found any ill effects from doing this as far as accuracy goes. Usually put my thumb under the forend and forefinger along the side to steady it on the tripod. Whatever's comfortable.

grizz · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2003, 06:45:41 AM »

If I am walkin and dont feel like carrying anything with me this is what I do.

I lay down on my back with my knees bent so my feet are close to my behind if ya no what i mean I then stick my left arm behind my head for support.. I then lay the forearm right against the side of my right leg.. It takes some time to get used to it but it is a very sturdy possition once you get the hang of it..

grizz

Questor · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2003, 07:03:00 AM »

With a rifle or Contender I prefer to rest my hand on the rest, then rest the gun in my hand. It's a habit that works for me regardless of what the rest may be (tree, rock, rucksack, shooting bench, etc.) I've been fooling with bipods and tripods lately and haven't really found satisfaction yet.

HBL · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2003, 07:53:56 AM »

off the bench I use a home made rest made out of leather filled with sand.

While hunting I use the forks of mesquite trees. THere is a good rest here in central Texas about every 20 feet or so.

But if I am able and have the opportunity, I will roll up my hunting jacket, lay on the ground and rest the contender on my jacket. Very stable and accurate. YOu get the entire pistol supported, minus the muzzle.

Good luck, you will find something that works for you.

HBL

flyfisher · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2003, 02:24:09 PM »

For prarie dogs/varmits, I suggest a portable bench with either bags or a bench-model Harris bipod mounted with a universal barrel clamp. I have had 1/4-1/2" groups with the Harris setup at 100yrds on paper.

For stalking and areas that you cannot use a portable bench, I really like the Stoney Point Shootin' sticks. Not quite as stable as a bench, but it certainly will do.

Just my opinion.