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Several guys at the range have varying options on the best/accurate method of shooting from the bench. Some promoted the barrel rest, others frame or butt/grip rest. Which method provides consistant results?

Thanks in advance

anytime you rest on the barrel your putting upward pressure on the barrel.

for myself I have a carpet wrapped 4x4 block maybe 10inches long, on top of that I use another piece of carpet rolled tight and wrapped it duct tape, that maybe 4inches diameter. I always rest the handgun on the frame right in front of the trigger gaurd. I'm sure their's alot of other ways but that works for me and cost almost nothing to make.

also found a 50cal ammo can upside down with the carpet roll on top also works when I can't find the block.

Differnt type of handguns like differnt types of rest, hence the differnt opinions that you have encountered

I use a combo of bull bag, sand bags, and old towels. I build a little wedge in the sand bags on the bull bag with the gun and, then I cover the bag areas where I'm going to get side blast at with a few layers of old towels or narrow carpet stips. Then I push the gun up into that area so that only the frame is touching bags and the barrel is extended out from the pyramid of bags, unencumbered. If it's not a revolver, but an auto or single shot, you don't have to worry about side blast, just forward from the muzzle around, so those areas in front of, to the sides of, under, and a little behind, need covered too, to keep the bags from getting ruined. I support my hands with bags to steady that end. It makes a pretty solid rest for me.

I support my 10.5" 460 and 500 that way and it works as good as any purchased pistol rest I've tried. Not to say bags are free, just the opposite is true, but they are more versatile than anything else a guy can invest in to shoot off of.

Actually, to be more consistent with shooting on and off the range, use a rest to rest your forearms / wrists. Allow the pistol to be held and recoil naturally in your hands. The rest under your wrists will allow a very steady sight picture and allow natural recoil to take place so your point of impact doesn't change when shooting afield.

"BTW - Isn't my grandson beautiful?"

Yes he is ~ but isn't that why he is a 'grand' son?

In my experience - whatever you do consistently will provide consistent results. I find resting the barrel easier to do consistently than resting the grip. The difference between rested shots and off-hand shots from a handgun will not be enough to matter unless you're doing bullseye competition. And if that's the case, you'll be able to see any difference and correct your sight adjustment accordingly.

In addition to that - some shooters may argue my point that it makes little difference, and if they have a problem with "consistently" flinching or leaning on the trigger from recoil anticipation, they may be right (for themselves). If you are grouping significantly different from your barrel-rested groups at normal handgun ranges (or beyond, for that matter) it is most likely that your free-hand shooting is flawed. This is assuming that your barrel is "rested" and not somehow held fast (clamped, downward pressure, etc) to a rest.

I like to really extend my arms and almost "lay" on the table using a Block rest and sandfilled old jean bags hotglued together,especially when using the Magnums or a really lightweight toy.