I’m in the market for a new rest for shooting off the bench which mostly equates for sight in and a few sets of groups (don’t spend a lot of time at the bench after sighting). Also, it needs to be user friendly for my kids. Not looking for the best; would like something better than the Caldwell bags I have. What are you using?

A Harris S-BRM 6"-9" and a good rear bag is what I suggest.

I use an 18 lb Hart Rest.

This is a good budget rest. I have one. This is the aluminum model. It’s nice.
http://www.bullets.com/products/Plain-Rest-Triangle-Aluminum/BE1128

Like you my benchrest shooting consists mainly of sighting in my hunting rifles and doing some load development work. I have been using a $19.99 Midway plastic rest. I have added protector leather front and rear bags, nothing fancy nor costly yet it gets the job done for me.

I use the Benchmaster rest.

https://benchmasterusa.com/

Whats wrong with the Caldwell bags?

Right now I'm using a Caldwell Rock Jr, 'cause I got it on sale at Bass Pro. It's about as simple as I've seen and fairly cheap too.

My preference though is a set of sand bags

Hart pedestal (if it's still made) and Protektor bags.

My load work up is all shot prone with a small rear bag and up front is either a Harris bipod or the folding aluminum rest scenarshooter made and sent me a few years ago. Not sure if Pat sells them but they are slick.

Caldwell Rock and replaced the bean bag with a Protektor leather one, then a Protekter leather rear bag. Bean bags suck and this set up will last a coupla lifetimes.

I just use the front bag:

https://www.opticsplanet.com/caldwe...TeqVB1Neuv582KvL7jtzcRMussRoCEqAQAvD_BwE

My rest top on a Caldwell base. I've been making replacement rest tops for 13 years and have about 1200 of them out.

This is on a Bald Eagle base.

You can put a Protector regular bag on it for your hunting rifle. Maybe a little over kill for playday at the range.
The Bald Eagle from bullets.com is a good unit if you disable the cable for windage. It is jerky.
www.shadetreeea.com

I am using an older model of the Benchmaster Rest similar to what Boomer linked. I have replaced the front bag with a Protektor front bag, and have put some plastic card shims in the front channel between the two beams.

I would say the Caldwell Lead Sled if you want it to be user friendly. Every pound that you put on the rest that the recoil needs to move is life putting it on the rifle and it sure takes the bite out of the recoil. The watch out is not using a wooden stock on a heavy recoiling rifle because you can crack the stock by using too much weight on that rest and nearly nothing moves. My grown up kids all borrow my rest because they all shoot magnums.

Bipod and a small TAG rear bag off Mother Earth for “precision” work.

Caldwell Bull-Bag with the TAG off the hood.

SFT on the BogPod for called in coyotes and premeditated low-land big game murder.

I shoot off of the pack when I’m high....

Honestly, nothing. After reading all the replies I think I’m going to get a nice leather Protecktor rear rabbit ears bag and see how that does. Used a bipod for years and may be the simplest way with a good rear bag. Thanks for all the replies

My set up of choice. I honestly cannot imagine getting more solid a set up.

Yabbut, can you use those bags to jack up your car to change a flat?

You are going to have to post a pic of what you are talking about.

This !!!

Love it!






P

+1

too tall for kids and alot of adults, and if you are shooting slightly down hill at 100, you will need a 3/4" spacer under the rear bag.

I think that they make a shorter model for tables.



Best option, I had to remove the wheel on mine because it was too tall.

If you can go on benchrest central or accurateshooter and put up a want to buy on a used Hart or Sinclair rest, you will be very happy with the purchase and pass it down to your kids.

Yep

I have a plastic MTM rest that I have shot MOA groups out to 240yds. It seems steady when I am shooting off of it but I sometimes wonder if I could do better and how much better with a different set up. I almost bought a Bald Eagle rest the other day and was thinking about a Bullsbag but I generally shoot factory ammo so if I'm not going all out with reloading too, I don't know if the cost is justified.My bench is solid and to help I even ratchet strap the rest itself to the bench.

use a winch.....