Front Rest Bag or Adjustable Rest?

[zog]

For sighting in rifle scopes and load development off a bench and/or off a mat on the ground, do you prefer a large front rest sand bag, or one of those adjustable screw rests that holds a small bag, and why?

 

[_Windrider_]

Bipod.

 

[Steel head]

Bipod.

^^^^^^

 

[Sig Marine]

Bipod for the trifecta...

 

[Kevins750]

I have a bald eagle front rest for load development and bipods for everything else.

 

[_Windrider_]

I have a bald eagle front rest for load development and bipods for everything else.

You should do load development the same way you shoot because variances in supports and positions can effect velocity, groups, etc.

 

[M8541Reaper]

Another vote for a quality bipod. If I didn’t have a bipod, or shooting a rifle with a shit bipod, I’d tear it off and shoot off of a pack.

If you’re bipod is the type that doesn’t adjust or won’t adjust enough for your position, shoot from a pack.

 

[lead.rain]

Quality bipod for sure! Key word being quality!

 

[zog]

Thanks guys. Since bipod seems to be the clear winner of everyone who answered, could you help me select a height range for bench/prone?

 

[lead.rain]

6"-9"ish

 

[lead.rain]

Depends what brand you are looking at. Atlas is around that 4.75"-9" range and Harris is 6"-9"

 

[M8541Reaper]

Atlas CAL Gen 2
Done

 

[salks]

I'm by no means an expert. I like prone off a bipod best. If I shoot off a bench I use a bipod and stand behind the bench. When sitting at a bench I don't feel i'm squared up, like I would try to be shooting in a match.

 

[lead.rain]

Atlas CAL Gen 2
Done

+1

 

[Sig Marine]

Thanks guys. Since bipod seems to be the clear winner of everyone who answered, could you help me select a height range for bench/prone?

Most guys run something in the 6"-9" range. While they cost a little more, one advantage of the Atlas bipods is that they have 3" leg extensions available should you need a little more height. There are also several new players in the bipod game that I'm not familiar with that may offer more height adjustment.

As mentioned by another member, I would recommend shooting prone vs a bench. Recoil pulse is different when absorbed by your entire body in the prone position. From the bench, even if directly behind the rifle, you have very little body mass in solid contact with the bench to gather recoil.