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Bench Resting A Rifle
What is bench resting and how do I do it?
Bench Resting is a method used to sight in your rifle with a mounted scope. You may also bench rest a rifle without a scope, using only the iron sights that came with the rifle, but the preferred way to bench rest is with a mounted scope.
What do I need in order to bench rest my rifle?
You need a solid front rest and a rear rifle rest to support the butt end of the rifle. The most inexpensive rests are homemade. I used shot bags filled with lead shot because I hand load shot shells for my shotguns and saved the canvas bags the shot came in. I filled them with cat litter, which is very inexpensive, and had my wife sew them well to prevent the cat litter from escaping. You can also use sand but sand is heavy and uncomfortable to transport. Cat litter adds the perfect weight to the bags. Some people use dried kernels of corn.
How many bags do I need for bench resting?
I use 6 to 7 bags if I am going to support the barrel forearm and the rear butt of the rifle. I sometimes use a front rest that I can manually turn to elevate and lower the rest to adjust the height to suit my preference. The remainder of the bags should be used to rest your elbows while you are looking through your scope. You cannot have enough bags because you can always take away what you don’t need but it would be difficult to add if you do not have enough.
Can I buy a front and rear rest at a hunting and shooting store instead of filling bags?
Yes you can but it would cost you close to $75 for the front and rear rest, depending on what type of rest you prefer. You can buy a one piece rest for around $50. You can purchase canvas material at any material store like Joann Fabrics or Minnesota Fabrics. Tell the sales clerk you will need to fill a bag size of 11″ wide by 5 ½” high. They may have ready made bags already made and all you have to do is fill them and sew them.
Can I sight in my rifle standing up or in the prone position?
Yes you can but it would be like trying to take a steady picture while riding on an all terrain vehicle. You will never get your camera to steady enough to take a clear picture. Looking through a rifle scope demands a totally steady shot between the crosshairs.
How do I position myself on the bench while looking through my scope?
Whether you are a right or left handed shooter, the principal here is the same. The butt end of the rifle should touch your shoulder firmly but not hard. The other part of your body touching the rifle is your trigger finger. Your cheek is firmly placed on the cheek piece, taking aim and slowly squeezing the trigger until the shot goes off. Take 2 or 3 more shots; aiming at the same place you placed your first shot. If your shots grouped high and to the right of your target, you need to adjust your windage and elevation knobs on your scope. Once your scope is adjusted, your shots should be grouped between the crosshairs and center of your target. Your scope picture should always be the same.
In conclusion, I have taken you through the meaning of bench resting, what you need to bench rest, making your own bags for bench resting, buying a bench rest if that is your preference and sighting in your scope. The shooting sports are a lot of fun and safety is very important. Never shoot without eye and hearing protection.
About the Author
My name is Nick Boodris and I have been involved in the shooting sports for over 40 years. I’m also an avid hunter and I keep my shooting instruments well tuned, especially my scopes. Follow me on my website for more information on how to bench rest your rifle and to watch the video. http://www.squidoo.com/bench-resting-a-rifle
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