Something Simple and Usefull...:)

[tat2dman]

Gotta luv a cup holder,hold`s yer pellets!!!???@@@and stuff!:^~~~~~~~~~~~~

[TCups]

Gene:

These look great! But here's a beginner's question about bench shooting.  What do you put on the tables in way of a shooting rest?  There are every description and price of sandbags and shooting rests out there on the net.  If I were to copy your design and build a similar table, what shooting rest for a quality air rifle would you (or others) recommend?  I was looking at an MTM Predator rest for under $50, but have no experience with any shooting rests.  The trick for me is not to end up buying more than one.  Suggestions?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000GU5EQO/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=3375251&s=sporting-goods

[Gene_SC]

Tommy, these are just basic shooting tables. I am thinking of making an adjustable rifle rest on the tables. For now just sand bags etc. are being used to rest the forestock of air rifles on. You want something that has cushion between rest and air rifle stock. I have the one in your link and is not a good rifle rest for accuracy in my opinion.. It is collecting dust under the bench..:)

Gene

[TCups]

Gene:

Thanks so much.  Thats the kind of info I need.  What do you think of the custom leather bags Beeman sells?

http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/py-a-2013.html

[PeakChick]

Tommy, I use an inexpensive Midway front rest with a folded terry cloth towel on the top of it for my front rest. I do all my bench shooting from an informal rest. Fore stock cupped or laying in my off hand, on top of the towel on the rest. The butt stock is unsupported on my shoulder. I prefer to shoot this way because it more closely simulates shooting from an improvised rest that I might use in the field.
A lot of rifles, especially springers won't want to be shot from a more traditional formal bench rest, some will shoot very poorly if they are too ridgedly held in place.
You might want to go to Sportsman's Warehouse, or a similar store if you have one and take a look at the rests they offer. They will also have a variety of sandbags. I would recommend a more flat profile sandbag to go on the rest, offers more flexibility in how you can rest the rifle than a bunny ear front bag.

Here's the rest I use:

[TCups]

Thanks, Stephanie.

Most of my serious shooting has been with pistols and shotguns, and occasionally offhand shooting with my hunting rifles.  I have done almost no bench shooting, so this is new to me.  I have read a bit about the hold sensitivity of the air guns.  Isn't at all like squeezing off a round from a high power rifle -- which is a big part of what attracts me to air rifles.

[Gene_SC]

My favorite is two round foam cushions that came off of a leg lift machine..:) Tape them together and you have a perfect place to lay your stock. Here is a link to a picture of them. By the way this bench rest I have put them on is a very nice setup if you do not intend to make a bench and rest setup.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/get-attachment.asp?action=view&attachmentid=4879

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/get-attachment.asp?action=view&attachmentid=4874

Gene

[TCups]

Gene:

What is the bench rest pictured?  Is it a retail item - if so, from where?  Thanks.

[Gene_SC]

Tom, you can find that shooting bench here: http://natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=DOTH9004  

I now have two of them and are very adjustable. They cost around $70.00 at Natchez and higher from other retailers. Hope that helps..:)


Gene

[Splash]

They worked great, Thanks for thinking of us Gene. Tiffani and I had a wonderful time and we'll have to do it again.
Mike

Tommy, I got an email flier from Natchez with a number of shooting bags on sale at pretty good prices compared to what I've gotten them for (of course ;~). Here's a link to one of them and I think the rest are in the 'related items' at the bottom of the page:

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SE40476&src=BE267

I meant to post this in the Bargain Gate. And here's a link to a shooting bench they have on sale also that's different from the one Gene has (I also have one like his, and like it a lot):

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SE40896&src=BE267

Hope that helps.

Bryan

[TCups]

Thanks, guys.
Exactly what I was looking for.

BTW, I called PA today and they still had not shipped the .177 Whisper/gas ram.  Having ordered the .20 R9 Goldfinger in the meantime, I cancelled the order for the Whisper.  Just think -- with  the money saved I can start looking for the "next airgun".  I have promised myself from this point forward to buy only a few air guns and to buy only top quality.  I sure like the looks of the BSA Lightning XL that Stephanie reviewed.  She is fast becoming one of my favorites.

[Gene_SC]

You won't go wrong with the R-9 .20Tom..:) They are supposed to be sweet shooters. And you will not go wrong with the BSA Lighting XL either. I bought one several months after Peak did her review on it and a few PM's worth of convincing me that is was a great springer outa da box. I found one new on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse and grabbed it up fast. Drove 100 miles to get it and I am not one bit sorry. It is one of the best out of the box springers I own. And I have over 25 springer air rifles..:) Buy the way, the Peak is very up on most all the Euro springers and PCP's not to mention thousands of other associated facts..:)

Gene

[TCups]

Well, before I invest any more money in another springer, or any air gun, I want to get the R9 in hand, cleaned, zeroed and broken-in.  When I have convinced myself I can shoot it well enough to move on, then I will start looking again for my next "fix".   I just might be interested in high quality target pistol rather than another long gun.  The 1750 on order from Mountain Air is set up with an 18" barrel and will be rifle-scoped, so it, too, is destined for the hunt, rather than for competitive pistol target shooting.  But squirrels are targets, too, right?!

[Curioguy]

Besides being adjustable these benches are very comfortable to shoot from.  I also want to thank Gene for hosting the shoot, it was a real blast.  It was also  great meeting Gen, Bob and Martin and getting to shoot some of Gene’s rifles especially that sweet CZ 634.  I now have a new appreciation for break barrel rifles.  Gene, let me know when you are ready to part with her.