Shooting Rest?

[Undertow]

I shot my flintlock for the first time the other day and after just having fun shooting and learning it's time to get it sighted in and work on a load. What does everyone use for a shooting rest to sight in these long guns? All of my other rifles including my unmentionable have scopes and bipods so I've always just needed to run the small V cut rear sandbag Caldwell sells. I'm thinking either just getting the front Caldwell sandbag or either one of the two linked below. Or does anyone have any other recommendations? I will probably be shooting off a plastic folding table if that matters.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015052687?pid=682659
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015049090?pid=610698

 

[64Springer]

You can make a rifle rest out most anything.

A block of wood and a bag with shot in it works well. A rolled up and taped bath towel works well.

And you won't be wasting money on gimmicks.

 

[French Colonial]

Through a long life of shooting several different kinds of rifles and matches I have ended up with probably six different types of front and rear rests, about the best you can buy without going full custom are the ones from Sinclair International in my opinion.

The Caldwell bags are OK for most shooting and will serve you well unless you start shooting benchrest matches.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

For good results and accurate shooting you need a solid rest. The first one shown is inexpensive and will work for what you need it to do. It will also be useful down the road for further load development and with other rifles.

Rest the rifle where you will put your hand when shooting offhand. Good luck!

 

[64Springer]

The OP is sighting in a flintlock long rifle.

He's not going to the Olympics.

A make-shift support will get the job done.

 

[hanshi]

I have used and prefer wood blocks and a couple of small sandbags. But mine got lost in our last move.

 

[1861 Springfield]

The OP is sighting in a flintlock long rifle.

He's not going to the Olympics.

A make-shift support will get the job done.

some people want more precision than a fly swattrer size groups.if you want to test loads a towel is just ridiculous.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

some people want more precision than a fly swattrer size groups.if you want to test loads a towel is just ridiculous.

When minute of paper plate just won't cut it....

 

[64Springer]

some people want more precision than a fly swattrer size groups.if you want to test loads a towel is just ridiculous.

I've sighted in more rifles laid over a loosely rolled up bath towel than I can count.

All you need is a place for the forearm to snuggle into and remain steady.

All you guys with your PC this and your HC that and the first thing you want to do is run out and buy pre-made shooting rests.

What do you think they used 200 years ago? Hint. It wasn't Lead Sleds and custom rifle supports from the big box stores.


As for your flyswatter sized groups idea.....That is just ridiculous.

 

[1861 Springfield]

I've sighted in more rifles laid over a loosely rolled up bath towel than I can count.

All you need is a place for the forearm to snuggle into and remain steady.

All you guys with your PC this and your HC that and the first thing you want to do is run out and buy pre-made shooting rests.

What do you think they used 200 years ago? Hint. It wasn't Lead Sleds and custom rifle supports from the big box stores.


As for your flyswatter sized groups idea.....That is just ridiculous.

dont get your thong in a knot. ive seen idiots sight in off the hood of their truck but that aint the best way.

 

[64Springer]

dont get your thong in a knot. ive seen idiots sight in off the hood of their truck but that aint the best way.

I got nothing tied in a knot.

I'm 100% secure in my shooting abilities.

And there is no Best Way to sight in a rifle. Sighted in is sighted in. Regardless of supporting method.

 

[Ed C.]

Piece of plywood with a V cut and carpeted nailed to a piece of 2 x 6.

 

[64Springer]

Piece of plywood with a V cut and carpeted nailed to a piece of 2 x 6.

You knuckle dragging Neanderthal.

Don't you know that's not the best way to sight in a rifle.

With a set-up like that, you won't even hit the fly swatter.

 

[Ed C.]

You knuckle dragging Neanderthal.

Don't you know that's not the best way to sight in a rifle.

With a set-up like that, you won't even hit the fly swatter.

But, but, you mean this won't kill a deer? I'll start saving for the big sled. Next you will be ragging on my target.

 

[TreeMan]

Grab a big bag of rice. Shove the whole bag in a pillow case and tie up the pillow case. Leave the rice in the plastic bag before you put it in there. If you’re fancy you can cut the pillow case and sew it up.

 

[64Springer]

Grab a big bag of rice. Shove the whole bag in a pillow case and tie up the pillow case. Leave the rice in the plastic bag before you put it in there. If you’re fancy you can cut the pillow case and sew it up.

Another great 18th century rifle stabilizing idea.

How did the Colonials ever get by without Midway USA, Bass Pro and Cabela's.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I've used homemade sandbags made from the legs of cutoff jeans for decades. I get my wife to sew up one end, then full with sand and tie shut. I did go fancy and bought a Caldwell shooting bag a few years sgo when it was on sale. Still use the homemade ones too

 

[Don Steele]

I’m going to recommend staying away from any sort of rest/sled or whatever that restricts the natural recoil of the rifle against a shooter’s shoulder. Given the typical slender wrists most flintlock rifles have, you might be cracking your stock in that area if the rifle can’t move.

 

[64Springer]

I’m going to recommend staying away from any sort of rest/sled or whatever that restricts the natural recoil of the rifle against a shooter’s shoulder. Given the typical slender wrists most flintlock rifles have you might be cracking your stock in that area if the rifle can’t move.

Great Recommendation.

 

[Medicine Bow]

But, but, you mean this won't kill a deer? I'll start saving for the big sled. Next you will be ragging on my target.View attachment 218613

Is that period correct paper?