Why shoot from a rest?

[GreyRider]

Posting this here because it's where I mostly hang out. Mods, please move if appropriate...

OK, please keep in mind that I'm a relatively new shooter. That said, know that anything I undertake to learn about, I do with a passion. I've read so many of your posts, I shoot, practice, take my guns apart and put them back together. If there's a piece of advice I take from one of the many informative posts, I try and implement it and see if it fits.
So, my question is - with no sarcasm intended - what is the value in shooting a hand gun from a rest, other than a) zeroing in or b) long distance shooting? I am under the assumption that every time I shoot, I am honing my stance, breathing, trigger control and I get a great deal of satisfaction when it all comes together. Doesn't shooting from a rest negate the need for those basics? I'm not particularly moved when I read that someone is shooting 2" groups at 25 yards from a rest. Should I be? Go easy guys, I'm looking to be educated.

 

[ginzo]

As a relatively new shooter also, I only see it as an accuracy test for your pistol or whatever you are shooting. It helps take the human factor out of the mix when you have the "dreaded" low/high left/right issues when shooting. After you can verify it's not a sight/ammo issue, then you have to find out what your issue is.

Training, or having a professional watch you shoot can be worth every penny to help improve any issues you may have. Or find any bad habits before they develop to severely.

I read your post and thought you were describing me! I jump in with both feet!!!

 

[zonker5]

Nothing worse than having a bad day shooting off hand only to find out the problem is not behind the trigger. I shoot from a rest to verify the gun/ammo combination is doing as it should, then go back to making a fool of myself.

I also use rest when testing a new load, takes the shooter variable out of the picture.

 

[Jim Lawburgh]

Hunting. Shooting over a car hood, etc. Any time it's advantageous in a sd situation.
You're right, not usually for practice.
I think most times, they are talking about gun accuracy. At least, that's the only thing that makes sense to me.
other than what you mention.
Stay safe,
Jim

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Shooting from a rest is okay on the range when checking a gun, load or combination for accuracy. In a hunting or combat situation, the rest will effect the recoil which in turn will effect the point of impact. Care must be taken to ensure the weapon doesn't physically touch anything, only your body ( forearms, elbows, etc.) should make contact. Practice to see the effect of firing from barricade or rest.

 

[one eye joe]

GreyRider, AND ginzo--2 NEW SHOOTERS--HAVE ANSWERED THE QUESTION. YOU HAVE ENUMERATED THE REASONS WHY MOST PEOPLE HAVE OCCASION TO SHOOT OFF A REST. OLDNAVYMCPO GIVES YOU SOME ESSENTIAL TIPS. ALSO, IF YOUR SHOOTING OFF A BAG, DO NOT REST THE BARREL OF THE GUN ON THE BAG--ESP A LONG BARREL LIKE A 8 3/8 INCH. THE BARREL HAS A CERTAIN HARMONIC MOTION THAT SHOULD NOT BE INTERFERED WITH, IF REPEAT SHOTS ARE TO BE AT THE SAME POI WITH THE ORIGINAL POA. IT'S THE SAME PRINCIPLE THAT MAKES FREE FLOATING RIFLE BARRELS SO ACCURATE...

 

[fyimo]

Like others have said I shoot from a rest only when I shooting a new load combination or checking the zero on a pistol.

 

[GreyRider]

Joe & OLDNAVYMCPO, Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the posts I've read where people state their results shooting off a rest, which, to me speaks more to the accuracy of the gun and not the shooter. I'm also assuming that most guns in good operating condition are capable. I can also understand using a rest if one is not physically capable of shooting off-hand and still wants to enjoy shooting. Maybe it's my perception only - that it sometimes seems there's more people shooting off a rest than not... Which I suppose is what led to my original post...

 

[IAhunter]

My version of "checking for accuracy" is testing my hand loads, as in comparing different load combinations against each other for group size. Again, to remove as many human caused variables as possible. I sight in handguns without a rest, as in my experience, rests can change point of impact.

 

[jaymoore]

I almost never use a rest unless you count using one's legs/knees as such. And that's for the forearms. (A comfy shooting position whilst leaning against a tree whilst sitting in the woods for long periods of time.) Otherwise it's for distingushing between loads that were close in performance in previous testing. And at 50+ yards. Generally useless for sighting in.

ETA: was just surfing a pistol bullseye forum that I enjoy reading and found this bit of rested pistol fun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Jx9A1KbeTBw

We used to engage a rather larger steel plate at 300m at Ft. Benning, but it was more for giggles, so no rest used. Did have to hold way up in the trees to connect with .45s!

 

[Reddog]

When I'm checking new handload combinations, I always shoot with the butt of the gun resting on a sandbag, on the bench, because I want to eliminate as many variables (me!) as possible. I've done this since 1962 with good results! Another reason to consider shooting from a rest is age, and strength. At my age I don't shoot heavy guns well standing offhand.
Dick

 

[sw282]

l have shot benchrest with a rifle for years. l really like shooting little groups.. l also shoot prairie dogs using a rest..l shoot handguns much of the time the same way..Except when shooting Revolver Standing Class in IHMSA sillhoettes.. l have no interest in shooting PPC or IPSIC type combat games

 

[brucev]

When evaluating a particular load I will routinely shoot from a rest. My interest in such shooting it to find out what is the best potential for that load using my available firearms. Shooting from a rest allows me to eliminate extraneous variables that would otherwise influence results. I do this whether I am working with a revolver, pistol or rifle.

Once I've determined a load that I like for a particular firearm then I will likely include some sort of position work in my shooting. I like vintage military rifle shooting, both informal and in local matches. So I commonly shoot prone, sitting and standing with my rifles. I like shooting the B-27 with both revolvers and pistols. Over the years I've managed to shoot some good scores, but no matter what I've never been able to shoot a perfect 250, lots of 248's and 249's, but no 250. So, when I take my handguns to the range, I just about always am trying to see if I can with a bit of luck shoot that elusive 250. To do so would of course speak to my own level of skill just as the lesser scores indicate my need to improve.

Because I've tested my guns and loads, I know what is the very best result I can expect using my firearms and the ammunition. If I shoot a nice tight ten shot string w/ my 1903 or 1903-A3, then I know how it compares to results obtained firing from a rest and am able to make a judgment about my own skills. The same is true with my handguns.

Testing from a good solid rest using good marksmanship techniques is the only way one can find out what is the potential of a particular firearm as you evaluate ammunition, either factory or handloads.

 

[Goblin]

Aside from what's been mentioned about zeroing, accuracy testing, etc., shooting freehand will hone the specific muscles that are at work when shooting, another reason dry fire practice is important. You can improve your shooting by exercising these muscles specifically. One thing a lot of competitive shooters do is hang a three pound weight from a one inch dowel with a rope about five feet long. You hold it at arms length in a shooting stance and twist it to raise the weight all the way up, then slowly down and back up to help build more of the arm muscles than you build with traditional weightlifting exercises, and traditional exercises will help as well. Hope you enjoy the shooting sports as much as the rest of us.

 

[mtgianni]

I believe it is foolish to consider load development unless you are shooting from a rest. I was taught in a hunting situation to always look for a rest and do so whether using handguns or rifles. Hitting what you aim at at 200 yards is a lot of fun, I find it difficult to do offhand. If one considers a pistol as a defensive weapon only it makes little sense. If you consider it a fun toy with many uses a good rest is a necessity.

 

[Bearbait in NM]

For myself, I also consider a rest mandatory for my chronograph work. While the chrony is usually used in conjunction with accuracy testing noted above, sometimes it is not.

Craig

 

[S&W1006]

I only shoot from a rest with a handgun when testing loads.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I can't believe no one has mentioned it... Shooting from a rest will help develop trigger control. Very few things in shooting are more important.

 

[rwsmith]

As much as test of....

Bench rest shooting is as much a test of quality of equipment and ability to produce very consistent ammo and results. It takes a lot of practice and skill to go from 1" groups to .75" groups or less. I don't feel that this is as much of a test of shooting ability as is shooting offhand. I think the old standing, sitting, prone separates the sheep from the goats, especially if iron sights are used. THAT is a REAL test of shooting ability. That said, I'm old and lazy and often shoot off the bench nowadays and sitting position is OUT. I only bench rest my pistols occasionally though.

 

[M29since14]

Relative to this very subject, Elmer Keith, I believe it was, once said he "...was in favor of any shooting that burned powder." I know quite a few guys who enjoy tinkering with their weapons and ammunition trying to improve them, and rested-shooting is necessary for that. To them it is more than just "testing." In addition to being instructive it is both entertainment and relaxation. A nice combination. And shooting from a rest in no way removes the burden of applying most of the fundamentals to one's shooting, so I see no particular dishonor in it if that is what interests you. I happen to enjoy it myself, but I try not to let myself become carried away.

If the anti rested-shooting philosophy is taken to extremes, I suppose we all should shoot with one hand only, but among my friends only a few make a practice of that. I personally like to change my shooting around at intervals, but I think the guys who shoot a lot from the bench can be interesting and I like listening to what the smart ones have to say.