Page 3 of 3 - Shooting Aids
What are Shooting Aids?
Shooting aids are helpful tools to stabilize your gun while shooting or maintaining your gear, helping to shoot your firearm more accurately, more consistently, and easier to shoot. They include:
- Shooting rests
- Shooting platforms
- Rifle bench rests
- Rifle stands for shooting
- Gun vises for cleaning and maintenance
From a heavy caliber rifle to a lightweight PCP air gun, these aids help to decrease fatigue, reduce movement, and maintain the proper shooting form. For example, the air rifle bench rest is specifically made for air guns and comes with a non-marring surface, helping to stabilize it while having a recoil-absorbing surface.
How Shooting Aids Work
Shooting aids work by guiding or supporting a firearm while aiming or zeroing optics. A shooting rest or shooting stand supports the rifle either front or back (or both) to take the dexterity of the trigger control away from the equation and to minimize barrel movement.
Types of shooting aids include:
- Adjustable rifle bench rests are usable for consistency in accuracy.
- Gun vises are also usable for cleaning, optically mounting, and repairs.
- Portable shooting platforms of used in the field or at the bench.
- Shooting stands as useful for height and angle adjustment.
Using a rifle stand to shoot ensures your firearm stays ortho-aligned with your firing point, making your data better and your groups tighter.
Choosing the Right Shooting Aids
When determining what kind of shooting aids to utilize, think about your firearm type, shooting location, and your goals.
- For Range Days or Zeroing - Use a heavy-duty rifle bench rest or air rifle bench rest, with front and rear support.
- For Maintenance - A gun vise provides a rock-solid location, perfect for cleaning, working on your scope, or tuning.
- For Portability - Consider a lightweight shooting rest or folding shooting platform. This will allow you to shoot easily when you get to the field or the woods quickly.
- For Everything - Use rifle stands that have adjustable capabilities based on the type of firearm and position you are shooting from.
Supporting your shooting correctly will allow for consistency, comfort, and therefore, accuracy!