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Jaxom · Senior Member

Just sold some stuff on craiglist, though I'd have enough to stash a few dollars away towards my first serious air gun. My main reason for selling stuff though has consumed most of that money. So I've had to settle for at the very least upgrading the scope for my 1077.

I happened to be out searching for a 2250xt when I walked into a local Meijer's store. While they didn't have the rifle. They did have a gamo 4x32 on sale for becuase it's being discontinued. I dunno if this is a good scope or not. I just know ANYTHING would be better then that stupid tasco that came with my 1077.

Anywho. when I was siting in the taso, I was actually doing this in my bedroom/attic. (large house!). But in order to do so, I had to use one of those plastic pistol rests and some old pillows to hold the thing in place. Not the best of situation. So I got out my bass pro and cabela's catalogs and nearly had a heart attack when I looked up gun rests!

Just looking at these rests I just know there can't be more then $20 in steel stock used in making these. So I've got some idea's but I could use a little bit more input.

For the base or main part of the rest I would like to use 1"x1" 1/8 square steel tube. In the front make the "foot" 16" across, to make it stable. Then make the rear "foot" 8" across. So my arms don't have to rest on the "foot" while shooting it. To raise and lower it, I'll drill 2 (1/2" wide) holes in each foot. Then tack weld some bolts on the top of each "foot". Some carriage bolts and now I've got some adjustable legs. What I don't know, is how long I should make the center support from the front foot to rear foot. Suggestions?

Point I would like to make here before I go futher. I want to keep this simple yet functional as possible. I can make this whole unit very adjustable for sizes, but that would require extra money I don't have and going to a specialty metal shop a fare distance from me.

My next issue, is how tall to make the supports from the base to the forestock and butt holders. Again, suggestions?

I have a good idea on how I want to go about making the holders. Obviously I'd be using some thin steel plate. But I want some padding inbetween that and the stock so it doesn't scratch it all up. I'm thinking along the lines of finding some type of foam I can cut and spray glue into both the butt and fore stock supports. Comments?

As for size of the holders. I'll take the diamentions of my 1077. Make the butt stock 2" wider and 2" longer. For the forearm, again 2" wider and say 4" longer. This SHOULD fit just about any rifle I should buy in the future as well. I may try to make the butt holder removable. With the purchase of a bulked 2250xt high on my list, and a pcp on the back burner, I've got an idea for a "cup" shaped butt holder for those. Any more comments? Suggestions?

Thanks

Jax

Slavia · Moderator

Maybe find a place that sells them and get some measurements? Another option is to cut several pieces of wood, pressboard, or plywood and stack them to determine the height range that you need.

For padding you might consider carpet scraps. Or give-away computer mouse pads. Or toolbox shelf liner. Or old socks for sandbags. (Put the sand in a plastic bag, duct tape it shut, and put the bag inside the sock to prevent leaks). I like steel BB's even better than sand - they are plenty heavy, and conform more easily to the stock contour.

An option for the interim until you get the rest done is to go to a garage sale and buy an insulated, soft-sided lunch bag. Put a sealed plastic bag with sand inside, zip it shut, and you're in business. Those bags usually have different length, width, and breadth measurements. You therefore automatically have three different heights, depending upon how you position the bag on the bench.

kanyon · Silver Status Member

For a while I was useing a pencil case filled with sand.
one of those round soft cases. nothing flash but it worked

Slavia · Moderator

Here's another quick and dirty approach:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/firearms/shootbrochure.pdf

Another option is to make a roll from a carpet scrap and duct tape. It will serve as a rest at the bench, and also a kneeling roll for position shooting. (When you're kneeling, the toes of the foot under your behind support a lot of weight. The roll goes under your ankle for more support.)

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

This is what I use for a rest, it sits on its own base or by removing the base it will sit on to a balustrade, the blue roll is what is used in a roller towel unit. I find that it has just the right resilience for a springer, plus when I go out shooting I take it with me it sits well on a log or wall, pity about the colour but there you go.

Al

jmrarick · New Member

I used a bag of fertilizer pellets for a sandbag when sighting in my guns lol.

donwalk · Veteran Member

i just sewed up a canvas bag using velcro as a fastening device and use sand/dirt from the environment where i'm shooting...simply fill when ready to shoot...empty when through...you can fill as much as you like/need for your comfort/use.

you can make the bags ANY size that fits yer fancy, and use them as a 'poke' if so needed, they fit in any pocket/pack without taking any space or weighing much at all... Very Happy