Tame the beast and cure bad cases of “flinchitis” with these rifle recoil reducing rests.
It’s a foregone conclusion that to shoot a rifle accurately, you typically must use a rigid support. When it comes to spending time at the bench with stout recoiling rifles, a rest device that helps absorb some recoil will make the experience more enjoyable and prevent “flinchitis.” Employing a recoil reduction rest isn’t just for the heavy magnum rifles. Recoil produces a cumulative effect on your nervous system, and you will know what I mean if you drop the hammer on a mild-recoiling rifle, like a .308, more than 100 times in a single shooting session.
It’s not necessary to calculate free recoil to enjoy the benefits of a recoil-reducing rest, but understanding how it is calculated may win a bet some day. It requires a dab of physics and a pinch of math to calculate the energy produced. The part you can’t calculate is an individual’s physiology and recoil tolerance.
The formula for free recoil energy is E=1/2MV Squared. “M” equals the mass of the gun and “V” is recoil velocity. Calculate velocity of recoil by multiplying the weight of the bullet and powder charge, and its muzzle velocity. An easier way to explain the calculation would be to work through an example, but I never really liked mathematics, either. The simplest way to calculate your gun’s recoil is to use this web link is to plug your data into JBM Ballistics calculator.
The principal upon which most recoil-reducing rests work is they essentially add weight to the gun. Plug the extra weight of the rest to the weight of the gun and the math works the same. When you have satisfied your recoil curiosity, check out these rests to find one that fits your needs.
Hyskore Shooting Rests
Hyskore’s recoil absorbing shooting rests uses compression dampers and spring technology to progressively absorb recoil and return the rifle to battery after each shot fired. At the range, the shooter can shoot directly off the shoulder with as little or as much recoil absorption as desired.
The author has tested the Black Gun Machine Rest, which is convenient and portable, weighing just 22 pounds and does not require the addition of weights or sandbags. Numerous spring/damper combinations accommodate anything from .17 to .416 Rigby. The rest is equipped with a “V” notch, a pedestal for bag rests, and a magnetic spirit level to assure that the device sits level on the bench. The center of the rest is constructed with extra space allowing for extended high-capacity magazines and pistol grips.
Hyskore also offers a Dangerous Game Machine Rest, which will return to battery (+/- 3 MOA) if the rest is firmly anchored to a solid bench. This device, and the Black Gun Machine Rest, uses nitrogen filled dampers to absorb the recoil. These two rests are easy on your gun. They absorb recoil quite similar to the way that a human shoulder takes recoil. When mounted to a solid bench, these rests differ from other recoil-absorbing rests because they stay in place, negating the need to reposition the rest after each shot. If you want the ultimate in accuracy, a remote trigger release eliminates any human induced motion.
Through a series of adjustment knobs, a strapped-in rifle can be moved to align it on target. To completely eliminate any shooter induced movement, a plunger triggering device can be hooked up to fire the rifle without shouldering it. Learn more at Hyskore.com.
MTM Shoulder-Gard Rifle Rest
The Shoulder-Gard Rifle Rest is a recoil reducing rest. With the growing popularity of magnum caliber rifles, heavy recoil can be a real pain. To address this issue, MTM offers a four-point, flexible base, shooting rest designed to ease the shoulder punishment of sighting-in powerful magnum rifles.
Shoot more comfortably by utilizing the integrated recoil-reduction sling. The recoil reduction sling deletes for use with lighter calibers rifles.
For maximum recoil reduction, the feet of the rest need to be flat on the surface from which you are shooting. Add weight to the middle section and make sure the rest is flat and stable. The rest flexes in the middle of the base to sit flat on any surface with the addition of a little weight. Ten to 25 pounds added to the middle compartment will flex the base and make it very stable.
When using the recoil reduction sling the stock needs to be pulled tight into the sling. The off hand grasping the forearm of your rifle while shooting lessens muzzle rise. Applying a slight downward pressure with your forearm will usually produce the best groups. Recoil reduction occurs when the strap pulls into the rubber pad, which absorbs and transfers energy into the back of the base, which flexes transferring energy to the shooting bench. The shooting bench needs to be rigid and clean with the rest getting a good grip.
Remember the gun is not going anywhere because the back of the gun is strapped in and the front is in your hand. Instead of firmly putting your shoulder into the butt stock, back it off about a half inch to an inch and you will notice reduced recoil. For maximum accuracy, you need to lock the front fork in place by tightening the fluted knob.
Caldwell Lead Sled Plus
I have been a fan of Caldwell’s Lead Sled for several years. It’s a rugged device that works simply by cradling a rifle with a rigid padded metal rear piece that holds the rifle’s butt. I usually place 20 pounds of lead weights in the cradle, which essentially adds that much weight to the weight of the rifle in regards to absorbing recoil energy. A locking heavy screw raises the front of the rest.
I have fired several thousand rounds of heavy-weight magnum 12 gauge turkey loads from light-weight shotguns, and have taken less punishment by using a Lead Sled. Recoil is recoil, whether you are shooting a rifle or shotgun. One of the weaknesses of the original Lead Sled is that it does not work well with rifles with high-capacity magazines. The bottom of the magazine contacts the center of the rest and throws it off kilter. Caldwell’s answer was to incorporate twin support bars that ride along the sides of an extended magazine. To solve this problem they designed their new DFT (Dual Frame Technology) rifle rest.
Lead Sled DFT II
Caldwell didn’t stop there, and added several more key improvements. The Lead Sled DFT II is their next-generation recoil-absorbing rest. Like the original, the Lead Sled Plus reduces recoil by up to 95 percent, while securely holding your gun on target. A newly-designed precision elevation shaft eliminates wobble and play, which helps keep you on target. Also new is the re-designed universal weight tray. The new tray adjusts to accommodate a variety of weight types, including 25-pound bar bell weights, sand bags or lead shot bags.
This new model holds two 25-pound bar bell weights or 100 pounds of bagged lead shot. Non-marring rubber feet keep your bench in good shape. An adjustable-height rear foot position allows adjustments. A filled front rest bag comes along with a padded rear rest. This device is made from durable steel that is powder coated, so it will last a long time. It measures 12 inches wide and 27 inches long. This model retails on BassPro’s web site.
Shooter’s Ridge Zero Kick
Taking the pain out of shooting is easy with a Shooter’s Ridge Zero Kick rifle rest. It works by simply placing your firearm on the front and rear sand bags, position the recoil strap tightly around the butt of the gun, adjust the elevation of the front rest and shoot.
The Zero Kick rest incorporates a center tray that will hold up to two 25-pound bags of lead shot. Front and rear sand bags give you a traditional bench-rest feel. Fine tune your aim with front and rear elevation adjustments. The center weight tray allows the use of sand bags or weight lifting plates for additional recoil reduction. If you so choose, the recoil-eliminating strap moves out of the way for normal use. Non-slip rubber feet help keep it in place on the bench.
Constructed from light-weight aluminum, this unit still weighs 16 pounds without additional weights.
Blackhawk’s Titan
Featuring a strong industrial design, the Blackhawk Sportster Titan FXS gives shooters a solid shooting platform, holding the gun firmly on target. It allows for quick elevation and windage adjustment to accommodate a variety of rifle configurations.
Some of the features include a premium-grade rest for long-range accuracy, durable cast aluminum and steel tube construction, and it’s compatible with magazine-fed rifles. Its ambidextrous design works well for right- or left-handed shooters. The length of the rest adjusts three inches for a custom fit. It quickly raises your rifle 2 ¼ inches with an ergonomic elevation wheel, or adjusts for a little more than 1 1/3 inches for windage. A removable steel weight tray takes this part of the apparatus out of the way when not needed. Or, it allows adding several pounds for more recoil reduction. A set of adjustable steel feet, with removable polymer covers, protects the bench surface. To protect the rifle a padded rear rest covers the unit, and a leather shooting bag is on the front.
Featuring durable molded polymer and steel tube construction, Blackhawk’s Sportster Titan R2 holds a rifle securely, delivering long-range accuracy while in the field or on the hunt. This rugged rest allows shooters to quickly modify the elevation with 2.25 inches of adjustment. Durable molded polymer and steel tube construction presents an attractive industrial design. Compatible with magazine-fed rifles, this model also features a removable steel weight tray. An ergonomic, rapid-adjust elevation wheel adjusts 2 ¼ inches.
You Might Also Like:
Harnessing Hornady’s 6mm ARC with Accurate Handloads
Deep Sixing Coyotes with Hornady’s 6mm ARC
Handloading for Ruger’s American Predator Rifle in 6.5 Grendel
Looking for the Latest Handloading Components? Check Out This Bullet Bonanza
More About Jay Langston
Subscribe to Jay’s Newsletter