To improve the accuracy of the gun a wide variety of accessories are available, but until the gun is stable, no amount of accessories would improve the shot. For that, you require shooting rest. How do you choose the best shooting rest? If you are in a hurry go with the editor’s choice Caldwell Stinger. And if you want something different go through the list of seven shooting rest which is created after 52 hours of research and consulting eight gun experts.
Top Picks
Top 7 Shooting Rest
1. Caldwell Stinger Adjustable Ambidextrous – Best For AR15
The Caldwell Stinger is designed for rifles. Among all the shooting rests that we have tested, the design and the stability it provides is unmatched. Another thing that works for this device is the weight. It is very light compared to most of the devices that we had selected for testing. So that you can carry it around on your hunt.
We were pretty much impressed by the frame. It uses steel tube frames. It not only provides the whole setup stability but the conservative design makes it much lighter. We fired many shots and used ammunition for maximum recoil to see how the whole set upholds up. The best thing is the gun hardly moved off the rest.
- Skeletonized front rest and the rear cradle.
- Very light and easy to carry around.
- Easy to set up.
- Sturdy and durable frames.
- Works with most of the sniper class guns.
- Expensive compared to other similar shooting rests.
Bottom Line
If you had to ask which is the best for hunting. Our answer would be Caldwell Stinger Adjustable Ambidextrous, though a little expensive it’s worth it.
2. MTM K-Zone KSR-30 – Easy To Carry
Most of the users own both rifles as well as handguns. Hence, they also want a shooting rest that can handle both kinds of weapons. Out of all the rests we had selected, MTM K-Zone Shooting Rest KSR-30 has the best design and performance. It is equally good with a rifle as well as a pistol. The best part is that you can mount gun of any size on this rest because it is fully adjustable.
The shooting rest weight only 4 lbs. It is among the lightest shooting rest we have tested in our lab. We also used it in different conditions to see if it can withstand dirt and water. The frame and the body worked perfectly in rough conditions.
- Uses two beam adjustments to accommodate the weapon of different sizes.
- Easy to set up because of the dial screw.
- Very light.
- Works for all types of guns and crossbow.
- Durable design.
- The barrel of a few guns may wobble because of the wide front rest.
Bottom Line
For the users who own all kinds of weapon, the MTM K-Zone Shooting Rest KSR-30 gives all in 1 option. And also it is the best pistol rest for a crossbow.
3. Caldwell Zeromax – Best For Budget Conscious Users
Caldwell is one of the most popular manufactures of gun accessories. The Caldwell shooting rest is one of the most basic rest you can get for your rifle. Though there is nothing fancy about the rest but the built quality is amazing and provides great stability to the rifle of any size and shape. And even the setup is quick.
You can use the rest on the flat as well as uneven surfaces because of the adjustment knobs at the foot. They are easy to adjust. However, we felt that plastic caps for the screws could easily break if the rest is not handled carefully and without these caps, the screws will go into the ground making it difficult to set a stable base.
- Very easy use and set up.
- Nylon padding for protection.
- Adjustment knobs.
- Strong and durable material.
- You cannot rotate the gun for a wider range of aim.
- Knobs use plastic which can break.
Bottom Line
If you are on a budget and want something simpler that doesn’t take much effort to carry around or setup, the Caldwell Zeromax Shooting Rest is a good choice.
4. Caldwell Steady NXT- Best For All Guns
With so many varieties of guns out there having a shooting rest that supports all is hard to find. Out of all the selection we had for testing, Caldwell Steady Rest NXT is another rest that supports rifle, and handguns. But the sturdy and non-destructive design supports shotguns too. The rear cradle and front rest are connected by a removable bridge.
All the adjustment knobs are conveniently placed to allow the user to adjust the height while the gun is mounted. The front rest has both knob and dial for perfect alignment. Even the rest is padded with soft material, so the weapons are not harmed in any way.
- Suitable for all kinds of guns.
- Rugged design.
- Adjustable knobs are well placed.
- Rests are well padded.
- Uses three part to create the right length for different guns.
- Adjusting to different gun lengths takes time.
- Expensive compared to other similar products.
- Doesn’t work with crossbows.
Bottom Line
We used all kinds of the gun with the Caldwell Steady Rest NXT. You will love the rest if you get the hang of it. But if you want constantly change between guns, probably end up hating it. And we believe it is the best pistol rest for coyote hunting.
5. Caldwell Matrix Adjustable Ambidextrous – Best Adjustable
We talked about how the Caldwell Steady Rest NXT is in three sections and takes time to adjust for different guns. The Caldwell Matrix Adjustable solves that issue with the adjustable u-channel frame. With the Matrix shooting rest, you can cycle between two different guns with ease. It doesn’t take much time to adjust the length. Even the front rest uses spring-loaded adjustment knob which is much faster than a dial mechanism.
The built quality is the same as the Caldwell Steady Rest NXT. It uses the over-molded rear cradle and front rest. Also uses non-marring material which secures any gun without damaging it at any point of contact during recoil action or even on safety mode.
- Quickly adjusts to the different size of the gun.
- Over-molded rear and front rest.
- Separate rest for a pistol.
- Uses a spring-loaded mechanism for front rest.
- Inexpensive.
- Not perfect for crossbow use.
Bottom Line
The Caldwell Matrix has been designed with small details. You can easily change mags, and every adjustment is quick. We believe it is the best pistol rest for sighting in a rifle.
6. HYSKORE 1003629 Gas Dampened DLX – Best For Precision Shooting
All the shooting rests we have mentioned secure the gun, but when precision shooting is required, you need a shooting rest specifically designed for it. The HYSKORE 1003629 probably one of the best for that kind of job. For shooting precision, it outscores all the shooting rest in our lab.
As far as the built quality is concerned, it’s good but not that great when compared to the shooting rest we have reviewed. When we were assembling the rest, we observed that there few places were rubber is used, it has been glued. It is quite possible; it would come off after a few weeks of use. The overall weight of the rest is 13 lbs. Compared to other shooting rest it is on the heavier side making it a less portable option.
- Improves shooting precision.
- Uses remote hydraulic trigger release.
- Works well for any kind of rifle.
- Uses compression damper technology.
- Uses low-quality material for a few parts.
- Expensive.
- Not easy to assemble.
Bottom Line
We would only recommend the HYSKORE 1003629 only if you want to improve your accuracy with the gun. Beyond that, you have much better options for purposes.
7. Caldwell 7 Rest Adjustable Ambidextrous – Best For Long Term Use
If you are not a fan of something fancy, you might light Caldwell 7 Rest Adjustable Ambidextrous. Probably it is most basic shooting rest you can get. There is nothing much to worry about. You get straightforward knobs and pivot joint to accommodate different types of gun. It is more suitable for rifles.
Though it is basic, you can adjust the knobs even when the gun on the rest. During our test, we used several types of gun. The precision is not the best you can work with rest if you as the shooter has a good aim.
- Simple and easy design.
- Easy to use.
- Easy to carry around.
- Suitable for all kinds of the rifle.
- No padding on the rest.
Bottom Line
It is one of the cheapest shooting rest with good built quality and design. Also works with most types of rifles.
Buyer’s Guide- What To Consider?
Buying a perfect shooting rest for your weapon requires you to know things that make up the a top class shooting rest. We have used these factors for our research and tests different shooting rest. They also help you find your right shooting rest. Let’s look at them one by one:
1. Type
There are several types of rests out there, but generally, they are differentiated into four types—Lead Sled, shooting pods, shooting table and shooting pods.
The lead sled is the most effective shooting rest. We had all types of shooting rests but when we compiled the list of top seven performers all were a lead sled. This type of shooting rests is designed to contain or hold a weapon. When enhanced, it can also reduce the recoil of rifle or pistol allowing the user to hit the targets more accurately. Especially when you are using sniper class rifles, you want the rests that improve accuracy. HYSKORE 1003629 Gas Dampened DLX is the best example of it.
There are generally three types of pods—field pods, bipods, and tripods. Just like there it is like stand where you rest the barrel of the gun and rest of the gun is supported by your body. Such shooting rests are suitable only for long guns. We wouldn’t recommend you to get this kind of rests if you are looking for accuracy. However, shooting pods are best for hunting as they are portable and allow you to change the aim much quicker.
As the name suggests, they are in the form of a bench or table where you set your whole weapon. Shooting table may also require a lead sled to secure the gun as some bench does not have all the features to secure the gun. Shooting table is not that portable compared to lead sled or pods.
Much like other shooting range, the bags are designed to absorb recoil. Usually, they are a kit of two bags. One to rest the front and others to rest the rear. We feel they are good only for making the gun more stable but does not secure the gun as a lead sled does or shooting bench does. These are the best pistol shooting rests.
When you compare all type of shooting rests, best out all are the lead sled types as they provide much more stability and also keep the gun secure. Also, they are designed in such a way that you don’t have to lift the gun while changing the magazine.
2. Adjustment knobs
To adjust the gun to the best possible position for suiting, most of the shooting rest uses adjustment knobs. You will find top shooting rests have an adjustment on the front rest. Either they have a dial or simple knobs to adjust. One thing you have to be mindful, it is the position of the knobs. You don’t want to take your hands off the trigger or the gun to adjust the knobs. Hence, they should be within the reach while you are in shooting position.
3. Front and Rear Rest
The front rest and the rear cradle are the usually the part which is in contact with the gun. You want these parts to have padding, so that gun is not harmed. Usually, when the gun is fired, it recoils. If these parts are not well padded, they will scratch the gun coating. Another, thing you have to take care is who well the gun is secured at these points. If the gun is not tight, it might wobble or move while firing, thus compromising the aim.
4. Durability
Shooting rests are usually used in outdoor conditions. You want a unit that can withstand dirt, water, impact, etc. Good shooting rests are made of steel or heavy duty plastics. Caldwell Stinger is one of the most durable shooting rest we have on our list. It uses steel tubes which are not only durable as well as light.
How We Conduct Tests?
We selected 26 different shooting rests which are best sellers or most popular. With the help of seller and experts, we narrowed down these 26 shooting rests. Once we acquired each shooting rest, we determined the parameters for testing each model. These parameters included durability, stability, portability, and versatility.
Based on these parameters, we designed several tests. We made sure we used all types of weapon including a crossbow. We also hired an experienced shooter to make sure there is a minimum human error while testing each model. We also made sure every measuring tool we use are well calibrated and accurate. In addition to tests, we also scanned several review sites and contacted existing users to know their experience with the shooting rest.
After considering all test results, expert views and user reviews, we asked our team to score each model on the three most important parameter—stability, durability, and portability. After calculating the overall score, we sorted the 7 shooting rests out 26 rests. Here is the scorecard:
| Product | Stability | Durability | Portability | Overall | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Stinger | 96.4 | 97.1 | 97.4 | 96.9 | CheckPrice |
| MTM K-Zone | 96.4 | 96.7 | 97.5 | 96.8 | CheckPrice |
| Caldwell Zeromax | 96.2 | 96.5 | 96.6 | 96.4 | CheckPrice |
| Caldwell Steady | 96.3 | 96.2 | 96.5 | 96.3 | Check Price |
| Caldwell Matrix | 96.7 | 95.8 | 96.6 | 96.3 | CheckPrice |
| HYSKORE 1003629 | 97.2 | 95.4 | 96.1 | 96.2 | Check Price |
| Caldwell 7 | 95.8 | 96.4 | 95.8 | 96 | CheckPrice |
Final Thought
We have made sure that we test each shooting rest in every possible way. So that you can get the right shooting rest. However, even before you take a look at our list, you will have to determine your requirement and budget. Without it, you won’t be able to narrow it down to units that are best for you. If you have any doubts about how to choose the right shooting rest, you can always take a look at our comprehensive buyer’s guide.
Caldwell Stinger Adjustable Ambidextrous- Editor's Choice
Summary
If you had to ask which is the best for hunting. Our answer would be Caldwell Stinger Adjustable Ambidextrous, though a little expensive it’s worth it.
When we talk about stability it is very important to have considered it when you are having a rifle, without any stability, you won’t be able to scope and target your aim. There are rear riffle stability tools available