Summertime is a great time to get out and shoot with your airguns. The days are longer, and the weather is warmer. So, how can we make the most of these great conditions? It helps to have the right accessories for your airgun. Whether you are shooting a break barrel, PCP pistol, or big-bore hunting gun, there are some great tools to help you get the most out of your experience. Let’s get started.
Keep it Stable
Target shooting is a great pastime, and we have more time to do it during the summer. While most people focus on optics, slugs, and power tuning their guns to improve their accuracy, few consider the need for absolute stability.
If the platform from which you are shooting is unstable, it will significantly impact the consistency of your point of impact. That’s one reason that professional shooting ranges use concrete benches set right into the ground. They literally become part of the earth, so you have the most stable and secure shooting platform.
Building large concrete shooting benches isn’t always practical in your backyard. Still, if you are serious about getting the most accuracy out of your airgun, then a solid shooting table is a good place to start. Some commercially available options exist, and we stock the MTM Case-Gard Predator Shooting Table, which, provided that you have flat, solid ground, makes a decent shooting bench. Other options, including Caldwell and other brands, are also readily available.
Next, we need to consider how you’ll support your airgun on your shooting bench. Some common options are simple shooting bags like the Caldwell TackDriver Shooting Bag. If you have more than one airgun, you’ll also need more than one method to support your rifle at the bench. Let’s look at a few favorites to see how they may work best for your needs.
Bench Shooting Gear for Rifle Shooters
The Hawke Sport Optics Pro Benchrest works well for a wide variety of airgun formats. Traditional long guns and bullpups generally fit like a glove. The system is best suited for shooters who want to feel connected to their airgun and need help stabilizing it for the most accurate shots. Its adjustable feet, forearm and buttstock supports, and fine-tune height adjuster make it very customizable and easy to use. It’s not ideal for AR-style airguns, so if you have one of those, keep reading; we’ll get you sorted out next.
The MTM Case-Gard Predator Shooting Rest is a good option for your AR-style airgun, traditional rifles, and bullpups. It lacks the fine adjustments of the Hawke rest, but what it lacks in those adjustments, it makes up for in price, weight, portability, and convenience. The rubber supports really grip your airgun for shooting and provide a stable platform for maintenance and repairs.
Bench Gear for Pistol Shooters
But what if you mainly shoot pistols and not rifles? Well, the MTM Case-Gard Predator doubles as a great pistol rest with the removable rear support. If you want something even smaller and more portable, consider the MTM Pistol rest. The adjustable V-Fork supports your pistol, and the adjustable padded platform supports your hand and pistol grip.
Lastly, if you want an affordable, universal, stable shooting rest for your rifle or pistol shooting, then the Allen Company Triax Adjustable Front Shooting Rest is worth a look. It’s made from a rugged polymer and features a tripod design for stability, an elevation locking screw, elevation micro-adjustment, and an over-molded support head with soft grip gun rest. It’s lightweight and portable, suitable for your gun bag, and ready to go.
That’s a Wrap
We’ve focused mostly on shooting aids to maximize your summer shooting time at the bench. Do you have questions about what other gear can help you get the most out of your airgun? Don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always ready to help.
