What kind of rest do you use at the bench?

I refuse to use sand bags. When I go to a bench where previous user has used sandbags, I clean it off the bench before I begin. I bring my own bags filled with ground walnut shells or use my Caldwell rest.

Bottom line: Sand bags leak sand. It does not matter how careful you are, sand will find itself inside actions and practically all of your gear.

South West Asia, well that's a different story.
 
I just roll up a blanket or coat and rest the forearm on it, my elbows do the rest. I'm too cheap to buy a sled and sand bags do find a way to leak.
 
I've used sand-filled shot bags, all sorts of high-dollar benchrest rigs and even tight rolled strips of cloth under a rifle's fore end atop a bench. Nothing's shot as accurate as using the sand-filled shot bags under the fore end when I'm slung up in prone. Sometimes, a second bag under the toe of the stock will enable a smaller holding area.

One thing I've learned is the more someone holds onto a rifle sitting at a bench shooting it as it's held against ones shoulder, the worse accuracy gets. Us humans just don't reposition the rifle repeatably enough from bench positions. Most folks will shoot their rifles more accurate slung up in prone with a bag or bipod under the fore end. F-class competition has pretty much proved this.

Best accuracy tests of complete rifles are done with machine rests having a 3-point support that lets them recoil back and up like the do when fired off ones shoulder. These will produce much, much smaller test groups than any hand-holding and aiming us humans will ever make. Benchrest rifles stocked for free recoil firing are the next best system. Rail guns used in benchrest unlimited competition and some bullet makers are best for testing barrels and ammo components for accuracy.
 
Sandbags are my favorite. My mechanical gun rest has dust on it. I hate them. I like to get personal with my rifle what I bench shoot.
 
One thing I've learned is the more someone holds onto a rifle sitting at a bench shooting it as it's held against ones shoulder, the worse accuracy gets.
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When I use my Wichita rest my right hand is under the buttstock (I shoot left handed). My left hand is barely touching the grip. In other words, I try to shoot my hunting rifles like a bench rest rifle when I am shooting from a bench to develop hunting loads.

I have shot a couple of custom benchrest rifles at the rifle owner's personal 300 yard range - shooting out of building on a concrete floor and concrete bench. Rifles costing about $14,000. Don't touch the rifle and be very careful touching the trigger - pushing the air toward the trigger by moving the trigger finger seemed like enough force to fire the gun.:D

Best 3-shot group (measured with a ruler) was 3/8", worst was 7/16".
 
I use an old Bulls Bag in the front and a small eared bag for the rear of the rifle. Neither has ever leaked sand - so far.
 
Toting around bags of sand sounds like a punishment.

A screw jack and a sand bag filled with Styrofoam peanuts.
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Interesting.

I bought a pool noodle and cut it into three lengths, seven, eight and nine inches. They are tied together and on their side are six inches tall.
 
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