I know a lot of bench rest, skeet and trap shooters that would really dissagree with that statement. I know many people that are very into the shooting sports that do not hunt, I used to be one of them. Same goes for archery.

Sounds like you had some fun Butch, and that is what's important. I sometimes shoot off a rolled up blanket if I don't have anything else. A feed bag full or corn or something works pretty well too.

I went and got me one of those plastic Bench Buddy rests for not much money and it works pretty well for what it is. I would like to have a better rest, but I really can't afford it and this thing works for what I need it to do. I can manage sub MOA groups with my 17 HMR using it, so it must be ok.

Let us know what happens on your next outing.

Oh, and when I actually sight in a gun I don't aim at a round bullseye. I aim at a square or crossed lines on a plain target. One verticle and one horizontal. Aim at the line that runs from left to right to set your elevation. Only worry about where the bullet impacts high or low, not left or right. Then aim at the line that runs up and down to set your windage. Again, no concern for where the bullet strikes up and down, only concentrate on left to right keeping the cross hair on the verticle line.

And only make one adjustment at a time! Don't take a couple of shots and then move the scope 10 clicks to the right and 7 clicks up. Work on one axis at a time. Set your windage first, then work on your elevation. You can also set your windage at 50 yards if you want, then re check it or fine tune it at 100 yards or whatever distance you decide to sight in for Zero on your elevation. Remember the farther out you get the more wind will effect your windage. So don't adjust your windage on a windy day at 150 yards.

It may take more time and more ammo, but it's a more precise method because you are only concentrating on one axis at a time and it's easier to hold steady that way. Once you try it you will see what I mean.

Paul