Product review: MTM Predator shooting rest

[O.S.O.K.]

I purchased an MTM "predator" shooting rest last fall to use at the range. This is a injection molded plastic, fully adjustable rest that seemed quite stable and proved easy to use.

However... every gun that I've shot off of it has performed poorly and thrown ocasional flyers. I also have found that it allows for minute movement when you're trying to steady for the shot. Rifles that shoot 3/4" groups off of sand bags can't keep em in 2" with this rest. At least, I can't keep them in 2" with this rest. And I do know proper technique.

The problem is that the plastic is very pliable and depending on how you hold it, the front rest bounces at the shot... to one degree or another. Sometimes a lot - sending the shot 2-3" vertically.

I tried puting lead weights for and aft and in the shaft of the front rest. This added weight, but did not solve the bouncing issue.

Therefore, I just ordered a steel caldwell rest from midway. The customer feedback was all positive and spoke of how performance actually increased over using sand bags. It's a very simple rest.

I want this for load testing and new rifle/changed rifle evaluation, so it needs to provide consistency and good feedback. The MTM just isn't capable of that. Its junk IMHO.

Just thought I'd report this so that other's can avoid this product. The Caldwell rest is their "Zero Max" and was only $36. This is actually less than the price of the plastic MTM product.

[Jeff Quinn]

I like this one:
http://www.gunblast.com/TargetShooting1000.htm

[O.S.O.K.]

yep that's really nice.

All's I really want is an economical, easily transported, steady rest.

I think I've got one comming. We shall see.

I've made a few myself out of 2x4's and plywood but the adjustment range and ergonomics weren't "there".

[Griff]

Thanks for the feedback, OSOK. And nice review Jeff, that looks like quite the versatile rest.

[scr83jp]

I looked at several firearm shooting rests at the SHOT show 2 years ago but didn't decide until this year,bought a Caldwell Lead Sled to ease the pain in my old shoulder from sighting in with my rifles I also carry wheeler engineering scope level -level -level & a torpedo level.