Proven Picks For Building The Best Shooting Rest

A solid rest provides hunters with the foundation for executing a perfect shot in the moment of truth. However, obtaining the elusive “rock-solid” rest when hunting is easier said than done. Unfortunately, there is not a golden ticket item that provides shooters a sturdy rest in every scenario. The topography, vegetation, and your personal style of hunting will dictate what works best for you.

Keep in mind that any rest is better than no rest, but not all rests are created equal. No matter your go-to shooting rest setup, spend plenty of time practicing with them in a variety of hunting scenarios. Becoming proficient with building a solid rest no matter the situation will lead to punched tags, heavy packs, and full freezers. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of some of the best hunting-specific shooting rests available, along with the pros and cons of each style.

MONOPODS

Monopods are made for hunting in densely vegetated or wooded areas where shots are close and opportunities are fleeting. They provide a quick set up and are easily adjustable to be shot from the kneeling to standing position. Monopods can also double as a walking stick or collapse to fit neatly in your pack. Another scenario where monopods thrive is shooting out of a tree stand. The downside to this ultralight and quick shooting aid is its singular post allows for the most movement of any shooting rest when settling your crosshairs.

BOG ADRENALINE MONOPOD

Weighing a mere 1.26 lbs., this monopod gives hunters a wide range of height adjustment from 24 inches completely collapsed, to 70 inches fully extended. The Adrenaline is easily adjusted up or down using Bog’s lever-lock leg design and features a 360-degree panhead fixed atop the single post. The head also features Bog’s Switcheroo Quick Change System, which allows hunters to swap the shooting yoke out for a variety of optic accessories.

$65 | boghunt.com

PRIMOS TRIGGER STICK GEN3 MONOPOD

This slick, quick rest pairs the fast height adjustability that Trigger Sticks are known for with the versatility of a monopod. Primos offers a short and tall version of the Gen3 Monopod. The short version adjusts from 21 inches to 30 inches, and the tall 35 inches to 65 inches. Both models feature a contoured grip as well as their new quick-detach yoke system, allowing a variety of optic and camera accessories.

$80 | primos.com

BIPODS

When sprawled out in the prone position, a short-legged bipod is as close to a bench rest as hunters will experience in the field. Bipods thrive in the West where vegetation is short, and shots are long. Most bipods sport adjustable legs allowing hunters to shoot from either a prone or sitting position. Keep in mind that the longer the legs, and the farther away you get from the ground, the less stable your bipod becomes. Shot setup can also take additional time when using a bipod due to uneven terrain and vegetation obstructions. Depending on brand, bipods can become cumbersome and heavy.

SPARTAN PRECISION JAVELIN PRO HUNT BIPOD

Spartan Precision's Javelin Pro Hunt bipod certainly lives up to the company's standard of excellence. It is a sleek, lightweight (6.3 oz.) alternative when compared to other bipods. It also utilizes Spartan Precision’s Magnetic Attachment System for quick attachment in the field. Another noteworthy feature of the Javelin Pro is the head’s ability to cant, keeping your rifle level when battling an uneven surface.

$270 | javelinbipod.com

HARRIS BIPOD

Harris Bipods have long been a go-to option for shooters across the country. They offer a multitude of bipods ranging from 6 inches to 9 inches for shooting prone, all the way up to 13.5 inches to 27 inches for shooting from a sitting or kneeling position. Most models feature spring-loaded legs which quickly deploy and retract with the push of a button. Harris bipods are a sturdy option, but they can be heavy and bulky when using the longer-legged models.

$77-$202 | harrisbipods.com

TRIPODS

Whether you are sitting in a ground blind, standing on top of a mesa, or tucked under a tree, a tripod provides a very stable shooting platform. Shooting saddles or clamps have also become a popular accessory sitting atop many tripods, providing an incredibly stable rest. One word of warning when using these shooting saddles is that follow-up shots can be difficult. This is due to the fact that your gun is locked in place and chances are your target is moving when another shot is required. Tripods are typically heavy, and always bulky, but the stability they provide is worth the sacrifice when precision is paramount.

PRIMOS TRIGGER STICK APEX CARBON FIBER TRIPOD

Primos unveiled their newest Trigger Stick, the Apex Carbon Fiber Tripod, at SHOT Show last year. The mounting-plate system allows for a shooting saddle, traditional shooting yoke, or a variety of other attachments to mount to the tripod. Total weight of the new tripod comes in at 7 lbs. Heavy? Yes. But the modularity and solid rest make this a great option whether hunting close to the truck or out of a blind.

$500 | primos.com

LEUPOLD PRO GUIDE TRIPOD WITH SHOOTING SADDLE

Leupold’s Pro Guide’s carbon fiber legs use a fast, twist locking system, compressing to 18.5 inches, and extending out to 67 inches. The wide range of height adjustment, combined with a total weight of only 4 lbs., makes this a compact option. Leupold also released a series of accessories, including optic attachments and a shooting saddle, that can easily be mounted via a universal Arca Swiss mounting plate. You won’t find a much better rest than that.

$600 (Tripod) + $150 (Shooting Saddle) | leupold.com

BOG DEATHGRIP TRIPOD

As the name suggests, the Bog Deathgrip tripod uses a patent-pending clamping system to provide shooters a rock-steady rest. A 360-degree head with built in pan and tilt knobs allow for quick and precise adjustments. The rest also features an integrated bubble level and allows for up to 25-degrees of cant adjustment. Weighing in at 8.5 lbs., this is a heavy option, but you can’t argue with the solid rest it provides. Bog also offers a Carbon Fiber Deathgrip tripod, shaving 1 lb. off the overall weight.

$180-$280 | boghunt.com

STICKS

Shooting sticks, typically in the configuration of two legs crossed at the top creating a V shape, have been providing hunters a shooting rest for decades, if not centuries. They provide a quick, lightweight alternative to the newer bipod and tripod configurations, although they do lack the support of some of these newer systems. This style of shooting rest, often with three legs secured together, is still the preferred aid of choice amongst African PH’s, where hunters primarily shoot from the standing position.

ALLEN VELOCITY CLICK-STICK SHOOTING STIX

Allen’s Velocity Click-Stick Shooting Stixs is a simplistic approach to a shooting rest. When fully assembled, the bipod platform measures in at 69 inches. The system uses shockcords, similar to that of tent poles, to keep the sections of the legs together and allow easy set up and takedown. The feet are equipped with steel tips to keep the sticks stable on any terrain. These sticks provide a quick and steady platform for your shot opportunity.

$37 | byallen.com

BOG DEAD SILENT SHOOTING STICKS

Bog offers these simple shooting sticks in both a kneeling and standing configuration. The sitting model extends to 39 inches while the standing model extends up to 72 inches. Weighing only 7 ounces, these are the lightest shooting rests available. Constructed from 9/16-inch aluminum and featuring non-marring surfaces, these sticks will hold up in tough hunting conditions.

$40-$45 | boghunt.com

REAR REST

Rear rests can be made up of many different things. Some prefer a pack or jacket, while others prefer lightweight, pliable bags specifically made to cradle the butt of your stock. Some type of rear rest, even if it’s just your fist, is essential when shooting prone to solidify your crosshairs on your intended target. If precision is your goal, a rear rest paired with a good bipod or tripod is a must-own accessory. The only downside to a rear shooting rest is the room it will take up in your pack.

ARMAGEDDON GEAR SQUISHY REAR BAG

The Squishy Rear Bag from Armageddon Gear weighs only 1.6 lbs. and will give rear support to your rifle in a variety of shooting scenarios. The round cross section and Tweave shell allow this bag to mold to any shooting situation. This may be the last shooting aid to make it in your pack, but once you use one and see the difference it makes, you will never leave home without it again.

$39 | armageddongear.com

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