The 10 Best Shooting Rests of 2021

1. Best Overall Shooting Rests: Caldwell DeadShot Combo

Surface versatility, ease of use, durability, and portability convenience make the Caldwell DeadShot Combo our best overall shooting rests.

The combo set offers 2 high-quality bags for use on both front and rear rifle support. To facilitate easy and immediate use, these bags come filled with corn cob, which is reliable stability and recoil reduction.

These bags are highly versatile and will work on virtually all surfaces. They also support easy adjustment to any position, whenever required.

And you count on the bags’ durability thanks to their 600 Denier polyester construction, which is also water-resistant to support demanding outdoor applications.

Both bags implement a quick-connect system that secures them together to boost portability and organization.

You may notice the rear bag height of Caldwell DeadShot Combo is on the lower side, especially compared to that of the front bag.

2. Best Inexpensive Shooting Rest: Hiram SandBag

Hiram SandBag shooting rest manages to bundle durability, compactness, and portability in a pocket-friendly price that is accessible to most budget buyers.

For less than $10, you get 2 high-quality rifle support bags (front and rear), which are made of durable 6000D water-resistant oxford cloth. It will remain strong even after years of regular use.

Both bags are made using non-marring material, to prevent any harm to your rifle’s finish. You can rest your rifle on them without worrying about damage.

Each of these bags has quick-connect should carrying straps, which simplify transportation while maximizing comfort as you embark on different outdoor shooting experiences.

Then there’s the quick-connect system that ensures the bags are constantly secured together, for both convenience and improved organization.

The Hiram SandBag shooting rest, however, comes unfilled. You will need to source the filling materials separately.

3. Best Heavy-Duty Shooting Rest: Caldwell 336677

The premium construction and features, superior recoil reduction, and enhanced stability of the Caldwell 336677 make it the best heavy-duty shooting rest on the market.

It is designed to maximize accuracy with front windage height adjustment that supports an elevation of up to 2.5 in. The finger-tip rear elevation is also supported to maximize flexibility.

The ambidextrous rest comes fitted with a high-performance rear cradle that reduces rifle recoil by up to 95%. A battled weight tray boost shot stability with its 100-lb weight load capacity.

Also, the front cradle is adjustable to accept rifles and shotguns of varying lengths. Multiple no-skip rubber feet ensure that the rifle rests firmly on flat surfaces, such as benches.

The heavy-duty Caldwell 336677 and its superior performance come at a high cost that won’t appeal much to budget buyers. Also, at 24 lbs., it is very heavy and not easily portable.

4. Best Rifle Rest for Benchrest Shooting: Vanguard Porta-Aim

Vanguard Porta-Aim’s unique tripod design makes it the best rifle rest for benchrest shooting and enhanced rifle stability.

Alongside the three bench-optimized support legs is a center column, which offers a single-hand adjustment ring you can operate easily as your other hand controls the rifle.

The support bag offers anti-vibration capabilities while its 360-degree swivel capacity supports operational flexibility, especially when you need to make quick target adjustments.

When the support columns are fully retracted, the entire unit becomes very compact. You can slot it in small backpack spaces and move around with it quite easily. Also, setting up the unit takes a few seconds.

Perhaps some users may find the absence of a rear rifle rest in the Vanguard Porta-Aim shooting rest a slight inconvenience.

5. Most Versatile Shooting Rest: Caldwell 548664

Caldwell 548664 is a highly versatile shooting rest, and a favorite for many rifle owners because of its compatibility with rifles, shotguns, and pistols. It is also an ambidextrous rest for operational flexibility.

The shooting rest maximizes versatility through its 3-section assembly, which allows for connection and disconnection, providing the flexibility to support pistols, long rifles, and shotguns.

If you shoot comfortably with both hands, you’ll be pleased with the shooting rest’s ambidextrous support. And regardless of your dominant shooting side, accuracy is guaranteed by the vertical adjustability on the front cradle.

It boasts of a rugged constriction, which makes the entire unit virtually resistant to the elements. Also, the non-marring material in the front and the rear cradle is soft, to protect your rifles from scratching or tarnishing.

Then there’re the adjustment knobs that are positioned conveniently to simplify operation and maximize convenience.

The Caldwell 548664 is, without a doubt, a versatile shooting rest, but the absence of water-resistance may come as a disappointment to outdoor shooting enthusiasts.

6. Best All-Weather Shooting Rest: Caldwell 1084745

The all-weather construction of Caldwell 1084745 makes a great shooting rest for outdoor and range shooting. Its benchtop is fully weatherproof and should thrive even in harsh conditions.

It is a unique shooting rest because of its table-and-seat design. Alongside the ambidextrous table that works great for left or right-handed shooters, there’s also an ambidextrous seat that pivots around the table to provide maximum shooting comfort.

There’s a unique tabletop perimeter rail, which is designed to keep ammo from rolling off the benchtop. Push-activated buttons simplify the folding process.

And for ease of carrying, the unit comes with molded handles that offer a firm grip while simplifying storage, as well.

Caldwell 1084745 doesn’t come cheap. It is a premium shooting rest that may not be a great fit for budget buyers. Also, at 30 lbs., it’s heavy for prolonged carrying in the hand.

7. Best Shooting Rest for Pistols: MTM K-Zone KSR-30

The high adjustability of MTM K-Zone KSR-30 makes it a great shooting rest for pistol handguns.

It comes with a unique handgun pad, which you can adjust to accommodate different pistols sizes. Removing the handgun pad entirely allows the shooting test to support rifle firearms as well.

Precision shooting is another area where this rest excels. It’s fitted with a precision-dialed screw pedestal, which adjusts the forearm level to achieve refined positioning.

Both the front and rear shooting pads are constructed using non-marring rubber, which protects your pistol and rifle finishes from scratching and any other contact damage.

Being a plastic shooting rest, the MTM K-Zone KSR-30 is not suitable for heavy-duty applications or use with high-recoil firearms.

8. Compact & Portable Shooting Rest: Twod Rest Bags

• Material: Polyester, Leather, Cloth
• Weight: 0.31 lbs .
• Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 6 in.

The lightweight and compact nature of Twod Rest Bags make it a highly portable shooting rest that is convenient to carry.

The entire set is compact and lightweight at 0.31 lbs. only. Moving around with it on your shooting adventures should not be an issue. Both bags also have quick-connect shoulder straps for ease of transportation.

The durability of this rest bag set is guaranteed by its premium water-resistant 600 Denier polyester main material. Not only are the bags great for outdoor use, but they will remain sturdy even after years of use.

Your rifle materials and finishes are also protected by the bags’ oxford cloth and soft leather materials, which are non-marring. They prevent the rifle from developing unwanted marks or scratches.

The Twod Rest Bags do, however, come unfilled, and you will need to purchase the filling material separately.

9. Highly Durable Shooting Rest: Guide Gear Bench Rest

Gear Bench Rest a highly stable and durable shooting rest. The entire bench rest features strong steel construction, which has a powder-coat finish.

This powder-coated steel construction also guarantees the durability of this rest. It will provide you with years of reliable service.

This is the same material used on the 3 legs that provide exceptional support and stability for your guns.

Both the rear yoke and the front cradle are adjustable, boosting the rest’s ability to hold virtually any firearm.

Soft rubber has been added to the front supports, for the prevention of rifle marring. Also, the non-slip feet of this rest boost stability especially during intensive firing.

Without support for length adjustments, the Guide Gear Bench Rest struggles in holding long rifles.

10. Rifle Shooting Rest with Superior Stability: MTM Predator PSR-30

The rubber feet of the MTM Predator PSR-30 shooting rest makes it highly stable for reliable rifle and handgun support.

This rest comes with 4 rubber feet, which provide even and slip-free support, especially on shooting benches . The enhanced stability and solid hold of this shooting rest also boost your firearm’s shooting accuracy.

A unique 2-piece design allows this shooting rest to hold both rifles and handguns reliably well, while minimizing its overall weight to just 3.5 lbs., for ease of portability.

Both of the shooting pads on this shooting rests have been fitted with non-marring rubber, which not only protects your firearms from damage but also boosts gripping capacity for different gun stocks and barrels.

Finally, a precision-dialed screw pedestal allows for forearm level adjustments to achieve precise firearm positioning.

The lightweight build of the MTM Predator PSR-30 does, however, lower the shooting rest’s recoil absorption capacity, making it unsuitable for powerful rifles.