Ransome Rest or??

by tceva Sun May 21, 2017 5:03 am

Looking to tweek some pistol loads. Shooting off a rest has a lot of human variables for me. Is the Ransome Rest the only product of it's type that can reproduce the shots?
Any input would be appreciated.

by Magload Sun May 21, 2017 6:55 am

No there are a couple other mechanical rest but I just can't think of their names. I think there is a thread on this forum about one of them. I modified a Hyskore pistol so I can gtip the gun with one hand while squeezing in up against a rear rifle rest with only a left ear. It does just fine. If you don't have a rock solid bench, concrete or steel I beam and Ransom doesn't produce it's best groups. My RR works fine on the bench at the indoor range but the bench at the BE like outdoors flexes to much so I just use the Hyskore. Besides I have to many handguns to buy grip inserts for so only have a insert for a Government 1911. Don

by LenV Sun May 21, 2017 6:58 am

Some of us on the forum use the "Lee" pistol rest. I know it is not as good as a Ransom mounted to a 500lb block of concrete. No longer in production but still come up for sale often. I made custom pistol holders for mine as did other forum users. I have one mount that does 9 different types of pistols. They work nice for what you have into them.

lee rest - Ransome Rest or?? Dscf0614

by Magload Sun May 21, 2017 7:12 am

That is the one I mentioned there was a post about. I would rather have it then my mod'ed Hyscore for sure it is just the Hyskore is so easy to use and requires no brackets. lee rest - Ransome Rest or?? Img_0212

by AllAces Sun May 21, 2017 8:05 am

IMHO, the Ransom Rest is the standard for testing pistol and revolver loads. I own a Ransom Rest, a Hyskore rest and sandbags. After several hundred rounds of .45 ammo, and reading and rereading the instructions, I was finally able to get consistent groups with my Range Officer based wad gun. It takes time and patience to learn to use a Ransom Rest, but I believe it gives the best results short of a custom factory fixture when testing loads and the ability of a gun to group shots. I don't find the Ransom Rest that useful for checking the zero on my BE guns. For that I use the Hyskore rest and a similiar sandbag arrangement shown in Magload's photo. The sandbags I use for quick informal testing as they are the quickest to set up.

Again, IMHO, the Ransom Rest takes time to learn how to use it. For me, the keys to success are a thorough reading of the instructions, then writing you own set of step by step instructions, following those instructions every time, and being very consistent in how you handle the rest during and after every shot. It's like bullseye, have a written shot plan, follow the plan, and be consistent.

by LenV Sun May 21, 2017 8:35 am

Another link to the Lee. https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t7147-lee-machine-rest?highlight=lee+pistol+rest

There also looks like there might be one for sale in commercial row. Does not say it's sold. https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t6887-wts-lee-machine-rest?highlight=lee+pistol+rest

by Magload Sun May 21, 2017 8:47 am

AllAces wrote:IMHO, the Ransom Rest is the standard for testing pistol and revolver loads. I own a Ransom Rest, a Hyskore rest and sandbags. After several hundred rounds of .45 ammo, and reading and rereading the instructions, I was finally able to get consistent groups with my Range Officer based wad gun. It takes time and patience to learn to use a Ransom Rest, but I believe it gives the best results short of a custom factory fixture when testing loads and the ability of a gun to group shots. I don't find the Ransom Rest that useful for checking the zero on my BE guns. For that I use the Hyskore rest and a similiar sandbag arrangement shown in Magload's photo. The sandbags I use for quick informal testing as they are the quickest to set up.

Again, IMHO, the Ransom Rest takes time to learn how to use it. For me, the keys to success are a thorough reading of the instructions, then writing you own set of step by step instructions, following those instructions every time, and being very consistent in how you handle the rest during and after every shot. It's like bullseye, have a written shot plan, follow the plan, and be consistent.

The RR is a great tool mine has the windage adjustment and the board it is mounted to has a adjustable mount for my Labradar. I only wish the range had a decent place to mount it at the 50 yard line. The bench is usable but I need a time when there is no one else on the line touching the bench as you can see that it moves when looking through a spotting scope. You are right there is a learning process and much care needs to be taken each and every shot.

As for using bags or HySkore rest is I can get a load to shoot 10 ring I know it is shooting way better then I can shoot it one handed. I use that same philosophy where I am indoors at 20yds or 50 feet or outdoors at the LL or SL as I have targets for all ranges. Maybe if I live long enough to make High Master I will reduce that to X ring groups as my LB will do 1.6" Don

by **Wobbley** Sun May 21, 2017 8:59 am

The patent for the Lee rest.

https://www.google.com/patents/US3343411

by tceva Sun May 21, 2017 10:55 am

Many Thanks Gentlemen. Lots of good info.
Alex

by cavedweller29 Tue May 30, 2017 1:51 pm

Hello, there is also the Caldwell HAMMR. Once again, no longer made but you can find them on the internet used. Of all the options I considered, it seemed closest to a Ransom and it uses Ransom grip inserts as well. I have had one for 4-5 years and never had a problem with it and it cost me about 1/6th of a Ransom (I think I paid about $50 on ebay and a cheap ebay Ransom is usually in excess of $300). I'm happy with it but, as others have said, you need to treat every shot exactly the same to get good results. There is almost an art to using it well and I find myself acting much more anal using it than I do with any other aspect of shooting.

by tceva Wed May 31, 2017 2:30 am

Thanks for the note. Both rests are hard to come by. (within my budget)
Watching a RR on ebay.
The Hammr seems harder to locate. Probably due to the value.

by jglenn21 Wed May 31, 2017 5:32 am

I sold my HAMMR for well over 300 on eBay a couple of years back. It was new in the box other than an upgraded pivot bushing I made from bronze on my lathe. Only weak point of the unit.

Zero parts are available on them but they were solid units and we're dirt cheap when they were being closed out.. Think midway had them for 50.

by cavedweller29 Wed May 31, 2017 3:55 pm

Wow, glad to know I won't lose any money if I sell it but I use it too much right now to do that. If you can find one for a reasonable price they are a decent unit. For over $300 though, I would have paid a little more and gotten a RR. I don't remember exactly what I paid but I do know it was well under $100 plus shipping so I am pretty happy things worked out in my favor....for once.

by JayhawkNavy02 Wed May 31, 2017 7:59 pm

H.E.G made a rest, very nice, but I've been looking and so far cannot find one for sale anywhere.
IMO better than the RR, but as rare as hen's teeth.

by Chris Miceli Wed May 31, 2017 8:22 pm

JayhawkNavy02 wrote:H.E.G made a rest, very nice, but I've been looking and so far cannot find one for sale anywhere.
IMO better than the RR, but as rare as hen's teeth.

Could always copy the design....if you can get specs

by JayhawkNavy02 Wed May 31, 2017 9:42 pm

I wonder if they filed a patent. Dave Sams has one. Great design although he made some improvements. AMU had one as well.

by LenV Wed May 31, 2017 10:13 pm

Looked for picture of the Heg. All I found was the HAMMR

lee rest - Ransome Rest or?? 6467012_01_caldwell_hammr_ransom_rest_640

by kc.crawford.7 Thu Jun 01, 2017 2:40 am

lee rest - Ransome Rest or?? HEG%20pistol%20rest

I spoke with David about it. They offered him the balance of parts etc. when they went out of business. I don't know of anyone that has prints etc. that was the purpose of my call to him.

by Magload Thu Jun 01, 2017 6:42 am

IMHO it doesn't matter which mechanical rest you get it is only as good as what you mount it on. Unless the range you shoot it at has a concrete pillar or a cemented in i beam you are not going to get the best results. I am ok with the bench at the indoor range but that is only 20yds and have since learned from this forum that the testing needs to be done at 50yds. At 20 I can tell that a load is getting a tighter then another load and at first used the math idea that I could just multiply the group size by 2.5 to get a idea what the 50yd group would be. No true, not even close with some bullets but then not shot from the same bench. There fore i have not used my RR since starting this BE stuff. Don

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