Shooting Sticks & Shooting Benches

A stable rest is the quickest route to a safe and ethical shot. Here you will find shooting sticks, shooting benches and gun rests for hunting, zeroing and target shooting – from light 2-leg sticks for stalking to 3- and 4-leg sticks for the high seat and benches for zeroing rifles and air rifles.

What to look for

Number of legs

• 2 legs – light and quick to set up. Good for stalking, where you move often. E.g. the Vanguard Scout B62.
• 3 legs – stands on its own and gives more stability while you wait for the game. E.g. the Stabilotherm 3-leg shooting stick and the Allen 3-leg 3-in-1 shooting stick.
• 4 legs – the most stable solution, where the rifle rests both front and rear. E.g. the Stable Sticks Bush Stick.

Height and adjustment

The shooting stick should be adjustable so you can shoot standing, sitting and kneeling. Check the maximum height against your own height, and how quickly the legs lock and release – it matters when the buck appears.

Rifle holder

The holder must hold the rifle securely without scratching it. Many shooting sticks have a fork or a swivelling holder, so you can follow the game without moving the stick.

Shooting bench and zeroing

For zeroing the riflescope and target shooting, a shooting bench or a gun rest is better than a stick. Here you will find the Hawke Pro shooting bench, MTM Predator shooting bench, Gamo zeroing bench and Vector Optics gun rest bags, among others.

Weight and transport

If the stick has to be carried far, weight and pack size matter. Aluminium and carbon fibre are lighter than wood and steel.

Who it suits

Shooting sticks suit every hunter – the stalker who needs a quick rest and the hunter in a high seat who wants a stable shooting position. Shooting benches suit anyone who wants to zero their riflescope or train accuracy with a rifle or air rifle.

See also optics, hunting chairs and seat pads and hunting accessories.