Shooting from vehicle window - help?

[macjeffrey]

Hi All,

I don't have access to a ute for spotlighting (usually foxes, Tikka .223) so we hang out the window of my brother's landcruiser. I'm interested in improving my accuracy so I am seeking your advice re a number of options such as a shooting rest (e.g. big iron), getting out and using the boonet, no rest at all, etc. If you're not using a ute, what works for you? Thanks, Jeff

[stinkitup]

Hey Jeff

This sounds familiar to us when we are out usually with three of us luckily my bro is a a goofy lefty (hey klicker) so with someone driving we have someone out each side of the patrol. Have found the mirrors are good but other than that its using the vertical parts of the doors etc

Took a crow with the 6.5 swede using the mirror it was perfect but would also like to try the big iron rest so hopefully some else has bit the bullet and can inform us all on them

Ryan

[trevort]

I once shot the wing mirror off a a Magna . Did you know magnas are 4wd when they are company cars.

Having shot out the window with no support and with a big iron I would 100% prefer the big iron. Buy one or make one

[Knackers]

Hey Trev, do you have a big iron?, if you got one it would be handy for you when you go out to all those different properties, just keep it in the boot of the Mitsbish.

[trevort]

Knackers, my Mits is not a company car, that incident was many years ago! It gets me to properties and if I'm not walking I hop into someone else's 4wd, sound familiar!

Now I was going to buy a dual cab ute but she who used to have to be obeyed forbade it. 22 months left on the lease and a 4wd will likely replace it!

[Knackers]

Yeah but if you got a Big Iron you could hook it on my passenger door or Thomo's or who ever else you visit, and then when your lease runs out "Presto" your ready to roll in you new 4wd. plus I'm trying to talk the boss into letting me cut a hole in the roof of the Patrol for a spotlight and I want to try out a "Big Iron" cause I dont think he'll let me screw a rest onto the door.

[Dr G]

McJeffy

I do nearly all of my shooting from inside the vehicle, because of oh&s regs and due to the style of shooting needed for some ferals (high speed across rough terrain)

I use a big iron door rest for my spotlight work and i cant fault them. I also shoot across the bonnet use the door mirrors and use the A pillar as a rest when necessary. Now that trev gave me an early present (harris bipod, thanks trev) i will probably use this over the bonnet as well.

For the money the newer adjustable door rests are worth it because they enable you to adjust the rest to suit the model of vehicle you are shooting from. My only sugggestion is to ditch the vinal covered padding and replace it with some thicker high density foam rubber to dampen out any movement from others in the vehicle and to give you a wider platform to rest on.

Also a point trev made recently remove the front sling stud to enable the rifle to slide easier under recoil and when lining up on your target.

cheers

Dr G

[JP]

Jeff, a real cheap alternative door rest is a $5 pool noodle. Cut it to length a bit smaller than the width of your door window, then cut it length ways half way through and it just slips over your window glass, adjust to height with window winder and bingo.

Works surprisingly well

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day all,
that's what I like to see.........an off the shelf, CHEAP, elegant and workable solution to a problem.

How aussie is that?

In a word BRILLIANT; Well done JP

Cheerio Ned

[bushchook]

The pool noodle is OK but a Big Iron rest extends out well past the window and is a lot steadier to shoot over , particularly in terms of horizontal group dispersion . At the end of the day that is pretty important .

[stinkitup]

Hey JP

So there is enough protection from the noodle to look after the glass? sounds sweet in my price range

Ryan

[Kenny]

I made up a rest out of plastic conduit covered in that black foam pipe insulation stuff that slipped over the door with the window down...the only problem with it was when it rained or you wanted to travel it had to be taken off.

My mate has a 'cruiser and made a rest that screws onto the mirror frame, it goes around and over the mirror. It's beaut and even saves the mirror from being knocked about by branches when driving on overgrown tracks...

KY

[GIJ]

I like the pool noodle idea. Even if it doesn't work perfectly I'll have fun trying and for only $5.

If I need something better i'll have to put the big iron on the Christmas list.

[spana]

I will give the noodle a go ,the kids wont miss one ,and a bigiron is going on my list as well .any idea what they are worth guys

[JP]

Ned.. I can't take credit for the idea, I read about it myself a few years back. But I have used the noodle rest a lot since and it works a treat ...

bushchook .. your right mate, don't think any pro roo shooters would be using a noodle rest, but for infrequent spotlighting trips it is a cheap option and easy to carry with all your other gear.

Ryan.. Normally don't use bigger cals out of the ute window, but have used the 25-06 a few times with no dramas. The glass is only exposed up a few inches and most of the bang is heading into your shoulder anyway.



When your moving from one paddock to the next, just wind up the window and lightly clamp the noodle at the top of the frame, if something pops up, a couple of turns down of the winder and your ready to go... I think you can get 3 rests from a full length noodle if you cut them all 1/3 equal length, approx $1.66/rest is pretty good value..

Another tip is to mark your lengthways cut with a heavy black marker pen a couple of times, makes finding the split easy when you want to slip it over the glass..

John.