Tree Stand Handgun Hunting

I am going to hunt with my .44 magnum S&W 629 Classic for the first time this year in Georgia and was wondering if anyone has any experience with handgun rests for a tree stand, primarily a metal ladder stand will be used in the areas I will be hunting?

Thanks for your input.

You can rest the frame on the shooting rail (I like to pad it with something if the rail has no pad on it.

The few tree stands that I do frequest offer only about 50-100 yards of shooting and I don't need a rest for those. If your stand has a safety/shooting rail you can lean on it. If not, you can rest the tip of a monopod on your toe. The issue I find with a monopod is holding it and your gun at the same. How long of shots do you anticipate?

And welcome to HH!

Welcome, from a fellow Ga boy! The rails usually provide enough support to make revolver range shots. I too hunt with a 44, and imho, practice from hunting positions helps, ALOT.

Pad your shooting rail and practice.

Barryp,

If your stands have a rail, I like (and carry in my pack) an Outdoor Connection WingBag that works really well on rails, windowsills of shooting houses, etc. Great for wheelguns and singleshots.

For those without a rail, I've used tripod/bipod shooting sticks, my knees (BEWARE of cylinder gap), my backpack in my lap, anything to get steady!

Welcome to HH, and good luck this season!

BarryP, Howdy and Welcome Aboard!

I am with the others. I love to hunt from ladder stands! I put a 2X4 on the front of my ladder stand and set a sand bag on top of it. This has allowed me to comfortable take possums at 75 yards with my 357 Max.

Duane

Do a lot of tree stand handgun hunting. On the stands that I also bow hunt from I don't use a rest. I just practice off hand shooting a lot. I the stands that I also rifle hunt from The have a rail on them already. Check out the old man grand vision. Works great. reflex264

Thanks for the great input. I have 6 different tree stands that I will be hunting from that range up to 50-60 yards max. I just shot the handgun Saturday with a scope and am fine to about 30 yards without any rest. I will continue to practice those shots. I also have a shooting rail on all the stands so that may help as well.

I may try a monopod too and modify the foot so it will not fall trhough the metal mesh of the stand.

Welcome to HH. If your stand has a rail, a 1"x12" board is my favorite rest in a ladder stand. Cut the board long enough that it'll reach across the width of the stand, then the board can be used in any position on the stand. Add a small shoot'n bag or my favorite, a welding glove and it's just like shoot'n from a bench.



In the photo, the board is pictured long ways (front of stand to back of stand) on the right side of me (I'm right handed). With it positioned like this, you forearm is completely rested on the board and your handgun on your rest of choice. It's a simple, cheap, rock solid set-up.

Ditto on what Whitworth said.

One way or another I get plywood up there on the rails to shoot off of, I want a flat surface for a sandbag and to rest my forearms and elbows on, the other thing I do is tie off a 2x4 between 2 trees to shoot off of, anything to be solid and steady.

http://www.no-miss.com

That is a neat idea. Think I might have to try one out.

That's a nice setup you've got there, Kim!

I took my first handgun deer last season and just rested my forearms on the rail just behind the wrists. It worked fine, but a bench/bag would make me feel better for longer shots.

For those of you that have used that type of set up does it hinder you on shots at quicker moving game or would you just freehand it in that situation?

I pretty much do that all the time. It is hard to have a rest in just the right place all the time so the only stands I really use them are on long fencelines or field edges where you have the time and only one direction to set up in. Just leaning on or against something will really steady the shot, and without affecting POI.

I just ordered. They have BOGO deal running now.

I don't hunt tree stands anymore, but when I did I used climbers and I would set up facing the tree. On both sides of the tree I would screw in two of the big Ameristep tree steps. You can arrange them in numerous configurations, but the make a good solid rest as you can also rest your forearm against the tree while resting your pistol on the tree step. I covered the tree steps in rubber shrink tubing. Makes a strong and quiet shooting rest. Also works good when setting behind a tree on the ground.

You could face out and shoot off your rail if you have one and still use the screw in steps to shift to shoot to both your left and right rear quarter.

I like to use a sandbag on a shooting rail. I take the leg of an old pair of jeans, fill it about half way with play sand and then sew it closed.

At half full you can take the bag and sort of twist it in the middle like you would making link sausages. Then you can drape the bag over the rail and it does a good job of staying put. It works great with a contender because you get two solid resting points - under the forearm (which lays across the rail) and the trigger guard which rests against the half of the bag that is draped on your side of the rail. Can make for some steady shooting.

I always have more luck resting my arm or wrist on the rest instead of the gun.

These are some great ideas.

Kral, that picture of your stand/hunting location makes me drool

My package from no-miss.com arrived yesterday. I did the buy one-get one deal with the two different rests.

The shorter model works well when resting on your knee or thigh, the extended model works well from a stand. Both are light and easy to pack.,

Glad you like it, Dawg. I have practiced with mine and think it's a winner!

Practiced with mine this weekend, it is a winner !!

I too like a good solid rest in any tree stand for my Super 14 Contender 7x30 w/Ultradot. A good rest is a valuable asset in most deer hunting/shooting situations and can really enhance your accuracy and effective range. I use the rest for even short shots.

The board and bag rest set up works out very well in my stands and gives me a place to set the gun during the hunt. I have used a monopod shooting stick also, but prefer the board/bag where possible.

Dave
Central Fla

I like Krals set up for sure and will definately give it a try. I have always used my off hand fore arm on the rail to steady a little and free handed.

My version of your gun:

I ground hunt but, your gun should work anywhere. Mine does.
Steve