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Jesse's Hunting > Gun Room Articles > The Gun Room > Trying out the MTM/Caseguard Predator Rest
Trying out the MTM/Caseguard Predator Rest
Andy Moe - JHO ProStaff
- San Diego, CA
July 24, 2005
I have an old Plymouth mini van that I use for hunting and range excursions. It was a hand-me-down from Capt. Ma’am when it was decided that she needed a needed a new ride a couple of years back. I like it. Not only does it run well but it allows me to haul all of my range equipment around with me 24/7. I am reminded of it’s presence at every bump in the road when the suspension groans under the shifting load of target frames, sandbags, and spotting scopes. It’s a good old truck and never complains about the workout I put it through. I’m sure it never noticed when I added my newest piece of shooting gear to the load, my MTM / Caseguard Predator Shooting Rest.
Versatile configuration
The rest can be used with either handguns or rifles with a few simple adjustments. |
The Predator Shooting Rest is a two piece unit that combines the front and rear rest by way of an adjustable extension that telescopes the rear section into the front half of the rest. In this manner the distance between the “bags” can be adjusted to suit different rifles. By removing the rear half of the unit you are left with a fine handgun rest suitable for revolver and all manner of single shot handguns. The use of high- impact injection molded parts allows for light weight and close tolerances between the components. The design is quite ingenious and well thought out.
When I received my Predator shooting rest I was taken by its light weight. MTM/Caseguard is recognized as an industry leader in the use of injection molded plastics for their products. Every reloader is familiar with the variety and durability of the ammunition storage boxes available from MTM. I have some that are at least 25 years old and still work like they should. The same tough materials and engineering that goes into these storage boxes went this three-pound, six-ounce shooting rest as well.
Assembly was a snap. I followed the written instructions but could have easily gotten by with just following the pictorial guide. A Phillips head screwdriver was the only tool needed. The only snafu I ran into during assembly was that the distributor I’d arranged to get my Predator from had opened the box and put other small items from my order inside to cut down on shipping costs. Unfortunately, when they so did they apparently lost a packet containing the 4 screws that hold the rubber rests into place. An e-mail to MTM was all it took to have my screws the next afternoon via UPS/Next Day Air. Now friends, that’s Service! With screws in hand the total assembly time was just under 10 minutes.
At the range I was impressed by the sensibility of the rig. Combining the fore end rest and butt stock rest into one light weight unit not only saves dragging 15 pounds of iron, sand, and leather from the van to the shooting benches, but it also allowed for a very uniform shot-to-shot placement of the gun onto the rest. The rest extends or collapses by loosening the two clamping knobs around the telescoping shaft on the butt stock rest and simply moving it to where you wish before retightening the screws. Adjustments were smooth and easy. 
Nice setup
While the rest may not be quite up to precision shooters' specifications, it is a great setup for varmint shooting and plinking. |
The elevation of the fore end rest is changed by unlocking a thumbscrew and turning a generously sized hand wheel. When the right elevation is obtained you again tighten the thumbscrew. The upward travel of the front rest was smooth. The down ward travel was a bit stuttered due to the light weight of the assembly itself, especially with a light weight rifle. I found that by leaning into the rifle a tad while turning the hand wheel the ram moved more smoothly. In most instances I simply traveled past the desired elevation level and then reversed the hand wheel to come back up onto target. The front end of the rest is a good 24” in width, giving a wide stance and good lateral support. It certainly looks heavier than it is.
I found that the rubber, fore and aft rifle rests were designed to accept all shapes and sizes of rifles and handguns. The flat forestock of my HOWA .223 rested well, as did the narrower fore end of my Savage Striker pistol, when the Predator was used in the handgun mode. When using the rest with a handgun, the rear butt-stock rest is loosened and removed. Two rubber pads mounted underneath the rear of the front half of the unit now become part of the base. The butt of the pistol is placed on the rubber shelf located on top of this section of the rest, and the front grip or barrel positioned on the rest. I found the rig quite sturdy for handgunning. I did take the precaution of placing a cloth over the rest to keep cylinder-gap flash from my S&W .44 Special from scarring my rest. With the .22 WMR Striker I got some really great groups, equal to what I’ve gotten with my “iron” rests.
All rifles require a slightly different holding technique while shooting. Most of the time I simply lay the fore end of the rifle on the bags and curl my left arm back toward the rear sand bag. Obviously this technique isn’t practical with the Predator rest. I found placing my left hand along the front rest helped take up any slight vibrations that might occur due to wind. With some rifles, like my CZ452, I placed my left hand on the fore end of the stock behind the front rest. This is the technique I have found worked best with this lightweight sporter when shooting off of my leather bags and it produced great groups with the MTM rest. I used slight variations of this technique with all the rifles I’ve fired so far over the Predator. It’s worked well for me.
The Predator Shooting Rest isn’t the rig for serious bench-rest shooters but for sportsman who want to shoot prairie dogs or ground squirrels it’s a dandy, especially when combined with a portable shooting table like the one now offered my MTM. I doubt if this rest would accommodate the hood of a pickup too well due to its design, but any flat surface you could come up with to evenly support the Predator’s wide base will surely work well. For sighting in rifles it’s a real handy piece of work that will be appreciated by many a serious shooter. It’s well designed, durable, and lightweight.
I know that my poor old van will appreciate hauling the Predator rest around. The sag in the rear end was noticeably reduced when I substituted the Predator Rest for my usual collection of sand bags and iron rests. I think my gas mileage improved a little, too. At this rate I may just get another season out of the old girl!
The MTM Predator Shooting Rest is available from MTM suppliers everywhere for under $50.
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