Shooting Mat-recommendations?

[bootzey]

Looking for recommendations from prone shooters as to what shooting mats are a good choice. It's hard to make a decision from the internet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Patrick

[stokesrj]

Hi Patrick,
There are several really good ones out there. I use two that I really like and it depends upon the surface I'll be shooting from which one I choose. For concrete I like a thicker padding so for that I use my Creedmoor http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Cree...g_Mat.html
For shooting from grass, I prefer the champions choice http://www.champchoice.com/prod-CC_GRAY_...-1010.aspx
I would stay away from the cheapie promotional mats like sold by Midway, they work and are better than nothing but are aggravating to handle under time constraints.
Hope this helps, Bob

[Drifter]

I'll preface my recommendation by saying that I'm not a competitive shooter, have tried only one mat, and shoot prone only once in a while.

The Voodoo Tactical mat has worked fine for my application. It's quick to use and to take up, it's relatively compact to store, and it seems durable enough to last quite some time (especially considering my limited use). I'm sure that there are better mats available, but I have no complaints with the VT mat.



http://www.voodootactical.net/p-197-vood...g-mat.aspx

[bootzey]

Great! Thanks guys.

[CPT.CRAZY]

I have a midway usa and I like it. Not the greatest mat on rock, other than that works good.

[parallax]

I used to use a CMP mat but have since moved to a larger mat from Midway.

This one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/276544/...olive-drab

[RStewart]

Hi Patrick,
There are several really good ones out there. I use two that I really like and it depends upon the surface I'll be shooting from which one I choose. For concrete I like a thicker padding so for that I use my Creedmoor http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Cree...g_Mat.html
For shooting from grass, I prefer the champions choice http://www.champchoice.com/prod-CC_GRAY_...-1010.aspx
I would stay away from the cheapie promotional mats like sold by Midway, they work and are better than nothing but are aggravating to handle under time constraints.
Hope this helps, Bob

I also use a Creedmoor mat. But use this one- http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Basi...g_Mat.html
Well made and tough.

[JohnOD]

I have one of these Tab Gear shooting mats
http://www.triadtactical.com/TAB-Gear-Shooting-Mat.html
The pluses is it rolls up nice & compact and is coated with a water proofing on the bottom.
The downside is it doesn't offer much if anything in the way of padding.

[rkflorey]

I used an Eagle mat for about 12 years until it gave up the ghost. It was a shorter but sturdy mat and was a good LE deployment mat for improvised position shooting. I have a Midway now and if its just for practice/ range work it works perfectly. I don't compete either so if you are thinking of going in that direction go with Stokesrj's suggestion.
I also had one made after the Eagle died. Short 48" x 28", made out of heavy camo materiel and had a 1/2 inch closed cell foam interior. Lightweight, water resistant and tough. It folds quick and kept me from cold/hot , wet ground/roof tops for years (still have it). Kevin

[stokesrj]

Here is why I mentioned to stay away from the Midway Mats assuming your intened application is competive High Power Rifle Competition. I take this from the US Rifle Teams Forum, the most experienced Highpower competitors on the face of the earth.


Dan Davis

Short, bald, old Highmaster
Group:Members
Posts:150
Joined:14-September 09
Posted Today, 08:25 AM
I've used a certain brand of mat for years, having tried a lot of them and settled on the best, for me. I needed another for a junior, needed it for this weekend, and couldn't get ____________ to answer the phone. Midway, coincidentally, had their $100 "Pro" mat on sale for $50, so why not.......? My admittedly biased opinion:

The mat, in and of itself, is not a bad product. It is, however, not suitable for serious competition. My impression is that it was designed by people who shoot only casually, and not competitively. It was then manufactured by the Chinese, who certainly knew even less about something like NRA Highpower. (I was disappointed to find it was made in China, but I get disappointed like that a lot lately.)

My first act was to cut off the silly forward extension flap…..it only serves to add bulk and slow the rolling-up process. This is something only people under a time constraint to get into the pits or back to 300 would understand.

In order to be rolled tightly enough to get the velco straps fastened, the mat must be rolled too tightly to slip over your scope stand. Again, something only a competitive shooter would need to do. The mat is too stiff to be folded in half, then rolled. If rolled as a single layer, as it is obviously intended to be, it will stay curled up front and back when unrolled. Not a problem, unless you have only two minutes to occupy your firing point. The grip surfaces appear to be plastic, and are functional, but not as sticky as they should be.

My opinion is that the Champion’s Choice or Creedmoor products are much better suited to highpower or smallbore, and the Midway mat should be left to armchair commandos and others of the tacticool crowd.

This is from a High Master point of view and is not intended to offend anyone who is happy with the Midway Mats, they serve a purpose. My son uses one and is happy with it, but I continually see him struggle with the time constraints and become hurried when he shoud be establishing a solid position and confident of it. In my opinon it costs him 2-3 points every match.
Bob

[RStewart]

My opinion is that the Champions Choice or Creedmoor products are much better suited to highpower or smallbore, and the Midway mat should be left to armchair commandos and others of the tacticool crowd.
.
Bob

My Creedmoor mat started life in High Power in 2009 and has been used in F-Class and FPR almost every weekend since 2010. It's been in dirt, mud, on concrete and grass and still is quite servicable. Champions Choice (had a coat) and Creedmoor sell quality merchandise.