Do the Silhouette vests really work. I have never used one and with my mid section I dont know that it would be all that helpful. How many of you use one of the vests from Hardscrabble Mtn. etc.??

Kevin

I use one and man I sure can tell the difference when I don't use one now.

Yes the vests do help, the chocie between the heavy leather and Hardscabble is now even putting out a lighter version now is a personal choice. You will notice that it helps you put the butt of the rifle in the same position everytime as well a dampen the visible heart movement.

Innocent

Along these lines, what is/isn't legal for wear on the line...

You must be able to get a 4 inch PVC tube between the vest and your body while wearing it. I have never seen one with sleeves, and no artificial support can be sewn into the vests.

Innocent

I have the Hardscrabble. I really like it. The vest is custom fit to your build, and there is also adjustment in the midsection via velcro straps. Vests are worth the money for sure. The padding will reduce the wobble, and you will enjoy each shot more. My wife gave me one as a birthday gift. Ter

Where does one find a decent vest for silhouette, I've looked around locally, but all I find are shotgunner vests, and I forgot to ask shooters at the match Sunday?
I'd like to get one before the matches next month........

Here are 2 links for silhoutte vests. I have the hardscrabble vest, I don't have any experience with the vest from Shooting Paul.
http://www.hardscrabblemountain.com/products.htm
http://www.shootingpaul.netfirms.com/jacket.html
I also tried the shotgun vests. The leather silhouette vest reduces the wobble twice as much. I would suggest passing on the shotgun vests.

There may be some personal bias here. But I would buy the hardscrabble vest over the shooting paul. more leather and personal fit make them as good as it gets

Chief, I thought you would go for the ones from the "great white north". Where in the heck have you been all winter, I haven't seen any of your posts.

Thanks for the advice on vests. I now understand why they are needed.

Kevin

Kevin,
A comment on you statement as to why vests are needed...
I shot smallbore silhouette from 1977 until 1997 before I bought a scope, at that time what I bought was a Weaver T-10, later that year I switched to the brighter Leupold VXII, no target knobs. While I was able to hold a steady mid-range A class score, I had reached a plateau, one of my mentors in silhouette, now deceased convinced me to shoot my first national match with his Premier Reticle fixed 24 power scope and vest. Up 'til then I had never used a vest, using borrowed equipment I managed to land top of the class, thus started my quest for better equipment. I purchased my first Hardscrabble vest (which I stil have) and my average picked up about 4 points while still using the VXII scope...

Over the last nine years I have worked with a number of different people at different ranges, each has their own knowledge about wind conditions, mirage, ammo etc. but they all have the generosity to share that knowledge and experience and usually 99% will also lend you their equipment.

I have improved parts of my equipment, such as an 18X40 Premier with a 1" dot, had trigger jobs done on my Winchester 52's, and added a new Hardscrabble vest. I will say that without a doubt some of the equipment has improved my average several points, but perhaps the most valuable thing I have learned is if there is ever any question about what something like a vest will do for you, do not hesistate to ask a fellow silhouette shooter to borrow one and try it. Not everything works for everybody, but this family is willing to share their knowledge, equipment and experience.

Mary

shootnchef wrote:There may be some personal bias here. But I would buy the hardscrabble vest over the shooting paul. more leather and personal fit make them as good as it gets

Are all of the hardscrabble as butt-ugly as those pictured? Geez... I guess we should consider "silhouette specific" products considering the small market but I'm fine with the Browning shotgun vest I bought 12+ years ago. I just went to a shooting store (Williams Gun Sight) that had a lot of them and found what suited me.

Do they work ?....I'll say !
Do chads hang in Florida ? Does Al Gore wear a funny hat ? Eh Mary, .....and that 'pinko' David McL !

I bought a 'Hardscrabble' from the Winsteads in 2000, when they were over in Australia, eventually donated to my son. Great jacket.
I had a slightly heavier version made for myself locally, lovely fleuro orange canvas lining,
and also a 'lightweight' version, with an open back, looser-weave canvas lining, and soft light doeskin leather outer, in cool beige and grey suede,
and slightly shorter as well, to keep the vitals a little cooler.
Strap looks a little loose at the back, but all changes when you 'assume the position'. I didn't want it too tight anyway.
Accomodates 'Muffin-tops' and 'J-Lo' butts, as well !

Both with velcro side fastening to accomodate an 'open to the waist' rule.
They both look much the same in the front.
Here's some pics,
cheers from 'Godzone',
Sean

WOW great responses, That is just the info I am looking for. Looks like I have to decide between a spotting scope and a vest over the next couple months Which would you pick???